Table of contents:
- What is anal cancer or anal cancer?
- What causes cancer in the anus?
- What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
- Anal sex can be a risk factor
- Are there any tests or treatments for anal cancer?
Cancer can attack anyone, anytime. Cancer cells can also grow and cause cancer in any part of the body, including the anus (rectum). Wow, what are the symptoms of anal cancer to watch out for? What causes it and can it be treated? Find out all anal cancer below, let's go!
What is anal cancer or anal cancer?
Anal cancer or anal cancer, is a type of cancer that is found in the anal canal. The types of anal cancer depend on the various types of cancer cells present in the body. Types of cancer in the anal canal are mainly epidermal cancer, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (flat cell), and verruca carcinoma.
Anal cancer is rare and affects more women than men. Anal cancer can strike patients at any age. The disease can be overcome by reducing your risk factors.
What causes cancer in the anus?
Anal cancer or anal cancer occurs when cells or body tissue in the rectum experience interference or damage in DNA. In most cases, the cause of this DNA damage is not known with certainty.
Healthy cells will grow and divide regularly so that the anus continues to function normally. However, when the cell's DNA is damaged and turns into cancer, the cells continue to divide and cannot produce new normal cells anymore. Over time, unhealthy cells will accumulate and start forming tumors. Cells in anal cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the colon and others.
What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
- Changes in your bowel habits, such as frequent diarrhea, constipation or more frequent bowel movements
- Dark or red blood in the stool
- Mucus discharge suddenly from the anus
- Pain during bowel movements
- Stomach ache
- Have iron deficiency anemia
- Your weight has dropped dramatically
- It's easy to feel weak or tired
Apart from the above, you need to contact your doctor if you experience a variety of other symptoms of anal cancer such as:
- Bleeding
- Itchy rash
- Discharge from the anus
Pain in the rectum or anus or a lump or lump in the rectum can also be a sign or symptom of anal cancer. Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
Anal sex can be a risk factor
Anal sex can be a risk factor for anal cancer. Penetration can tear the inner tissues of the anus, allowing bacteria and viruses to enter the bloodstream around the anus. This can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Studies have shown that the risk of anal exposure to HIV is 30 times greater than that of partners who have vaginal sex. Exposure human papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause the development of warts on the anal area.
Are there any tests or treatments for anal cancer?
For diagnosis, the doctor uses a medical history and physical examination including a digital rectal exam and anoscopy. Anoscopy uses a short light tube to examine the rectal area.
The doctor will also perform a biopsy. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small amount of tissue from the rectum and uses a microscope to find cancer cells in the tissue. If cancer cells are found during the biopsy, other tests may be performed including ultrasound to see the depth of the tumor and computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to find out if the cancer has spread. Checking the stage of cancer helps doctors make treatment decisions.
Meanwhile, anal cancer treatment depends on the size of the tumor, how deep the tumor is, and the spread of the tumor to lymph nodes in the groin or to the large intestine. Treatment will generally involve surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding cancer cell tissue. The doctor will also recommend several healing methods such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
To treat various symptoms of anal cancer, the doctor may also provide supporting drugs. For example, pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
