Hello - newly diagnosed with metastasis from anal cancer to liver

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Hi. I’m Sarah and I’ve been active in the anal cancer forum since I was diagnosed with SCC of the anal canal with local lymph node involvement last August. There was nothing showing in the liver at that time. I went through the standard 28 days of radiotherapy accompanied by chemo tablets. I had my 3 month scan last week and yesterday saw the oncologist. Although I had a complete result from the chemo radiation and there is no sign of disease in the area treated, I was dealt the hammer blow that there are now lesions in my liver showing as cancer on the PET CT scan that they are assuming have spread from the anus. I have an MRI booked that will hopefully give them the info they need to decide on a treatment plan. Blood tests today seem to show everything is within normal range for liver function and I feel fit and healthy. Has anyone here had similar and can share their experience as I’m feeling completely overwhelmed by the fact that they’ve effectively eradicated one and it’s popped up in a different place that they are now calling incurable. So any help, advice or info on what to expect would be very gratefully received.
many thanks

Sarah x

Hmm 10 days ago

Hi Sarah, I’m a year on from the news that I had a metastatic spread to my liver from bowel cancer. I had surgery last May to remove part of my liver and my gallbladder. I am due another followup scan in a couple of weeks and it is nerve wracking waiting. Like you I felt absolutely fine prior to the news about the spread and now I feel fine (physically anyway) whilst I am waiting for the next news. I felt so lucky last year when they said it was operable but knowing that I’m ‘stage 4’ definitely changed my outlook. It’s not ‘terminal’ but like you they can’t say it’s curable. I found it so frustrating that there is nothing I can do but I am focused on keeping my body as healthy as possible to give it the best chance of fighting any more spreads. I am currently thinking about resigning from my job, I am a teacher, because I don’t feel I can manage the stress and keep healthy.

I wish you all the best and hope that your scans will show a clear way forward. The liver is an amazing organ and it can recover. x

Crystaltipps73f2a8 10 days ago in reply to Hmm

Thank you so much for replying. I was starting to think this forum was empty! The anal cancer forum is much more active. It’s so good to hear that you are feeling well a year on but yes, the scanxiety is dreadful. I’m obviously thinking the worst but I hope I’ll feel a bit better once there is a plan in place. The total inability to plan anything also does my head in as I’m definitely a plan ahead girl.
We both retired at age 58 last March, just before all this kicked off for me. Although this clearly wasn’t our retirement plan at least I had full support to get me to appointments etc as my husband wasn’t working. Would have been a nightmare otherwise. So if you can leave work I’d definitely recommend it. Can you get ill health retirement?
do you have any specific things you are doing to keep healthy? I eat well, have pretty much cut out alcohol and have restarted weight training. We have always been big walkers so are keeping that up too whenever the rain stops.

Hope your follow up scan goes well

Sarah x

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Hello - newly diagnosed with metastasis from anal cancer to liver