Hello Doingthebestwecan

I am so sorry to hear of your partner's diagnosis.  I had a quick look at 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/clinical-trials

and
https://find.cancerresearchuk.org/clinical-trials?q=advanced%20anal%20cancer&size=n_20_n

and there doesn't seem to be a trial running at the moment, but that's not to say that there might be one somewhere that hasn't filtered through.  I would certainly discuss it with the consultant.  I am really sorry I can't help further and wish you all the luck in getting help, I am also hoping that someone else with more knowledge than me picks up on this thread.

Irene x

Thank you very much for this information Irene. Probably similar to so many people on here, our world was suddenly turned upside down a few weeks ago when the diagnosis came through.

My partner feels she does not want to know all the ins and outs of staging and treatments as it has just been so overwhelming.

I'm the opposite and am keen to explore each and every avenue as I feel we might be missing something that might give something to investigate or at least research more.

It is wonderful that there is so much support on here.

Thank you again.

Doingthebestwecan

Hello Doingthebestwecan

I was also Stage 4 at diagnosis and in a total state of shock and disbelief. Fortunately I had my husband who in the early days took over when I couldn’t even answer the phone in case it was the hospital, I was practically incoherent with fear.  So I am really glad she has you behind her, it makes such a difference having that support after what is a devastating diagnosis.  There is a forum on here for those affected by a loved one’s diagnosis but you will probably learn more on here about anal cancer in particular.

If I can help in any way please let me know; we all need someone/something to lean on in those early days and indeed throughout.  So look after yourself too.

Irene xx

It's incredibly kind of you to share about your own experience Irene.

My partner has been unbelievably brave, I am more the one who is climbing the walls. 

She is coping by as she puts it "keeping in my own little bubble" whereas I feel I want to understand as much as I can about the condition, treatments and so on.

Two months ago I was only vaguely aware that this type of cancer even existed!

Hopefully we should know more next week.

Thank you so very much again for your kindness.

Hi I am starting treatment for anal cancer next week. I am also on a trial of immunotherapy. It’s the Corinth trial. I believe it is for early stage cancers though. I think my research nurse mentioned they use the immunotherapy successfully already in more advanced cases of anal cancer. It’s definitely worth asking your oncologist or specialist nurse about immunotherapy. The one I’ll be having is pembrolizumab. 

Thank you so much for this Clarhedge,

i will certainly talk to my partner about what you have said so that she can talk to the oncologist about it,

Sending very best wishes for your own treatment.