Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Anal CancerSymptomsStatitisticsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentIntimacy and Anal CancerPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Anal Cancer
Symptoms
Statitistics
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Intimacy and Anal Cancer
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Anal cancer is a rare disease that is diagnosed when cancer is present in the anus, the last part of the digestive tract before leaving the body. This is the tube through which stool passes when having a bowel movement. It is separate from, though connected to, the rectum.
When the cells of the tissue of the anus become abnormal and grow uncontrollably, cancer develops.
This article will review how anal cancer differs from rectal cancer, as well as discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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Each type of anal cancer is named for the type of tissue from which the cancer cells originate. These include:
Anal vs. Rectal Cancer
Anal cancer andrectal cancerare different. When cancer is diagnosed, it is very important to determine the location in which the abnormal cancer cells developed. This helps to determine the type and treatment that is required, as they may be different even though they are physically close to each other in the body.
One of the firstsymptoms of anal cancermay be bleeding, found when stool passes through the anus. It may be present on the toilet paper when wiping after a bowel movement, or it may be found on the outside of the stool. Other symptoms that may be present with anal cancer include:
Anal Cancer vs. Hemorrhoids: How to Tell the Difference
Anal Cancer Statistics
It is estimated that almost 10,000 people will receive a diagnosis of anal cancer in a year. Although it is a rare disease, it has been increasing in frequency in recent years.
Risk factors associated with the development of anal cancer include:
Cancer is caused when the DNA of the cells in the tissue mutates and starts growing abnormally. As these abnormal cells continue to grow, they form into a tumor.
The risk factors mentioned above have the potential to cause the DNA to become abnormal. The most common cause of anal cancer is having an HPV infection.
HPV is a common virus that is easily spread through human contact. It has been found to be linked to the development of multiple cancers, not only anal cancer. These include cervical and vulvar cancer, penile cancer, and cancer of the throat.
The diagnosis of anal cancer is made in multiple steps.
History and Physical
The initial step is taking a medical history and evaluating for any risk factors that may be present that increase the risk of anal cancer. A review of any symptoms that may be present is completed as well.
A physical exam allows the doctor to evaluate the area of concern and inspect for the presence of any abnormal findings. For anal cancer evaluation, an exam may take place in which the healthcare provider places a finger in the anus and rectum to feel for any lumps or masses and inspect for bleeding. Lymph nodes in the groin may be evaluated to see if they are enlarged.
Imaging and Other Testing
Imaging studies may be done to evaluate the location and possible spread of cancer. These may include:
Biopsy
A biopsy (a small tissue sample shaved off from the tumor) will be taken of suspicious tissue to be evaluated under the microscope to look for the presence of cancer cells. If cancer is confirmed, these cancerous cells will be tested to see if HPV is present.
Treatment types typically consist of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and can be used alone or in combination to treat anal cancer. The final treatment plan is developed based on the stage of the cancer.
Surgery
During surgery, the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue are removed. Sometimes during surgery, lymph nodes near the area are removed and tested for cancer.
It is possible that the type of surgery required may result in the need for acolostomy, or an opening on the abdomen where feces is emptied from the intestines into a bag outside of the body.
Surgery is rarely the initial treatment for anal cancer and is usually only used if chemotherapy and radiation fail to eliminate the cancer.
Radiation
Radiation may cause damage to the skin and tissues in the area around the anus, causing pain, bleeding, or difficulty with having a bowel movement.
Chemotherapy
Before engaging in any sexual activity following treatment for anal cancer, it is important to consult your healthcare providers first, to ensure it is safe to do so.
Having conversations about hesitations or self-consciousness with your partner is important. Working through these things together can help you safely return to anactive sex life.
The prognosis for anal cancer can vary depending upon the stage at diagnosis. For an early-stage cancer that has not spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body, the five-year survival rate is 82%. This means that 82% of people with early-stage anal cancer are alive at five years.
Many aspects involved with having anal cancer can lead to stress, anxiety, fear, or worry. From the physical changes that come with surgery or radiation, to the fear of chemotherapy side effects, a good support system is incredibly important to have to help you cope with the changes being faced.
