1. < Colorectal Cancer

Anyone have Surgery success with tumor at the internal sphincter ?

Posted by svevere @svevere, May 31, 2023

Was curious if anyone has had any success in surgery that is near the internal sphincter? Recently diagnosed with stage 1 rectal cancer that is 2cm from anal verge. I’m on my second round of FolFox chemo. Hoping for a wait and watch but not sure is surgery is ultimately inevitable. Would love to retain all my body parts and normal functions but with location the DR said it doesn’t look promising.

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svevere | @svevere | Oct 12, 2023

I recently went thru this 2 months ago. Mine was 4cm from verge, T1 tumor was removed using Robotic assisted TAMIS surgery at Mayo in Rochester. I’m very glad I had a second opinion as the local doctor in Montana wanted to remove body parts. Good luck and explore options. Mayo Clinic saved my butt… literally

REPLY
samclembeau | @samclembeau | Oct 11, 2023
In reply to @bkv "Sounds very much like my situation. I had a polyp(2.5m) 90%snare -removed from my anal canal...." + (show)
@bkv

Sounds very much like my situation. I had a polyp(2.5m) 90%snare -removed from my anal canal. I was told for years it was a hemorrhoid. Turned out to be stage 1 squamous cell cancer. Hoping to possibly reduce the collateral damage from radiation, I entered a phase 2 trial . The computer picked me for the arm I was hoping for, 1 chemo round instead of 2 and lower dose radiation for the 30 treatments. Hoping to avoid Sexual_dysfunction and/or fecal incontinence. I'm on my 3rd day of chemo and radiation with no side effects yet. I know the radiation will eventually take it's toll. I"m really hoping for the best outcome as I'm 75 years old and not fully retired. I'm otherwise in great shape and still do alot of physical labor.

Jump to this post

how are you doing now that trial is over?
making decision as to getting in on that trial.
very reluctant to do radiation.

REPLY
samclembeau | @samclembeau | Oct 11, 2023
In reply to @pkanders52 "Here is the list I used. Aveeno baby wipes Purist form of aloe Vera High protein..." + (show)
@pkanders52

Here is the list I used.
Aveeno baby wipes
Purist form of aloe Vera
High protein with fiber shakes. I used Atkins version!
Ionized/Alkaline filter with water bottle. Drink lots of water!
Anti gas pills
Keep your skin well moisturized with a good lotion!
I have 8 more treatments of chemo/radiation left out of 30 treatments days! Yeah me. I have had minimal side affects so far! Hope this helps

Jump to this post

pkanders52,
are you in trial where they do half chemo and half radiation? or are you doing negro protocol?
what kind of radiation photon or proton? where?
is -was- your cancer on your sphincter muscle?
so glad to hear you are doing well. you must be finished by now. how was your outcome?

REPLY
briancl | @briancl | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @rioa21 "I’m hoping that my next option is Immunotherapy. The thought of surgery is difficult to come..." + (show)
@rioa21

I’m hoping that my next option is Immunotherapy. The thought of surgery is difficult to come to terms with. I feel so defeated. Being positive hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I know a colostomy isn’t the end of the world…but still…

Jump to this post

I had a call from my surgeon. It seems that the chemo and radiation has worked for me. He said he found no sign of cancer in the colonoscopy that I had a week ago. He will check again in 6 weeks (another colonoscopy?) to make sure. I had 12 chemo sessions and 6 weeks of radiation every day.

REPLY
rioa21 | @rioa21 | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @terrydalecasino "Dear rioa21, First, let me tell you that I too was terrified. When the gastrointerologist first..." + (show)
@terrydalecasino

