Low tumour

Tumour was low too,  had chemotherapy and radiotherapy…. Got full response to treatment but there was no questions surgery was alway going be needed. Remember treatment keeps working for a while afterward. Big hugs x 

Thank you, I think everything is just hitting me & the prospect of surgery is now seems scary even though I knew it was inevitable! 

Hi ALJ ,

Firstly welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m really sorry to hear of your diagnosis & subsequent treatment & that you’ll be facing surgery too! 

I hope you don’t mind me asking but was it a diagnosis of anal or rectal cancer that you’ve had? I only ask as the treatment for these 2 diagnosis are different & I want you to get the best support possible. Either way we’re happy to support you however we can. By definition anal cancer is very low down at the opening of the anus & is generally treated with chemoradiotherapy, if a full response is not achieved then it moves to quite radical surgery (APR) whereas rectal cancer is often surgically removed sometimes needing other treatment to shrink the tumour prior to surgery. If it was a diagnosis of rectal cancer then you may find more relevant information over on the Bowel (colon and rectal) cancer forum but like I say regardless we’re happy to offer you support here too. 

We can all completely sympathise with you on the wait for scan results, the scanxiety is real!! Have your team given you an idea on how long you’re likely to wait for your results? I hope it’s not too long. I completely understand the trepidation you have regarding your surgery too, it’s a super stressful time isn’t it? 

I really hope your results come through quickly & that they’re good results too, please let us know how you get on & know we’re here to support you however we can. 

Nicola 

Hello ALJ

I see you have had some responses from our lovely members and I just wanted to welcome you here too; I had anal cancer but my tumour was in the rectum and the radiotherapy was effective at eradicating it.  As Nicola says your course of treatment may be different depending on the type of cancer.  The waiting after scans is just awful, we can all sympathise.

I am keeping everything crossed that you get good results from your scans.  please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx

Morning, your feelings is completely normal. Everyone is different… but your medical team will keep you right. I know it’s extremely hard but try taking one day at a time…  On a positive note … it can done and you will get there. Big hugs x