The onset of anal cancer can be slow and almost unnoticeable. It starts innocently enough. JL began to feel itching around the anus. Naturally he thought it was his hemorrhoids acting up again. As time passed, the itching gave way to pain and some bleeding. Still believing it was just a bad case of hemorrhoids, JL treated the problem with sitz baths and over-the-counter medication. Eventually a lesion opened, leaking foul drainage. At that point, JL thought he should see his doctor. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was so much more than hemorrhoids: JL had anal cancer.
- gay men
- people with HPV infection
- people who have had multiple sex partners
- those who routinely engage in anal sex
- and people living with HIV.
What and Where is the Anus?
To understand anal cancer, we need a brief anatomy lesson. The anus is the farthest (distal) most portion of our intestinal tract. It's located at the end of the large intestine, below the rectum where solid waste exits the body. The anal canal is only about 1 1/2 inches long, and it's this area where anal cancers form.
What is Anal Cancer?
The term cancer refers uncontrolled cellular growth. This uncontrolled growth leads to the formation of tumors that left untreated can be life threatening. In the case of anal cancer, cells within the anal canal grow out of control. Initially, the cancer is localized to the anus but eventually can spread (metastasize) to the surrounding tissues of the intestinal tract.
Signs and Symptoms
In our example above, JL exhibited many of the symptoms of anal cancer. Symptoms include:- itching around the anus
- pain
- bleeding and discharge from the anus
- a "lump" or "spongy area" in or around the anus
Treatment and Prognosis
Like most cancers, the key to successful treatment and a good prognosis is early diagnosis. Ask your doctor about their thoughts on anal paps for men and their value in identifying possible problem areas in and around the anus. Make sure your doctor does regular rectal exams to identify problems before they get too advanced. If you have any of the symptoms we discussed, notify your doctor immediately.Treatment possibilities include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments. The chance for a good recovery depends on the size and the location of the cancer. If the cancer has spread outside the anus, that will complicate treatment and can make recovery more difficult. Again, early diagnosis is the key.
Talk to your doctor today about anal cancer and what you can do to lessen the risk and detect any cancer early. Granted, discussing issues regarding your anus may be a bit embarrassing. But not discussing these problems can threaten your life.
Source: Cichocki, M.W.; The Dangers of Anal Cancer; About.com's HIV/AIDS; 1 Jul 2007; Retrieved October 20, 2008 from http://aids.about.com/od/otherconditions/a/analca.htm.