Dear rioa21,
First, let me tell you that I too was terrified. When the gastrointerologist first showed my 3-D ct scan my first reaction was he was showing me the wrong ct scan? However, he assured me I was viewing the right scan. I had a MASSIVE GROWTH that started and looked like ROOTS extending from my sigmiod colon and a what I called a huge POLYP in my rectm and extended all the way down to my anus. The POLYP ITSELF WAS NOT CANCEROUS, BUT THE ROOTS STARTING AT THE SIGMIOD WERE!!! So after consulting with the surgeon he told me that if I didn't remove everything the cancer would spread to the POLYP AND MAKE THINGS WORSE? SO HE REMOVED EVERYTHING!! The hardest part for me to understand was, OK, if you remove all that stuff, how am I going to discharge my fecal matter???? Thats when he explaind that I am going to have to have a STOMA STICKING OUT OF MY STOMACH! MY FIRST RESPONSE WAS, OK, BUT FOR HOW LONG, THATS WHEN HE DROPPED THE BOMBSHELL? He said I'm very SORRY to tell you this, but IT will be permanent. Thats when I thought to myself, AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS? Then he suggested that I look at videos of people who also have a colostomy? After looking into it and having EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT from nurses who are especially trained in wound care, I guess recovery? Because they KNOW how big a change of life it is for you? AS FAR AS THE SURGERY IT REALLY WAS'NT ALL THAT BAD? THERE WAS A LOT OF PAIN IN THE BEGINING, BUT THEY, THE SURGEON PRESCRIBES STRONG PAIN KILLING MEDICATION. AS FAR AS RECOVERY, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS I KEPT FORGETTING I COULD'NT SIT STRAIGHT DOWN. I ALWAYS HAD TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE I HAVE TO SIT ON MY SIDE. WHETHER IT BE MY RIGHT SIDE OR MY LEFT?
Now getting used to the bag? I had my surgery 1/11/21 and to be perfectly honest and candid with you, I still have trouble dealing with the bag. There are certain foods that I can NO LONGER EAT? ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS I TIRE MUCH MUCH SOONER THAN BEFORE! I WAS A FAIRLY ACTIVE PERSON BEFORE ALL OF THIS BUT NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T DO WHAT I USED TO DO. IT CAN BE VERY DEPRESSING AND DISCOURAGING. BUT ILOOK AT IT THIS WAY!!!! AT LEAST I'M STILL ALIVE?????
It is OK to be frightened and scared, I was too? But you learn to TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME? AND DON'T DO WHAT I DID! TRY TO HURRY THINGS, IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK? ALL YOU DO IS GO THROUGH MORE UNNECESSARY PAIN. Because then you get mad and it takes longer to heal. And above all, DO WHAT THE DOCTORS AND NURSES TELL YOU, THEY ARE HIGHLY SKILLED AND TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. THEY HAVE ALL TAKEN THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH!!!!!!!!!! "FIRST DO NO HARM".
With that said, just remember ONE thing, " GOD" will always watch over you and help and guide you through the most challanging times in your life.
GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS LOOK AT THE CUP AS HALF "FULL" INSTEAD OF HALF EMTY, "GOD BLESS"
P.S. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU DAILY!! YOU CAN AND WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your response. You’ve made me feel a bit better! I will take one day at a time. I see the surgeon on July 13th. I will have to have a biopsy to confirm that it is more cancer and not scar tissue or inflammation from radiation. I am hoping that I will be a can for Immunotherapy. I’ll cross that bridge if and when I get there. Again, thank you for you advice it has helped me!

REPLY
terrydalecasino | @terrydalecasino | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @rioa21 "I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation..." + (show)
@rioa21

