What are the causes of anal cancer?

Causes of anal cancer are still not defined, but some studies showed that some factors may be associated with anal cancer, which include: Human papillomavirus (HPV), sexual activity, smoking, HIV infection, anal benign disease and others.

Anal Cancer Symptoms

Anal cancer is a kind of malignant tumor which usually occurs inside anus. Causes of anal cancer are still not defined, but some studies showed that some factors may be associated with anal cancer, which include: Human papillomavirus (HPV), sexual activity, smoking, HIV infection, anal benign disease and others.

Experts from Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou pointed out that although anal cancer is a kind of less common disease but people should still pay attention to it. We should know and understand anal cancer so as to detect it early.

Types of Anal Cancer

In accordance with the difference of onset parts of anal cancer, it can be classified into the following types: cancer in situ, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, basal cell cancer and malignant melanoma, lymphoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Cancer in situ: some anal superficial cells look very abnormal, like cancer cells;

Squamous cell carcinoma: tumor from squamous cells in the anal margin and most of the anal canal.

Adenocarcinoma: it originates from the gland that release anal secretions and is below anal mucous membrane or from the apocrine gland as well (a perianal skin gland that secrets sweat).

Basal cell cancer: it occurs around the perianal skin or other skin parts that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as face and hands, but it is rare to occur in the anus.

Malignant melanoma: it refers to the tumor developed by the anus skin cells that contain melanin, and there are only about 1-2% of anal cancers are melanomas.

Symptoms of Anal Cancer

There is symptom like anorectal bleeding;

The anal area would feel uncomfortable and abnormal itchy.

There will be small lumps around anal margin, and they grow slow.

There are changes in bowel habits, and the shape of the stool becomes thinner.

Lymph glands around the anus or groin become swollen.

There is a slight pain around anus, and the pain gets worse when the tumor invades into the anal canal or sphincter.

Experts from St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou remind you that if you have the following symptoms, please go to regular hospital for examination and treatment.

For more knowledge about cancer, please click online doctors for consultation. 

Anal cancer is a kind of malignant tumor as a result of anal cells canceration, which mainly occurs in anal tube or anal margin skin. Hematochezia, pain, bowel evacuation habit change and anal foreign body sensation are symptoms of early anal cancer, which are similar to symptoms of common diseases such as internal hemorrhoids and anal fissure and result in clinical misdiagnosis. Therefore, if those symptoms occur, it’s better to have anal routine examination and even take anal cancer screening if necessary.

How is anal cancer diagnosed?

1. Digital rectal exam

This exam has two parts which include the check for the anus and the inside of it. If you have symptoms of rectal bleeding or feeling of lumps，you can take this exam.

(1)The way to check the anus: the doctor will touch the anal area with gloved finger to feel for solid callus or lump, and check if there are other abnormalities like tenderness, fluctuation or anus fistula.

(2) The way to check the inside of the anus (Digital Anus Exam): Inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus and rectum to feel for lumps or other abnormalities. If you have symptoms like rectal bleeding please take the exam in time.

2. Endoscopy

Endoscopy can be used to look for the cause of the anal problems and inner part of the rectum. For this test, you either lie on your side on an examining table, with your knees bent up to your chest, or you bent forward over the table. Endoscopy has different types include anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. When you have bowl movement change, you can take this test to find out the cause.

3. Biopsy

Biopsy can often be done through the scope itself. If cancer is present, the pathologist will describe the cell type and extent of the cancer in the report. If the tumor is very small, and the growth happens on the surface of anus, your doctor might try to remove the entire tumor during the biopsy.

4. Chest X-ray: it is the first step of in vitro metastasis examination of anal cancer. If there is no abnormality in chest X-ray, it is less possibility of anal cancer metastasis. If there is abnormality in chest X-ray, detailed examinations are recommended.

5. Computed Tomography: CT examination can detect the tumor’s size, location and form and enlarged lymph nodes as well as metastasizing tumor. When lump and lymph nodes enlargement occur, that examination is recommended.

Oncologists of St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou advise that anal cancer should be treated in normal hospital as earlier as possible.

For more knowledge about cancer, please click online doctors for consultation.