Cured ?

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R. Martin - 06 Apr 2004 14:39 GMT

I'm now 5 1/2 post treatment for anal cancer ( T3N1M0). My surgeon declared
me definitely cured and does not want to see me any more, except to have a
coffee with him.

The oncologist says I'm "considered as cured" but nevertheless insists on my
having a yearly abdominal CT Scan.

I don't mind doing a yearly CT scan, but what I would like to know if I can
consider myself cured or still in remission. It's different psychologically.

Thanks ( Steph ? :-) )

Regine

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clacy - 06 Apr 2004 17:17 GMT

> I'm now 5 1/2 post treatment for anal cancer ( T3N1M0). My surgeon declared
> me definitely cured and does not want to see me any more, except to have a
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Regine

Regine,

Firstly - Congratulations on such wonderful news. I am so pleased for you.

Secondly - Do you think you will ever stop worrying? My guess is probably
not. Grab what you have got and enjoy your life. This is patronising, I
realise, but now you have to shake off the cloak of a life threatening
illness and "try" to live like you never had it (allowing for any physical
reminders, if any). Counselling may help you here, I know some people suffer
from a guilt complex about surviving the treatment.

Congrats again - I am so pleased for you.

Sinead

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Peter Moran - 06 Apr 2004 23:42 GMT

> I'm now 5 1/2 post treatment for anal cancer ( T3N1M0). My surgeon declared
> me definitely cured and does not want to see me any more, except to have a
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I don't mind doing a yearly CT scan, but what I would like to know if I can
> consider myself cured or still in remission. It's different psychologically.

Consider yourself cured. With most types of anal cancer, recurrence is
virtually unknown after this period. With anal melanoma, there might be
rare late recurrences.

Peter Moran

> Thanks ( Steph ? :-) )
>
> Regine

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Steph - 07 Apr 2004 02:45 GMT

> I'm now 5 1/2 post treatment for anal cancer ( T3N1M0). My surgeon declared
> me definitely cured and does not want to see me any more, except to have a
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Regine

Regine,
90% of recurrences are in the first 2 years with anal canal cancer.
Recurrences after 5 1/2 years are vanishingly rare (though I'm sure they
occasionally happen, but I've never seen one). That's what I tell my
patients. You are cured

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R. Martin - 07 Apr 2004 06:21 GMT

> 90% of recurrences are in the first 2 years with anal canal cancer.
> Recurrences after 5 1/2 years are vanishingly rare (though I'm sure they
> occasionally happen, but I've never seen one). That's what I tell my
> patients. You are cured

Thank you to both of you !

R?gine

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