Anal cancer is cancer that starts in the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of your rectum. The rectum is the last part of your large intestine where solid waste from food (stool) is stored. Stool leaves your body through the anus when you have a bowel movement.
Anal cancer is fairly rare. It spreads slowly and is easy to treat before it spreads.
Cancer - anus; Squamous cell carcinoma - anal; HPV - anal cancer
Anal cancer can start anywhere in the anus. Where it starts determines the kind of cancer it is.
The cause of anal cancer is unclear. However, there is a link between anal cancer and the human papillomavirus or HPV infection. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that has been linked to other cancers as well.
Other major risk factors include:
Rectal bleeding, often minor, is one of the first signs of anal cancer. Often, a person mistakenly thinks the bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids.
Other early signs and symptoms include:
Treatment for anal cancer is based on:
In most cases, anal cancer that hasn't spread can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy together. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy achieves better tumor control than the use of radiation alone.
For very small tumors, surgery alone is typically used, instead of radiation and chemotherapy.
If cancer remains after the radiation and chemotherapy, surgery is often required. This may involve removing the anus, the rectum, and part of the colon. The new end of the large intestine will then be attached to an opening (stoma) in the abdomen. This procedure is called a colostomy. Stools moving through the intestine drain through the stoma into a bag attached to the abdomen.
Sarah Hoffe is a Radiation Oncologist in Tampa, Florida. Hoffe has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. She is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Endoscopy. Hoffe is currently accepting new patients.
Emma Holliday is a Radiation Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Holliday has been practicing medicine for over 12 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. She is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Anal Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Holliday is currently accepting new patients.
Marwan Fakih is an Oncologist and a Hematologist Oncology expert in Duarte, California. Fakih has been practicing medicine for over 31 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, and Tissue Biopsy.
Cancer affects how you feel about yourself and your life. You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you feel less alone.
You can ask your provider or the staff at the cancer treatment center to refer you to a cancer support group.
Anal cancer spreads slowly. With early treatment, most people with anal cancer are cancer-free after 5 years.
You may have side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
See your provider if you notice any of the possible symptoms of anal cancer, especially if you have any of the risk factors for it.
Since the cause of anal cancer is unknown, it's not possible to completely prevent it. But you can take steps to lower your risk.
Summary: This phase 3 trial compares the addition of nivolumab to chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) versus usual treatment (chemotherapy alone) for the treatment of anal cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to...
Summary: The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of administration of a single dose of E7 TCR-T cells as induction therapy prior to definitive treatment (chemoradiation or surgery) of locoregionally advanced HPV-associated cancers. The intent of E7 TCR-T cell treatment is to shrink or eliminate tumors and thereby facilitate definitive therapy and increase overall survival. This study seeks t...
Published Date: August 15, 2022
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 02/14/2023.
Hallemeier CL, Haddock MG. Anal carcinoma. In: Tepper JE, Foote RL, Michalski JM, eds. Gunderson & Tepper's Clinical Radiation Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 59.
National Cancer Institute website. Anal cancer treatment - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/anal/hp/anal-treatment-pdq. Updated January 13, 2023. Accessed February 14, 2023.
Madoff RD, Melton-Meaux GB. Diseases of the rectum and anus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 136.