Treatment for anal cancer
Your surgeon normally recommends surgery if you still have cancer cells after chemoradiotherapy. Or if the cancer come backs after treatment. Some people with a small stage 1 anal margin cancer can have an operation as their main treatment.
Your doctors and nurses will make sure you are prepared and ready for your operation. But there are also things you can do. What happens after surgery depends on factors including what operation you had and your general health.
An abdominoperineal excision (APR) is a large operation to remove the anus, rectum and part of the bowel. Some people may have a local excision for a small stage 1 anal margin cancer.
If your surgeon removes your anus, they open the end of your bowel onto your skin (stoma). This is a type of stoma called a colostomy. You wear a special bag over the stoma to collect the poo.
You normally have a pre operative assessment and some tests to prepare you for surgery. But there are also things you can do to prepare yourself.
Your surgeon, anaesthetist and nurse asks you lots of questions and make sure you are ready for your operation. You normally have a general anaesthetic for anal cancer surgery.
What happens after surgery depends on the type of operation you have and how well you recover. You have one or more wounds. And normally have a number of tubes and drains in your body for a short while.
There is a risk of problems or complications after any operation. Many problems are minor but some can be life threatening. Treating them as soon as possible is important.
Last reviewed: 15 Aug 2025
Next review due: 15 Aug 2028
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