What is Anal Cancer

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Anal Cancer Definition


Anal cancer is cancer of the anus. This is the canal at the end of the large intestine, below the rectum.

Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case the cells that cover the lumen of the anus) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.

The Anus

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