Anal Cancer

Common symptoms for anal cancer include:

• Bleeding from the anus or rectum.
• Pain or pressure in the area around the anus.
• Itching or discharge from the anus.
• A lump near the anus.
• A change in bowel habits.

There are a number of conditions that may cause these symptoms. If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is important that they are discussed with a doctor.

Diagnosing anal cancer

In order to successfully diagnose anal cancer the following tests and procedures may be used:

• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): An exam of the anus and rectum.
• Anoscopy: The anus and lower rectum is examined using a short, lighted tube called an anoscope.
• Proctoscopy: The rectum is examined using a short, lighted tube called a proctoscope.
• Endo-anal or endorectal ultrasound: An ultrasound transducer (probe) is inserted into the anus or rectum.
• Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues to be examined.

Anal Cancer Treatment

Different types of treatments are available for patients with anal cancer. The most common are; surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery options include:

• Local resection: This surgical procedure sees the tumour cut from the anus along with some of the healthy tissue around it. Local resection may be used if the cancer is small and has not spread.
• Abdominoperineal resection: This procedure removes the anus, the rectum, and part of the sigmoid colon through an incision made in the abdomen. The surgeon will then sew the end of the intestine to an opening made in the surface of the abdomen so body waste can be collected in a disposable bag outside of the body. This is called a colostomy.