Anal Cancer

What is anal cancer?

Anal cancer is a tumour that develops in the last 5cm of the bowel. It is completely different from colorectal cancer, which occurs much higher up in the gut.

How common is anal cancer?

Anal cancer is generally a rare disease. The rate at which it occurs varies considerably:

Population Rate / 100,000 population
Anal cancer in the general population 1 - 2
Anal cancer in "never married" men (pre-HIV) 35
Anal cancer in HIV-positive gay men 60 -100

 

in comparison...

Cancer Rate / 100,000 population
Rates of prostate cancer (the commonest cancer in all men) 150
Rates of colorectal cancer in Australian men 46

 

Anal cancer rates appear to be increasing in both men and women.

What are the risk factors?

The following factors may increase risk of anal cancer:

  • Certain types of anal wart virus infection
  • Practising receptive anal intercourse
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Having a history of an abnormal cervical Pap smear
  • Increasing age – it is very rare in under 40 years (unless HIV+)
  • HIV infection
  • Other causes of immunosuppression, such solid organ transplant, other medical conditions and certain medical treatments

What symptoms do people get?

Usually no symptoms, for the first few years. This is why the condition often not noticed until it is at an advanced stage. If symptoms do develop, they may include:

  • Bleeding from the rectum
  • A sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowel
  • Noticing a lump inside or around the anus
  • Rectal discharge

Are there any screening tests?

A simple examination of the anal canal with a lubricated, gloved finger can often be useful in initially making the diagnosis. this can be done by your general practitioner or specialist. You may wish to consider learning to do this yourself.

A colonoscopy can sometimes detect anal cancer. However, as anal cancer occurs close to the end of the bowel, they are sometimes missed. It is best for the specialist to perform retroflexion, where the scope is turned back on itself, and a detailed view of the anal canal is obtained.

The screening roles of anal swab testing and high resolution anoscopy are still being evaluated.

What treatments are available?

Treatment is usually one or several of the following: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

What are the survival rates?

The five-year survival is 65-75%. Anal cancers diagnosed early respond better to treatment than those seen later.

Where can I get further information?

Your doctor should be able to give you some very useful advice.

Other places where you might find helpful information include: