Hi Vinouche, Please tell me how you are doing now & what sort of chemo you received ? I have unexpectedly just been diagnosed with SCC stage II. I'm being told my treatment plan is chemoradiation. (5Fu/Mitomycin+Radiation) for 5 weeks.  I feel extremely fortunate that my CA was caught during a colonoscopy and is relatively small and early. I can only pray that it goes as smoothly and easily as yours but know not to expect easy when it comes to chemo & radiation. I'm also being told that this particular chemo doesn't cause much if any hair loss.  I don't want to get my hopes up, but I am just searching for others who may have had this particular chemo regime. I want to be prepared mentally and also don't want to purchase unnecessary wig(s) if I truly don't need them. I sincerely hope you are thriving and living your best life.  Best, Melissa   ... View more

have stage II SCC rectal CA, newly diagnosed 7/21. (53yo Female) Could you shed some light on which chemo regime you had and what all your side effects were? Did you also receive radiation? I'm scheduled to receive 5fu 5 days a week and 2 doses of mitomycin (one in the beginning and one @ the end). I will be getting a port to receive my chemo through, which I have not gotten yet, but it will be scheduled next week. I am to receive the targeted radiation 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks. I would like to know about hair loss if you know & could share that info.  My Dr's told me that my particular chemo regime doesn't usually cause much hair loss. I'm just wondering if this is accurate or if I need to be prepared and order a wig or some such alternative. I know the Dr's want to keep patients' spirits up & don't want to give you negative info straight out of the gate. I am a realist & want the truth, so I can prepare & deal with facts & the reality of things.  Any info & advice will be appreciated.    Kindly, Melissa ... View more

@Rhonda  I've just been dx with stage II SCC anal CA in July 2021. I'm told it was caught early and is about the size of a walnut. (Surgeon said that's small) The course of treatment they have laid out for me is 5 weeks of chemo via a port. My two chemo drugs will be delivered as follows; 5fu- dosed 5 days a week & 2 doses of mitomycin (1 @ the beginning & 1 @ the end). I will also be receiving targeted radiation 5 days a week during the same time frame, Mon-Fri, for 5-6 weeks.    Would you mind sharing what stage, type & regime you received for your CA? I've done a lot of research and seen a specialized colorectal surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist. All of these people have come highly recommended from other people in healthcare and former patients. After hearing your story, I'm extremely interested in discovering more and doing due diligence to make the best decision.  I'm so sorry for your struggles, and my heart and best wishes & prayers go out to you sincerely.  I'm scheduled to have my radiation mold made on Tuesday and have a port placed very soon. Although the surgery date has not been set yet, they are supposed to call Tuesday with that date & want to begin my chemo ASAP. I would love to hear back from you asap as I would not hesitate to halt everything and get a 2nd opinion elsewhere.  I've also been told by all 3 of these Dr's that this chemo with anal CA typically does not cause hair loss. I know this should be the last thing on my mind, but I don't want to wait until I'm losing clumps of hair to order a nice wig. I don't know if these Dr's are trying to keep patient confidence and spirits up or if this is true that with this particular regime, you truly don't lose your hair?? If you have any insight on that, please let me know to make some informed decisions.  I don't want to be stupid and go against a great Dr's advice, but then again, I think we have all learned that we, the patients, MUST now be our own advocates. (Gone are the days people should follow Dr's advice like sheep!!) Thank you for any info, wisdom, & advice you may be able to share.   Kind Regards, Melissa ... View more