Stage I cancer involves no symptoms, while stage II cancer has developed a tumour larger than two centimeters in diameter. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in or near the anus, it is called stage IIIA. In stage IIIB, the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body and is inoperable. Anal cell carcinoma is often diagnosed in women over 50, although it can be found in men as well.
While anal cancer does not have specific symptoms, it is important to get a diagnosis from your doctor. In general, patients diagnosed with this condition do not have any obvious symptoms. However, the most common treatment for anal cancer is radiation. Proton therapy has shown to be particularly effective for treating this form of cancer. It has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. If your doctor suspects you have anal cancer, you should seek treatment immediately. Anal cancer is very treatable, and there is a possibility that you will not develop any complications.
Anal cancer can also be internal and therefore not detectable by touch. While you can’t feel it until it has spread, an external anal tumour is more visible. It can be hard to distinguish from a hemorrhoid because it feels harder than hemorrhoids, which are soft scars. It can also resemble a frozen pea. If it’s on the outside, it will be harder to detect.
You may have difficulty controlling your bowel movements. Your bowels may become loose and/or enlarged. Your symptoms might be limited to a few days or even weeks. In some cases, you may not experience any anal cancer symptoms at all. But if your bowels are not functioning properly, your cancer could have spread to other parts of your body. A physician can treat your anal cancer if the tumour has spread, but it can also spread to other parts of the body.
There are three stages of anal cancer. Stage I is the smallest and most localized form of the disease. In stage II, the tumor is large and can be detected with a Pap test. In stage III, it has spread to the lymph nodes in the rectum. It is considered stage IV when it has spread to distant areas of the body. While the symptoms of anal cancer vary, they are all very serious. Anal cancer should not be ignored.
Fortunately, the symptoms of anal cancer are usually very reversible. In some cases, anal cancer is not a serious condition, and it is often treated. For example, if you have a large tumour, it is a sign of anal cancer. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. The most common anal cancer symptoms are bleeding, difficulty controlling bowel movements, and difficulty urination.
