HPV vaccines do far more than prevent cervical cancer.

In December 2014, the FDA approved Merck’s Gardasil 9® vaccine for males and females. The vaccine can be used to prevent cervical cancer, of course, but also is effective against HPV-related cancers of the vagina, vulva, and anus. (The vaccine can also prevent low-risk lesions like genital warts in either gender.) In late 2010, the FDA also green-lighted use of Merck’s original Gardasil® vaccine for the prevention of anal cancers in males and females ages 9-26.

Anal cancer is often over-looked, but has had more of a spotlight since Farrah Fawcett’s death from anal cancer in 2009.

What is anal cancer?

Most anal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that develop in the anal canal (the passage linking the lower intestine to the outside of our bodies). Squamous cells are tough, flat cells that are part of the epidermis (the top most layer of skin).

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there about 7,200 new cases (with approximately 1,000 deaths) each year in the U.S. Women are affected more than men, although men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for anal cancers.

Signs and Symptoms:

Not all cases involve symptoms, or symptoms might be minor

What are risk factors for anal cancer?

What is the link between HPV and anal cancer?

As with cervical cancer, high-risk types of HPV are found in most anal cancers. HPV produces proteins that are able to ‘turn off” other proteins that the immune system uses to suppress and clear tumor cells. Hampering the immune response in this way is a key part in allowing cells to become abnormal and progress along to cancer.

Transmission of HPV to the anal canal is usually (but not always) by anal sex. Since HPV is acquired through skin-to-skin contact with an area that contains the virus, penetration is not necessary for transmission to occur. But fingers and sex toys are also possible routes of introducing HPV to the anus, especially when HPV-related lesions are present in the genital or perianal area. Females and gay men are not the only ones at risk: It’s not uncommon for anal HPV to be detected in men who report no history of sexual contact with other men, and in women who have never had anal intercourse.

Screening tests

Anal cytology (Pap tests): Anal Pap tests involve taking cell samples from the anal canal which are then viewed under microscope and examined for abnormalities. Much like cervical cytology, anal Paps seek to detect abnormal cell changes or lesions of the epithelium (surface of the skin), ideally before cancer develops. Precancerous anal lesions are referred to as anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) or anal squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASIL). Depending on their severity, size, and risk to progress to cancer, lesions can be classified as either low-grade or high-grade.

Follow-up for patients with abnormal cell changes detected is high resolution anoscopy (HRA). A procedure similar to cervical colposcopy, HRA uses a special microscope to examine the anal area. Any suspicious lesions detected are biopsied.

Treatment

Low-grade lesions are often monitored, while high-grade lesions may either be monitored or treated. Treatment for anal cancer includes:

Prevention

Resources