Help please!!!!!!!!!!

1 minute read time.

Hi I have just had a polyp removed from my anus, it came back as showing signs of invasive cancer. I had my appointment yesterday with the consultant, I was told that luckily the cancer has not travelled to any other parts of my body which I know is incredible, but and there always seems to be a but, he told me that I now had a decision to make.

In 90% of people with the same as myself the cancer is all gone when the polyp is removed but in 10% of people microscopic cancer cells have gone into the glands behind the anus. So I have to decide whether I am in the 10% or the 90%. I can either trust that I am in that 90% and do nothing or have my anus and glands and surrounding area removed which will leave me with a colostomy bag for life.

I am so confused at the moment as I see it this is such a colosal decision on a small chance that I have microscopic cancer, but can I afford to take the risk? I would love to hear from anyone with similar experiences or indeed anyone that knows of an alternative to having the surgery that would erradicate the chance of possible cancer cells spreading!!!!!  

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    For what it might be worth I have a colostomy and really it is no big deal. In fact it comes in handy when you are zooming up the motorway, you don't have to stop for a poo.

    I hope you come to the right decision for you. Do your home work.

    I believe 10% is still 10%. How lucky do you feel. Good luck Love Julie X

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Thank you everybody I realise i have a lot to find out now, I felt when the consultant gave me the options it was a cut and dry decision, but I now realise I have a lot to find out and discover before i make that decision, it could be at the end of it I am still faced with the same decision, but I don't feel so pressured to make it NOW this minute like I did before. Does any one have experience of asking for a second opinion and if so how do you go about this??

    Thanks again

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Fairykat,

    If you want a second opinion either ask your own Dr or say to the Consultant,that you would like a second opinion would he mind arranging it for you.

    Good Luck.

    Take care and be safe Big Hugs Love Sarsfield.xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Fairykat,

    I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer in April 2009 and had my anus and rectum removed in Dec, but only following chemotherapy and radiotherapy which seems to be the standard treatment. Everyone's case and treatment is different, but do you know why you've not been offered chemoradiation?

    As far as the colostomy goes, I really didn't have any other choice, but it's now just part of my daily routine. I might just be fortunate in that I've not had any significant problems with it at all.

    Please, please contact me if I can be of any help to you at all.  You can find a link to my external blog via my profile.

    Best of luck with your decision.

    Axx