If you suspect you may have cancer near the anus, your doctor will first conduct an anal exam, usually with a lighted scope. Your doctor may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. CT scans and MRIs are useful for determining the extent of the cancer, as well as whether there are any distant metastases. A PET/CT scan uses x-rays and a computer to create a detailed picture of the internal organ. Ultrasound tests can also be used to determine whether the cancer has spread to distant organs.
If your anal cancer is spread to lymph nodes or other parts of your body, you may need to undergo an abdomino-perineal resection. This surgery will remove the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. However, if the cancer is too large to be removed through surgery, it can spread to other parts of the body. Fortunately, melanoma skin cancer typically starts in the small intestine or stomach, and is not very common in the anal area. Drug therapy may also be recommended to treat melanoma skin cancer.
Treatment for cancer near the anus depends on the stage of the cancer. Early stage tumors may be surgically removed. However, if the cancer has spread to the surrounding muscles, chemo-radiation may be required. This treatment has a high success rate, with 90% of cancers being cured after chemo-radiation. However, the side effects of this surgery include permanent infertility. Moreover, radiotherapy to the anus may cause infertility. Therefore, women concerned about fertility should raise their concerns to their medical team before the treatment.
Anal cancer often spreads slowly and is more common in women than men. The sooner it is detected, the better. If you are diagnosed with cancer near the anus, the chance of a full recovery is higher. A free Ada app can help you identify your symptoms and get the proper diagnosis. You can also download a smartphone app to check your symptoms and receive timely treatment. You can use this to help your doctor determine if you have cancer near the anus.
Some cancers are more common than others, and can start in different areas of the anus. In addition to the anal margin, anal cancer can also form in the anal canal. Cancer near the anus can occur higher in the anal canal, in which case the prognosis is poorer. The earliest type of cancer in the anal area is carcinoma in situ. However, it is considered a pre-cancerous condition and should not be ignored.
The location of the cancer is important because it can spread from one part of the anus to another. The anal canal is surrounded by squamous cells, which merge with the skin on the outside of the anus. It also contains sweat glands and hair follicles. The type of cancer you have will determine the treatment. Cancer near the anus can be treated in the same way as cancer in other parts of the body.
