Be informed.
Be empowered.

The first important thing to understand about anal cancer: you are not alone, as you will see in the highlighted facts below. Anal cancer is a type of gastrointestinal cancer that develops in the tissues of the anal. Today, options for treating anal cancer, including radiation therapy, continue to advance. Throughout your cancer journey—from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship—your medical care team is with you every step of the way.

There are an estimated 50,000 new cases of anal cancer around the world annually.

Globally, more women are diagnosed with anal cancer than men.

HPV (human papillomavirus virus) is a prevalent cause of anal cancer worldwide.

Anal cancer

Your treatment plan

There are a variety of treatment options for anal cancer. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the location, type and stage of the disease, your age and general health, and whether the cancer is new or recurrent.

Treatment options for anal cancer include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy, as well as a combination of therapies.

Anal cancer

Radiation therapy treatment techniques

There are different types of radiation therapy—sometimes called radiotherapy or “RT”—for anal cancer, including:

Anal cancer

Possible side effects

Side effects are cumulative, which means they can develop over several weeks or months as the body responds to radiation. You can ask your radiation oncologist what you might expect from your specific treatment. Every patient’s treatment is different, but these are some common side effects of anal cancer radiation therapy:

  • Diarrhea
  • Skin irritation in the treatment field
  • Anal pain or irritation, including discomfort during bowel movements
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Low blood cell counts
  • In women, irritation of the vagina
Anal cancer

Your EBRT treatment journey

When it comes to preparing for your anal cancer treatment, knowledge is power. That includes knowing what to expect during your treatment journey so you can move forward one informed and empowered step at a time. Here is a brief outline of what you can expect during external beam radiation treatment. The details of some steps may differ, depending on your particular case.

Step 1: Consultation

First, you'll meet with your radiation oncologist to discuss what type of radiation treatment options are recommended for your specific case, and make a decision together about your treatment.

Step 2: Simulation

As part of your treatment planning, the exact area of the tumor must first be determined. This is usually done using a CT scan, short for computed tomography, providing a detailed 3-D image of the treatment area using x-rays. Sometimes temporary skin marks or even tiny tattoos (about the size of a freckle) are made on your body to help the radiation therapist position you correctly each day for treatment.

Step 3: Treatment planning

After simulation is complete, your treatment team will develop your personalized treatment plan, taking into account the location and type of cancer you have, your medical history, lab tests, and other factors—all to determine your best course of treatment. Typical treatment with radiation therapy will require you to come for treatment five days a week.

Step 4: Positioning for treatment

On your treatment days, your radiation therapist will position you on the radiation machine’s treatment couch with the help of a laser for alignment.

Step 5: Start of treatment

The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator, or linac. Some linacs have a visible gantry, which will move around you, and other linacs have an enclosed gantry, which you will not see move, to deliver the radiation. You won’t see, hear, feel or smell the beam, in most cases. Treatment sessions usually take approximately 15 minutes. Your first treatment session may be a little longer.

Step 6: Post-treatment and follow-up care

Every patient is different, but most patients can continue daily activities during treatment, despite side effects such as fatigue. After your final treatment, your radiation oncologist will schedule periodic follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and the results of your treatment.

Anal cancer

Helpful resources for anal cancer

Questions to ask

Some important things you may want to find out from your doctor before undergoing treatment for anal cancer.

Learn More