Can anyone who has already had it, answer this question related to the ‘Gold standard’ of anal cancer treatment

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My wife’s 5 1/2 weeks worth of chemo+radiation starts on 6th January.
I was interested to find out how long was it before either themselves realised or were told - yes we see it has started to reduce in size. 
I’m assuming this is the main objective of having it done! Slight smile

TIA

x

P.S.

how many of these 5.5 week sessions can take place and what is the gap between them (if a second one is deemed necessary)

  • Sorry for delay in replying. 

    I hope you and your wife have found some comfort in the responses you have had and feel a little better about starting the treatment journey..

    I have my pre op for bloodt etc on 31st dec for starting the chemo..so a question I need to ask is I know day 1 the chemo is via an iv..and the remaining days are tablet form..but not sure if you take the tablets home with you or you have to go to the chemo unit every day before the radiotherapy app..

    I will let you know on 31st 

    I will be keeping everything crossed for you both ..we both begin treatment on 6th Jan so let's hope 2025 is good to us all

    X

    Squeak

  • Hi, 

    yes all good thanks, at the very least much better than before. I think it’s mainly the worry of how big the tumour is and why this wasn’t a factor for getting it started quicker. 

    Regarding the tablets, I reckon since every day is radiotherapy day, you have to go in anyway. 

    Yes, feeling positive about 2025.

    Merry Christmas

    x

     Vik63

  • Hello Squeak,

    My experience was that I had one dose of mitomycin given at the start intravenously, and then capecitabine given as tablets to take every day at home.

  • Hey  

    I got given all the chemo pills on day one, to take home with me - I didn't end up taking them on the first day when I had chemo via IV - and they said not to worry.  

    Hope that helps 

    Ali x

  • Hi Squeak.  I started my treatment today (Monday) at Leeds so can help.  When I went in for the iv they put a cannular in my hand and ran some saline through. Then they give me3 Capecitabine tablets.  They had them ready (along with rest of the 28 day course for me to take home.)  The Mitomycin C was then injected in by the nurse manually slowly over 10 minutes. It's a very pretty purple colour!!. I was given some loperamide for possible diarrhea  and anti nausea tablets metoclopramide to take home. Everything was explained to me. The second dose of the 3 tablets of Capecitabine I have just taken 12 hours after.( It's ok to adjust it a couple of hours till you get the 12 hours apart to suit you.  I then went down for the radiotherapy. (You need a full bladder!).  They slotted me in when I went down so not much waiting.  You take the tablets at home so don't need to go back to the Chemo unit again.  Back tomorrow for 2nd dose of Radiotherapy.  I do hope your first day goes as smoothly as mine. xxx

  • Hi Fellsider 

    Thank you for your detailed explanation..it really helps..

    And good luck for today..im sending lots of virtual hugs

    X

    Squeak

  • Hi, I had my planning session last week at Lincoln hospital and had a nice surprise when the radiographer told me they don't do the tattoos anymore, as the new machine does it.

    Apparently Lincoln is the first hospital to get a new Surface guided radiation scanner,  which pinpoints the tumour accurately,  like a thousand tattoo marks I was told, therefore reducing side effects.

    I too start my 5.5wks of treatment on 6th January.

  • That's really good!! Things get better all the time!! 

  • We live in the southern most part of South Lincolnshire but Cambridge or Norwich were the only two options they mentioned…

  • That's interesting, my hospital had one of those machines but they were only using it for two cancers neither of which was anal.