Diagnosis of Anal Cancer
Diagnosing anal cancer requires careful assessment of symptoms, a physical exam, and diagnostic testing. Early detection is essential, as it dramatically increases the chances of successful treatment.
Step 1: Medical History and Physical Exam
The doctor will ask about:
- Rectal bleeding or pain
- Bowel habits
- Past HPV infections or STIs
- Sexual history and immune status
A digital rectal exam is usually the first step. The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or masses.
Step 2: Visual Inspection
- Anoscopy: Doctors insert a short, lighted tube into the anal canal to allow visual examination.
- Proctoscopy or sigmoidoscopy may also be used to examine the rectum and lower colon.
Step 3: Biopsy
If doctors find a suspicious area, they perform a biopsy to remove a small tissue sample and examine it under a microscope. This confirms whether cancer is present and identifies the type and grade of cancer cells.
Step 4: Imaging Tests
To assess whether the cancer has spread (metastasised), doctors may do the following:
- CT or MRI scans of the pelvis and abdomen
- PET scans to detect active cancer cells
- Ultrasound, especially for lymph nodes
Staging the Cancer
Once doctors has done a Diagnosis of Anal Cancer, they stage it based on how far it has spread:
- Stage I – small tumour, no spread
- Stage II – larger tumour, still localised
- Stage III – spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage IV – spread to distant organs
Proper staging helps determine the best treatment plan.
In South Africa, diagnostic services are available through both public and private healthcare, though access to imaging may vary by region. Let’s now look at how doctors treat anal cancer.
👉 [Next: Treatment for Anal Cancer]
