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Statistics at a Glance

At a Glance

Estimated New Cases in 2019 8,300

% of All New Cancer Cases 0.5%

Estimated Deaths in 2019 1,280

% of All Cancer Deaths 0.2%

Percent Surviving
5 Years

68.3% 2009-2015
Year New Cases - SEER 9 New Cases - SEER 13 Deaths - U.S. Percent Surviving 5 Years - SEER 9
Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend
1975 0.82 0.81 - - 0.04 0.02 64.74% 56.03%
1976 0.85 0.83 - - 0.04 0.04 58.43% 56.46%
1977 0.76 0.84 - - 0.03 0.05 53.62% 56.90%
1978 0.83 0.86 - - 0.03 0.07 54.74% 57.33%
1979 0.98 0.88 - - 0.12 0.10 53.24% 57.76%
1980 0.99 0.90 - - 0.13 0.14 61.09% 58.18%
1981 0.96 0.92 - - 0.13 0.14 50.53% 58.61%
1982 0.93 0.94 - - 0.14 0.14 53.87% 59.03%
1983 0.97 0.96 - - 0.14 0.14 64.36% 59.44%
1984 1.03 0.98 - - 0.16 0.15 60.78% 59.86%
1985 1.15 1.00 - - 0.15 0.15 58.16% 60.27%
1986 0.82 1.03 - - 0.15 0.15 67.00% 60.68%
1987 1.00 1.05 - - 0.15 0.15 58.47% 61.09%
1988 1.12 1.07 - - 0.15 0.15 54.70% 61.49%
1989 1.05 1.10 - - 0.16 0.15 63.47% 61.90%
1990 1.16 1.12 - - 0.16 0.16 57.47% 62.29%
1991 1.10 1.15 - - 0.18 0.16 60.80% 62.69%
1992 1.17 1.17 1.22 1.15 0.16 0.16 56.12% 63.08%
1993 1.23 1.20 1.22 1.18 0.16 0.16 63.87% 63.47%
1994 1.03 1.22 1.14 1.21 0.18 0.16 65.31% 63.86%
1995 1.17 1.25 1.21 1.24 0.16 0.17 63.74% 64.24%
1996 1.28 1.28 1.30 1.27 0.16 0.17 67.49% 64.63%
1997 1.16 1.31 1.20 1.31 0.16 0.17 70.74% 65.00%
1998 1.40 1.33 1.41 1.34 0.16 0.17 70.05% 65.38%
1999 1.37 1.36 1.40 1.37 0.17 0.17 66.25% 65.75%
2000 1.34 1.39 1.38 1.41 0.18 0.18 73.68% 66.12%
2001 1.40 1.42 1.40 1.44 0.18 0.18 69.73% 66.49%
2002 1.49 1.46 1.46 1.48 0.19 0.18 63.10% 66.85%
2003 1.47 1.49 1.54 1.52 0.19 0.19 67.87% 67.22%
2004 1.50 1.52 1.51 1.56 0.20 0.19 67.30% 67.57%
2005 1.72 1.55 1.71 1.60 0.19 0.20 67.84% 67.93%
2006 1.50 1.59 1.55 1.64 0.20 0.21 66.09% 68.28%
2007 1.75 1.62 1.72 1.68 0.20 0.21 69.23% 68.63%
2008 1.73 1.66 1.65 1.69 0.22 0.22 65.21% 68.98%
2009 1.77 1.70 1.77 1.71 0.24 0.23 68.89% 69.32%
2010 1.67 1.73 1.73 1.73 0.24 0.23 72.68% 69.66%
2011 1.74 1.77 1.70 1.74 0.25 0.24 69.91% 70.00%
2012 1.87 1.81 1.79 1.76 0.25 0.25 - 70.34%
2013 1.89 1.85 1.74 1.78 0.25 0.26 - 70.67%
2014 1.89 1.89 1.83 1.79 0.25 0.26 - 71.00%
2015 1.94 1.93 1.83 1.81 0.27 0.27 - 71.32%
2016 1.86 1.98 1.79 1.83 0.29 0.28 - 71.65%

Modeled trend lines were calculated from the underlying rates using the Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software.

Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The number of new cases of anal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 0.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2012-2016 cases and deaths.

Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 0.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with anal cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2014-2016 data.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2016, there were an estimated 64,577 people living with anal cancer in the United States.

Survival Statistics

How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Anal Cancer?

Relative survival statistics compare the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer with the survival of people in the general population who are the same age, race, and sex and who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.

