Overview
Epithelial tumor of the anal canal is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. These tumors are sometimes called anal canal carcinomas or anal cancers. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which grows from the flat skin-like cells that line much of the anal canal. Other types include adenocarcinoma (which starts in gland cells), and less commonly, small cell carcinoma or undifferentiated tumors. This cancer can cause symptoms like bleeding from the rectum, pain or pressure around the anus, itching, a lump or mass near the anal opening, and changes in bowel habits. Some people notice discharge or a feeling that the bowel is not fully empty. In early stages, symptoms can be mild and easy to mistake for common conditions like hemorrhoids, which sometimes delays diagnosis. Treatment depends on the type and stage of the tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma is often treated with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy (called chemoradiation), which can cure many cases without surgery. Adenocarcinoma may require surgery. Advanced or recurrent cases may need immunotherapy or targeted drug treatments. With early detection, outcomes can be quite good, especially for squamous cell carcinoma.
Key symptoms:
Bleeding from the rectum or blood on toilet paperPain, pressure, or discomfort around the anusItching or irritation in the anal areaA lump, bump, or mass near the anusChanges in bowel habits, such as narrower stoolsFeeling like the bowel is not fully empty after going to the bathroomUnusual discharge from the anusSwollen lymph nodes in the groin areaUnintentional weight lossFatigue or tiredness
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsAIDS Malignancy Consortium
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Epithelial tumor of anal canal.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
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 Epithelial tumor of anal canal.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Epithelial tumor of anal canal
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Gynecologic Extramammary Paget's Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Epithelial tumor of anal canal
Caregiver Resources
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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 type and stage of anal canal tumor do I have, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Is chemoradiation the right treatment 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 HPV or HIV if I haven't been already?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?,How often will I need follow-up scans and exams after treatment?,Should my family members be tested or screened for anything related to this diagnosis?
Common questions about Epithelial tumor of anal canal
What is Epithelial tumor of anal canal?
Epithelial tumor of the anal canal is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. These tumors are sometimes called anal canal carcinomas or anal cancers. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which grows from the flat skin-like cells that line much of the anal canal. Other types include adenocarcinoma (which starts in gland cells), and less commonly, small cell carcinoma or undifferentiated tumors. This cancer can cause symptoms like bleeding from the rectum, pain or pressure around
How is Epithelial tumor of anal canal inherited?
Epithelial tumor of anal canal follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Epithelial tumor of anal canal typically begin?
Typical onset of Epithelial tumor of anal canal is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Epithelial tumor of anal canal?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Epithelial tumor of 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 Epithelial tumor of anal canal?
21 specialists and care centers treating Epithelial tumor of anal canal are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.