Gastrointestinal Cancer

Anal Cancer

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Anal cancer is an uncommon cancer that develops in the last part of the rectum near the skin.

Common signs and symptoms of anal cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Blood, either bright red or very dark in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General abdominal discomfort, such as frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps
• Weight loss with no known reason
• Constant tiredness

Last reviewed in April 2002 by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.