Read article Types of anal cancer
This page is about the different types of anal cancer. The anus is made up of different types of cells. The types of anal cancer depend on the type of cell the cancer has grown from.
Types of anal cancer
There are several different types of anal cancer.
Squamous cell cancer
About 8 out of 10 anal cancers (80%) are squamous cell cancers. Squamous cells are flat cells that line the organs and cavities of the body.
There are several different types of squamous cell anal cancer. They are sometimes called epidermoid cancers. All the squamous cell types of anal cancer are treated in the same way.
Other anal cancers
The other, rarer types of anal cancer are adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the about anal cancer section.
About 8 out of 10 anal cancers (80%) are squamous cell cancers, sometimes called epidermoid cancers.
There are 3 types of squamous cell anal cancer
- Large cell keratinising
- Large cell non keratinising (also called transitional)
- Basaloid
A keratinising cancer has keratin (the protein that forms your hair and nails) in the cancer cells. This type of anal cancer starts in the lower part of the anus. Non keratinising types start from the transitional zone of the anal canal, where the squamous cells meet the glandular cells. Many anal cancers will have a mix of these cell types.
All these squamous cell types of anal cancer are treated in the same way.
The other 2 out of 10 anal cancers (20%) are adenocarcinoma, small cell cancers, undifferentiated cancers, basal cell carcinoma and melanomas. This group is known as non epidermoid cancers. They behave differently to squamous cell anal cancers, so the treatment is different.
Cancers that start at the anal margin, usually look more like normal cells (they are well differentiated). Anal margin tumours are more common in men than women. Cancers that start higher up in the anal canal are more common in women.
This is a rare type of anal cancer that affects the glandular cells that produce mucus in the anal canal. Only 5% of anal cancers are this type. This type of anal cancer is treated in the same way as rectal cancer.
This is a type of skin cancer and it develops in the area around the anus. You can find information about treatment of basal cell cancers in the skin cancer section.
This is another type of skin cancer. These cancers develop from the cells that produce melanin, the pigment or colour for the skin. Treatment is the same as for other melanomas.
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