Anal cancer is more common in American women than men. It is often seen above age 60. The situation is different in younger adults, where the cancer is more common in single homosexual men. Receptive anal intercourse significantly increases the risk of developing this cancer.
CAUSES OF ANAL CANCER
The following is a list of factors that increase the risk of this cancer:
• Receptive anal intercourse
• Genital warts
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Patients present with bleeding, pain and discomfort in the anal area. They may or may not feel the cancer tissue.
TREATMENT
This disease is highly curable with a combination of Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy. Surgery is most appropriate only for patients with very early stages of the disease, especially when the location of the cancer makes it easy to operate. However, the majority of patients are treated with Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy. Even for patients with more advanced disease, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may still control this disease in a high percentage of patients.
Patients are treated with a combination of 5-FU and Mitomycin and radiation. This regimen has become a standard treatment for anal cancer. 5-FU is given as a continuous infusion over four to five days and Mitomycin is given once a month. The same regimen is repeated every four to six weeks. Patients benefit from having a Port-A-Cath for administration of chemotherapy. The most significant side effects of this regimen are:
• Hair loss
• Nausea, vomiting
• Low white blood counts
• Anemia
• Soreness of the mouth
