Anal Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Anal cancer is a type of cancer found in the anus. This type of cancer is quite rare. However, anal cancer can also spread to other parts of the body.
Types of anal tumors that are not cancerous can also develop into cancer over time. The tumor itself is an abnormal growth of cells in the body.
Tumors can be benign or malignant. Malignant or cancerous tumors can cause death if you don’t get proper treatment right away. In most cases, if diagnosed early, sufferers can live long and healthy lives.
Symptom
In some cases, anal cancer does not cause symptoms. However, the symptoms of anal cancer that generally appear are similar to complaints of diseases of the anus, such as hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids) and anal fissures.
These symptoms include:
- bleeding from the anus including bloody bowel movements
- itching and pain in the anus
- there is a lump in the anus
- mucus discharge from the anus
- loss of digestive control or digestive incontinence
Reason
Anal cancer is most often caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as HPV (human papillomavirus). Anal cancer also usually occurs due to the spread of cancer to other parts of the body such as the cervix, vagina and vulva.
There are other risk factors that can also increase the likelihood of anal cancer. Some of them are HIV infection, have more than one sexual partner, have anal intercourse, smoke, have a low immune system, and are over 50 years old.
Diagnosis
The doctor will suspect anal cancer from the initial symptoms, namely anal bleeding. To determine the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a detailed medical interview and physical examination.
The initial examination will be carried out by inserting a finger into the anus to examine the anus, rectum, and prostate. Other tests can also be done, such as anal pap smears. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy examination can also be done.
Treatment
Until now there is no treatment that can cure anal cancer. Therapy is carried out with the aim of helping reduce symptoms and support the life of sufferers. Therapy usually depends on the age and stage of the patient’s cancer.
Therapy that can be done is as below or a combination thereof:
- chemotherapy
- surgery
- radiotherapy
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause side effects such as fatigue and pain in the anus. It can also cause pain in the penis and scrotum in men, and the vulva in women. Other side effects that can arise from the two therapies are hair loss on the head and groin area and diarrhea.
In the long term, patients may experience side effects such as infertility, digestive control problems ( bowel incontinence ), chronic diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, vaginal pain during intercourse, and dry and itchy skin (especially around the anus and groin). In addition, bleeding from the anus, rectum, vagina, and bladder can also occur.
When cancer has spread, cancer is difficult to treat. Treatment is palliative therapy with chemotherapy. The function of palliative therapy is to relieve symptoms.
Prevention
Some of the efforts below can help prevent anal cancer:
- practicing safe sex, such as using condoms as protection, avoiding anal intercourse, avoiding having more than one partner
- Get tested for sexually transmitted infections regularly
- stop smoking
- do the HPV vaccine