Anal Cancer Symptoms, Screening and Diagnosis

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, including how long you have had them. Be honest and accurately describe your symptoms, as this will assist the clinician in diagnosing potential anal cancer.
Inform your doctor of any existing medical conditions you have, as well as any family history of cancer.

Remember, there is no need to feel embarrassed. Doctors are highly experienced in discussing intimate health concerns, and everything you share with them is completely confidential (Rao et al., 2021, p. 1087).

Digital rectal examination

This examination allows the provider to check for abnormalities such as lumps, growths, or tenderness that might indicate conditions like anal or rectal cancer.
They’ll also do an anal Pap test or biopsy with whom they obtain cells for a medical pathologist examine under a microscope.

Endoscopic tests

These tests using special instruments that are thin, flexible tubes that have a light, a lens and a video camera. They are used to see the internal structures of the anus or to take tissue samples for biopsy analysis.
These endoscopic tests may include:

Anoscopy, which involves providers using an anoscope to look at your anus and lower rectum.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy to check for tumors and polyps in your rectum and anus.
Colonoscopy to look at your entire colon for signs of tumors and polyps.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests help providers learn more about tumors, including tumor size and specific location.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Transrectal ultrasound.
Computed tomography (CT) scan.
Positron emission (PET) scan.

Blood tests

Tumour markers are substances in your blood or serum that can help providers determine tumour size or amount of cancer in your body.

Biopsy

Your doctor might apply a liquid to the lining of the anus to help abnormal areas show up more clearly. They take samples of tissue (biopsy) from any abnormal areas. After, the samples are sent to the laboratory to see if there are any cancer cells. You should be able to go home as soon as the test is over.

Literature
1. Rao, S., Guren, M. G., Khan, K., Brown, G., Renehan, A. G., Steigen, S. E., Deutsch, E., Martinelli, E., Arnold, D., & ESMO Guidelines Committee. Electronic address: clinicalguidelines@esmo.org (2021). Anal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up☆. Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology, 32(9), 1087–1100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2021.06.015