Learn the facts about anal cancer, including risks, symptoms and prevention

Anal cancer is rare, but risk factors can significantly increase the chances of developing the disease.

Due to relatively infrequent diagnoses, anal cancer is often unknown or misunderstood among the general public.

“Anal cancer involves the very end of our intestines, but it is often confused with rectal cancer,” says Syed Husain MD, MBBS, a surgeon at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “These are two very different types of cancer.”

Along with several other cancers, human papillomavirus dramatically raises the odds of anal cancer development, with approximately 90 percent of cases diagnosed in patients with HPV.

“Patients with histories of anal intercourse are also at higher risk of developing anal cancer,” Husain adds.

Click here to learn more about anal cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University.

Timely treatment can make a big difference in outcomes for anal cancer patients, but the similarity of early symptoms to less serious conditions often makes early detection challenging.

“The first signs of anal cancer are very similar to common hemorrhoidal symptoms,” Husain says. “These include bleeding in the anal area or feeling a lump or a little nodule in the rectal area.”

Click here for more information about the Anal Cancer Screening Clinic at the OSUCCC – James.

Husain and his Ohio State colleagues are working to increase the chances of potentially life-saving early intervention through the state’s only anal cancer screening clinic, where experts provide world-class diagnostic testing in a compassionate setting.

After diagnoses, patients are immediately connected with The James’ multidisciplinary team to develop treatment plans tailored to each unique case.

“We recommend that people in high-risk populations get screening done at least once a year,” Husain says. “At our facilities, we start from screening to the detection of cancer, and then provide treatment and post-care support.”

As is the case with all forms of cancer, though, the best treatment for anal cancer is prevention. And, while the exact role of HPV in anal cancer development is still being studied, research strongly indicates that vaccination can play an important role in the reduction of diagnoses in the U.S. and around the world.

“Initial reports have been very, very supportive of the idea that we can see a decline in anal cancer similar to that of cervical cancer,” Husain says.

Click here to learn about gastrointestinal cancer care and research at the OSUCCC – James.