National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Anal cancer


Other Names:
Cancer of the anus
Categories:
Anal cancer is a rare form of cancer that occurs due to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth in the anus. Signs and symptoms of the condition include rectal bleeding; a lump in or near the anus; anal pain; itching; changes in bowel habits; and/or swollen lymph nodes. In most cases, the underlying cause of anal cancer is unknown. There appears to be a link between anal cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Other risk factors for anal cancer include HIV infection, sexual activity, smoking, and a weakened immune system. The best treatment options for anal cancer depend on many factors including the stage of the condition, the location of the tumor and if there are associated conditions (i.e. HIV) but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 6/3/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Anal cancer. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Cancer Society provides information on Anal cancer. Please click on the link to access this resource.
  • The Mayo Clinic Web site provides further information on Anal cancer.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Anal cancer. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Anal Cancer. MedlinePlus. October 2014; https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007652.htm.
  2. Anal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. National Cancer Institute. May 2015; http://www.cancer.gov/types/anal/patient/anal-treatment-pdq#section/_1.
  3. Anal Cancer. American Cancer Society. January 2016; http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003083-pdf.pdf.