A new article in the 'New England Journal of Medicine' highlights a strange-looking skin condition that could indicate a serious disease. Skin lesions and rashes are often signs of allergies or irritation, but occasionally they can signal even larger and longer-term underlying health issues. Such was the case with a year-old woman's skin condition highlighted this week in the New England Journal of Medicine , which turned out to be a symptom of anal cancer. If you ask us, the swirling patterns look like a topographical map—or a henna design gone wrong—tattooed all over her backside. In fact, it got worse over the next four months as she developed red, scaly plaques on her skin.
Signs and Symptoms of Anal Cancer
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Anal Cancer Signs & Symptoms | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Once it's confirmed that you have anal cancer, your doctor may recommend additional tests to determine whether your cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or to other areas of your body. Your doctor uses the information from the procedures to assign your cancer a stage. The stages of anal cancer are indicated using Roman numerals ranging from 0 to IV, with the lowest stages indicating that the cancer is small and confined to the anus. By stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. The cancer staging system continues to evolve and is becoming more complex as doctors improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor uses your cancer stage to select the treatments that are right for you. Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your anal cancer-related health concerns Start Here.
Newly diagnosed with Anal cancer
Some people experience bleeding with bowel movements or notice a lump near their anus and are concerned they are having symptoms of anal cancer. Let's explore the signs and symptoms of anal cancer, and why it's important to get them checked out by your doctor. Anal cancer is the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells lining the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum.
Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. Nearly all skin cancers can be treated effectively if they are found early, so knowing what to look for is important. There are many types of skin cancer, each of which can look different on the skin.
