Anal Cancer

Question: What is the difference between anal cancer and colon cancer? I was reading a story that Farrah Fawcet has anal cancer. I thought we called it colon cancer or is there a difference?

Answer: Anal cancer and colon cancer are not exactly the same thing. Colon cancer occurs in the colon, also known as the large intestine. It usually occurs as the result of malignant (cancer) degeneration of a precancerous lesion known as a polyp. Anal cancer occurs in the anal canal. A different type of cell lines the anal canal and thus, it is a different type of cancer. They metastasize (spread) differently and are treated in somewhat different ways depending on the cell type involved.

Question: How does one get anal cancer? This isn't meant to be funny, although it's kinda hard for me not to laugh(specifically the word "anal", not the word "cancer"). Although, seriously.....how does someone end up with this condition.

Answer: The truth is that no one really knows what causes one person to get cancer while someone else does not . . there is no specific 'cause' or reason other than 'bad luck'. It could happen to anyone. In general, however, there are over 200 different types of cancer and just as many subtypes . . cancer appears to be 'age specific' . . so, if anything, your age may determine the type of cancer you may be at risk to get. Older adults appear to get cancer of the organs such as lung cancer, colon, liver, pancreatic, and breast cancers .. while children get childhood cancers such as Leukemia, sarcoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, and brain tumors . . and teens and young adults get childhood cancers, germ cell cancers (ovarian and testicular), Leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, and sarcoma (bone and soft tissue). Anal cancer is also called rectal cancer or colorectal cancers . . all it means is that the lower part of the intestine or rectal area has developed cancer. Cancer can occur in any part of your body . . it is all devastating, potentially disabling, disfiguring, and deadly. There isn't any 'nice' cancer . . nor is there any 'nice' treatment . . treatment can be undiginfied, embarrassing, painful, and you still die. People who do not have cancer or who have never been around it would be horrified if they knew the extent of indignity a patient goes through . . its hard enough when its a beloved parent or relative . . but when it is a child with cancer, who does not understand . . cancer is miserable and should be eradicated from existence. Doesn't matter if it is breast, testicular, pancreatic, kidney, bone, brain, lung, colon, rectal, anal, vulvar, penile, or skin cancer . . all of it is nasty business . . and not funny. Image of the colon, which includes the large intestine, small intestine, rectum, and anus - any part of this organ can develop cancer. http://www.healthline.com/images/staywell/75052.jpg

Question: Anal Cancer? Well i'm really young. I have a bump on my anus that is greyish and can be moved easily and is not firm. I don't think its a hemroid as i have been using an ointment for about a week and a half now. Can anyone help? I have heard that if its cancer you can't move it is this true? I don't want responses about visiting a doctor because my dad is a pediatrician and he says it looks like a hemroid. I don't think its a hemroid though and in my view i dont think my dads a great doctor.

Answer: I am a survivor of colon-rectal cancer and I can tell you that it does not come out of the rectal area as far as I know. I had to have a test done where they inserted a tube with a camera on it into my digestive system to find the cancer. Yes it was malignant and after 16 major abdominal surgeries I am fine. I will tell you that I was 24 when mine was found and they gave me less than 6 months to live. If you think there is a chance it is cancer then you need to have it checked because it is a fast spreading cancer.

Question: How do you get anal cancer? With all this talk about Farrah Fawcett and her cancer battle, how does one get anal cancer? cell phones? toilet paper? stuff you eat?

Answer: there is so specific answer to how or why ppl get any sort of cancer

Question: What is the difference between colon and anal cancer? I guess I will know more after the special of Farraha's special on TV tomorrow night. Are you going to watch it? Do you know what time it comes on, what channel? Thanks!

Answer: The anus is the last 4-5cm of the colon. The biggest difference is they tend to be more unstable and have a poorer prognosis than the rest of the colon. Farraha's documentary is on NBC, I think at 9:00 and I’m going to watch it. The situation is very sad and I feel bad she was forced to deal with this in a way she did not want just because she is famous. Even though the paparazzi hounded her daily she always seem to handle it with dignity and class. I don’t know how she did it. I hope they are giving her some peace now.

Question: Can a cat die from anal cancer in their anal sacks? My cat has a growth on his (butt) and I examined it and it leaks blood. He has lost some weight, and we are going to take him to the vet soon... all I would like to know is if this can be fatal. I am not sure if this is what he has, but I want to know a little more about this. Please help me.

Answer: Cancerous organs can be removed which is sometimes a "cure". Cancer cells can migrate to other parts of the body (metastasis) as they do in terminal cases. So if it is cancer, surgery may take care of it. It will depend on how long the cancer has been growing in his body. I wouldn't wait another day to get him to a vet. Best of luck!

Question: what are the symptoms for anal cancer? I am having some blood come out with my stool and I am getting scared. Is anal cancer and colan cancer the same? If different how? what kind of test needs to be done? I have had rectal iching and just experiance the blood today. They said that I may just have a tear but my stool was soft. Can somebody answer a nd help me out. Also , last year me and husband did experiment with anal sex. My anal iching did not begin until after that. Thanks!!

