Anal cancer st 2 .

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hello my names viktor ,

I was just wondering if you could help me get my head around what seems to be happening down the rear end of mine . Lol . I was diagnosed with anal cancer stage 2 which was treated with 6 weeks left chemo radiotherapy. I’m now 8 weeks after finishing and still in excruciating pain nearly all day everyday. Currently prescribed oxycodone. The actual cancer tumour grew out of my anus and made its home on the right hand bum cheek . Size of a big conker . This has now reduced in size dramatically and has near enough dissolved away with the treatment. We’re it has been resting on the left cheek it has eaten away at the flesh and created a hole : would / I don’t know what the correct term would be for this ? Is it a ulcer ? I’m not sure . But it’s like a wound that’s has a discharge like watery and not to smelly, it does smell but I thought infection etc would have a more pungent smell to it . I went back to my oncologist and had it checked out . They seemed to think it was all ok looked as if it was healing ok but did agree there was a strange smell, I was admitted to the qmc nottingham were they again , quite a few  professionals inspected the area which was incredibly painful at this time due to the inflammation, which was the main indication to me it needed draining some were some how to release the pressure, while at home if I was in pain I’d roll on the floor on my back with my hands under my bum and it would discharge and make my underwear wet but it helped and eased the pain after a while doing so that’s why I was positive I needed it draining again . Sorry forgot to mention I had a perianal abscess drained which was absolutely agony. 
so they checked it out nurses surgeons etc numerous people while one was quite rough and I was moaning in pain while she was examining it and she mentioned that a lot of discharge was occurring. They sedated me and took me to surgery to have it drained also so they could have a descent look while I was out of it . They decided there was no point in making another incision due to infection issues while in there eyes there was nothing to drain . Which makes sense .

Will this wound ever heal as it’s constantly damp wet or soggy?

what is the correct term for this hole/would/ulcer/ ?

what is the clear discharge that’s occurring , quite smelly but not repulsive, although not far off ?

has anyone experienced anything similar?

sorry if this is long winded  

  • Thanks for getting in touch with us. My name is Tricia and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am sorry to hear about your difficulties with pain and having a discharge since your treatment for anal cancer. It sounds like this has been a distressing time for you.

    It is good to hear there seems to have been a response to the cancer from the treatment. Chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer can result in side effects that can be acute or long term.

    It’s reassuring that your team are aware of this problem and have managed to drain this under sedation. It is very difficult for us to say what this hole is but sometimes is a sinus or an anal fistula can develop due to an abscess. It may take some time to heal but your team are the best to assess this and follow up appropriately.

    It’s important for you to keep the area clean and dry as much as possible and to contact your team if you feel there are new or worsening symptoms such as you have signs of an infection – fevers, feeling unwell and passing a more offensive discharge.

    Sometimes using  a pain diary  can help to indicate changes such as a build up of the discharge as you have experienced before. Your pain relief can be managed by the team or your GP.

    Follow up after anal cancer treatment should be carried out in the future also in addition to assessing your present symptoms.

    I hope this is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch at any time.

    Sending best wishes,

     

    Tricia
    Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email

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