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Rectal and anal cancers affect the last portion of your digestive system and may cause distressing symptoms like rectal bleeding and fecal incontinence. Visit Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona, if you develop these or other anal and rectal cancer symptoms. The board-certified Colo-Rectal surgeons evaluate your symptoms and will ensure you get prompt treatment. Call Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery if you have concerns about rectal and anal cancer, or request an evaluation by completing the online booking form today.
Rectal and Anal Cancer Q & A
What are rectal and anal cancers?
Cancers develop when something causes cells in a part of your body to mutate. The abnormal cells fail to die off like normal cells, sometimes reproducing aggressively to form tissue masses.
Rectal cancer develops in your rectum — the last portion of your large intestine, which holds stool before a bowel movement. Anal cancer occurs in the anus, the canal that pushes stools out of the body. Apart from each cancer’s location, the primary difference is their cause.
Infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often trigger anal cancer. Rectal cancer, on the other hand, is typically linked to genetic abnormalities and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise habits.
Are the symptoms of anal and rectal cancer similar?
There is some overlap in symptoms, which can make it challenging to distinguish between the two without a medical evaluation at Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery.
Common symptoms of both cancers include rectal bleeding, blood or mucus in your stools, and loss of bowel control (fecal incontinence). Rectal cancer can also cause:
- A feeling that you need to pass stools when you don’t
- Other stool changes, like narrowing or darkening
- Constipation
- Fatigue or weakness
- Unintentional weight loss
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea or loose stool
Anal cancer can cause itching and pain around the anus, and you may feel small lumps. The Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery team completes a thorough exam and performs tests to pinpoint the exact cause. They offer onsite investigations like colonoscopy to view and, where possible, treat your symptoms.
How are rectal and anal cancers treated?
Both anal and rectal cancers may respond to chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of both. Some patients require the surgical removal of cancerous tissue.
For rectal cancer, surgery may involve creating a colostomy (an exterior collection point for waste) if the anal sphincter is affected. Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery’s board-certified surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to complete operations with minimal tissue damage.
Survival rates vary depending on the cancer’s stage at diagnosis and whether it’s spread. The overall survival rate for colorectal cancer (which includes rectal cancer) is about 64%, while anal cancer’s rate is approximately 69%. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve these outcomes.
If you have any symptoms of rectal or anal cancer, call Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery without delay for a fast diagnosis and prompt treatment. You can also schedule a consultation online.