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Norton Cancer Institute, the leading provider of cancer care in Louisville and Southern Indiana, offers same-day appointments for newly diagnosed anal cancer patients. If you’ve been diagnosed with anal cancer, you want to start getting better right away.

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained oncologists are leaders in their field. They’re at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to getting patients back to living their lives.

You’ll have a one-on-one relationship with your oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist or other specialist at Norton Cancer Institute.

Anal cancer is relatively uncommon. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be about 8,590 new anal cancer diagnoses and about 1,350 deaths in 2020.

Anal cancer affects the short tube (anal canal) at the end of the intestines where stool leaves the body.

Anal Cancer Treatment Customized for You

The specialists at Norton Cancer Institute use the latest equipment and procedures to make a precise diagnosis of your cancer. Our multidisciplinary approach with multiple specialists in one setting means we offer a full range of anal cancer treatments.

Our advanced testing options will help your specialist determine a care plan that’s tailored for you based on the stage of your cancer and your treatment goals. Your comprehensive care team of physicians and other health care providers meets regularly to review your case and plan the next steps.

At Norton Cancer Institute, you’ll have access to a multidisciplinary team of specialists. That includes oncologists, gastroenterologists and others to provide comprehensive care.

In addition to our current leading-edge treatments, we offer our patients the opportunity to participate in innovative National Cancer Institute- and industry-sponsored clinical research studies. These trials help to improve current cancer treatments in addition to finding new and promising solutions.

If radiation therapy part of the treatment plan, we map the exact shape and location of your tumor, then direct cancer-killing radiation at just the tumor, minimizing the impact on healthy tissue and reducing side effects. Chemotherapy and surgery are also possible treatments.

Depending on your cancer, just the tumor and some surrounding tissue may be removed surgically. Called a local resection, the sphincter muscles may be unaffected so you can still control bowel movements.

Anal cancer that comes back after radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be treated with an abdominoperineal resection that removes the anus, rectum and part of the colon through an abdominal incision. After this procedure, the patient’s body waste is collected in an external bag through an opening the surgeon creates in the surface of the abdomen.

Signs of Anal Cancer

Some signs and symptoms of anal cancer are similar to other diseases or conditions, such as hemorrhoids. If you have any of the following, check with your health care provider:

  • Bleeding from the anus or rectum, with or without a bowel movement
  • Pain, pressure or itching near the anus
  • A lump near the anus
  • Unusual discharge from the anus
  • Changes in bowel movements

Many people assume itching in the anal area is caused by hemorrhoids (itchy, painful or bleeding masses of tissue in the anus). This can delay diagnosis and treatment of anal cancer.

What Causes Anal Cancer?

Like other cancers, there are multiple factors that can put you at risk.

Risk factors include:

  • HPV status – The human papillomavirus has a strong link to anal cancer.
  • Age – Most cases of anal cancer happen in adults age 50 and older.
  • Sexual activity – Those who have had many sexual partners or who engage in receptive anal sex are more likely to develop anal cancer.
  • Drugs or conditions – If you are taking drugs or have a condition that weakens your immune system, you are at a higher risk.
  • Smoking

Anal Cancer Care for the Whole Person

  • Norton Cancer Institute has nine outpatient locations and multiple infusion centers in Louisville and surrounding counties and Southern Indiana. We have three radiation centers located just off major interstates, with free, self-service parking and valet parking.
  • Our gastrointestinal cancer patient navigator guides you through the treatment process. The navigator is a registered nurse and advocate for patients and families who can help coordinate scheduling to minimize your visits. The navigator provides information and support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
  • The Norton Cancer Institute multidisciplinary approach to cancer care means you’ll have access to multiple specialists, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, interventional radiologists, interventional gastroenterologists, researchers, geneticists and dietitians.
  • We pull together providers from various disciplines to help identify the best treatment for you. At Norton Cancer Institute review boards, you will be considered for innovative clinical trials, immunotherapy, minimally invasive procedures, state-of-the-art radiation and advanced diagnostics.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Team

Leading-edge Care and Research

  • Regional leader in cancer research: With access to over 170 clinical trials, patients can join locally many of the same leading-edge studies that are available at larger centers. We are a research destination with enrolled patients who come from over 20 different U.S. states and two foreign countries.
  • Specialized expertise leading innovation: Our board-certified and fellowship-trained oncologists are subspecialized, allowing them to lead the way in advancing cancer treatment through innovative clinical trials and groundbreaking research.
  • We’re here when you need us: With same- or next-day appointments for newly diagnosed patients, valet parking and multiple locations across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, access to quality oncology care is our top priority.
  • Highly specialized testing and precision medicine: Our state-of-the-art Norton Cancer Institute Genomics Lab offers highly specialized testing that makes it possible to diagnose and treat cancer more precisely and to tailor advanced treatments based on a tumor’s specific genetic composition.
  • One-stop shop for care: Multidisciplinary care settings allow patients to schedule appointments with multiple specialists across Norton Healthcare on the same day and in the same location, making your cancer care more convenient and streamlined. This often saves patients the hassle of scheduling multiple appointments and planning for extra travel time.
  • Highly accredited: Norton Cancer Institute is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, and the American College of Radiology.

Care Designed With You in Mind

  • Robust support services: With five Norton Cancer Institute Resource Centers throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana, a patient navigator program, Behavioral Oncology Program, classes and events, art and music therapy, genetic counseling, nutrition services, financial counseling and more, our support team cares not just for the body, but the person within.
  • Insurance coverage: Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
  • Specialty pharmacy services: At Norton Specialty Pharmacy, patients receive regular consultations on their medications and treatment plan, making sure they get their prescriptions quickly and accurately. Our specialty pharmacists collaborate closely with your oncology team.
  • Ease of communication with your care team: Use your free Norton MyChart account to communicate with your provider, view appointments, refill prescriptions, get on the waitlist for an earlier appointment and more, anytime from a mobile device or computer
  • The Norton Healthcare Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Norton Healthcare’s not-for-profit adult-care services, continuously supports the purchase of new equipment, programs, education and funding of research to ensure our patients stay up to date with medical advances and technology.

Awards and Accreditations

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