Treatment Options for Anal Cancer

Different types of treatment have different goals. Below is a list of different anal cancer treatments and their goals. You may have more than one of these treatments.

Research is ongoing in the field of anal cancer.

Chemotherapy

The use of anticancer drugs to shrink or kill cancerous cells and reduce cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Clinical trials

New medicines and treatments are tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials you should check on.

Radiation therapy

The use of high-energy radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells, tumors, and non-cancerous diseases.

Surgery

The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor from the anus, while leaving as much of the anus as possible intact. In most cases, surgery for anal cancer is no longer needed.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials

Clinics for Treatments