Treatment for anal cancer

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.

The treatment you have depends on several factors. Most people with anal cancer have radiotherapy and chemotherapy combined (chemoradiotherapy).

Chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy is called chemoradiotherapy. It is the most common treatment for anal cancer that hasn't spread to other parts of your body.

You may need surgery if anal cancer comes back. Or hasn't all gone after chemoradiotherapy. Some people have surgery as the main treatment for stage 1 cancer in the anal margin.

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. You usually have chemotherapy on its own if the anal cancer has spread.

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. You might have it combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). Or to relieve symptoms of advanced anal cancer.

After treatment, you have regular follow up appointments at the hospital. You might also have examinations and tests including scans.