Anal Cancer: Symptoms, HPV, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Anal cancer is an uncommon cancer that develops in the anus or anal canal. Most anal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor.
Possible symptoms
- Bleeding from the anus or rectum
- Pain or pressure in the anal area
- A lump or mass near the anus
- Persistent itching or discharge
- Changes in bowel habits
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
These symptoms can also be caused by noncancerous conditions such as hemorrhoids. Persistent bleeding, pain or a new mass should still be evaluated.
Risk factors
Important risk factors include persistent high-risk HPV infection, smoking, immune suppression, HIV infection and certain histories of HPV-related precancer or cancer.
Diagnosis
Evaluation may include examination of the anus and rectum, anoscopy or endoscopy, biopsy and imaging to determine whether cancer has spread.
Treatment for localized anal canal cancer
For most stage I–III cancers of the anal canal, the standard treatment is chemotherapy given with radiation therapy. This approach often treats the cancer while preserving the anal sphincter.
When is surgery used?
Small cancers of the perianal skin or anal margin may sometimes be removed surgically. More extensive surgery, including abdominoperineal resection, is generally reserved for cancer that persists or returns after chemoradiation or for selected clinical situations.
Metastatic disease
Advanced anal cancer may require systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other oncology treatment depending on previous therapy and tumor features.
Risk reduction
HPV vaccination can reduce the risk of infections that cause several cancers, including anal cancer. Stopping smoking also reduces cancer and cardiovascular risk. No diet or supplement has been shown to prevent anal cancer.
Editorial sources
This article provides general education and does not replace oncology evaluation or treatment.
