death rate of anal cancer

Once anal cancer is diagnosed (HPV in a man), how likely is it that he will die of it?  In this instance, there were lots of tiny nodules the doctor had to magnify to laser each as many as he could find.  Then 3 years later, my son went for another check-up and they found some abnormal cells again.

He will be going in for a biopsy and endoscopy in a month because that was the soonest they could fit him in.

Thanks

[29sillygirl]

Hi,
HPV is the virus responsible for anal cancer.  Once it is in the system it stays.  Similar to the herpes virus.  A person can live a long long life with the virus in dormant stage.

I am unfamiliar with the laser treatment you speak of for nodules. I am very familiar with having biopsies...not endoscopies...at least not for HPV or anal cancer.  The biopsy is necessary for doctors to give an accurate diagnosis.  I had them before and after treatment, as well as CAT scans.

I am a 4 year survivor of anal cancer which presented @ stage III b.

There is lots of information available now on HPV.  I recommend your son pick up a brochure at his doctor's office.  Most GPs have information.

Contact me anytime you would like to know more.  No expert but might be nice to talk to someone who has same disease.

Best...