Number stages of anal cancer
The number staging system describes the cancer and if it has spread as a single number. Anal cancer has a number stage between 1 and 4.
Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is not anal cancer. But it can develop into anal cancer in the future.
Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN)
AIN means abnormal cells in the anus lining. Doctors give it a grade to describe the risk of it developing into cancer.
Stage 1 anal cancer
Stage 1 anal cancer means that the cancer is less than 2cm in size and hasn't spread to any nearby tissue, lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage 2 anal cancer
Stage 2 anal cancer means the cancer is bigger than 2 cm and hasn't spread to any nearby tissue, lymph nodes or other organs. It is split into 2A and 2B.
Stage 3 anal cancer
Stage 3 anal cancer means the cancer has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. It is split into 3A, 3B and 3C.
Stage 4 anal cancer
Stage 4 anal cancer means it has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver. It is also called advanced anal cancer.
