Choosing Columbia for Anal Cancer Care
At Columbia, your care starts with you. We take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and build a treatment plan tailored to your life.
Our anal cancer specialists have guided thousands of people through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, helping you understand your options and supporting you every step of the way. People who are treated for anal cancer at a high-volume academic center like Columbia are known to have better outcomes and survival. Here, you’ll benefit from the strength of a nationally recognized team, bringing unmatched expertise to every aspect of your diagnosis and care.
Our approach and expertise
Columbia provides care that is both cutting-edge and tailored to you. Our specialists combine years of experience with the most advanced treatments to create a plan designed specifically for your needs.
Why patients choose Columbia for anal cancer care:
- Nationally recognized experts. Your care is led by experts in clinical care and research. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia is consistently ranked among the best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, ensuring you receive world-class care.
- Pioneers in chemoradiation for anal cancer. Our radiation oncologists are leaders in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and advanced image guidance, with extensive experience treating anal cancer. Drawing on years of research and high-volume clinical practice, they use these techniques to deliver highly precise radiation that targets the tumor, protects healthy tissue, reduces side effects, and improves your chances of a cure.
- Personalized treatment plans. Your treatment is tailored to your cancer and your own experience and goals. Your care team uses detailed information, including understanding your tumor’s unique genetics and biology, to help you access the most innovative therapies available today.
- Cutting-edge surgical care. If needed, your surgeons use minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques which can give you a faster recovery time, less side effects, and a better outcome.
- Clinical trials and breakthrough therapies. Columbia offers access to potential new treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination approaches through clinical trials, often before they become widely available.
- Coordinated, one-stop care. Your fully coordinated, multidisciplinary care team — including radiologists, oncologists, surgeons, and other anal cancer experts — will work together to deliver the best treatment for you, all tailored to your specific needs.
Pioneering cutting-edge radiation therapies
Radiation therapy is often an important part of anal cancer treatment. Columbia’s radiation oncologists create a personalized treatment plan based on your cancer and individual needs. The goal is to treat the cancer effectively while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible.
Using advanced 3D imaging, radiation can be precisely targeted to the tumor. This allows high doses of radiation to reach cancer cells while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue, reducing side effects from treatment.
Columbia’s radiation oncologists helped establish intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as a standard treatment for anal cancer. IMRT uses highly targeted radiation to treat tumors more precisely, reducing damage to healthy tissue and lowering the need for permanent colostomies.
Columbia is also the only site in New York City to offer anal cancer treatment with the Ethos™ Adaptive Radiation Linear Accelerator, an AI-powered radiation system that adjusts treatment in real time. While a patient is on the treatment table, the system can update the radiation plan to better target the tumor and help protect nearby healthy tissue. This allows treatment to adapt to changes in the body from day to day, improving precision throughout the course of care.
Pelvic floor preservation and continence care
Radiation and surgery of the anus can affect pelvic floor function and bowel control. Columbia offers a dedicated Pelvic Floor Program to help patients maintain or restore continence using advanced rehabilitation, minimally invasive procedures, and innovative techniques designed to protect function.
Pelvic floor care at Columbia includes:
- Coordinated evaluation and treatment in a single visit
- Experts in continence preservation and pouch function
- Minimally invasive interventions when needed
- Personalized rehabilitation and support services
Anal cancer clinical trials
As a leading academic research center, Columbia offers access to promising new treatments for anal cancer, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination approaches, through our clinical trials. Many of these therapies are available only at NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers like ours and provide hope for patients through innovative treatments that are not yet widely available.
Minimally invasive and robotic surgery
While surgery is not the first treatment for most anal cancers, our colorectal surgeons are internationally recognized for their expertise in robotic and minimally invasive techniques when surgery is necessary. These techniques are designed to expedite recovery, minimize pain, and preserve bowel function where possible.
Flexibility in how and where you receive treatment
Our specialists are conveniently located in Manhattan and at our regional outpatient locations in Westchester County and Hudson Valley. This gives you the option to receive the highest quality of cancer care from Columbia doctors closer to home. Our team of coordinators in our patient access center are here to help you make any appointment you may need and guide you every step of the way.
Comprehensive patient support services
Our supportive care staff works closely with you to provide a number of services that can help enhance your quality of life and overall well-being through:
- Nutrition counseling
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
- Ostomy and continence care
- Integrative therapies such as acupuncture and yoga
- Emotional support, such as counseling and support groups.
- Pain management, to help you stay comfortable during treatment.
- And more.
Your anal cancer care team at Columbia
Our collaborative approach to cancer care means you will have the full power of Columbia specialists in oncology, radiation, translational science, surgery, prognostic testing, nursing, and more.
Depending on your treatment needs and personal health goals, you care team may include:
- Medical oncologists who specialize in gastrointestinal cancers and have expertise in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Radiation oncologists with expertise in IMRT and pelvic organ preservation
- Colorectal surgeons skilled in minimally invasive and robotic techniques.
- Gastroenterologists, specialists in the digestive system who often perform endoscopies or other examinations that help make the diagnosis of anal cancer.
- Pathologists, specialists who analyze tumor tissue at a molecular level to determine subtype, grade, and genetic features that guide treatment decisions.
- Nurses and nurse practitioners who provide hands-on care, education, and support throughout your treatment journey.
- Nurse navigators who will help you coordinate appointments, treatments, and access to clinical trials.
- Mental health experts and psychosocial oncology team, offering emotional support, counseling, and stress management for you and your loved ones.
- Social workers who can connect you to community resources, financial assistance, and practical support.
- Integrative health practitioners, providing therapies such as massage, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation to support overall well-being.
- Nutritionists, helping you maintain strength and energy during and after treatment through personalized nutrition plans.
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, assisting in recovery and improving mobility after surgery or radiation.
- Palliative care specialists who can help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue to improve quality of life.
- Spiritual care providers, multifaith chaplains who offer guidance, prayer, and comfort during every phase of your care.