68.3%

Percent Surviving
5 Years

68.3%

Based on data from SEER 18 2009-2015. Gray figures represent those who have died from anal cancer. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Additional Information

Survival by Stage

Cancer stage at diagnosis, which refers to extent of a cancer in the body, determines treatment options and has a strong influence on the length of survival. In general, if the cancer is found only in the part of the body where it started it is localized (sometimes referred to as stage 1). If it has spread to a different part of the body, the stage is regional or distant. The earlier anal cancer is caught, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after being diagnosed. For anal cancer, 47.9% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year survival for localized anal cancer is 81.7%.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis: Anal Cancer
Stage Percent of Cases 5-Year Relative Survival
Localized
Confined to Primary Site		 48% 81.7%
Regional
Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes		 32% 64.9%
Distant
Cancer Has Metastasized		 13% 32.2%
Unknown
Unstaged		 7% 58.7%

SEER 18 2009-2015, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Summary Stage 2000

Additional Information

Number of New Cases and Deaths

How Common Is This Cancer?

Compared to other cancers, anal cancer is rare.

Rank Common Types of Cancer Estimated New
Cases 2019		 Estimated
Deaths 2019
1. Breast Cancer (Female) 268,600 41,760
2. Lung and Bronchus Cancer 228,150 142,670
3. Prostate Cancer 174,650 31,620
4. Colorectal Cancer 145,600 51,020
5. Melanoma of the Skin 96,480 7,230
6. Bladder Cancer 80,470 17,670
7. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 74,200 19,970
8. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer 73,820 14,770
9. Uterine Cancer 61,880 12,160
10. Leukemia 61,780 22,840
- - -
25. Anal Cancer 8,300 1,280

Anal cancer represents 0.5% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

0.5%

In 2019, it is estimated that there will be 8,300 new cases of anal cancer and an estimated 1,280 people will die of this disease.

Who Gets This Cancer?

Anal cancer is slightly more common in women than men. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with this cancer. The number of new cases of anal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2012-2016 cases.

Number of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Anal Cancer
Males
All Races 1.6
White 1.6
Black 2.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.5
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.9
Hispanic 1.1
Non-Hispanic 1.7
Females
All Races 2.2
White 2.5
Black 1.9
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.5
American Indian/Alaska Native 1.1
Hispanic 1.7
Non-Hispanic 2.3

SEER 21 2012-2016, Age-Adjusted

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Anal Cancer
Age Range Percent of New Cases
<20 0.0%
20-34 1.2%
35-44 4.9%
45-54 20.4%
55-64 31.1%
65-74 23.2%
75-84 13.1%
>84 6.1%

Anal cancer is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 55-64.

Median Age
At Diagnosis

62

SEER 21 2012-2016, All Races, Both Sexes

Who Dies From This Cancer?

The number of deaths was 0.3 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2012-2016 deaths.

Number of Deaths per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Anal Cancer
Males
All Races 0.2
White 0.2
Black 0.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1
American Indian/Alaska Native Not Shown, <16 cases
Hispanic 0.1
Non-Hispanic 0.2
Females
All Races 0.3
White 0.3
Black 0.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1
American Indian/Alaska Native Not Shown, <16 cases
Hispanic 0.2
Non-Hispanic 0.3

U.S. 2012-2016, Age-Adjusted

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Anal Cancer
Age Range Percent of Deaths
<20 0.0%
20-34 0.7%
35-44 4.3%
45-54 15.5%
55-64 27.4%
65-74 24.5%
75-84 16.8%
>84 10.8%

The percent of anal cancer deaths is highest among people aged 55-64.

Median Age
At Death

65

U.S. 2012-2016, All Races, Both Sexes

Trends in Rates

Changes Over Time

Keeping track of the number of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.

Using statistical models for analysis, rates for new anal cancer cases have been rising on average 2.2% each year over the last 10 years. Death rates have been rising on average 3.1% each year over 2007-2016. 5-year survival trends are shown below.

New Cases, Deaths and 5-Year Relative Survival
View Data Table

More About This Cancer

Cancer and the Anus

Illustration of lower digestive system.
Figure: Anatomy of the Lower Digestive System
Click to enlarge.
Figure: Anatomy of the Lower Digestive System

Figure: Gastrointestinal (digestive) system anatomy; shows esophagus, liver, stomach, colon, small intestine, rectum, and anus.

Anal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the anus at the end of the large intestine, below the rectum. The anus is formed partly from the outer, skin layers of the body and partly from the intestine.

Additional Information

More Information

Here are some resources for learning more about anal cancer.

References

All statistics in this report are based on statistics from SEER and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Most can be found within:

Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2016, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2016/, based on November 2018 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2019.

Suggested Citation

All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Anal Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/anus.html

These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the U.S. population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.

The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. In some cases, different year spans may be used. Estimates for the current year are based on past data.

Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.