an*l Cancer; Symptoms, Causes, Treatments And Preventions

an*l cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that occurs in the an*l canal. The an*l canal is a short tube at the end of your rectum through which stool leaves your body.

an*l cancer can cause signs and symptoms such as rectal bleeding and an*l pain.
Most people with an*l cancer are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Though combining an*l cancer treatments increases the chance of a cure, the combined treatments also increase the risk of side effects.
SYMPTOMS.
an*l cancer signs and symptoms include:
Bleeding from the anus or rectum
Pain in the area of the anus
A mass or growth in the an*l canal
an*l itching
When to see a doctor
Talk to your doctor about any signs and symptoms that bother you, especially if you have any factors that increase your risk of an*l cancer.
CAUSES.
an*l cancer forms when a genetic mutation turns normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells. Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time. Abnormal cells grow and multiply out of control, and they don’t die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can separate from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).
an*l cancer is closely related to a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV). Evidence of HPV is detected in the majority of an*l cancers. HPV is thought to be the most common cause of an*l cancers
TREATMENTS.
What treatment you receive for an*l cancer depends on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your own preferences.
Combined chemotherapy and radiation
Doctors usually treat an*l cancer with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Combined, these two treatments enhance each other and improve chances for a cure.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are injected into a vein or taken as pills. The chemicals travel throughout your body, killing rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells. Unfortunately they also damage healthy cells that grow rapidly, including those in your gastrointestinal tract and in your hair follicles. This causes side effects such as nausea, vomiting and hair loss.
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, you’re positioned on a table and a large machine moves around you, directing radiation beams to specific areas of your body in order to target your cancer. Radiation may damage healthy tissue near where the beams are aimed. Side effects may include skin redness and sores in and around your anus, as well as hardening and shrinking of your an*l canal.
You typically undergo radiation therapy for an*l cancer for five or six weeks. Chemotherapy is typically administered during the first week and the fifth week. Your doctor tailors your treatment schedule based on characteristics of your cancer and your overall health. Though combining chemotherapy and radiation increases the effectiveness of the two treatments, it also makes side effects more likely. Discuss with your doctor what side effects to expect.
Surgery
Doctors typically use different procedures to remove an*l cancer based on the stage of the cancer
PREVENTION.
There is no sure way to prevent an*l cancer. In order to reduce your risk of an*l cancer:
Practice safer s*x. Abstaining from s*x or practicing safe s*x may help prevent HPV and HIV, two sexually transmitted viruses that may increase your risk of an*l cancer. If you choose to have an*l s*x, use condoms.
Get vaccinated against HPV. Two vaccines — Gardasil and Cervarix — are given to protect against HPV infection. Both boys and girls can be vaccinated against HPV.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk of an*l cancer. Don’t start smoking. Stop if you currently smoke.