About Anal Cancer

Anal cancer begins in the cells just around the anal opening (anus) or just inside the anal opening. Anal cancer is a type of a carcinoma, which is any cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Cancer is also called malignancy. There are a few conditions in which the cells themselves are malignant, but have not invaded deep into the skin. You may hear these conditions referred to as carcinoma-in-situ, high-grade dysplasia, or Bowen’s disease.

The rectum is the lower part of your large intestine where your body stores stool. The anus is the opening of the rectum through which stool exits out of your body. The anal opening is made up of a canal surrounded by muscles, which keep it closed. By relaxing these muscles, the anal canal opens and bowel movements can pass out of your body.