|
Many cases of anal cancer can be found early in the course of
the disease. Anal cancers develop in a part of the digestive tract that
your doctor can easily see and reach. Many early anal cancers have
symptoms that should make you see your doctor. Unfortunately, some anal
cancers may not cause symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.
Other anal cancers may cause symptoms like those caused by diseases
other than cancer. This may cause a delay in their diagnosis.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) will find some cases of anal
carcinoma early. The American Cancer Society suggests that doctors
offer this test yearly to all men 50 and older to look for prostate
cancer (because the prostate gland can be felt through the rectum). The
rectal exam is also done routinely as part of a pelvic exam on women.
In this exam, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the
anus to feel for unusual lumps or growths. If you are at increased risk
for anal cancer, ask your doctor whether more frequent exams are
needed.
The odds that anal cancer can be found early depend on the
location and type of the cancer. Cancers that begin higher up in the
anal canal are less likely to be found early. Melanomas tend to spread
earlier than other cancers making it more difficult to diagnose in an
early stage.
For people at high risk for anal intraepithelial neoplasia
(AIN) some experts recommend screening with anal cytology testing. This
test is also called an anal
Pap test or anal Pap smear because it is much like a Pap
test for cervical cancer. The anal lining is swabbed, and cells that
come off on the swab are looked at under the microscope. People at
increased risk for AIN include men who have sex with men (regardless of
HIV status), women who have had cervical cancer or vulvar cancer,
anyone who is HIV-positive, and all transplant recipients.
The anal Pap test has not been studied enough to know how
often it should be done, or if it actually reduces the risk of anal
cancer. Some experts recommend that the test be repeated yearly in
HIV-positive men who have sex with men, and every 2 to 3 years if the
men are HIV-negative. Patients with positive results should be referred
for a biopsy. If AIN is detected, this condition should be treated.
Last Medical Review: 08/17/2009
Last Revised: 08/17/2009
|
