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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@salynn

I actually just started the chemo and radiation yesterday. I am working on putting together an arsenal of supplies. All of your recommendations are very much appreciated. How far into the process did the worst of the side effects begin?

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I started both chemo and radiation in October. The burns were at their worst in early December. There was a solid week when I lived in my bath robe. I could not have anything touch my skin. I found the best cream was Acquaphor. I went through several jars. There are prescription creams with lidocaine in them. I also recommend getting a bidet. It helped immensely. They have ones that fit over your toilet. Worth every penny. It’s almost 6 months since I completed my treatment. My skin is still very fragile. The radiation damaged my sphincter and now I have fecal incontinence and anal stenosis. My next scan is in a few weeks. I’m hoping that the tiny bit of cancer that was left is finally gone. It’s a roller coaster ride for sure. We have to remain positive even though at times it isn’t easy.

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@rioa21

I started both chemo and radiation in October. The burns were at their worst in early December. There was a solid week when I lived in my bath robe. I could not have anything touch my skin. I found the best cream was Acquaphor. I went through several jars. There are prescription creams with lidocaine in them. I also recommend getting a bidet. It helped immensely. They have ones that fit over your toilet. Worth every penny. It’s almost 6 months since I completed my treatment. My skin is still very fragile. The radiation damaged my sphincter and now I have fecal incontinence and anal stenosis. My next scan is in a few weeks. I’m hoping that the tiny bit of cancer that was left is finally gone. It’s a roller coaster ride for sure. We have to remain positive even though at times it isn’t easy.

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Thanks for sharing

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@salynn

I actually just started the chemo and radiation yesterday. I am working on putting together an arsenal of supplies. All of your recommendations are very much appreciated. How far into the process did the worst of the side effects begin?

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Definitely get a cyst bath. Amazon has one that sits on your toilet and pumps water. I filled it with warm water and that was my haven. It is so soothing!!

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@trishdep189

There might be hope. I had my tumor removed and no bag. My tumor was discovered during my routine colonoscopy and they thought it was a nodule but turned out to be a tumor in the sphincter. My surgeon removed it and I was fortunate to not have radiation and chemo. The recovery was difficult but worth it. Today I am cancer free. I wish you so much luck on your journey. Your in my prayers.

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I will find out if all my cancer is gone in a few weeks. They have suggested that surgery may be an option for me. The sphincter is already damaged from the radiation. As a result of that I have fecal incontinence. Please tell me what the recovery process was like? I’d like to know what to expect.

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@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?

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Thank you so very much!##

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I had colon cancer in 2020. I didn’t have surgery. The tumor
was on the sphincter and I was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. It left the sphincter permanently damaged and I have been to many doctors trying to find relief. I was told it may be my new normal. And for the years that it has been, it is my new normal with fecal incontinence numerous bowelmovements a day, bladder irritation as well. Besides all that icky medication’s they have given me Pre/Probiotic has been really good and helping soothe that area. I am on an immune suppressant. numerous bowel movements a day,bladder, irritation as well. Besides all that icky medication’s they have given me and also found the hub. I watch my diet carefully most of the time . And walk a lot or as much as I can.

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Your story sounds similar to mine. There is comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in my struggle. I am new to this new “normal” and am still finding what works for me. What is your diet? What meds have you tried? Any suggestions that you can make are greatly appreciated.

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@rioa21

I will find out if all my cancer is gone in a few weeks. They have suggested that surgery may be an option for me. The sphincter is already damaged from the radiation. As a result of that I have fecal incontinence. Please tell me what the recovery process was like? I’d like to know what to expect.

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I just finished up with chemo and radiation for anal cancer. I thought I had hemorrhoids. Surgeon went to remove them and found a cancerous tumor instead. He removed it and I started treatments! Worst time of my life. I was so sick from chemo and the burn from radiation was miserable. Bowel movements were so painful and of course I had a UTI twice. Thankfully I did not have to have a colostomy bag as it seems the muscle down there although weak is working ok! I am now just trying to get better since my treatment is done. It was two chemo treatment and 30 radiation treatments. I will have a petscan in about 2 months to confirm I am cancer free!

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@dilemma6

I just finished up with chemo and radiation for anal cancer. I thought I had hemorrhoids. Surgeon went to remove them and found a cancerous tumor instead. He removed it and I started treatments! Worst time of my life. I was so sick from chemo and the burn from radiation was miserable. Bowel movements were so painful and of course I had a UTI twice. Thankfully I did not have to have a colostomy bag as it seems the muscle down there although weak is working ok! I am now just trying to get better since my treatment is done. It was two chemo treatment and 30 radiation treatments. I will have a petscan in about 2 months to confirm I am cancer free!

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Yes, I thought my problem was hemorrhoids too. I saw the PA a few times, never the doctor. After nothing was working for my pain…I kept telling them I felt like I was sitting on a golf ball. And I was! The tumor was quite large and only found after I insisted they do a scope. I also had 30 rounds of radiation and chemo. I know all about the burns and pain. My treatment was completed in early December 2022. My first PET scan after Tera was in March. Cancer had shrunk a lot but was still there. I was told treatment continues to work for up to 6 months after it’s stopped. My next PET scan is in a few weeks. Hopefully it will all be gone by then.

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@rioa21

Yes, I thought my problem was hemorrhoids too. I saw the PA a few times, never the doctor. After nothing was working for my pain…I kept telling them I felt like I was sitting on a golf ball. And I was! The tumor was quite large and only found after I insisted they do a scope. I also had 30 rounds of radiation and chemo. I know all about the burns and pain. My treatment was completed in early December 2022. My first PET scan after Tera was in March. Cancer had shrunk a lot but was still there. I was told treatment continues to work for up to 6 months after it’s stopped. My next PET scan is in a few weeks. Hopefully it will all be gone by then.

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Praying you and i are cancer free!!! Such a scary time in our lives!

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