Anal Cancer: Diagnosis

It is important to pay attention to changes in your body. Changes may indicate non-serious or normal bodily changes like the aches and pains that may occur  as we age. However, changes may indicate serious problems and the sooner you are examined by a healthcare professional the better your opportunity for effective treatment options.

Possible signs of anal cancer include: 

• Bleeding from the anus or rectum.
• Pain or pressure in the area around the anus.
• Itching or discharge from the anus.
• A lump near the anus.
• A change in bowel habits.

The following tests and procedures may be used to detect anal cancer:

• Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
• Digital rectal examination (DRE): An exam of the anus and rectum. The doctor or nurse inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the lower part of the rectum to feel for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
• Anoscopy: An exam of the anus and lower rectum using a short, lighted tube called an anoscope.
• Proctoscopy: An exam of the rectum using a short, lighted tube called a proctoscope.
• Endo-anal or endorectal ultrasound: A procedure in which an ultrasound transducer (probe) is inserted into the anus or rectum and used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.
• Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. If an abnormal area is seen during the anoscopy, a biopsy may be done at that time.

Early detection of anal cancer is important for good outcomes. Some factors that affect recovery are:

• The size of the tumor.
• Where the tumor is in the anus.
• Whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.