The Ada app also allows patients to receive a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific case. Although the chances of survival are low with cancer of the anus, they can still be quite high if the cancer is detected in its early stages.
Diagnosis of cancer in the anus depends on several factors, including location, size, and spreading. Early detection of cancer in the anus is crucial because treatment options for advanced cancer are limited and the prognosis is significantly improved. However, even if the tumor is small, it should be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent the condition from progressing. If it grows to a large size, surgery will be necessary to remove it.
Anal cancer is caused by abnormal cells found in the anus. These cells can grow out of control and can spread throughout the body. Both types of cancer develop because of changes in the cells. Sometimes, the abnormal cells go away on their own without treatment, while others grow uncontrollably and can become cancerous. Dysplasia is another term for abnormal cell growth. Cancer in the anus is classified into three stages: stage I, II, and III. Stage III indicates a tumor has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes.
If the symptoms are accompanied by a physical exam, doctors may use a lighted tube called an anoscope to examine the anus. The healthcare provider will examine any abnormal tissue and may administer a biopsy. This is done to determine the presence of cancer. The anoscope also allows for detailed evaluation of any suspicious areas found in the anus. Alternatively, the healthcare provider may perform a CT scan using x-rays or radio waves.
Anal cancer is often caused by other types of cancer in the body. Most commonly, it occurs in the anal canal after cancer has spread elsewhere in the body. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus and remains in the body after infection. In fact, it was the leading cause of cervical cancer before routine Pap smears were used to detect it. The best way to detect cancer in the anus is to have it diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
The treatment of cancer of the anus will vary from person to person. Surgery may be performed to remove the affected skin. If the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Surgical removal of the anal tumor may be an option. This treatment will depend on the size and position of the cancer. If it’s small and has not spread to the muscle, resection is the only option. Often, a cancerous anal tumor can be removed surgically without compromising bowel function.
The most common type of anal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This type begins in cells that line the anus and rectum and behaves similar to squamous cell cancers. However, this type of cancer usually develops in a more advanced stage than squamous cell carcinoma. Most anal cancers develop in a transitional zone consisting of squamous cells and glandular cells. Adenocarcinoma represents approximately 3 percent of anal cancers.
