Anal cancer

Prevention and outlook

What is the outlook for anal cancer? Many people are able to live long, healthy lives after diagnosis. Early detection is the key to sustained health. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the overall five-year survival rate for people with anal cancer is 66.4 percent, based on data gathered from 2006–2012. People with localized anal cancer have an 80.7 percent survival rate, also according to the NIH. Preventing anal cancer There is no guaranteed way to prevent anal cancer, but there are some ways to reduce your risk of getting it: Practice safe sex by limiting the number of sex partners you have, using protection during sex, avoiding receptive anal sex, and getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Get vaccinated. A three-dose series HPV vaccination is approved for both females and males between the ages of 9 and 26. This vaccination will protect people from some HPV types that commonly cause anal cancer. If you have a high risk of anal cancer due to other factors, such as family history or age, make sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Outlook The outlook for anal cancer depends on how advanced the condition is when it's diagnosed. The earlier it's diagnosed, the better the outlook. Compared with many other types of cancer, the outlook for anal cancer is generally better because treatment is often very effective. Around 66 out of 100 people (66%) with anal cancer will live at least five years after diagnosis, and many will live much longer than this. There are about 300 deaths from anal cancer each year in the UK.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on
Medical Author: Dr. med. Diana Hysi

Articles for anal cancer

Introduction

Cancer cells that form into benign or malignant tumors in the tissues of the anus are anal cancer which affects the very end of the colon. The anus is the opening at the bottom of your intestines where stools exit the body. Some noncancerous forms of anal cancer can turn cancerous over time.

Symptoms

Anal cancer often exhibits similar symptoms to other diseases such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures, hence is often accompanied by hemorrhage. Symptoms can include bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding), itching and pain around the anus, etc. It could happen that certain patients suffering from anal cancer may not exhibit the aforementioned signs.

Causes

Anal cancer can occur in any person, but some people have a higher risk of developing it than others. Anal cancer is caused by the development of abnormal cells in the body that can grow uncontrollably and accumulate, forming masses known as tumors.

Diagnosis

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and carry out some examinations. If the doctor sense unexplainable ulcers in the anus, he recommends treatment and another visit in approximately two weeks. If following two weeks, the patient still suffers from residual symptoms, then the physician refers the patient to the hospital for further examinations.

Treatment

The treatment of anal cancer is a very complex process which often includes the involvement of multiple specialized physicians and varying courses of treatment. In cases where the cancer has spread and can't be cured, chemotherapy alone may be considered to help relieve symptoms.