Anal Cancer

Getting an anal cancer diagnosis can be scary and confusing. At Columbia, we’re here to help you through every step. Our team combines compassion with the latest treatments to give you the best chance for recovery.

Because anal cancer is rare, it’s important to get care from experts who see it every day. At Columbia, our specialists are national leaders in anal cancer care and research. We move quickly to make sure you get the right diagnosis and the right treatment.

You’ll have access to advanced therapies, powerful imaging, and clinical trials that aren’t always available elsewhere. Your team will work with you to design a care plan that is personalized to you, giving you the best chance at getting back to your normal life.

What is Anal Cancer?

Anal cancer forms in the anus, the opening at the end of the rectum that helps pass solid waste from the body. It is different from rectal cancer (link).

Anal cancer develops when cells in the lining of the anal canal begin to grow abnormally. Most cases start in the squamous cells that line the outer portion of the anus.

There are several different types of cancers that can affect the anorectal area. Because the anus and the rectum are so close to each other, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between them. This is why it is important to be cared for at a specialized center like Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian, where our cancer experts work together with our world-class pathologists to diagnose your cancer and find the treatment that is best for you.

Types of Anal Cancer

• Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of anal cancer and develops in the cells of the outer lining of the anal canal.
• Adenocarcinoma develops in the upper part of the anus, in the mucus-producing glands in the anal lining near the rectum.
• Skin cancers of the anus, like basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, are very rare.