My friend has Stage 4 rectal cancer with mets to the liver, lung, tail bone and perhaps lymph nodes.
He has been on systemic chemo ( with Avastin) since July; so far, not much change.
My question is:Can anything be done to alleviate my friend's most vexing symptom, a persistent burning sensation in the anus?. (FYI : this condition began prior to chemo.) Additionally, he feels tremendous pressure from the rectal tumor and is unable to sit or walk with any degree of comfort. Presumably,short of decreasing tumor size, nothing can be done about the latter symptom, but we have hopes that at least the burning can be addressed more immediately.Any ideas?
Also, any comments on radiation? My friend's doctor discouraged it but was not entirely specific as to why. Paul (my fiend) is consulting another doctor at the end of the week, so perhaps then he'll get more clarified answers.But meanwhile, I would appreciate any guidance on the topic.
Thank you for reading this.
Judy