While it feels hard, it’s much softer than hemorrhoids, which can be very uncomfortable. While anal cancer feels like a pebble or frozen pea, it’s not painful.
Anal cancer is most common in people with compromised immune systems, so anyone with an underlying medical condition should undergo a physical exam to make sure the condition is not related to other health problems. In addition, if a patient has symptoms that concern the rectum or anus, a physician should perform a biopsy. A small biopsy, performed under local anesthesia, can often provide the definitive diagnosis. Stage 1 is the most common type of anal cancer and has a five-year survival rate of about 81.3 percent.
Anal cancer is typically diagnosed early. Stage I is when a tumour is only a few centimetres in diameter; stage II is when a tumour is bigger than two centimetres. The third stage is called stage IIIB and refers to cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the anus or nearby organs. The fourth stage is called stage IV and refers to cancer that has spread to distant areas of the body. Depending on the type of anal tumor, treatment will vary.
Stage I cancer is very early; the tumour is less than two centimetres in diameter. Stage II cancer is characterized by an increase in size and spread to the rectum and lymph nodes. When anal cancer spreads to distant organs, it is usually metastasized to the lungs or liver. It is also possible to have a surgery to remove the tumour and then monitor the patient. While treatment options depend on the type of anal disease, they are all highly effective.
As anal cancer is less common than other types of cancer, it can still be deadly. Although it is uncommon, over 8,000 people die from anal cancer each year, it should not be ignored. Anal cancer is not to be confused with colorectal (colon) or rectum cancer, which are both very common. The latter two types have different treatment options, but both may be treated if they show any of these symptoms.
A change in bowel habits, including a change in the number of stools per day, may be indicative of anal cancer. In addition to the bowel symptoms, there are other warning signs of anal cancer. During the first stages of cancer, a tumor is smaller than two centimetres in diameter, and there is no evidence that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. However, the symptoms of anal malignancy may be a sign of other diseases.
Early-stage anal cancer patients typically experience no symptoms. The most common symptom reported is pain, which may be localized and constant or may occur only during receptive sex. While pain is usually the most obvious sign of anal cancer, some people also report feeling a hard area or lump outside the anal area. They may feel a lump that’s hard and is growing. While there are no specific signs of cancer, many patients will experience pain, bleeding, and discomfort.
