Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (also called anal canal squamous cell carcinoma or anal SCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, skin-like cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool passes out of the body. This cancer is considered rare but has been increasing in frequency over recent decades. It is different from rectal cancer, which starts higher up in the bowel. The most common symptoms include bleeding from the back passage, pain or discomfort around the anus, a lump or mass near the anal opening, and changes in bowel habits. Some people notice itching or a feeling of fullness in the anal area. Because these symptoms can be mistaken for more common conditions like hemorrhoids, diagnosis is sometimes delayed. The main cause is infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18. Other risk factors include a weakened immune system, HIV infection, a history of certain sexually transmitted infections, and smoking. Treatment usually involves a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy (called chemoradiation), which is effective for many patients and can avoid the need for surgery. Surgery is reserved for cases where chemoradiation does not fully work. With early detection and treatment, many people do well, though regular follow-up is essential.
Key symptoms:
Bleeding from the back passage (rectum or anus)Pain or discomfort in or around the anusA lump, bump, or mass near the anal openingItching around the anusA feeling of fullness or pressure in the anal areaChanges in bowel habits, such as narrower stoolsMucus or unusual discharge from the anusDifficulty controlling bowel movements (fecal incontinence)Unexplained weight lossSwollen lymph nodes in the groin area
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)
Treatments
1 availableZynyz
in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of adult patients with inoperable locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC)
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal at this time.
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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 Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
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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 treatment for me, and what side effects should I expect?,What are the chances that treatment will completely eliminate the cancer?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what happens if it does not?,Should I be tested for HIV or HPV, and how do those results affect my treatment plan?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What long-term effects might I experience after treatment, and how can they be managed?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (also called anal canal squamous cell carcinoma or anal SCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, skin-like cells lining the anal canal — the short tube at the end of the digestive tract through which stool passes out of the body. This cancer is considered rare but has been increasing in frequency over recent decades. It is different from rectal cancer, which starts higher up in the bowel. The most common symptoms include bleeding from the back passage, pain or discomfort around the anus, a lump or mass near the anal opening, and changes in bo
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.