When cancer cells form into benign or malignant tumors in the tissues of the anus, anal cancer has occurred. The anus is the opening at the bottom of your intestines where stool exits the body. Anal cancer is rare, but when it occurs, it may spread to other parts of the body. Some noncancerous forms of anal cancer can also turn cancerous over time.
Sometimes anal cancer causes no symptoms at all. But bleeding is often the first sign of the disease. The bleeding is usually minor. At first, most people assume the bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids painful, swollen veins in the anus and rectum that may bleed.
Anal cancer occurs in the anus, which is at the end of the gastrointestinal tract. It is different from and less common than colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the colon or rectum. Anal cancer is rare, but the number of new cases is rising. Of these, 5, will affect females, and 2, will affect males.
Anal cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body and at the end of the GI tract. Sometimes anal cancer causes no symptoms at all. But bleeding is often the first sign of the disease.