Understanding the Cost of Anal Cancer Treatment in India

Anal cancer, also known as anal gland cancer, originates from a cluster of cells within the anal canal tissues. The anal canal is a short and narrow tube that connects the rectum to the anal opening. When the defecated stool leaves the body, it is the final pass through the anus through the anal canal. Most anal cancer treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy. As it progresses, it may also give rise to a growth or a mass. At times, these symptoms can easily be confused with those of hemorrhoids or piles. In earlier times, the majority of anal cancer patients underwent surgery to excise the lesion completely. In many instances, the procedure did include creating an alternative procedure in which the excretion of bodily waste was no longer through the rectum. 

Types of Anal Cancer 

Squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma are the two types of anal cancer. Of all types, squamous cell carcinoma of which, squamous cell carcinoma should be considered as the commonest. Similar squamous skin cells are not from a layer in the cell which starts epithelial cells.

Symptoms of Anal Cancer 

• Rectal bleeding, especially during bowel movements.
• A lump or mass. (An anal cancer lump can appear at your anal opening).
• Pain.
• Seeing a change in your bowel movements, such as frequency or consistency of your stools (poop).
• Leaking stool.
• Feeling like you constantly need to poop (tenesmus).

Common Treatment for Anal Cancer 

Anal Cancer Surgery depends on the type and cancer stage, but may include:

Radiation therapy

Providers treat anal cancer with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Types of EBRT include:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which sends multiple energy beams of different strengths to a tumor.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which targets small tumors without damaging nearby healthy tissue.
• Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) that creates a three-dimensional picture of tumors.
• Brachytherapy, which is internal radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy

Many healthcare professionals adopt a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy as the first step in the management of anal cancer. In most cases, these two therapies can get rid of anal cancer so that surgery is not required.

If You have to go through surgical intervention, You may have chemotherapy before the surgery to reduce the size of the tumor (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) or after the surgery to destroy any residual cancerous cells in the body (adjuvant chemotherapy)

Surgery

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection refers to tumors that can be clearly distinguished from the anus, rectum and the colon even after radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy has been undertaken. It is a surgical procedure in which the anus, rectum, and colon are excised. When performing the operation, A permanent colostomy should be done by the surgeon so that stools are emptied into a bag or pouch which is attached to the skin.Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is highly theorized to be of critical success in the treatment of anal cancer because it is believed to have superior strength over the traditional therapies that are available. Checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are an option, and in some selected cases may be effective.

Palliative Care:

However, when it comes to pain, bleeding or obstruction of the bowel, it is clear that for those cases that are in advanced stages and/or are resistant to the established treatment, palliative care is provided. Pain management, nutritional support, and psychological counseling should be regarded as a central part of palliative care, thus, guaranteeing quality of life.

Prevention

• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, find ways to help yourself quit. Your healthcare provider can also help you.
• Practice safe sex. Make sure you use condoms if you engage in anal sex.
• Get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine if you’re eligible for it. This vaccine not only prevents anal cancer, but also cancers of the mouth and throat, cervical cancer and penile cancer.

Conclusion

The treatment of anal cancer involves a combination of chemoradiation, surgery, and immunotherapy, tailored to the stage and characteristics of the disease. Advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapies are opening up new possibilities for patients with advanced or recurrent anal cancer. Always work closely with a multidisciplinary medical team to create a treatment plan that best suits the individual’s needs, taking into account both the physical and emotional aspects of cancer care.

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