Anal cancer

Request an Appointment

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.

Stage 1 anal cancer

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

Stage 2 anal cancer

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

Stage 3 anal cancer

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.

Stage 4 anal cancer

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

Request an appointment
Diagnosis & treatmentSurvival rates
Feb. 03, 2026

Living with anal cancer?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Colorectal Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Colorectal Cancer Discussions

karina1954
After colon resection: What helps with severe gas?

41 Replies Sun, Apr 26, 2026

Colleen Young, Connect Director
Have you tried to quit smoking while undergoing treatment?

168 Replies Thu, Apr 23, 2026

joyce1
Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

543 Replies Tue, Apr 21, 2026

See more discussions
  1. Anal carcinoma. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients/guidelines-for-patients-details?patientGuidelineId=58. Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
  2. Palliative care. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients/guidelines-for-patients-details?patientGuidelineId=73. Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
  3. Anal cancer treatment (PDQ)— Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/anal/hp/anal-treatment-pdq. Accessed Nov. 17, 2025.
  4. Gowin K, et al. Integrative therapies in cancer care: An update on the guidelines. American Society of Clinical Oncology Education Book. 2024; doi:10.1200/EDBK_431554.
  5. American College of Surgeons. Anus: Protocol for cancer staging documentation. In: AJCC Cancer Staging System. American College of Surgeons; 2025. https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer-programs/american-joint-committee-on-cancer/version-9/. Accessed Nov. 18, 2025.
  6. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. May 7, 2019.
  7. Cancer stat facts: Anal cancer. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/anus.htmlAccessed Dec. 22, 2025.
  8. Morris VK, et al. Systemic therapy for stage I-III anal squamous cell carcinoma: ASCO guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2025; doi:10.1200/JCO-24-02120. Accessed Nov. 18, 2025.
  9. Willett CG, et al. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and staging of anal cancer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 18, 2025.
  10. DeVita VT Jr, et al., eds. Cancer of the anal region. In: DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. ProQuest Ebook Central. Wolters Kluwer; 2023. Accessed Nov. 18, 2025.
  11. AskMayoExpert. Anal cancer (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2024.

Related

Associated Procedures

Products & Services

Anal cancer