Read article Types of treatment for anal cancer
This page tells you about the main treatments for anal cancer.
Treatment for different types of anal cancer
The treatments described in this section are for the most common type of anal cancer, squamous cell cancer of the anus. Adenocarcinoma of the anus is treated in the same way as rectal cancer so if you have this type of anal cancer, you need to look at the bowel cancer section.
The main treatments
The main treatment for anal cancer is a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, sometimes called chemoradiation. You may have surgery as well.
Treatment by stage
Here is a summary of the treatments doctors use for the different stages of anal cancer
- Stage 0 – you have just the affected area removed with surgery
- Stage 1 – you may have surgery to remove very small cancers, or chemoradiation if the cancer is larger than 1cm or involves the anal canal or anal sphincter
- Stages 2 and 3 – you are most likely to have chemoradiation
- Stage 4 – you may have any combination of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy to try and control the cancer and any symptoms you have
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating anal cancer section.
The treatments described in this section are for squamous cell cancer of the anus, the most common type of anal cancer. Adenocarcinoma of the anus is treated in the same way as rectal cancers, so if you have adenocarcinoma you should go to the treating bowel cancer section.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that anyone with anal cancer is referred to a specialist team, even if you have already had your cancer removed. Specialists plan your treatment by taking several factors into account, including
- The type and size of the cancer
- Which part of the anus is affected
- Your general health and other medical conditions
- Whether the cancer has spread
You may find that other people you meet are having different treatment to you. This may be because some of the factors above are different. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor or nurse any questions you have about your treatment.
It often helps to write down a list of questions you want to ask. You could also take a close friend or relative with you when you go to see the doctor - they can help you remember what was said.
Some people feel they would like to get an opinion from a second doctor before they decide about their treatment. If you would like a second opinion, you can ask your specialist or your GP. It can be better to arrange a second opinion through your specialist because then all your notes and test results can be sent with you.
Note: A second opinion does not mean that the second doctor will take over your care. Your treatment will usually still be managed by your original specialist.
Some bowel cancer organisations can give information about the choice of treatment available for anal cancer. Or they can put you in touch with cancer support groups where you can talk to other people who have been through similar experiences to your own.
The main treatment for anal cancer is a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, sometimes called chemoradiation. If the cancer comes back, or has not gone completely after chemoradiation, you will need surgery. You may have surgery on its own for a small cancer near the anal margin. There is more detailed information about all of these treatments for anal cancer in this section.
The stage of the cancer helps doctors to decide which treatment to use. There is information below about treatments for
Stage 0 or anal carcinoma in situ (AIN)
Treatment is usually with surgery to remove just the affected area.
Stage 1
If your cancer is less than 1 cm in size and is near the anal margin, you are likely to have an operation called a local resection.
If the cancer is larger than 1 cm, or involves the anal canal or anal sphincter, you will probably have both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is known as chemoradiation.
Stage 2 and 3
If you have stage 2 or 3 anal cancer, you are most likely to have chemoradiation.
Stage 4
The aim of treatment at this more advanced stage is to control your disease and any symptoms you have. You might have chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, or a combination of any of these treatments.
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