Forsyth Medical Center 
Colorectal
Anal Cancer
| There are two common types of anal cancer--squamous cell carcinomas and cloacogenic carcinomas. |
Risk Factors of Anal Cancer
The cause of anal cancer is unknown, but there are several related risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting the disease. Those risk factors include:
- Age (over 50 years old)
- Anal warts
- Anal sex
- Smoking
- Immunosuppression (weakened immune systems)
- People with long-standing anal fistula wounds
- People who have received pelvic radiation therapy
Symptoms of Anal Cancer
Many cases of anal cancer can be detected early. Symptoms may include:
- Bleeding from the rectum or anus
- Lump or mass at the anal opening
- Pain in the anal area
- Persistent or recurrent itching
- Change in bowel habits (number of bowel movements)
- Narrowing of the stool
- Discharge from the anus
- Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin areas
Treatment of Anal Cancer
There are three effective types of treatment for most anal cancers. Those treatments include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
To learn more about cancer treatment options, click here.
