A localized form of anal cancer has a survival rate of 61 percent, while metastatic forms have a survival rate of 30 percent. However, the survival rate varies greatly depending on the type of cancer and the type of treatment. Luckily, there are many ways to detect anal ailment.
There are a variety of symptoms associated with anal cancer, and doctors will need to make an accurate diagnosis. A change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), blood in the stool, or a lump that feels hard and full may be indicative of anal cancer. Although these symptoms are not necessarily a sign of anal cancer, they should be taken seriously and discussed with your doctor. Early detection is the key to a better prognosis.
Anal cancer symptoms can range from pain to bleeding during bowel movements. Often, the pain and bleeding associated with anal cancer is worse during bowel movements. There are a number of treatment options available for anal cancer, and the treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Anal cancer is not dangerous, but it must be treated by a medical professional. There are a number of treatments available to help patients manage their condition.
Surgery is another treatment option. This is less common than chemotherapy, but is often recommended for anal cancer if the tumour is small and if chemoradiation has failed. During a local excision, a tumour is cut out. The surgery is simple and requires a day or two in the hospital. Abdominoperineal resection is another option for anal cancer. This is a surgical procedure that can affect the entire anus and is performed under general anaesthesia.
Symptoms of anal cancer can be confused with other conditions. If a patient has an anal tumour, it may be mistaken for a less serious condition. Anal cancer can have no symptoms or be asymptomatic. It is best to visit a doctor or a colon and rectal surgeon for an assessment. You may have to undergo chemoradiation for more than a year to treat the disease.
Some of the anal cancer symptoms are mistaken for other, less serious problems. If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. The best treatment options depend on the stage of the anal cancer. If the tumour is small, it is easy to ignore it and will not spread beyond the anus. If it has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, it may be stage IV or more.
