What is Anal Cancer?

Anal Cancer is the malignancy that starts due to the formation of malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues in the anus. The anus is the end of the large intestine, below the rectum, through which stool (solid waste) leaves the body.

Anal cancer starts in the cells around or just inside the anal opening. Anal cancer occurs due to the development of abnormal cells in the body that grow uncontrollably and accumulate, forming abnormal masses or growths known as tumors.

Anal cancer rarely spreads i.e. metastasizes to distant parts of the body. When metastasizes, Anal cancer usually spreads to the liver and the lungs.

Cause and Risk Factors for Anal Cancer

Most anal cancers are related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In most of the patients of Anal Cancer HPV has been detected. However, there can be various risk factors that can cause the development of Anal Cancer.

Risk factors for Anal Cancer include:

Older age - Most cases of anal cancer occur in people age 50 and older.
Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV)
Having a condition or disease that causes a compromised or weakened immune system, such as the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) or an organ transplant
Having a personal history of vulvar, vaginal, or cervical cancers.
Having many sexual partners
Having receptive anal intercourse i.e. anal sex
Smoking cigarettes.

Symptoms of Anal Cancer

Signs and symptoms of anal cancer include bleeding from the anus or rectum or a lump near the anus that are quite similar to those of hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many gastrointestinal diseases.

Other symptoms include:

Changes in bowel habits
Thin stools
Bleeding from the rectum
Pain, pressure or formation of a lump near the anus
Discharge from the anus or itching

Diagnostic Procedures

The diagnostic procedures employed for diagnosing Anal cancer include:

A digital rectal examination in which your physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus and rectum to feel for lumps or other abnormalities.
Exam of the anal canal through:
Anoscopy: An exam of the anus and lower rectum using a short, lighted tube called an anoscope.
Proctoscopy: A procedure to look inside the rectum and anus to check for abnormal areas, using a proctoscope
Biopsy, in which sample tissue is taken from the area in question and tested to make an accurate diagnosis.

However, when anal cancer is diagnosed, the extent of cancer is determined through MRI and other imaging tests.

Extent is also determined using Endo-anal or Endorectal Ultrasound - A procedure in which an ultrasound transducer (probe) is inserted into the anus or rectum to create and bounce high-energy sound i.e. ultrasound waves off internal tissues or organs to make echoes.

These echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.

Patients may also be asked to undergo additional tests to determine whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes or to other areas of your body

These tests may include:

Computerized tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Positron emission tomography (PET)

Treatment of Anal Cancer

The treatment of Anal cancer is given as per the stage and condition of Cancer. Often a combination of various therapies is used for the treatment of Anal Cancer.

The treatment procedures involved are:

Chemotherapy
Radiation
Surgery
Immunotherapy
Palliative Supportive Care

Best Hospital for Anal Cancer Treatment India

The best hospitals for Anal Cancer Treatment in India are

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
Jaypee Hospital NOIDA
Fortis Healthcare, Mulund
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai
HCG Hospitals, Bangalore
Gleneagles Global Hospitals Bangalore
Apollo Hospitals Chennai

Besides the best and most efficient treatment, patients can also avail impeccable pre and post-treatment care and low-cost benefits of Anal Cancer Treatment in India in all these hospitals.

To get more information about Anal cancer treatment in India: Click here

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