Natural history of anal canal epithelial cancer

Epithelial cancer of the anus is a rare type of tumor that originates from the starting point of the cells that make up the lining epithelium of the organ of the anal canal. The anal canal is a short tube at the end of the rectum through which stool passes out of the body. Anal cancer can cause symptoms, such as bleeding and pain from the anus. The most common histological variety of anal canal and anal cancer is Epidermoid Carcinoma with its variants (cloacogenic, basaloid, transitional or paving). These constitute about 80% of the total.The advent of the use of chemotherapy and concomitant radiotherapy has significantly impacted treatment outcomes in these patients allowing the preservation of sphincter function with a significant impact on survival.