Overview
Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal is a rare type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool leaves the body. It is sometimes called anal gland adenocarcinoma or rectal-type adenocarcinoma of the anus, depending on exactly where in the canal it begins. This cancer is different from the more common squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, and it behaves more like colorectal cancer than typical anal cancers. The tumor can grow into the wall of the anal canal and nearby tissues, sometimes spreading to lymph nodes in the groin or pelvis, or to distant organs like the liver or lungs. Because the anal canal is a small area, even a small tumor can cause noticeable symptoms. People often notice bleeding from the rectum, pain, or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the anal area. Treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In some cases, a permanent colostomy — a surgical opening in the abdomen to redirect stool — may be needed. Because this cancer is rare, treatment decisions are often made by a team of specialists at a cancer center with experience in rare gastrointestinal tumors. Early detection generally leads to better outcomes.
Key symptoms:
Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stoolPain or discomfort in the anal areaA lump or mass near or inside the anusFeeling of pressure or fullness in the rectumItching or irritation around the anusChanges in bowel habits, such as narrower stoolsDifficulty controlling bowel movementsMucus discharge from the anusUnexplained weight lossSwollen lymph nodes in the groin
Clinical phenotype terms (12)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsCedars-Sinai Medical Center — NA
University of Sao Paulo — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Unresectable Liver Metastases
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal
New recruiting trial: Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Gastrointestinal Cancers
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal
New recruiting trial: Virtual Reality for GI Cancer Pain to Improve Patient Reported Outcomes
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and has it spread beyond the anal canal?,Should my tumor be tested for molecular markers like MSI, MMR, HER2, or KRAS to guide treatment?,Is surgery likely to result in a permanent colostomy, and are there any alternatives?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for given how rare this cancer type is?,Should I or my family members be tested for inherited cancer syndromes like Lynch syndrome?,What is the goal of treatment — cure, long-term control, or symptom management?,What support services are available to help me manage side effects and emotional wellbeing during treatment?
Common questions about Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal
What is Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal?
Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal is a rare type of cancer that starts in the glandular cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool leaves the body. It is sometimes called anal gland adenocarcinoma or rectal-type adenocarcinoma of the anus, depending on exactly where in the canal it begins. This cancer is different from the more common squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, and it behaves more like colorectal cancer than typical anal cancers. The tumor can grow into the wall of the anal canal and nearby tissues, sometimes spreading to lymph
How is Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal inherited?
Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal typically begin?
Typical onset of Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal?
22 specialists and care centers treating Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.