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What Is Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is a rare cancer type affecting our anal canal. Anal canal can be described as the short tube present right at the mouth of the rectum; its primary function is acting as the pathway through which the stools leave our body. The common symptoms of anal cancer are:
- Bleeding in the rectum or anus
- Pain and discomfort in the surrounding region of anus
- Anal itching
- Formation of a mass inside anal canal
The above mentioned signs might also occur due to other common medical conditions like hemorrhoids. But, you should always inform your doctor if any such symptoms occur; the doctor is the best person to identify whether the signs are indicating a carcinogenic condition.
Why do people develop anal cancer? One becomes a victim of anal cancer as a result of conversion of healthy and normal cells into cancerous cells through genetic mutation. The healthy cells multiply and grow at a particular rate and also die after a particular period of time. However, the rate of growth and multiplication of the abnormal, cancerous cells does not stay in the control of our system; these cells also do not die. Accumulation of these abnormal cells results in formation of masses known as tumors. Majority of the anal cancer cases are triggered by infections from HPV or human papillomavirus.
Anal cancer can be categorized into 5 stages; which anal cancer stage you are in is decided by the doctors through diagnostic procedures like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and PET. The five anal cancer stages are:
Stage-I: In this stage the tumor has size of around 3/4 inches or 2 cm and the cancer cells stay confined only within the tumor.
Stage-II: In stage II, the anal cancer tumor becomes bigger than 2 cm; however, it still does not spread outside the patient's anal canal.
Stage-IIIA: In stage IIIA, the anal cancer tumor can be of any size; in this stage the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes surrounding the rectum or other nearby body parts like vagina, bladder or urethra.
Stage-IIIB: In stage IIIB, the anal cancer tumor can grow into any size and spread to nearby lymph nodes and organs; in this stage, the cancer might also invade the lymph nodes of the patient's pelvis.
Stage IV: In this stage, anal cancer cells starts invading body parts that are away from pelvis; the lungs and bones of the patient might get affected.
Recurrent Anal Cancer
Cancer is a disease that is caused due to excess growth of cells. This is a condition that sometimes also recurs at a later stage even after it is treated. Normally cancer is seen to come back after a long period of time. During this intermittent period, the cancer that is within goes undetected. When the cancerous condition grows in the same pattern as before then it is called recurrence of cancer.
Recurrent cancer is thus that condition of cancer where it reappears after some time, even after treatment. Normally it is visible in the same place where it had initially been treated. Recurrent cancer is seen in organs like lungs and also in the bones. Cancer also recurs in cases of lymph node cancer and anal cancer. The treatment for recurrent cancer is the same as the one that was given for [...]
What Are the Anal Cancer Risk Factors?
The anal cancer risk factors are as follows:
Women suffering from the HPV infection type that can increase their chances of having cervical cancer are considered to be at higher risk of developing anal cancer. This has been proved in a medical study conducted on squamous cell carcinoma patients of Sweden and Denmark. Another medical study has revealed that the HPV type that causes majority (84%) of the anal cancer cases is HPV-16. Estimations by modern day scientists suggest that overall 90% of the anal cancer cases occur due to HPV infections.
People having sexual relationships with multiple partners have higher risk of getting exposed to HPV virus, which also increases their chances of developing anal cancer.
The current smokers also have much higher chances of developing anal cancer [...]
How Do You Get Anal Cancer?
How do you get anal cancer? There’s no specific answer to this question. Like all cancer types, one becomes the victim of anal cancer when healthy normal cells become abnormal due to genetic mutation. The healthy cells in our body multiply normally at set rates and eventually die at set times. However, when genetic mutation coverts them into abnormal cells, they start multiplying without any control and do not die. Accumulation of these overgrown abnormal cells results in formation of masses, which are medically called tumors.
Anal cancer is a cancer type related to infection caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. Majority of the anal cancer patient get the disease due to HPV. However, having HPV infection does not mean that you'll inevitably suffer from anal cancer and vice versa. Besides [...]
Anal Cancer – Debunking Common Myths
Around eighty to ninety percent of anal cancers arise due to the offender HPV (human papillomavirus), the analogous type of virus which is causal to cervical cancer.
