What Is Anal Cancer Treatment by Stages
The type of cancer treatment is decided by the surgeons based on the areas affected by cancer and the extent spread in the body, which is generally classified as stages of cancer. This is the general principle of cancer treatment, which is applicable for all types of cancer. Similarly, anal cancer treatment is decided based on the stage of the anal cancer. The stages of anal cancer are determined by the size of the cancer, any particular area or a part of anal affected by cancerous growth, spread of cancer cells through anal and colon, and spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Based on each stage, appropriate anal cancer treatment is provided. However, some stages might require combination of two or three methods of anal cancer treatment.
The Stages of Anal Cancer
Following are the stages of anal cancer based on which anal cancer treatment is determined.
Stage 0: There is no evident growth of cancer cells and tiny tumors are developed in the innermost layers of the anus. This cancerous stage has no development of tumors beyond the deeper linings and layers of anus.
Stage 1: Tumor cells are developed in the inner layers of the anus but found inside the walls of anus. Anal cancer treatment needed at this stage is the surgical option.
Stage 2: Cancer growth is developed beyond the inner layers and found on the walls of the anus. In some cases, it may also have spread into the nearby tissues of the wall.
Stage 3: This is a slightly advanced stage of cancer where the cancerous growth spread over to the lymph nodes of anus but within the anus. Anal cancer treatment required at this stage is the radiation therapy.
Stage 4: This is the advanced cancer stage where the cancerous growth spread over to other parts of the body like lungs, kidneys, entire digestive system, etc.
Anal Cancer Treatment
Anal Cancer Treatment for Each Stage
As stated above, anal cancer treatment is generally determined based on the stage of cancer, which depicts the extent of cancer growth.
Stage 0: This stage is the initial stage of anal cancer which can be treated by surgical incision on anus. Stage 0 anal cancer treatment is successful in more than 90% of cases.
Stage 1: Stage 1 is treated with surgical procedures which include choosing from three different surgical operations and the appropriate method of surgery is decided based on the size of tumor and area of anus affected with tumors. Various anal cancer treatments can be used. Abdominal incision is performed on the patient when the tissues of anus are cancerous. When cancer is found in the upper part of the anus, the entire part affected by tumors is removed in order to follow the anal cancer treatment. Similarly, resection is performed to remove the part of rectum by opening the colon on the digestive system. In few cases, surgery is followed by chemotherapy to remove the traces of tumors in the anus when the size of tumors was large in the anal cancer treatment. However, patients who do not wish to go for a surgery and they prefer radiation therapy.
Stage 2: Anal cancer treatment for stage 2 involves performing the surgical procedures either to remove the cancer cells from the anus and nearby areas or to shrink the size of tumors. After four or 5 weeks of surgery, chemotherapy is performed. Chemotherapy involves providing drugs which can kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is followed by radiation therapy, which involves passing rays of radiation into the body to kill the remnants of cancer cells. However, along with these two methods of anal cancer treatment, additional medicines are provided to gain health and these treatments are associated with causing side effects.
Stage 3: Since the third stage of cancer refers to the stage where the tumors are developed into the lymph nodes of anus, in majority of cases, radiation therapy is insisted. This therapy is provided along with chemotherapy drugs and called as chemo radiation. Chemo radiation anal cancer treatment shrinks the large size tumors. It reduces the chances of recurrence and further development. This treatment is followed by surgery, because performing surgery before radiation therapy may not be effective. After surgery, if required, this anal cancer treatment is provided for around 4 – 6 months at regular intervals to prevent the recurrence of tumors.
Stage 4: As the distant parts of body are affected by cancerous cells along with cancerous development on the entire anus, all types of anal cancer treatments are performed at this stage. Initially, surgery is performed to remove the tumors on distant parts i.e. other organs like liver, lungs, etc. After a couple of weeks of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are provided. Since this is the advanced stage of anal cancer, the anal cancer treatment is provided continuously at intervals.
