What is anal cancer?

Anal cancer is a very rare type of cancer. It is found at the end of the large intestine and below the rectum of the body. It was estimated in 2009 that 5,290 adults living in the United States will be diagnosed with anal cancer and 710 deaths will be the result from this disease.

The symptoms of anal cancer may include:
1. Bleeding and/ or discharge
2. Pain in or around the anal area
3. Anal discharge
4. Bumps or lumps
5. Itchy in or around the anal area
6. A change in the bowels, including diarrhea and constipation.

There are several different types of anal cancer treatment. Some are standard treatments and currently being used on patients while other treatments are still in clinical trials. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other radiation to remove the cancer cells. Chemotherapy used drugs to halt the growth of the cancer cells by either killing the cells themselves or stopping them from dividing further. Another option for treatment is surgery: local resection and abdominoperineal. Local resection removes the tumor and some tissue located around it. Abdominoperineal resection removes the entire area through an incision made in the abdomen.

Those who are diagnosed with anal cancer are shocked and upset at first while many times feeling confused, frightened and numb. It is not unusual for someone with anal cancer to be embarrassed about having this type of cancer; this is a very private area of the body. It does take time to come to terms with cancer and definitely this type and treatment can be decided after the initial shock is over.