Anal cancer

Hello Vicwill,

 I am sorry that your colonoscopy and MRI have shown a tumour. That is very upsetting news for you.

Welcome to the forum and I hope that we can give you some support. Is your tumour anal or rectal? For most of us here we had or are having treatment for anal cancer, usually in the form of a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy which is very effective.

 I had some lymph node involvement but in answer to your question my MRI also showed some abnormalities on the liver. These turned out to be cysts thankfully, which are apparently very common and I was told that I’d probably had them since birth.

 I hope you get the results of your second MRI soon and everything crossed that it’s a good result. Waiting to hear must be extremely stressful on top of everything.

Everything crossed for you and very best wishes x

Thanks for your response. The consultant described it as anal cancer. Did you need further investigation on your liver other than the mri?

Hi Vicwil,

They didn’t do any further investigations of my liver other than the scans. They seemed satisfied that these are cysts although I’m not absolutely sure how they determine this other than comparing with previous scans. I remember being so worried about it, then they just reassured me not to worry! I’m sorry that I can’t be more specific and helpful. 

There may be others on here who can share experience. Everyone on the forum is helpful. X

Hello Vicwil

Welcome to the forum although I am really sorry to hear of your diagnosis and also this additional worry that you have hanging over you.  As PEB24 has pointed out, very often the MRI scan will show something spots, or nodules that have always been there, and I very much hope that this is the case for you. 

That doesn't diminish in any way what you are going through, from the initial diagnosis to treatment actually starting is a rollercoaster of scans, biopsies and investigations.  Behind the scenes all the results and being gathered and discussed at the weekly MDT (multi-disciplinary team) meeting to devise your individual treatment plan.  But that particular part of the process, the whirl of appointments and investigations, I found terrifying and was so relieved when treatment started.

So I will be keeping everything crossed that your MRI scan is good news.  Please let us know how you get on.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Vicwil,

When the oncologist gave me my results of the scans, he went through a list of other things they had spotted on my scans, (liver, lungs and pancreas) I nearly fainted, thinking that's it, I'm doomed!! But they turned out to be nothing other than harmless cysts and nodules which most of us have around our bodies, and in the case of my lungs, just some congestion.

When I said to him some time later that he had almost given me heart failure, he was completely unaware that saying these things to a patient was really stressful, and he said he just thought I would be interested!! Nothing was of any consequence, and I am now four years post standard chemoradiation and all is good so far.

Hopefully, as others have said, it will turn out to be straightforward, but please stay in touch and let us know how you get on, Wishing you all the best. xxxx

Hi Vicwil 

welcome to the forum. My initial scans showed an issue with my shoulder and a tumour on my adrenal gland. I had extra scans on shoulder it was torn ligaments. Adrenal tumour was scanned more and its benign, they did some more tests after my anal cancer treatment was completed to see if it was affecting the adrenal gland function and it wasn't. My oncologist said that if you scan any human you will find something. Fingers crossed its nothing. Sending hugs.  Xx

Thank you for your responses. They have given me some hope that it will be ok.  I’ll keep you posted.

Had my biopsy today and they have fortunately managed to remove all the tumour. In some discomfort with it right now but it is to be expected. Just awaiting biopsy result to see what direction we are heading in re chemo/ radiotherapy or close observation.

Asked consultant about liver mri. Some good news on this front as radiologists says areas of concern on liver are very small and is sure they are benign. They have asked I go for another mri again in a few months to make doubly sure there are no changes.

I am very happy with the wonderful response I have received from the nhs who I feel are trying their levelled best to do a thorough job!

Hi Vicwil,

It sounds as though you have a great team who are being very vigilant. Really good that your tumour has been removed and good news about your liver scan.

I hope you get your biopsy results soon and that you heal up without too much discomfort. Everything crossed for a positive outcome for you. X

Hello Vicwil

Thank you for returning to give us an update; this all sounds very positive and with luck the margins on your tumour removal will be clear.  I share your feelings about the NHS; some hospitals get it so right (even the unpleasant bits) and mine is the same.  I am always uplifted after seeing a consultant at mine, my overriding feeling is good care will be taken care of me.

I will keep everything crossed too that the next MRI shows no changes.

Irene xx