A 35-year-old member asked:
What is anal cancer?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ritesh Rathoreanswered
Hematology and Oncology 31 years experience
Aggressive cancer : Anal cancer is an aggressive cancer of the anal area. It is not a common cancer. Risk factors include a history of anal warts, cigarette smoking, HIV infection and lowered immunity. In early stages it can be treated by surgery but often requires treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Eric Kaplananswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 43 years experience
Cancer of the anus: Is usually a squamous type or arising from skin cells: totally different etiology/cause from colon and rectal cancer and managed differently than either of the latter.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can you die from anal cancer?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Nihal Abdullaanswered
Hematology and Oncology 22 years experience
Unfortunately yes: Mostly the treatment that is mainly concurrent chemotherapy with combined radiation is the standard and achieves good responses; surgery then is used only if recurrence occurs; however if advanced or has spread to other locations like lung or liver then the treatment is mostly palliative (control symptoms and extend life).
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
Dr Abdulla is right. The chemoradiation regimen used is tough on patients, too. Here's a link with survival by stage: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/analcancer/overviewguide/anal-cancer-overview-survival-rates
Sep 6, 2013
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is the treatment for anal cancer?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Orranswered
Surgical Oncology 45 years experience
Chemo and radiation: First - anal cancer is different from rectal cancer - this answer is for anal cancer. Most anal cancers are treated with chemotherapy and radiation. This works in most cases. Surgery is reserved for those patients who do not respond to chemo/rad (unusual) and for recurrences.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
How is anal cancer diagnosed?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Orranswered
Surgical Oncology 45 years experience
Exam and biopsy: Anal cancer is diagnosed primarilly by physical examination. Sometimes it requires anesthesia, but most of the time can be done in the office. Any suspicious areas need to be biopsied.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Sturgis commented
Pathology 30 years experience
Anal cancer and anal cancer precursors can also be diagnosed by anal cytology (exfoliative brushing of the anus / anal Pap test).
Jan 12, 2014
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is recurrent anal cancer?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mitchell Kamravaanswered
Radiation Oncology 17 years experience
It came back: Recurrent refers to a tumor that had gone away but then comes back.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How do you get an anal cancer?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Prashant Sinhaanswered
General Surgery 20 years experience
No single reason: The biggest risk factors are hpv infection that causes anal warts (condylomata) and HIV infection. Other factors include rare genetic mutations and radiation exposure to the lower pelvic area.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 12, 2020
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