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If anal cancer spreads

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Anal
  5. If cancer spreads
Print

Cancer cells can spread from the anus to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If anal cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • lymph nodes around the rectum, groin and pelvis
  • rectum
  • bladder
  • urethra
  • vagina or prostate
  • liver
  • lungs
  • bone

Expert review and references

  • Ahmed S, Eng C, Messick CA. Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Yalcin S, Phillip PA (eds.). Textbook of Gastrointestinal Oncology. Springer Nature Switzerland; 2019: 10:171–180.
  • MacMillan Cancer Support. Understanding Anal Cancer. 2020. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/.
  • PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Anal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.

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