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In this Article

• What is anal cancer?
• What are the risk factors for anal cancer?
• What are the signs and symptoms of anal cancer?
• How is anal cancer diagnosed?
• What affects the prognosis?
• How is the staging of anal cancer determined?
• What is recurrent anal cancer?
• What is the treatment for anal cancer?
• How does staging affect the treatment of anal cancer?
• What are the treatment options for recurrent anal cancer?
• Where can I find more information about anal cancer?
• Patient Comments: Anal Cancer - Symptoms
• Find a local Oncologist in your town
• Anal Cancer Index

Stage 0 Anal Cancer (Carcinoma in Situ)

Treatment of stage 0 anal cancer is usually local resection.

Stage I Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage I anal cancer may include the following:

• Local resection.



• External-beam radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.



• Internal radiation therapy.



• Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.



• Internal radiation therapy for cancer that remains after treatment with external-beam radiation therapy.

Patients who have had treatment that saves the sphincter muscles may receive follow-up exams every 3 months for the first 2 years, including rectal exams with endoscopy and biopsy, as needed.

Stage II Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage II anal cancer may include the following:

• Local resection.



• External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.



• Internal radiation therapy.



• Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.



• A clinical trial of new treatment options.

Patients who have had treatment that saves the sphincter muscles may receive follow-up exams every 3 months for the first 2 years, including rectal exams with endoscopy and biopsy, as needed.

Stage IIIA Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage IIIA anal cancer may include the following:

• External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.



• Internal beam radiation.



• Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.



• A clinical trial of new treatment options.

Stage IIIB Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage IIIB anal cancer may include the following:

• External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy.



• Local resection or abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lymph nodes may also be removed.



• A clinical trial of new treatment options.

Stage IV Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage IV anal cancer may include the following:

• Surgery as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.



• Radiation therapy as palliative therapy.



• Chemotherapy with radiation therapy as palliative therapy.



• A clinical trial of new treatment options.