Types of anal cancer
There are different types of anal cancer. The most common type of anal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.
About types of anal cancer
There are different types of anal cancer. Knowing the type you have helps your doctor plan your individual treatment.
Related pages
Squamous cell carcinoma
9 out of 10 anal cancers (90%) develop in the squamous cells. The squamous cells make up the lining in the anal canal.
There are a few different types of squamous cell carcinoma, but they are all treated in the same way.
Adenocarcinoma
Some anal canal cancers develop in the glandular cells that make mucus. These are called adenocarcinomas. They are rare – less than 5 in 100 (5%) of all anal cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma in the anus are very similar to rectal cancers and are treated in the same way.
Basal cell carcinoma
This is a type of skin cancer that develops in the area around the anus. It is usually treated in the same way as other basal cell skin cancers.
Melanoma
This is a skin cancer that develops from cells called melanocytes, which give our skin its colour. Anal melanoma is rare – less than 1 in 100 anal cancers (1%) are this type. They are usually treated in the same way as other skin melanomas.
Small cell cancer
This type of cancer usually affects the lung, but it can be found in other parts of the body. Rarely, it can develop in the anus. It is treated in the same way as other small cell cancers.
About our information
-
References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our anal cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
R Glynne-Jones, PJ Nilson, C Aschele et al. ESMO-ESSO-ESTRO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up for anal cancer. July 2014. European Society of Medical Oncology. Available from www.esmo.org/Guidelines/Gastrointestinal-Cancers/Anal-Cancer (accessed October 2019).
Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland (ACPGBI). Volume 19. Issue S1. Guidelines for the management of cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. 2017. Available from: www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14631318/19/S1 (accessed October 2019).
R Muirhead, RA Adams, DC Gilbert et al. National guidance for IMRT in anal cancer. December 2016 (accessed October 2019).
D Ryan, C Willett et al. Clinical features, staging, and treatment of anal cancer. Uptodate 2019. Available at www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-staging-and-treatment-of-anal-cancer (accessed October 2019).
-
Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Chief Medical Editor, Professor Tim Iveson, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
Date reviewed
This content is currently being reviewed. New information will be coming soon.
Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.
This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.
How we can help