Mass in rectum...

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
weisssoccermom
Posts: 5988
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:32 pm
Location: Pacific NW

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby weisssoccermom » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:28 am

Yes, it can be embarrasing, particularly the first time, however, you still MUST get back into a doctor and INSIST and DEMAND that further examination be done. No, it isn't a whole lot of fun but neither is this disease.

My next question would be what type of doc did you see? If it was just a family doc/GP, I would ask for (possibly necessary with your insurance) a referral to a GI doc. NO matter what the doc says, rectal bleeding is NOT normal, particularly if it is ongoing. Furthermore, please understand that just because a doctor couldn't feel something doesn't mean that something isn't there. Please keep pursuing this and get to a doctor who will keep working with you to figure out what is going on .

Jaynee
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
Perform random acts of kindness

NWgirl
Posts: 6659
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:24 am
Facebook Username: Belle Piazza
Location: Battle Ground, Washington

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby NWgirl » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:32 am

Well, for what it's worth, my rectal tumor was just beyond the doctors reach - literally. My OB/GYN used to do checks of my bottom as part of my yearly exam - never felt anything. My radiation doc did an "exam" and told me the tumor was just beyond the reach of his fingers. Sorry to be gross - but for me, an exam like that did me no good - it was just beyond physical reach. I don't know what sort of blood test you had, but my CEA levels were well within normal ranges when they first tested them - and that was before my big fat tumor was removed - so CEA for me has not been a good indicator of cancer.

I never had problems with straining to go to the bathroom. My symptoms were just the opposite - frequency and urgency with bowel movements. I also had bright red blood on the TP when I went to the bathroom. But as I'm sure you've read from this board, symptoms can range from nothing to all sorts of different stuff - everyone is a little different there. Hopefully when you have your follow up visit your doctor will either refer you to a specialist or arrange for more tests to find out what is causing your symptoms. You may have to be pretty pushy about this - remember, it's your health at risk here and SOMETHING is causing these symptoms.
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model

MortalKombat
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby MortalKombat » Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:55 am

Hi NWgirl, thanks for the advice... what confused me is that I have actually seen whatever it is protruding from my anus a few times (so is obviously very low) but doctor said he felt nothing.

weisssoccermom
Posts: 5988
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:32 pm
Location: Pacific NW

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby weisssoccermom » Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:49 pm

I agree with Belle. My tumor could at times be felt - but just the very very bottom of it and only by 1 -2 doctors. The others couldn't feel it. There is also a misconception that your blood markers, blood results will be out of whack with cancer, but it isn't necessarily so.

My CEA (tumor marker) was 0.5 at diagnosis (normal range for nonsmoker is 0-2.5) so forget that test to help diagnose me. Fecal occult blood tests (to test for blood in stool) were all negative. Ditto the 'forget that test'. I was anemic but that was dismissed as due to heavy menstrual bleeding. All other blood tests normal.
I NEVER experienced bleeding - I was one of those fortunate (or unfortunate - whichever way you look at it) individuals whose tumor did not bleed so again, 'forget that test'. My BM symptoms came on slowly over time so that I truly wasn't even aware that my habits were changing until a few months before diagnosis.

My point, like Belle's, is that there is no 'normal' set of symptoms. Yes, you could very well have hemorrhoids but any doctor who bases a diagnosis on a simple DRE (digital rectal exam) is not a doc that I would want to go to considering your symptoms. Please, seek the opinion of a GI specialist. I know that it can seem like its so embarrassing, but truthfully it isn't. Don't let your concerns about the rectal exam and talking about the symptoms stop you from seeking help.

Jaynee
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
Perform random acts of kindness

NWgirl
Posts: 6659
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:24 am
Facebook Username: Belle Piazza
Location: Battle Ground, Washington

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby NWgirl » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:11 pm

Yeah, the whole embarrassment thing. :oops: When my radiation doctor "examined" me, it was before I'd had my tumor removed. Now remember, the whole reason for me going to the doctor was frequency/urgency issues. So when he said he wanted to "examine" me, I was really worried that I'd poop on him - have that horrible "urge" and not be able to stop it. So I told him I was afraid this would happen. He said he didn't want to get pooped on any more than I wanted to poop on him - so to make us both more comfortable, he'd stand off to the side. It seems funny now, but it was pretty traumatic at the time. Now - a year and a half past my original diagnosis, there's not much of anything that embarrasses me anymore. Half of the medical community here has had a look at my behind. Lets hope that you get this diagnosed and taken care of well before you lose all modesty as most of us have here. :-)
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model

User avatar
pearlgirl
Posts: 594
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: Eastern United States

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby pearlgirl » Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:58 pm

I would think that him not finding any signs of hemorrhoids would lead him to conclude it could be something more serious. Instead it sounds as if he brushed aside your concerns. I agree with the others who said to ask for a referral to a GI specialist.
Husband DX CC (T2N0M0) 9/06
LAR 9/06
Recurrence, now CRC 1/08
chemo/rad, 6 weeks, ended 5/2/08
2nd LAR/ temp ileo 6/19/08,
8/4/08> 6 months chemo
ileo reversal 4/09, in remission

MortalKombat
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby MortalKombat » Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:19 am

Hello guys...

Just went back to doctors and he said 'We shall get you some blood tests done' I told him I already had some about 3 months ago. He checked them and said 'your iron levels were rather low was anything done about this?' and I said no... He said that is not good because I am borderline anaemic.