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

Jump to this post

Dear rioa21,
First, let me tell you that I too was terrified. When the gastrointerologist first showed my 3-D ct scan my first reaction was he was showing me the wrong ct scan? However, he assured me I was viewing the right scan. I had a MASSIVE GROWTH that started and looked like ROOTS extending from my sigmiod colon and a what I called a huge POLYP in my rectm and extended all the way down to my anus. The POLYP ITSELF WAS NOT CANCEROUS, BUT THE ROOTS STARTING AT THE SIGMIOD WERE!!! So after consulting with the surgeon he told me that if I didn't remove everything the cancer would spread to the POLYP AND MAKE THINGS WORSE? SO HE REMOVED EVERYTHING!! The hardest part for me to understand was, OK, if you remove all that stuff, how am I going to discharge my fecal matter???? Thats when he explaind that I am going to have to have a STOMA STICKING OUT OF MY STOMACH! MY FIRST RESPONSE WAS, OK, BUT FOR HOW LONG, THATS WHEN HE DROPPED THE BOMBSHELL? He said I'm very SORRY to tell you this, but IT will be permanent. Thats when I thought to myself, AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS? Then he suggested that I look at videos of people who also have a colostomy? After looking into it and having EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT from nurses who are especially trained in wound care, I guess recovery? Because they KNOW how big a change of life it is for you? AS FAR AS THE SURGERY IT REALLY WAS'NT ALL THAT BAD? THERE WAS A LOT OF PAIN IN THE BEGINING, BUT THEY, THE SURGEON PRESCRIBES STRONG PAIN KILLING MEDICATION. AS FAR AS RECOVERY, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS I KEPT FORGETTING I COULD'NT SIT STRAIGHT DOWN. I ALWAYS HAD TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE I HAVE TO SIT ON MY SIDE. WHETHER IT BE MY RIGHT SIDE OR MY LEFT?
Now getting used to the bag? I had my surgery 1/11/21 and to be perfectly honest and candid with you, I still have trouble dealing with the bag. There are certain foods that I can NO LONGER EAT? ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS I TIRE MUCH MUCH SOONER THAN BEFORE! I WAS A FAIRLY ACTIVE PERSON BEFORE ALL OF THIS BUT NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T DO WHAT I USED TO DO. IT CAN BE VERY DEPRESSING AND DISCOURAGING. BUT ILOOK AT IT THIS WAY!!!! AT LEAST I'M STILL ALIVE?????
It is OK to be frightened and scared, I was too? But you learn to TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME? AND DON'T DO WHAT I DID! TRY TO HURRY THINGS, IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK? ALL YOU DO IS GO THROUGH MORE UNNECESSARY PAIN. Because then you get mad and it takes longer to heal. And above all, DO WHAT THE DOCTORS AND NURSES TELL YOU, THEY ARE HIGHLY SKILLED AND TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. THEY HAVE ALL TAKEN THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH!!!!!!!!!! "FIRST DO NO HARM".
With that said, just remember ONE thing, " GOD" will always watch over you and help and guide you through the most challanging times in your life.
GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS LOOK AT THE CUP AS HALF "FULL" INSTEAD OF HALF EMTY, "GOD BLESS"
P.S. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU DAILY!! YOU CAN AND WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!!

REPLY
1 reply
rioa21 | @rioa21 | Jun 29, 2023
In reply to @briancl "I am in a similar situation. I have been on chemo since November 2022 and had..." + (show)
@briancl

I am in a similar situation. I have been on chemo since November 2022 and had 6 weeks of radiation in between. I have completed my chemo and radiation so I had a colonoscopy last week and am waiting for the results. I don't know if I have a colostomy bag in my future but that would be a difficult situation to come to terms with. In the meantime, I wait for the surgeon to call to let me know. Keep strong, we can do this.

Jump to this post

I’m hoping that my next option is Immunotherapy. The thought of surgery is difficult to come to terms with. I feel so defeated. Being positive hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I know a colostomy isn’t the end of the world…but still…

REPLY
1 reply
briancl | @briancl | Jun 29, 2023
In reply to @rioa21 "I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation..." + (show)
@rioa21

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

Jump to this post

I am in a similar situation. I have been on chemo since November 2022 and had 6 weeks of radiation in between. I have completed my chemo and radiation so I had a colonoscopy last week and am waiting for the results. I don't know if I have a colostomy bag in my future but that would be a difficult situation to come to terms with. In the meantime, I wait for the surgeon to call to let me know. Keep strong, we can do this.

REPLY
1 reply
dream1649 | @dream1649 | Jun 28, 2023
In reply to @rioa21 "I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation..." + (show)
@rioa21

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

Jump to this post

Terry I haven't been that far, but I pray that God🌹 will take care of you and everything will go well. Please rest in Him🌹. In Jesus Christ🌹Name. Amen🌹

REPLY
rioa21 | @rioa21 | Jun 28, 2023
In reply to @terrydalecasino "TES, I DID, IN FACT THE HIGHLY SKILLED SURGEON I HAD REMOVED (15) FIFTEENE CENTIMERS TOTAL..." + (show)
@terrydalecasino

TES, I DID, IN FACT THE HIGHLY SKILLED SURGEON I HAD REMOVED (15) FIFTEENE CENTIMERS TOTAL OF ANUS AND ENTIR RECTUM AND A FEW MILIMETERS OF THE SIGMOD COLON; WHERE THE ACTUAL CANCER WAS. BUT WHEN I HAD MY FIRST COLONOSCOPY AT AGE 63 ALOT HAD GONE WRONG AND NOW I'M PAYING FOR IT, I NOW HAVE TO WEAR A COLOSTOMY BAG FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE?

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

REPLY
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