Anal Cancer Treatment in India

Anal cancer is a serious condition that begins in the anal canal, a short tube at the end of the rectum. It often causes rectal bleeding, anal pain, and blood in the stool. Unfortunately, these symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for hemorrhoids.

As the cancer grows, it may cause noticeable lumps or growths in the anal area, making early detection crucial. 

Understanding how anal cancer treatment works and what factors influence its success is essential for anyone diagnosed with this condition.

If you're looking for comprehensive information on anal cancer treatment and its key considerations, this article provides everything you need to know.

Why Anal Cancer Treatment is Done?

Anal cancer treatment is done to remove or reduce the tumor, prevent its spread, and manage symptoms. Early intervention increases the chances of successful treatment and reduces complications.

How Anal Cancer Treatment is Performed?

Anal cancer is treated depending on the stage and type of the cancer. Treatment options include:

Radiation Therapy

• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Sends multiple energy beams of varying strengths to the tumor.
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Targets small tumors precisely, sparing nearby healthy tissue.
• Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): Creates a three-dimensional image of the tumor to deliver targeted radiation.
• Brachytherapy: A form of internal radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy as the initial treatment to eliminate cancer cells, potentially avoiding the need for surgery.

Surgery

• Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection: A minimally invasive surgery used when anal cancer recurs or doesn't respond to other treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

For late-stage anal cancer, immunotherapy may be recommended to help manage symptoms and fight cancer cells.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

• Digital rectal examination
• Biopsy
• Endoscopic tests include Anoscopy, Flexible sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy
• Imaging tests such as MRI, CT, and PET.

Who are the Candidates?

Candidates for these treatments are typically those diagnosed with anal cancer, with the specific treatment plan determined by the stage of cancer, overall health, and other individual factors.

List of Best Hospitals for Anal Cancer Treatment in India

• Amrita Hospital, Faridabad
• Medanta - The Medicity Hospital
• Amrita Hospital, Kochi
• Moolchand Kharaiti Ram Hospital
• KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
• Vijaya Hospital, Chennai
• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital
• Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata
• Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

List of Best Doctors for Anal Cancer Treatment in India

• Dr. Vinod Raina
• Dr. Rakesh Chopra
• Dr. Subodh Chandra Pande
• Dr. Sunil Kumar Gupta
• Dr. Harit Chaturvedi
• Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa
• Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid
• Dr. (Col) R Ranga Rao
• Dr. Malay Nandy
• Dr. Amit Agarwal

Complications

• Side effects of radiation
• Adverse effects of chemotherapy
• Decreased libido
• Bowel dysfunction
• Proctitis
• Rectal bleeding
• Surgery-associated strictures, fistulas, and wound infections

Conclusion

Anal cancer treatment in India offers a comprehensive approach, including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, tailored to the needs of each patient. However, early detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes and managing the disease effectively.