Anal cancer

Stages

If you're diagnosed with anal cancer, you may have other tests to see if the cancer has spread. These tests help your healthcare team find out the extent of your cancer, also called the stage. Cancer staging tests often involve imaging tests. The tests might look for signs of cancer in your lymph nodes or in other parts of your body. Your healthcare team uses the results of your cancer staging tests to help create your treatment plan.

The stages of anal cancer range from 1 to 4. The lowest number means that the cancer is small and only in the anal canal. A higher stage means the cancer is more advanced. Treatment options depend on the type of anal cancer. They also depend on whether the cancer remains local to the anal canal or has spread to other organs.

In stage 1, the cancer is small and still confined to the anal area. There are no lymph nodes involved.

In stage 2, the cancer is larger and still mainly in the anal area. There is no or limited lymph node involvement.

In stage 3, the cancer has advanced and may have spread to lymph nodes or traveled to local organs, including the vagina, urethra or bladder.

In stage 4, the cancer has traveled to distant organs.