Anal CancerSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Anal Cancer Overview
Learn About Anal Cancer
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 an uncommon type of cancer.
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, such as:
- Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of anal cancer. It starts in cells that line the anal canal and grows into the deeper tissue.
- Cloacogenic carcinoma. Almost all the rest of anal cancers are tumors that start in cells lining the area between the anus and rectum. Cloacogenic carcinoma looks different than squamous cell cancers under a microscope, but behaves similarly and is treated the same.
- Adenocarcinoma. This type of anal cancer is rare in the United States. It starts in the anal glands below the anal surface and is often more advanced when it is found.
- Skin cancer. Some cancers form outside the anus in the perianal area. This area is mainly skin. The tumors here are skin cancers and are treated as skin cancer.
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:
- HIV/AIDS infection. Anal cancer is more common among HIV/AIDS positive men who have sex with other men.
- Sexual activity. Having many sexual partners and having anal sex are both major risks. This may be due to the increased risk for HPV and HIV/AIDS infection.
- Smoking.Quitting will reduce your risk for anal cancer.
- Weak immune system. HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, certain medicines, and other conditions that weaken the immune system increase your risk.
- Age. Most people who have anal cancer are age 50 or older. In rare cases, it is seen in people younger than age 35.
- Sex and race. Anal cancer is more common among women than men in most groups. More African American males get anal cancer than African American females.
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:
- A lump in or near the anus
- Anal pain
- Itching
- Discharge from the anus
- Change in bowel habits
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
Treatment for anal cancer is based on:
- The stage of the cancer
- Where the tumor is located
- Whether the cancer has resisted initial treatment or has come back after initial treatment
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.
Moffitt Cancer Center, Magnolia Campus
Sarah Hoffe is a Radiation Oncologist practicing medicine in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Hoffe is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. She is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Pancreatic Cancer, Anal Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Lymphadenectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Hoffe is currently accepting new patients.
Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion
Julio Garcia-Aguilar is a Colorectal Surgeon practicing medicine in New York, New York. Dr. Garcia-Aguilar is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Colorectal Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (SCAC), Anal Cancer, Ileostomy, and Colostomy. Dr. Garcia-Aguilar is currently accepting new patients.
City Of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center-Duarte
Marwan Fakih is an Oncologist practicing medicine in Duarte, California. Dr. Fakih is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anal Cancer. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Colorectal Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (SCAC), Anal Cancer, Liver Embolization, and Endoscopy.
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.
With early treatment before anal cancer has spread, there is a high cure rate.
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.
- Practice safer sex to help prevent HPV and HIV/AIDS infections. People who have sex with many partners or have unprotected anal sex are at high risk of developing these infections. Using condoms can offer some protection, but not total protection. Talk with your provider about your options.
- Ask your provider about the HPV vaccine and if you should get it.
- Do not smoke. If you do smoke, quitting can lower your risk for anal cancer as well as other diseases.
All adults with HIV should have an assessment of any anal symptoms every year. DARE and standard anoscopy are recommended for:
- Men who have sex with men and transgender women who are under the age of 35 years and have anal symptoms
- People with HIV below the age of 45 years with anal symptoms
Adults with HIV should have other tests along with high resolution anoscopy (HRA) if they have anal symptoms or an abnormal DARE and standard anoscopy exam and are:
- Men who have sex with men who are age 35 and older
- Transgender women who are age 35 and older
- All other people with HIV age 45 and older
If HRA is not available, people with HIV should continue to be screened using an assessment of symptoms and DARE. People with any symptoms or signs of anal cancer should have standard anoscopy, without the collection of anal specimens for diagnosis.
Summary: Female patients with early onset (\<50 years old) pelvic malignancies such as uterine and rectal cancers are rising in incidence, which often requires pelvic radiation; many of these patients are premenopausal and at a high risk of premature ovarian failure from radiotherapy. Premature ovarian failure carries significant cardiac, musculoskeletal, sexual, and psychosocial morbidity. Ovarian transpo...
Summary: This study examines care pathways in 300 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma to identify barriers and delays in diagnosis, assess the impact of screening and access to care, and improve awareness, screening practices, and early diagnosis.
Published Date: August 06, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, 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.
Clinicalinfo.HIV.gov website. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in adults and adolescents with HIV. clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/hiv-clinical-guidelines-adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infections/human?view=full. Updated July 9, 2024. Reviewed March 16, 2026. Accessed August 31, 2026.
Goodman KA, Kachnic LA, Czito BG. Cancer of the anal canal. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 76.
Madoff RD, Melton GB. Diseases of the rectum and anus. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 131.
National Cancer Institute website. Anal cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/anal/hp/anal-treatment-pdq. Updated February 12, 2025. Accessed August 31, 2026.