He looked kind of concerned and said that I need to get appointment with gastrointestinal doctor.

So now I'm kind of scared :( Any advice/ ideas...

James65
Posts: 383
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:41 am
Location: Exeter, NH
Contact:

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby James65 » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:54 am

Go to your doctor now and tell him you need a referal for a colonoscopy. I had the same issue as you and was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Doctors sometimes play down these symptoms if you are younger than about 45 because 50 has been deemed the magic age for colorectal cancer. This is why many cancers in younger people are missed. Your symptoms may or not be the result of cancer, but they are not normal and should be checked now.
Diagnosed with stage III rectal tumor (though probably late stage II) January 2006.
Chemo/Radiation
Full APR Surgery
Folfox Chemo
So far NED.
Oops. Liver tumor diagnosed 10/13 after elevated CEA. Liver resection for 5cm tumor 12/6/13. So far so good.
Oops again, one tumor in each lung diagnosed 8/8/16. One too small to deal with and the other resected in late September. Wait and watch for now.
Oops, another lung Met in upper left lobe on edge of previous resection scar 11/11/19.

weisssoccermom
Posts: 5988
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:32 pm
Location: Pacific NW

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby weisssoccermom » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:37 am

Please go to the GI doc. I know the whole thing seems so overwhelming and yes, at this point, embarrasing, BUT, don't let those minor problems keep you from seeing a doctor. Let's be blunt here. Something is not right. Maybe it is an internal hemorrhoid that prolapsed. The bleeding could be caused by an irritation from diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or yes, cancer. You can guess all that you want and certainly hope for the best case scenario but facts are facts. There is absolutely NO way for any doctor or you to know what is going on without further testing. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it's all no big deal. Yep, the tests can be unpleasant, however, they need to be done. Stop focusing solely on the fact that it may be cancer because there are certainly a plethora of other conditions which could be causing the symptoms. The fact that you are anemic is also of concern and you must go to the doctor. Put it this way - IF this is cancer, waiting is NOT going to make it get better or go away. So please, make the phone call and get the appointment with the GI doc.

Jaynee
Last edited by weisssoccermom on Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
Perform random acts of kindness

MortalKombat
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby MortalKombat » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:47 am

Hi guys, thank you for the advice and support and kick in the ass ;)

Phoned the 'GI doctor', he seemed concerned with my symptoms and said that he wants to see me ASAP but that is quite a long time (3 weeks) and it is quite far away so cancellations are unlikely. He said same as you guys about could be anything, but he didn't like the sound of me having a mass in anus as well as being anaemic... Said he would phone my doctor (had to give permission).

My doctor phoned me and asked if I was free, I said yes. Just been to my doctors and been given some iron (faresel or something???) to take 2-3 times a day. Didn't think of it before but I have been a little low on energy lately... He said 'GI Doctor' was obviously worried about Chrons, Collitis, Cancers, etc but also that hemmoroids can cause anaemic also and not to worry too much... (YEAH RIGHT!)

Kinda at a loss now... three weeks until I can do anything really... except worry and take iron :( I really appriciate all the help and support so far.

James65
Posts: 383
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:41 am
Location: Exeter, NH
Contact:

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby James65 » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:06 am

It's tough to wait. I had to wait a couple of weeks as well. Try not to focus on it too much if you can.

Good luck. Hopefully you won't need to be a regular poster to this board.
Diagnosed with stage III rectal tumor (though probably late stage II) January 2006.
Chemo/Radiation
Full APR Surgery
Folfox Chemo
So far NED.
Oops. Liver tumor diagnosed 10/13 after elevated CEA. Liver resection for 5cm tumor 12/6/13. So far so good.
Oops again, one tumor in each lung diagnosed 8/8/16. One too small to deal with and the other resected in late September. Wait and watch for now.
Oops, another lung Met in upper left lobe on edge of previous resection scar 11/11/19.

MortalKombat
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby MortalKombat » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:13 pm

Indeed this waiting really, really sucks =(

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby Lee » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:40 pm

While I know the waiting is the hardest, 3 weeks is not that bad.

If it's any consolation, I was NOT anemic, other than some rectal bleeding, I had no real symptoms for colon rectal cancer, yet I would be diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer. My mother was anemic, Drs. were sure she had cancer with all her symptoms, yet they never found a polyp in her, only a bad case of divertricious.

That is why getting a colonoscopy is the the BEST way to determine if there is a problem, everything else is just speculation.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

MortalKombat
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby MortalKombat » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:28 pm

I am currently not feeling much better... I am taking tablets for my iron defficientcy, they have not made any difference yet, but it has only been 6 days... anyone have any idea how long these things take to work?

Still got 3 weeks until my trip to the gastrointestinal doctor *sigh* :roll:

You would think the labels 'mass in rectum' and 'anaemic' would cause a little concern in doctors, but nope, mine seems relatively chilled out about the whole thing... glad he does =/

gofisch
Posts: 562
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:06 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Mass in rectum...

Postby gofisch » Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:37 am

Well the good news is that if it is cancer, it is usually slow growing, so waiting 3 weeks is not doing HARM, except to your psyche...

This is very frustrating. I wish you well.
Frances
47, Mom
Rectal tumor (stage III) 1/31/08
6 weeks radiation/5Fu
LAR w/ loop ileo May/08
Folfox 7/08-1/09
Done with chemo 1/2/09!!!
Reversal 10/8/09, ileus, blockage, resection, home after 30 days!
4 years NED!


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 126 guests