Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is a type of cancer that arises from the anus, the distal orifice of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is a distinct entity from the more common colorectal cancer. The etiology, risk factors, clinical progression, staging, and treatment are all different from that of colorectal cancer.
Anal cancer is typically a squamous cell carcinoma that arises near the squamocolumnar junction.
It is important to differentiate it from a squamous cell carcinoma of the surrounding skin, called the peri-anal region.
Anal cancers are usually first detected by:
- Rectal bleeding
- A lump at the anus, mistaken for hemorrhoids
- Other symptoms suspicious for a colorectal cancer
Risk factors
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Smoking: Current smokers are several times more likely to develop anal cancer compared with nonsmokers.
- Immunosuppression, which is often associated with HIV infection.
- Benign anal lesions (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hemorrhoids, fistulae or cicatrices). Inflammation resulting from benign anal lesions, such as hemorrhoids and anal fistulas, has been considered to cause a predisposition to anal cancer.
Other tests, such as CT scans and PET scan may also be ordered.
Treatment:
- Most anal cancers are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If the cancer is of the skin around the anus, the most common treatment is surgery alone (wide excision).
Department Contact List
- Department of Gastroenterology
- Department of Surgery
- Department of Radiation Oncology
- Department of Medical Oncology
