Anton Bilchik MD Discusses Anal Cancer

Anton Bilchik MD Discusses Anal Cancer

In his many years as one of the nation’s leading cancer surgeons, Anton Bilchik MD helps patients overcome many types of cancer, including anal cancer. This type of cancer affects the anus, which connects the intestines to the outside world. This type of cancer is not altogether common, with about 7,000 new cases and 880 deaths in the United States, each year, but the number of new cases of anal cancer is rising.

Risk Factors

Anal cancer seems to be associated with the human papilloma virus, known as HPV for short. HPV is the same virus that causes cervical cancer. Women who have had cervical cancer have an increased risk for developing anal cancer. There are several subtypes of the HPV virus: HPV-16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, and HPV 45. These subtypes can cause cancer, as well as non-cancerous warts. The subtype known as HPV-16 is the most likely to cause cancer.

If you have a history of HIV infection, other incidences of cancer, multiple sex partners, smoking, and low immunity, you have an increased the risk for developing anal cancer. Anal cancer is more common in African Americans than in whites. Overall, anal cancer is more prevalent in women than in men, except in African American men, who have a higher risk than African American women.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Anal cancer is relatively easy to diagnose because it is in an easy-to-reach area, although some cases can be difficult to detect. Many patients do not experience any symptoms. Bleeding is often the first symptom to appear, and this bleeding is usually so minor that patients assume they have hemorrhoids.

Dr, Anton Bilchik and other physicians may find anal cancer upon a digital rectal exam. He can diagnose this form of cancer using a variety of tools, including endoscopy, biopsy, ultrasound, CT and MRI.

5-year survival rates are quite good, with early detection and treatment before anal cancer spreads. The three main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation; doctors often combine at least two of the three for best results.