Your healthcare team can be a valuable resource to rely on in coping with cancer. Ask them any questions that may come up. They can educate you along the journey to help you know what may be expected to happen or how to treat any side effects that develop.
Finding supportive family members or friends can also be important to have. This support system can be there to help with physical needs, such as making meals or running errands, and can be available for the emotional support that will be needed as well.
A Word From Verywell
Receiving a diagnosis of anal cancer, or having a loved one with the diagnosis, can be a scary and uncertain time. An early diagnosis can come with long-term survival, but finding a good oncology team is important.
If you or your loved one has any symptoms, such as bleeding or pain in the anus, discuss them with your healthcare team to have these symptoms evaluated.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSome warning signs for anal cancer can include bleeding from the anus or blood on the stool, pain or itching of the anus, a lump or mass on or near the anus, changes in the size or consistency of stool, pain with having a bowel movement, or loss of bowel control.Having anal sex does not cause anal cancer, but having a history of anal sex, especially unprotected sex (condomless sex) or sex with multiple partners, can increase the risk of developing anal cancer.Anal cancer and rectal cancer are not the same thing. Anal cancer develops in the tissue of the anus, the tube at the end of the rectum, in which stool passes as it exits the body. The rectum is the last part of the intestine; it sits above the anus.The survival rate of anal cancer is dependent upon the stage in which the cancer is diagnosed. If it is caught early and has not spread to other areas, the patient has an 82% five-year survival rate. If anal cancer has spread to other areas of the body, the five-year survival rate decreases to 34%.There are things that can be done to decrease the risk of developing anal cancer. These interventions include:Get the HPV vaccine:A vaccine is available that can be given to prevent the transmission of HPV.Practice safer sex:Using condoms during sexual activity can help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HPV and HIV, which can lead to the development of anal cancer. Limiting the number of sexual partners and decreasing the frequency of anal sex can decrease the risk as well.Quit smoking:Smoking is associated with the development of anal cancer. Stopping smoking helps to reduce that risk.
Some warning signs for anal cancer can include bleeding from the anus or blood on the stool, pain or itching of the anus, a lump or mass on or near the anus, changes in the size or consistency of stool, pain with having a bowel movement, or loss of bowel control.
Having anal sex does not cause anal cancer, but having a history of anal sex, especially unprotected sex (condomless sex) or sex with multiple partners, can increase the risk of developing anal cancer.
Anal cancer and rectal cancer are not the same thing. Anal cancer develops in the tissue of the anus, the tube at the end of the rectum, in which stool passes as it exits the body. The rectum is the last part of the intestine; it sits above the anus.
The survival rate of anal cancer is dependent upon the stage in which the cancer is diagnosed. If it is caught early and has not spread to other areas, the patient has an 82% five-year survival rate. If anal cancer has spread to other areas of the body, the five-year survival rate decreases to 34%.
There are things that can be done to decrease the risk of developing anal cancer. These interventions include:Get the HPV vaccine:A vaccine is available that can be given to prevent the transmission of HPV.Practice safer sex:Using condoms during sexual activity can help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HPV and HIV, which can lead to the development of anal cancer. Limiting the number of sexual partners and decreasing the frequency of anal sex can decrease the risk as well.Quit smoking:Smoking is associated with the development of anal cancer. Stopping smoking helps to reduce that risk.
There are things that can be done to decrease the risk of developing anal cancer. These interventions include:
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: introduction.National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ®)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for anal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.Tests for anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer stages.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: statistics.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: coping with treatment.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: introduction.National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ®)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for anal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.Tests for anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer stages.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: statistics.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: coping with treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: introduction.National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ®)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for anal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.Tests for anal cancer.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer stages.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: statistics.American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: coping with treatment.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: introduction.
National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ®)—patient version.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of anal cancer.
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for anal cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.
American Cancer Society.Tests for anal cancer.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer stages.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: types of treatment.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: statistics.
American Cancer Society.Anal cancer: coping with treatment.
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