Cancer is the abnormal and chaotic development of “undead” cells. This means that cells normally have a life cycle. They are generated, they live and they die. This happens in according to genetic instructions stored within the cell. However, when these genetic instructions go haywire, for various reasons, the cell “forgets to die” and starts a process of unchecked division.
This process of division leads to the appearance of a cell mass, called a tumor. There are two types of tumors: malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous). These can be results of other conditions such as the presence of polyps or of warts - caused by HPV infection. Although benign tumors are generally harmless, it is necessary to carry out regular checks because there are situations in which they evolve into cancerous tumors.
So here you have the first possible causes of anal cancer. HPV virus infection, genetic mutation, and so on. Nobody can tell you for sure what starts the occurrence of anal cancer, or any other type of cancer for that matter, but studies are continuously making progress. Getting back to the point, malignant tumors may have, in turn, many forms. With reference to anal cancer, tumors at this level can be of three kinds:
1. The majority in terms of percentage are squamous cell carcinomas, where the tumors develop from squamous cells, which outlines the edge of the anus; There are 3 types of different squamous tumors:
-keratinized (cancer cells present in the composition of keratin = protein located in the nails and hair)
-non-keratinized or transitional
-basaloid, these two latter being grouped under the generic name of cloacogenic tumors.
2. Only in one case in ten anal cancer is not squamous, when it affects the glandular cells that secrete the mucus of the anal canal; these anal cancers are known as non-epidermoid cancers and appear in three forms:
-adenocarcinoma - only 5% of anal cancers are manifested as such and treatment is the same as for rectal cancer;
-basal-cell carcinoma - is a skin cancer that develops in the perineum (area around the anus)
-melanoma
When the tumor formed by the chaotically dividing cells starts to lose some of its pieces, which naturally “fall off” because of the overgrowth of the tumor mass, then these pieces enter the blood stream and may start corrupting neighboring organs, lymph nodes, bones and even distant organs. This process is called metastasis. The fallen cells that attach themselves to new locations can form secondary tumors or tertiary tumors, spreading the cancer throughout the entire body in a worst case scenario. The situation is the same with anal cancer.
So, the conclusion is that if you want to know about the anal cancer cause, or about anal cancer in general, then you should look for information about cancers, of any type, then go specific on the anal cancer side. According to studies, anal cancer may occur or be favored by smoking, anal sex, anal fissures, a bad and prolonged diet (many food toxins), professional exposure to chemicals or radiation, and so on. There may be many causes. Therefore, start living a healthy life and take care of your body.