Cervical dysplasia (the presence of pre-cancerous alterations in cells making up internal cervical lining) is a condition which over and over again has been observed to herald cervical cancer - & is additionally caused due to an HPV infection. Researches have shown that when one has cervical dysplasia, one is at a greater risk and this crucial fact is not known by many. Anal cancer is fairly remediable when detected in the earlier stages.
The analogous kinds of HPV (16, 18) which have been incriminated in cervical cancer are additionally associated to anal cancer. In the concluding month of 2010, the FDA did an expansion [...]
Important Information About The Symptoms of Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is defined as a rare cancer that affects the anal region. This happens when tumors form near the anus or the opening located at the end of the rectum. Even though this is classified as a rare form of cancer it is becoming increasingly more common. For this reason it is becoming even more important than ever that individuals are educated on the symptoms of anal cancer.
In some cases this disease presents no outward symptoms in individuals that have developed it. In cases where symptoms are present one of the first symptoms that may be experienced is unexplained bleeding of the rectum. Some other symptoms to be aware of include lumps that have formed near the anal area, unusual anal discharge or pain and pressure located in the anal area and changes in bowel movements. Additional [...]
Common Causes of Anal Cancer
Although anal cancer is considered to be a rare disease more and more cases are being discovered. Anal cancer is typically confined to the area in, around or on the anus which is the opening at the end of the rectum. The most often contracted form of this disease is squamous cell carcinoma which begins in the outer lining of the anus. Another cancer that is related to this called cloacogenic carcinoma. This cancer usually occurs between the anus and rectum. Skin cancer can also affect the anal area. Another occurrence that take place in this area include polyps and warts. Although these are often not cancerous they can turn cancerous over the progression of time. Cancer occurs when the general function that controls the growth of cells is changed. When this happens, cells begin to grow nonstop [...]
How To Answer The Question What Is Anal Cancer?
Many people wonder exactly what is anal cancer. Anal cancer is a disease that affects the area known as the anus which is the opening where the rectum ends. Although this is a rare form of cancer it is becoming more and more common as time progresses. When it is found early the chances for successful treatment are good.
Most cases of this disease are generally found in individuals between the ages of 50 and 80. When cases of this cancer are found in those under the age of 50 it is more prevalent in men than women, whereas after age 50, women seem to be slightly more affected.
One thing that is considered to be a major risk factor in developing this type of cancer is the development of HPV or human papillomavirus which is a virus that is transmitted between sexual partners. Although there [...]
Anal Cancer – Examinations And Tests
What is Anal Cancer?
Anal Cancer is a disease wherein cancerous or malignant cells start developing in the tissues of the anus.
Examinations & Tests:
Tests for examining the rectal and anal area are employed for detection and diagnosis of anal cancer. The below stated tests and procedures could be conducted:
Physical Examination
A physical exam of the body is done for checking the general health signs inclusive of watching out for any indications of disease like lumpy appearance or anything abnormal. The patient’s history in regards to health habits, previous sickness and treatments would additionally be analysed.
Digital Rectal Examination or DRE
During the DRE examination, the lower portion of the anus and rectum are checked by inserting a finger covered by glove made slippery [...]
Anal Cancer – Viable Treatment Alternatives
Anal cancer treatment is dependent on an array of factors inclusive of the site, form and staging of the tumor, along with the age, general health conditions and personal choices. The doctor would discuss treatment alternatives in length with the patient and chart out the most effectual plan best suited for that particular condition.
In majority of the patients, invasive anal cancer can be cured, especially in case of early diagnosis and the tumors are small-sized. The treatment for anal cancers generally involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation that leads to complete regression of the tumors in eighty to ninety percent of the cases.
Surgical intervention might become necessary in some forms of cancers not responding to chemotherapy and radiation or in those cases when a relapse [...]
Anal Cancer – Diagnostic Procedures
Anal Cancer diagnosis is conducted with the doctor firstly recording the patient’s medical history that would take into account the general health condition, immune status, any form of medications being taken, whether one is HIV positive, the existing viral load and CD4+ lymphocyte count.
The doctor would additionally ask about any previous occurrence of anal warts, dysplasia or other anal problems. The doctor would also enquire regarding the presence of any heart valve irregularity that is acute enough to necessitate the need of consuming antibiotics during a dental cleanup procedure in order to avert any form of heart valve infections. In case this condition holds true, then an antibiotics course would be prescribed prior to conducting any biopsies that would be part of the cancer diagnosis [...]
