What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anal Cancer?

Sometimes, people with anal cancer do not have any symptoms. In other cases, these symptoms are similar to those of other medical conditions. Anal cancer can cause any of the signs and symptoms listed below.

• Bleeding - Bleeding from the anal area occurs in more than half of patients with anal cancer, and it is usually the first sign of the disease. You might see the bleeding on stools or in the toilet. Often, the bleeding is minor and many people assume that it is caused by hemorrhoids.
• Growth - A mass or growth in the anus can be a symptom of anal cancer.
• Itching - Itching around the anus is more common in people with anal intraepithelial lesions (AIL) than anal cancer. However, itching in the anal area can be a sign of anal cancer.
• Pain - A tumor can block your intestine so that the stool cannot pass by easily. This can cause pain, especially after a bowel movement, and the feeling that your bowel movements are not complete. About one-third of people with anal cancer feel pain.
• Bowel habits - Your bowel habits or the diameter of your stool might change if you have anal cancer.
• Swollen lymph nodes - Lymph nodes are tiny bean-shaped organs located throughout your body that help fight infections. If you have anal cancer, the lymph nodes in your anal or groin areas might be swollen.
• Weakness - Cancer can lead to anemia (low blood count). Anemia can make you feel weak or tired.

Several benign (noncancerous) conditions—such as hemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels near the anus or rectum), fissures (small tears that can cause itching, pain, or bleeding), or anal warts—can produce similar symptoms. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk to your doctor.

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.