What are the symptoms and signs of anal cancer?
Anal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the tissues of the anus. The anus is the terminal part of the digestive tract. It is the channel through which the poop passes out of the body from the rectum (the last part of the large bowel) during a bowel movement. Anal cancer is rare when compared to certain other cancers affecting the gut, such as colon cancer and rectal cancer. This cancer generally affects people who are older than 60 years. It is rare in those younger than 35 years. The risk of anal cancer is higher in white women and black men as compared to the rest of the population.
Anal cancer results when the cells in the anus start multiplying uncontrollably because of some sudden mutation in the genes of the affected cells. The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is most commonly associated with anal cancer. Also, the presence of certain risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, older age, lower immunity, or anal sex, may increase the risk of anal cancer.
What are the symptoms and signs of anal cancer?
Anal cancer may cause no symptoms during its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they could be signs of benign (noncancerous) conditions, such as anal warts or hemorrhoids (painful, swollen veins in the anus, and rectum that may bleed). The earliest symptom of anal cancer is generally bleeding through the anus. The common symptoms of anal cancer include:
- Bleeding from the anus (it may appear as fresh blood during bowel movements or as blood-stained underwear)
- Continuous Itching in the anal region
- A lump or mass in the anal region
- Abnormal anal discharge
- Enlarged or swollen glands in or around the anus or the groin
- Change in bowel habits (such as frequency, size, or difficulty) (For instance, some people may report the need to use the bathroom more often, strain during bowel movements, or have loose stools. Some people may report that their stools have become narrower, some may experience increased straining, or some may use the bathroom more often).
The symptoms may be worsened by bowel movements or sex. Other symptoms associated with cancer, such as
- reduced appetite,
- unintended loss of weight,
- lethargy, and
- weakness may also be seen.
These symptoms may also be seen in noncancerous conditions affecting the anorectal region. Consult a physician for a definitive diagnosis.
Is anal cancer curable?
Anal cancer can be cured in most patients, especially when cancer got diagnosed early and treatment began in time. Early diagnosis and treatment are important and remain the key to the long-term survival of this anal cancer. If experiencing any symptoms of anal cancer, seek urgent medical attention. When ignored, anal cancer can advance to cause serious complications.
The treatment of anal cancer largely depends on the type of anal cancer and the extent to which it has spread (determined by the staging of anal cancer). Treatment includes several options, generally used in combination, such as:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Newer therapy options, such as the use of radiosensitizers, are being used in clinical trials. One may enroll themselves in any of these trials to see how well the new treatment options work for them.
About 90% of anal squamous cell carcinoma occurs in patients with detectable evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The 5-year survival rates by anal cancer stage and cell type include:
- Squamous cell: 71% for stage I, 64% for stage II, 48% for stage IIIA, 43% for stage IIIB, and 21% for stage IV
- Non-squamous: 59% for stage I, 53% for stage II, 38% for stage IIIA, 24% for stage IIIB, and 7% for stage IV
| Anal Cancer Types | Stages | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Squamous cell | Stage I | 71% |
| Stage II | 64% | |
| Stage IIIA, IIIB | 48%, 43% | |
| Stage IV | 21% | |
| Non-Squamous cell | Stage I | 59% |
| Stage II | 53% | |
| Stage IIIA, IIIB | 38%, 24% | |
| Stage IV | 7% |
SLIDESHOW
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Ryan DP, Willett CG. Clinical Features and Staging of Anal Cancer. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-and-staging-of-anal-cancer?search=anal%20cancer&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~125&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
Top What does anal cancer feel like? Related Articles
Anal Cancer
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Anal cancer is usually curable when found localized. Early detection remains the key to long-term survival as it is in many forms of cancer.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Gardasil (HPV Vaccine)
Gardasil HPV Vaccine (Recombinant Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine) is a vaccine synthesized using recombinant technology. Gardasil is a single dose injection. Gardasil is for the prevention of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 infections in girls and women aged 9 to 26 years. Gardasil also approved for preventing genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in males aged 9 to 26 years. Gardasil protects against cervical cancer, abnormal or precancerous cervical, vaginal, or vulvar lesions, and genital warts. Side effects of Gardasil include fever, vomiting, nausea, fainting, dizziness, pain, swelling, itching, or redness at the site of injection.
How Do You Get Anal Cancer?
The cells in the body grow, reproduce, and die under the controlled conditions. When the cells start growing uncontrollably with a tendency to spread to other body parts, it is called cancer.human papillomavirus vaccine, nonavalent
Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) vaccine, nonavalent is a vaccine used to protect against diseases and cancers caused by human papillomavirus infection, a sexually transmitted disease. Common side effects of human papillomavirus vaccine, nonavalent include injection site reactions, high temperature (pyrexia), headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, muscle pain (myalgia), mouth and throat pain (oropharyngeal pain), influenza, and upper respiratory tract infection. Do not take if pregnant.Causes and Risk Factors for Anal Cancer
The cause of any cancer in the body is mutation or damage to the cell’s DNA. What exactly triggers this change is unknown, but some factors may increase the risk of anal cancer. In several cases, the anal cancer develops without the presence of any risk factor.