Anal Cancer Treatment Options

Departments Wards Charities

The Cancer Therapy Team at 91影视 District Hospital offer 鈥榩rehabilitation鈥� which is the work done to build up your physical and mental health, before your cancer treatment starts. This aims to put you in the best place possible to manage the treatment to come. For more information on the Cancer Therapy Team visit: Cancer Therapy Team.

Macmillan Cancer Support have also put together the following information and videos: .

Each person diagnosed with cancer may have slightly different treatments. It depends if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Every patient being treated for cancer will have an individual treatment plan.

Treatments and/or operations will be suggested according to the type of cancer, where the cancer is and the needs of the patient. Every person鈥檚 care and treatment will be discussed at an MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meeting.

Chemoradiotherapy

Chemoradiotherapy is when patients have a combination of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Chemoradiotherapy is the most common treatment plan for anal cancer when the cancer has not spread elsewhere in the body.

Chemoradiotherapy is not suitable for everyone, and your Doctor or Specialist Nurse will give you more information about chemoradiotherapy and the possible side effects.

For more information on what is involved in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, please see the below drop-down sections.

The following websites also have further information on chemoradiotherapy:

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For full information on the Oncology Department, please click here.听

Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatments (SACT) 鈥� including chemotherapy & immunotherapy

Treatment with medication is known as Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatments (SACT), this can include treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

This treatment may be given either as tablets or be injected into your body. These drugs travel in the blood stream helping to stop cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Specially trained staff give the treatments.

The majority of people do not have to stay in hospital for this treatment. It will be given on the day unit.

Some of these treatments have potential side-effects. It is important that you fully understand what these side-effects can be. The treatment will be fully discussed with you and you will be given written information as well.

Some people may be offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial. This is not suitable for all patients and if it is a possibility for you then the Research Nurse will come and talk to you and make sure you fully understand all of the implications.

For information on the different medications used to treat anal cancer, visit Macmillan Cancer Support鈥檚 website where you will be able to find information on the medication you have been prescribed via their 鈥楢 to Z list of cancer drugs鈥�, which is available here:

For full information on the Oncology Department, please click here.

For further information on radiotherapy to treat anal cancer, visit:

Radiotherapy

This is a general term for the treatment of cancer with x-rays. It is often used on it's own or as a combined treatment with surgery and/or chemotherapy. It works by destroying cancer cells in and around the area of the tumour. Further information about these treatments will be given to you, depending on which is considered most beneficial for you.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide radiotherapy treatment at 91影视 District Hospital, so radiotherapy is given at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), click on the following links to view their patient information leaflets:

For further information on radiotherapy to treat anal cancer, visit:

Surgery

Surgery is usually offered if chemoradiotherapy hasn鈥檛 removed all of the cancer and there is no evidence of spread to the rest of the body

Colorectal surgery for cancer is most commonly performed at 91影视 District Hospital but very occasionally patients are referred to a specialist centre such as Southampton. This will be discussed with you if required.

We have put together the following information leaflets to explain some of the tests/investigations which might take place at 91影视 District Hospital:

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For further information on surgery to treat anal cancer, visit:

Active monitoring

Active monitoring is a way of keeping a close eye on you medically, to see how your cancer is behaving. You may hear your doctor call this 鈥渨atching and waiting鈥� or 鈥渨atchful waiting鈥�. Active monitoring is recognised the world over as having a place in treating some types of cancer. It might mean having regular blood tests or x-rays. If the cancer starts to change then one of the other treatments available might be more suitable for you.

What if I am unwell after receiving cancer treatment?

If you are an existing patient receiving chemotherapy treatment and you have a temperature, feel unwell, or need advice on chemotherapy side effects or complications 鈥� please contact the 24-hour advice line on听01722 341930.

Please visit the Acute Oncology section听for more information.

For patients who are receiving treatment from University Hospital Southampton, please contact their 24 hour cancer care emergency line on 023 8120 1345.听For more information, visit:听

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