Squamous cancer cells found in polyps

Hi...I am so sorry to read your news. I was diagnosed yesterday with cancer and am new to this site. I don't know what to say...but just wanted you to know someone read your post and cares x

Hi Campervangirl & Spanglesx , a warm welcome to you both to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m so sorry you’ve both had the need to find us.

Unfortunately Campervangirl the symptoms of anal cancer are still so very often dismissed by GP’s & this needs to change! This was happening over 8 years ago when I received my diagnosis & sadly we see the same stories on here still, treatment for things like haemorrhoids & fissures going on for months before further investigations are prompted where a cancer diagnosis is made so sadly you’re not alone in this.

It's pointless me trying to tell you not to worry, that’s impossible, we’ve all been there, but things seem to be moving quickly for you now so that’s a positive. Once your PET scan has been done all the information from that & any other scans, biopsies etc., will be put before a multi disciplinary team meeting where a radiologist, colorectal consultant, oncologist & anyone else that may be involved in your care will decide on the best treatment plan for your particular case. Things can & hopefully will move really quickly following diagnosis, I remember just wanting it dealt with asap! 

I don’t want to rattle on too much & overwhelm either of you with information so please just ask if you have any questions at all & know we’re here to support you however we can.

Nicola

Thank you 

Thank you , the specialist nurse called me today to say that she will ring later on as my case is being put to the mdt this morning even though the patient scan hasn’t been arranged yet . She will tell me the results of the ct scan and mri and what the proposed treatment will be . I’m guessing they want to move fast due to wasted time already ? 

1. Pet scan not patient scan sorry 

Hi, I was on the wrong general surgery pathway waited 18 months for my first removal of a growth they said wasn’t worrying. Waited 3 months for my what I thought was just a check up, was told then. I had all my scans including PET. So far no spread and I have surgery tomorrow to remove a remaining small tumour. You are not alone. I hope you also get the same out come from your scans. This site has really helped me, there’s a lot of decent people offering support. You are not alone. 

Thank you ️ not good service you had for sure . I would like to have faith in the team I now have but it’s hard with what’s gone on so far 

Things seem a lot better once we get in the system and are under the right team. I think Anal cancer is often mistaken for other issues judging by a lot of people’s stories on here. 

Hello Campervangirl 

I am so sorry that this has all escalated so much from being told that your polyps weren't suspicious to now being told you have cancer.  Sadly, there are often delays in the diagnosis of anal cancer, however, your treating team now seem to be on the ball in collecting the information they need in order to devise a treatment plan for you.  You are in that really awful period when you have been given this bombshell and everything is so strange and difficult to absorb - I walked around in a bubble of absolute terror.

All the waiting around, scans and appointments make you feel you are on some sort of rollercoaster with no end.  I hope you don't have to wait too long for your PET scan.  And once actual treatment starts, you really do feel a lot more positive than you did in the early days.   

We understand how worried you are and you have come to the right place - most of us have been through what you are going through right now and will support you however we can.

Big hug

Irene xx

That’s good news that you’ll know sooner rather than later though.

I know it’s really difficult at the moment but try not to let the shoddy work of the person that failed you in the beginning reflect on what will be your treating team, hopefully you’ll be like a lot of us here & find your oncologist, radiologists etc., are wonderful caring people, my oncologist, radiology team & colorectal surgeon are all worth their weight in gold. 

I hope you find this forum as supportive as I did when I was first diagnosed, the lovely people that were here then literally were my lifeline. 

Nicola