The five-year survival rate for cancer of the anus varies, but is still quite high. Those who are diagnosed today may have a better chance of beating this disease than those who were diagnosed a few years ago. Overall, the survival rate for cancer of the anus is 66 percent. Treatment options vary as much as the stage of the cancer. However, for localized anal cancer, the five-year survival rate is 80 percent.
Local resection surgery removes the tumor in the anus and any healthy tissue that surrounds it. This treatment option is typically used for tumors that have not spread or are located in the lower anus. Patients with small tumors are the most likely to benefit from local resection. The surgeon may also recommend additional radiation therapy. However, radiation is generally not effective in treating cancer of the anus. Although it may be a good treatment option in some cases, it will not always be appropriate for everyone.
When surgery is not an option, patients can undergo chemotherapy or radiation to treat their cancer. Both treatments result in high rates of local control, but radiation treatments are preferred because they cause fewer side effects. Surgery is still an option for adenocarcinomas of the anus. If cancer is not detected during a routine checkup, it can return after a few months. After the cancer has spread to the colon, additional studies may be required to determine the cause of the cancer.
A biopsy of the cancerous tissue may be performed to determine the extent of its spread. Further tests may include a rectal ultrasound, which inserts a probe into the anus to view tissue better. Cancers of the anus are treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Early-stage tumors may be removed without treatment, while advanced cancer may require major surgery. If cancer is detected early, screening can help to detect it before it spreads to lymph nodes.
The symptoms of cancer in the anus are usually vague, and it may take up to six months before the doctor can diagnose the condition. Treatments depend on the type of cancer, as well as the stage of the disease. Early diagnosis is the key to a successful cure. Symptoms and treatment vary, so you should be sure to visit your doctor if you suspect you might have cancer of the anus. This app provides free cancer screenings, which can help you identify the type of cancer that has spread to your anus.
While a temporary colostomy is an option, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment option for most anal cancer patients. Radiation and chemotherapy should be done simultaneously for most cases, but some patients are not able to tolerate them, and may undergo both treatments separately. The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms of cancer as much as possible and to prolong a patient’s quality of life. The National Institutes of Health reports a five-year survival rate of cancer patients with localized cancer.
