Symptoms and treatment of Anal cancer

Description

Anal cancer is a growth of cells that begins in the anal canal. The anal canal is a short tube at the end of the rectum. Stool passes through the anal canal, as it leaves the body.

Anal cancer can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, blood in the feces, and anal pain. As it grows, it could cause a growth or tumor. Sometimes, these symptoms can be confused with hemorrhoids.

In the past, most people with anal cancer underwent a surgery to remove the cancer. Often this operation is to make a new way for waste to leave the body. Today, the majority of anal cancer treatment consisting of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. With this approach, the surgery might not be necessary.

Symptoms

Anal cancer signs and symptoms include:

Bleeding from the anus or the rectum.
Blood in the stool.
Pain in the area of the anus.
A mass or tumor in the anal canal.
Anal Itching.
Having to go to the bathroom more often.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

Anal cancer occurs when the cells in the anal canal to develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes that are given different instructions. The changes, to tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. At the time, cancer cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

The majority of anal cancers are thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV . HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. For most people, the virus never cause problems. It usually goes away on its own. For some, however, the virus can cause changes in cells that can lead to cancer.

Risk factors

Things that may increase the risk of anal cancer include:

Be exposed to the human papilloma virus, also calledHPV. HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. For most people, it causes no problems and goes away on its own. For others, it causes changes in the cells that can lead to many types of cancer, including anal cancer.
Increase in the number of sexual partners. The greater number of sexual partners, and the greater your partner's number of sexual partners, the greater your chances of getting HPV .
Have anal sex. People who have receptive anal sex have an increased risk of anal cancer.
Smoking cigarettes. People who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of anal cancer.
Having a history of cancer. Those who have had cervical cancer, vulvar, or vaginal cancer have a higher risk of anal cancer.
Having a weak immune system. If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by medications or disease, there may be an increased risk of anal cancer. People with a weakened immune system include those who take medications to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Certain medical conditions, such as infection with HIV , can also weaken the immune system.

Complications

Anal cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Only a small percentage of cancers have spread. Those who are especially difficult to treat. Anal cancer that spread most commonly goes to the liver and the lungs.

Prevention

Take steps to reduce your risk

There is No sure way to prevent anal cancer. To reduce the risk of anal cancer:

Practice safe sex. Reduce your risk of anal cancer through the adoption of measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections. This may include the use of a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners.
Consider the possibility of theHPVvaccine. To receive a vaccine to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of anal cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Ask your health care team if a vaccine against HPV is right for you.
Do not use tobacco. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you currently use tobacco of any kind, talk to a health professional about strategies to help you quit smoking.

Ask about anal cancer screening

Screening tests can help detect anal cancer and precancerous cells that may one day develop anal cancer. Health professionals sometimes recommend screening for people with a high risk of anal cancer.

You can have a high risk of anal cancer if:

Have HIV .
You are taking medicines to control their immune system after an organ transplant.
Have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells in the penis, scrotum, cervix, vagina or vulva.

Screening tests may include:

Annals of the Pap test. During a Pap smear anal, a professional of the health swab of cells from the anal canal. The cells undergo lab tests to check for cancer cells and cells that look like they could be carcinogenic.
AnalHPVtest. The proof of anal HPV involves the analysis of the cells from the anal canal to the HPV infection .
Digital rectal exam. During a digital rectal exam, a medical professional inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the anus. The health care professional feels the anal canal and rectum tumors, or other signs of cancer.

Medical groups do not agree on who should have the anal cancer screening and which tests should be used. The screening can detect anal cancer when it is small and easier to treat. But studies have not shown that the detection of anal cancer can save lives. Talk about the benefits and risks of screening with your health care team.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose anal cancer include:

The examination of the anal canal and rectum

During a digital rectal exam, a medical professional inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the anus. The health care professional feels the anal canal and rectum tumors, or other signs of cancer.

The use of an endoscope to examine the anal canal, called an anoscopy

During an anoscopy, a health care professional inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light through the anal canal and the rectum. This tube is called an anoscope. A lens in the anoscope allows a health professional to examine the inside of the anal canal.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests create pictures of the body. You can show the location and size of the cancer. The tests may include ultrasound, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging , computed tomography, and positron emission tomography scan, also called a PET scan.

The removal of a sample of tissue for testing, also called a biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. The sample is often collected during an anoscopy. Special tools can go through the anoscope to collect the cells. The sample is analyzed in a laboratory to see if it is cancer. Other special tests to give more details on the cancer cells. Your health care team uses this information to make a treatment plan.

Assay

If you are diagnosed with anal cancer, you may have other tests to see if the cancer has spread. These tests can help your health care team figure out the extent of your cancer, also called stage. Cancer staging tests often involve testing image. Tests to detect signs of cancer in the lymph nodes or other parts of your body. Your health care team uses the results of its cancer staging tests to help you create your treatment plan.

The stages of anal cancer in the range of 1 to 4. The lower number means the cancer is small and only in the anal canal. A higher stage means that the cancer is more advanced. A stage 4 anal cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Treatment

Anal cancer treatment often starts with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Sometimes surgery is used to remove the cancer. When the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the different treatments that can be used. These might include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The treatment that is best for you depends on several factors. These include the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your own preferences.

Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Anal cancer is usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Together, these two treatments enhance each other to kill the cancer cells.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. The treatment often involves a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Some are injected into a vein, and others come in the form of a pill.
The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, a machine directs the rays of energy to specific points on the body to kill the cancer cells there.

The radiation is usually given daily for several weeks. How often you receive chemotherapy treatments during those weeks, will depend on what medications from your health care team you choose. Your care team adapts to your treatment program based on characteristics of your cancer and your general health.

Surgery

Surgery may be used to treat anal cancer in certain situations. The operations may include:

Surgery for very small cancers of the anus.Although not common, some very small anal cancers are treated with surgery alone. The surgeon removes the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. This ensures that all the cancer cells are removed. This could be an option only if the cancer is very small and the surgery does not hurt the muscles that surround the anal canal. These muscles, called sphincter muscles, anal, control of bowel movements. Depending on your type of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery may also be recommended.
Surgery for cancer that has not responded to other treatments. If the cancer remains after chemotherapy and radiation, the doctor may recommend the abdominoperineal resection, also called APR. During April, the surgeon removes the anal canal, the rectum and part of the colon. Then, the surgeon connects the remaining part of his colon to an opening in the abdomen called a stoma. Waste leaves the body through the stoma and collects in a colostomy bag.

Surgery for very small cancers of the anus. Although not common, some very small anal cancers are treated with surgery alone. The surgeon removes the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. This ensures that all the cancer cells are removed.

This could be an option only if the cancer is very small and the surgery does not hurt the muscles that surround the anal canal. These muscles, called sphincter muscles, anal, control of bowel movements.

Depending on your type of cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery may also be recommended.

The treatments for the cancer that has spread

If anal cancer spreads to other parts of the body, other treatments may be used. These may include:

The chemotherapy alone. Chemotherapy drugs can control the growth of cancer cells throughout the body.
Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment with a drug that helps the immune system destroy cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body, such as cancer cells. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. Can be used in certain situations.

Palliative care

Palliative care is a special type of health care that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve the pain and other symptoms. A team that may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained health professionals providing palliative care. The team's goal is to improve the quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team. They provide an extra layer of support, while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time that you are getting strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The use of palliative care with all of the other appropriate treatments can help people with cancer feel better and live longer.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine treatments do not kill the cancer cells. But some treatments of alternative medicine may help you cope with the side effects of cancer treatment. Your health care team can treat many side effects, but sometimes, the medicines are not enough. Alternative treatments can provide more comfort.

Options for common side effects include the following:

Anxiety — massage, meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, exercise, or relaxation techniques.
Fatigue — mild exercise or tai chi.
Nausea — acupuncture, hypnosis, or music therapy.
Pain — acupuncture, massage, music therapy or hypnosis.
The problems of sleep — yoga or relaxation techniques.

Although these options are generally safe, talk with your health care team first to make sure the alternative medicine options do not affect your cancer treatment.

Coping and support

People facing a serious illness, often say that they feel concerned about the future. With time, you will find ways to cope with your feelings, but you can find solace in these strategies:

Ask questions about anal cancer.Write down questions you have about your cancer. Ask these questions at your next appointment. Also ask your health care team by reliable sources where you can get more information. To know more about cancer and their treatment options can make you feel more comfortable when making decisions about your care.
Stay connected with friends and familia.Su cancer diagnosis can be stressful for friends and family also. Try to keep your involvement in your life. Your friends and family will probably ask if there is anything I can do to help you. Think of the tasks you would like help with. For example, you can ask a friend to be there for you when you want to talk. You can ask for help to take care of your house if you have to stay in the hospital. You can find comfort in the support of a group that cares for your family and friends.
Find someone to talk to. Find someone to talk to, who has experience in helping people facing a life-threatening illness. Ask your health care team to suggest a counselor, a member of the clergy, or a medical social worker can talk. For support groups, contact the American Cancer Society or ask your health care team about local or online groups.

Ask questions about anal cancer. Write down questions you have about your cancer. Ask these questions at your next appointment. Also ask your health care team by reliable sources where you can get more information.

To know more about cancer and their treatment options can make you feel more comfortable when making decisions about your care.

Stay connected with friends and family. Your cancer diagnosis can be stressful for friends and family also. Try to keep your involvement in your life.

Your friends and family will probably ask if there is anything I can do to help you. Think of the tasks you would like help with. For example, you can ask a friend to be there for you when you want to talk. You can ask for help to take care of your house if you have to stay in the hospital.

You can find comfort in the support of a group that cares for your family and friends.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

If your doctor thinks you have anal cancer, you may be referred to a specialist. This is often a surgeon or the doctor who treats diseases of the digestive system, called a gastroenterologist. You may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer is called an oncologist.

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do beforehand. For example, you may need to restrict your diet.
Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking and the dose.
Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
Write questions to ask their health care team.

Your time with your team of health care is limited. Prepare by making a list of questions. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For anal cancer, some basic questions to ask include:

What is the stage of my cancer?
What other tests do I need?
What are my treatment options?
There is a treatment that is best for my type and stage of the cancer?
What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
Should I seek a second opinion? Can you give Me the names of the experts recommend?
Am I eligible for the clinical trials?
Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
What is going to determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms and your health, such as:

When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How severe are the symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?