The most important symptom of anal cancer is difficulty controlling your bowel movements. If you can’t control your bowel movements, you may have an anal cancer. It can also cause looser poop. Occasionally, there are no symptoms at all. Twenty percent of people diagnosed with anal tumours have no symptoms at all. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. If you don’t have any symptoms, your condition may still be treatable.
Treatment for anal cancer is different in every patient. While surgery and chemotherapy are the most common and most successful treatment options, they can only treat the symptoms of the cancer. The first step in treatment is chemotherapy. It can relieve the symptoms of the cancer. This treatment is also known as palliative care. Here are the main treatments for anal cancer. These methods are described below. In some cases, they may not be enough to cure the disease but can relieve the symptoms and make life more comfortable for the patient.
There are three stages of anal cancer. Stage I has a tumour of less than 2 centimetres and stage II has a tumour larger than 2cm. Stage IIIA has spread to the lymph nodes in or near the rectum. Lastly, stage IV is when the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. Depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment will vary. In most cases, chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it is highly likely that you have an anal cancer. However, you should not worry if they aren’t caused by anal cancer. The treatment options for anal cancer are highly effective. In the United Kingdom, fewer than 1,200 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. The majority of patients with anal cancer go undiagnosed. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.
If the tumour is large, you may have an abdomino-perineal resection. This involves removing the anus, rectum and part of the colon. After the anal resection, a permanent stoma will be made. It is important to see your doctor immediately after the surgery. You should be evaluated immediately. If there is no visible signs of cancer, your doctor will suggest other treatment options.
The size of the tumour will determine its stage. Stage I cancer is small. Stage II cancer is larger than 2cm. If the tumor is large, you will need surgery. In stage IIIA, the tumour has spread to lymph nodes near the rectum. In stage IIIB, the cancer has spread to nearby organs and to distant parts of the body. If the tumor is more advanced, it will be in a distant location.
Bleeding from the anus may also be an indication of cancer. The cancer can spread from the anus to the skin and cause pain and other symptoms. A biopsy will confirm the diagnosis. Anal resection is the only way to cure the anal tumor. The anal resection can be performed on either a woman or man. If the tumour is invasive, it can spread to other parts of the body.