Overview of Anal Cancer Chemoradiation Treatment

Karyn Goodman, MD, MS provides an overview of anal cancer treatment for stages I - III and discusses methods currently being undertaken to reduce toxicity. She also explains how and why certain side effects happen and provides recommendations for lessening their severity.
Get the facts and resources you need. Visit www.analcancerfoundation.org

[@khaliddurrani6432]

An excellent overview of the management of Anal cancer though an account of relapse local as well as distant and the effect of infectious diseases ( HPV, HIV ) on the outcome would have been beneficial.

[@junehelligrath1120]

I would welcome greater emphasis on after treatment I am clear for now but continue to have bowel issues. I am continually constipated and if I go at all it is extremely painful as it hits the fissure. This is no way to live. Also limited info for seniors like me for help. 😊

[@jamesscherrer1642]

I've been going through this for about 9 months and BOY! Is this an issue!! I've recently discovered that if I take two Senna after each meal and continue utilizing a large mug of Metamucil after dinner, I have been able to better manage bowel movements. It softens the stool just enough to allow me to move my bowels, slowly but surely. After 3 or 4 starts, things begin to slowly clear out. The first 3,4 or 5 passes are difficult, so I've learned to just sort of "let them happen". Pushing slightly but not significantly produces some movement but it's... "solid" (and slight!). The next few passes are generally not as bad and with a bit more push, they too pass somewhat easily. Beyond those "movements", it's semi liquid, without ever being totally liquid. THESE are the parts of early morning BM's that are satisfying. MUCH of the waste clears out during these last few passes and that's when I know I'm almost suited to be out in public... BUT with a caveat that there MIGHT be 3 or even 4 more "events" but they're very satisfying. I hope I wasn't TOO gross or overt in my description but this system that I have adapted to has been working for me for more than two weeks now. I started Chemo-Rad today so that may all be out the window but i feel with timing or dosage or a combo of both, I can still produce predictable results. I pray I'm right in my progressive self-prescribed solution to the age old problem of constipation/diarrhea affliction that we all seem to suffer from. I hope this helps?? It's something the disease brough to the forefront, as I suffered from Diarrhea as a younger man and once prescribed a Matamucil regimen, had all that cleared up for 40 years or better until I zeroed in on my new malady, that of Anal Cancer. I fought through 4 doctors before finally being diagnosed and it took me 9 months to get this ball rolling, so i hope It isn't too late for me. Keep pressing, keep calling, keep getting checked by as many as it takes!!! FIGHT FOR IT!! DON'T GIVE UP AND DON'T ACCEPT A HEMORRIOD DIAGNOSIS IF YOU'RE CONVICED IT'S SOMETHING MORE DIRE. IT PROBABLY IS!! BEST WISHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!