Any links between cervical cancer and rectal cancer? HPV positive

FormerMember over 4 years ago

1 reply
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Hello,

I am new here. I was just diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in SITU and grade III squamous cell changes to my cervix/ endo-cervix along with high risk HPV. I am meeting with my oncologist on Tuesday to discuss what comes next. I know at the least I will need a hysterectomy.

However, I am wondering if their is any correlation between rectal cancer and cervical dyplasia. Around the time my second daughter was born 11 years ago I started to have gastro issues. I went in for a colonoscopy and their was nothing found. They diagnosed me with IBS and I went on my way. Fast forward 9 years and I started to have rectal bleeding along with significantly deteriorating IBS symptoms. Doctors had me change my diet and I ended up trying Keto and cutting out all alchol and diet soft drinks. I had no change and rectal bleeding continued to get worse along with an extreme diarrhea. Again, I had a colonoscopy as well as an endoscopy. Small cysts and small internal hemmheroids were found but tested benign. I was told to add miralax and metamucial to my diet. I have tried that but the bleeding continues to get worse.

Now, and please excuse the TMI, but when I have to use the bathroom it literally can look like something out of a horror movie...it is so bad. The toilet is just full of blood. I did finally see a colo-rectal doctor (before I was going to gastro doctors)...and she did a small exam and said that I had a fissure. She gave me medicine to clear up the fissure and said she would try to do a scope one the fissures were clear.

I did just recieve the news of the squamous cell lesions and adenocarcinoma in SITU last Tuesday...but I am wondering these could be correlated as from my research it appears that rectal cancer is usually squamous cell and can be caused by HPV.

Does anyone have any advice? I must admit I am so scared because of how long I have had these symptoms. I am also scared that they are going to find cancer higher up in my cervix as I heard that adenocarcinoma can cause skip lesions. I have never had ANY signs of cervical symptoms..so for them to find this when they never found anything on any of my rectal scans of which I have tons of symptoms just terrifies me. With all of the rectal bleeding I have had the bleeds are usually painless. Last month I had my first episode of some pain and itching. However, for the two years prior it was just (a lot) of bleeding.

Any help or advice is appreciated! Thank you!

court over 4 years ago

Welcome to the forum . I firstly have to say I am no Dr just like to read the odd research article and have been doing that for over ten years now . I hear your concern but with rectal bleeding you have to factor in a few more aspects . Many people have rectal bleeding from much more benign sources . My understanding is Squamish cell cancers are more located in the anal area and actually quite rare in the rectal area . I hope that gives you some reassurance.

Although about ten years ago there was a bit of research around HPV and rectal tumours it really did not seem to progress much in terms of the discussions. If you are keen to have a look Pubmed is a good search engine for research documents. I had another quick look and Europe was lower down the list .

I think any rectal bleeding is very frightening but there are so many other causes , everyone immediately goes to the worst possible outcome . Caught early it is very treatable indeed . Even when it’s not some people continue to do very well . My own mum is 11 years and counting into a stage 4 diagnosis. There is lots of treatment options and support out there .

I think it’s really important to deal with the science just now . There is absolutely nothing to indicated it’s anything other than what you have been made aware of . Fissures can be quite persistent at times .

All the very best with your treatment and I hope you are back to your life very quickly with a clean bill of health .

take care ,

Court

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