Anal Cancer Symptoms

Anal cancer is a malignancy or a cancerous growth in the anal canal. The cancer develops when normal cells of the anus get converted in to abnormal, atypical cells due to mutation. These abnormal cells proliferate autonomously and uncontrollably. The accumulating anomalous cells form a mass / a tumor.

Understanding Anal Cancer Symptoms

The following features are the commonest anal cancer symptoms:

• Bleeding from the anus / rectum
• Anal pain
• Anal itching
• A mass or growth in the anal canal

Causes of Anal Cancer Symptoms

The commonest causes of anal cancer symptoms are:

• Infection by HPV or the human papilloma virus is the most significant cause. Confirmation of HPV is detected in a majority of anal cancers. The human papilloma virus is transmitted sexually.
• Promiscuity or having too many sexual partners is another important cause for anal cancer.
• Anal sex is an important predisposing factor.
• Excessive smoking increases the risk greatly.
• Drugs and medications or conditions that suppress the immune system are also significant causes for anal cancer. Individuals who take immuno-suppressive drugs, people who have received an organ transplant, or people having AIDS have a noteworthy risk of developing anal cancer.

Diagnosing Anal Cancer

Early diagnosis of anal cancer plays a major role in managing the case effectively.

• A DRE or digital rectal examination helps the doctor examine for anything abnormal in the ano-rectal canal.
• An anoscope is used to scrutinize the anal canal for signs of malignancy.
• An ultrasound of the ano-rectal canal also helps see the area well, and conclude on the cause.
• A biopsy is done (i.e. a tissue sample is collected) when a growth has been seen; to establish whether the cells are malignant.
• A computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are carried out to appraise the extent of the cancer.

Treating Anal Cancer

The treatment of anal cancer fundamentally depends on the stage of the cancer, extent of spread, patient’s age and overall health status.

• In the preliminary phase of the cancer, while the tumor is still small, the surgeon excises the mass and some of the nearby healthy tissue, to prevent recurrences and spread. He will try to save the anal sphincter muscles.

• On the other hand, if the tumor can not be excised without injuring the anal sphincter muscles, the surgeon advises radio-chemotherapy initially, to shrink the size of the tumor mass, and then carries out sphincter sparing surgery.

• In highly advanced cases, with metastasis or those cases not responding to radio-chemotherapy, an abdomino-perineal resection is performed
• Chemotherapy drugs are administered orally / in to the vein to obliterate the tumor cells.
• Radiation therapy (X-ray beams) is also incorporated in to the treatment program to wipe out the cancer cells completely.