Answer: most properly you have haemariods which usually cause itching ,bleeding mucous secretins, painfull defecation, anal sex may hurt the interior heamaroides.cancer of anus is a rare condition,usually in th form of mass or malignant anal ulcer which is a very distressing condition.you need a thouroughly examination and a colonoscop to detremined he condition properly.

Question: is protected gay sex leads to anal cancer or any other diseases ? im a gay and i usually go for 5 to 6 time safe(by using a condom) anal sex in a month . will it cause anal cancer or any other diseases

Answer: No.

Question: What is the difference between colon cancer and anal cancer?

Answer: Anal cancer is a rare type of cancer. The anus is where stool leaves your body when you go to the bathroom. It is made up of your outer layers of skin and the end of your large intestine. Anal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the anus. Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix.

Question: Can a person get anal cancer at 19? Just curious. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, and decided I'd ask. I looked it up, and it said that some of the symptoms include anal itching, and bleeding from the anus. If a person who's 19 has itching in or around the anus, could that be a sign they have anal cancer, or nothing at all? It also said that people who are 50+ are more likely to get it. So, am I worried over nothing?

Answer: Itching alone is not a symptom of anal/rectal cancer. It does not often occur in young people, but the incidence is increasing primarily among homosexual men. When it occurs in young men in their 20-30s it is nearly always HPV positive.

Question: Exactly how does anal cancer present itself, affect the sufferer, and how is it treated? I just read that Farrah Fawcett is in critical condition after a long battle with anal cancer that has returned. I've never actually heard of anyone else having 'anal' cancer. How is that different from colon cancer? How does it present, and how does it physically affect the patient on a day-to-day basis? It sounds excruciatingly painful and debilitating.

Answer: Some cases of anal cancer cause no symptoms at all. But bleeding occurs in more than half of patients and is usually the first sign of the disease. Often the bleeding is minor. At first, most people assume that hemorrhoids are the cause of their bleeding. Itching can also be a symptom. This is more often a sign of AIN, which should also be treated. Important symptoms of anal cancer include: rectal bleeding rectal itching pain in the anal area change in the diameter of stool abnormal discharge from the anus swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin areas click here: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conten…

Question: i'm healin from anal cancer its been 6mouths after my treatments is it safe for me to start have anal sex agai i been goin the the healing thing from radiation an chemo fro my anal cancer an i was wondering is it cool to have anal sex after or during the healing process.. i don't have of the painful things going on no more so i wan to no is it ok to start having fun again because I'm so sexually deprived

Answer: I would seriously urge that you talk to your surgeon about this. Most anal cancers are associated with HPV and unprotected anal sex. I am sure that your cancer also involved surgical reconstruction of your anus/rectum after the tumour was removed. If you intend to resume sex, you need medical clearance from the person who worked on you first.

Question: What are ways to prevent anal cancer? I don't want to die like Farrah Fawcett did.

Answer: Over 8 out of 10 (80%) people who are diagnosed with anal cancer have evidence of HPV infection in the anal area. There is some evidence that that the more sexual partners you have had, the more likely you are to develop anal cancer. Some studies have shown that other sexually transmitted infections, including the herpes virus, syphilis and gonorrhoea, are associated with an increased risk of anal cancer. Smoking has also been shown to increase the risk of cancer of the anus. Giving up smoking can reduce your risk of developing many cancers, including anal cancer. Overall this means that the risks of getting anal cancer are reduced by avoiding multiple sexual partners and being a non-smoker.

Question: Can a 22 year old smoker get anal cancer? Well, I do know how to blow smoke out of my butt...

Answer: inverse_mushroom_cloud - you crack me up! Adam – It is possible for a 22 year-old to have anal cancer, but smoking has little to do with it. It is more likely to be related to HPV. Sadly it is becoming more common place in younger patients, particularly men.

Question: what will the process be to treat skin cancer located in the anal cavity with radiation and chemotherapy? my mother was diagnosed with skin cancer in the anal cavity. Surgery did not successfully remove the tumor and she will now have to receive chemotherapy and radiation. However, the doctor said he was unsure about what this process would entail and referred her to an oncologist. In the menatime, I'm wondering what the process of chemotherapy and radiation will be. How painful will the process be? Will my mother lose her hair? How long do you think the treatment will last? How much will it cost? This is a stressful time and any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: Did she have a polyp? I had rectal bleeding. A colonoscopy was performed & a ca polyp was found. They tried to remove as much as possible but was not sucessful. I was sent for a cat scan of the abdoman with contrast. Next to find out the exacat location of the polyp I was sent for a rectal ultrasound which was more accurate about the location of the polyp. Mine was low enough for them to peform sugery transanaly . I was in surgery 31/2 hours.And they got it all and it had not spread. I did not have to have chemo nor radiation. I did not have any pain immediately post surgery. By midnight my IV had been removed and I was going to the bathroom on my own and was sent home the next day.My ? has your Mother had all the tests that she needs. Search the internet for rectal ca. hope this helps

Question: radiation or surgery to treat anal cancer stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer: i would go with surgery first. something a lot of people dont realize is the long term effects and permenant damage that are done by radiation, particularly in that region of your body. you want to minimize the radiation you have to have b/c i have yet to meet someone who has had radiation that hasn't had long term effects from it and i belong to a cancer support group. good luck!