At City of Hope, we understand that treatment for anal cancer should depend as much on the patient’s personal preferences as on the type and stage of the disease.
That’s why your multidisciplinary team will work with you, and one another, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that’s personalized to your individual needs, preferences and goals. Treatments for anal cancer may involve surgery or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. At City of Hope, we combine conventional and innovative treatments with supportive care services, including nutritional support and pain management, as part of our commitment to putting patients at the center of their care.
Treatments for anal cancer may impact patients’ quality of life, sometimes in debilitating ways. Which type of treatment your doctor recommends will depend on the type and stage of the disease. For example, while surgery is commonly recommended for early-stage anal cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery followed by radiation therapy in advanced anal cancer cases to help relieve pain. If you’re concerned about how your fertility may be impacted by radiation therapy to the pelvic region, your care team can talk to you about options to preserve your ability to conceive.
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Your anal cancer care team works all under one roof. That means you have access to state-of-the-art cancer treatments and supportive care services all in one location. Your treatment plan is coordinated by a care manager dedicated to orchestrating your schedule, communicating with the rest of your care team, getting your questions answered and helping you access your test results in a timely manner. Your care team may also include a medical and/or radiation oncologist, colorectal surgeon, oncology nurses and a variety of supportive care providers.
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The oncologists on your care team work closely with supportive care providers to deliver evidence-informed approaches designed to address the symptoms of your disease and the side effects of treatment. That’s what supportive care is about: keeping you strong so you can better tolerate your treatments and maintain your quality of life. Our supportive care services include nutritional support to help develop a diet plan to help you stay nourished, while pain management physicians offer medication and non-narcotic approaches to help you keep your pain in check. And our spiritual support and behavioral health providers help support your mental and emotional health before, during and after your treatment.
Learn more about supportive care at City of Hope
“I believe that the better I get to know my patients and the more I empower them with information about their treatment and cancer, the more likely we are to achieve a successful outcome.”
Clinical trials are critical tools researchers and doctors use to determine the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and therapies. At City of Hope, we’re committed to offering our patients innovative and new cancer treatments, including access to clinical trials when appropriate. These trials may provide therapies that are not yet widely available to qualified patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options or whose cancer is advanced or difficult to treat. Our cancer doctors and researchers will work with you to determine whether you qualify for a trial and, if so, help you enroll.
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Going through cancer treatment changed me for the better. It gave me a new perspective on life. I have made lifestyle changes, and my outlook on the future is optimistic."
