Overview
Carcinoma of the anal canal, also called anal canal cancer or anal cancer, is a rare type of cancer that starts in the tissues lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool leaves the body. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which grows from the flat skin-like cells that line the canal. Less common types include adenocarcinoma, which starts in gland cells deeper in the canal. This cancer can cause symptoms like rectal bleeding, pain, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the anal area. Many people mistake early symptoms for hemorrhoids, which can delay diagnosis. The cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes and, in advanced cases, to other organs such as the liver or lungs. Treatment has improved significantly over the decades. The standard approach for most patients is a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy — called chemoradiation — which can often cure the cancer without surgery. Surgery is reserved for cases where chemoradiation does not fully work or the cancer comes back. When caught early, the outlook is generally good, with high survival rates. Regular follow-up care is important to monitor for recurrence.
Key symptoms:
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stoolPain or discomfort in the anal areaA lump or mass near the anusItching or irritation around the anusChanges in bowel habits, such as narrower stoolsFeeling of pressure or fullness in the rectumDischarge from the anusLoss of bowel control (fecal incontinence)Swollen lymph nodes in the groinUnexplained weight loss in advanced cases
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsCentre Hospitalier Intercommunal Creteil
Jennifer Dorth — PHASE2
Weill Medical College of Cornell University — PHASE2
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel — NA
Xiamen University — PHASE3
Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo — PHASE2
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris — NA
Federation Francophone de Cancerologie Digestive — PHASE3
Grupo Espanol Multidisciplinario del Cancer Digestivo — PHASE2
University Health Network, Toronto — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Carcinoma of the anal canal.
14 clinical trialsare 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 Carcinoma of the anal canal.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Carcinoma of the anal canal.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Carcinoma of the anal canal
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Dynamic ctDNA Assessment in Cervical and Anal Canal Tumors: Optimizing Follow-up and Clinical Outcomes
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma of the anal canal
New recruiting trial: Tiraglolumab Atezolizumab and Chemoradiotherapy in Localized Anal Carcinoma (TIRANUS)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma of the anal canal
New recruiting trial: Study of Safety and Tolerability of BCA101 Monotherapy and in Combination Therapy in Patients With EGFR-driven Advanced Solid Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma 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 what does that mean for my treatment options?,Is chemoradiation the right approach for me, and what side effects should I expect?,Will I need surgery, and could that mean a permanent colostomy?,Should I be tested for HIV or HPV, and how do those results affect my treatment?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What follow-up schedule do you recommend after treatment to check for recurrence?,What support services are available to help me manage side effects and emotional wellbeing during treatment?
Common questions about Carcinoma of the anal canal
What is Carcinoma of the anal canal?
Carcinoma of the anal canal, also called anal canal cancer or anal cancer, is a rare type of cancer that starts in the tissues lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool leaves the body. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which grows from the flat skin-like cells that line the canal. Less common types include adenocarcinoma, which starts in gland cells deeper in the canal. This cancer can cause symptoms like rectal bleeding, pain, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the anal area. Many people mistake early symptoms for hemor
How is Carcinoma of the anal canal inherited?
Carcinoma of the anal canal follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Carcinoma of the anal canal typically begin?
Typical onset of Carcinoma of the anal canal is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Carcinoma of the anal canal?
Yes — 14 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Carcinoma 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 Carcinoma of the anal canal?
25 specialists and care centers treating Carcinoma of the anal canal are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.