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Statistics at a Glance

At a Glance

Estimated New Cases in 2020 8,590

% of All New Cancer Cases 0.5%

Estimated Deaths in 2020 1,350

% of All Cancer Deaths 0.2%

5-Year
Relative Survival

68.7% 2010–2016
Year Rate of New Cases — SEER 9 Rate of New Cases — SEER 13 Death Rate — U.S. 5-Year Relative Survival — 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% 56.22%
1976 0.85 0.83 - - 0.04 0.04 58.43% 56.65%
1977 0.76 0.85 - - 0.03 0.05 53.62% 57.07%
1978 0.83 0.87 - - 0.03 0.07 54.74% 57.49%
1979 0.98 0.89 - - 0.12 0.10 54.74% 57.91%
1980 0.99 0.91 - - 0.13 0.14 61.09% 58.33%
1981 0.96 0.92 - - 0.13 0.14 50.53% 58.75%
1982 0.93 0.95 - - 0.14 0.14 53.87% 59.16%
1983 0.97 0.97 - - 0.14 0.14 64.40% 59.57%
1984 1.03 0.99 - - 0.16 0.15 60.79% 59.98%
1985 1.15 1.01 - - 0.15 0.15 58.16% 60.38%
1986 0.82 1.03 - - 0.15 0.15 67.42% 60.78%
1987 1.00 1.05 - - 0.15 0.15 58.43% 61.18%
1988 1.12 1.07 - - 0.15 0.15 54.70% 61.58%
1989 1.05 1.10 - - 0.16 0.15 63.43% 61.97%
1990 1.16 1.12 - - 0.16 0.16 57.47% 62.36%
1991 1.10 1.15 - - 0.18 0.16 60.80% 62.75%
1992 1.17 1.17 1.22 1.16 0.16 0.16 56.12% 63.14%
1993 1.23 1.20 1.22 1.18 0.16 0.16 63.83% 63.52%
1994 1.03 1.22 1.14 1.21 0.18 0.16 65.31% 63.90%
1995 1.17 1.25 1.21 1.24 0.16 0.16 63.74% 64.28%
1996 1.28 1.28 1.30 1.27 0.16 0.17 67.41% 64.65%
1997 1.16 1.30 1.20 1.31 0.16 0.17 70.74% 65.02%
1998 1.40 1.33 1.41 1.34 0.16 0.17 70.05% 65.39%
1999 1.37 1.36 1.40 1.37 0.17 0.17 66.24% 65.76%
2000 1.34 1.39 1.38 1.40 0.18 0.17 73.68% 66.12%
2001 1.40 1.42 1.40 1.44 0.18 0.18 69.73% 66.48%
2002 1.49 1.45 1.46 1.47 0.19 0.18 62.95% 66.84%
2003 1.47 1.48 1.54 1.51 0.19 0.19 67.88% 67.20%
2004 1.50 1.52 1.51 1.55 0.20 0.19 67.28% 67.55%
2005 1.72 1.55 1.71 1.59 0.19 0.20 67.84% 67.90%
2006 1.50 1.58 1.55 1.63 0.20 0.21 66.09% 68.24%
2007 1.75 1.62 1.72 1.67 0.20 0.21 69.24% 68.59%
2008 1.74 1.65 1.66 1.71 0.22 0.22 65.32% 68.93%
2009 1.77 1.69 1.77 1.75 0.24 0.23 69.12% 69.27%
2010 1.67 1.72 1.73 1.76 0.24 0.23 72.91% 69.60%
2011 1.74 1.76 1.71 1.76 0.25 0.24 70.03% 69.93%
2012 1.87 1.80 1.79 1.77 0.25 0.25 70.06% 70.26%
2013 1.89 1.84 1.75 1.77 0.25 0.26 - 70.59%
2014 1.90 1.88 1.84 1.78 0.25 0.26 - 70.91%
2015 1.96 1.92 1.85 1.78 0.27 0.27 - 71.24%
2016 1.87 1.96 1.81 1.79 0.29 0.28 - 71.55%
2017 1.84 2.00 1.71 1.80 0.30 0.29 - 71.87%

New cases come from SEER 13. Deaths come from U.S. Mortality.
All Races, Both Sexes. Rates are Age-Adjusted.
Modeled trend lines were calculated from the underlying rates using the Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software.

New cases are also referred to as incident cases in other publications. Rates of new cases are also referred to as incidence rates.

Rate of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The rate of new cases of anal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000 men and women per year. The death rate was 0.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2013–2017 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 2015–2017 data.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2017, there were an estimated 67,810 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.

68.7%

5-Year
Relative Survival

68.7%

Based on data from SEER 18 2010–2016. 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, 47.8% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year relative survival for localized anal cancer is 81.9%.

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% 81.9%
Regional
Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes		 32% 65.8%
Distant
Cancer Has Metastasized		 13% 33.9%
Unknown
Unstaged		 7% 57.2%

SEER 18 2010–2016, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Summary Stage 2000

Additional Information

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 2020		 Estimated
Deaths 2020
1. Breast Cancer (Female) 276,480 42,170
2. Lung and Bronchus Cancer 228,820 135,720
3. Prostate Cancer 191,930 33,330
4. Colorectal Cancer 147,950 53,200
5. Melanoma of the Skin 100,350 6,850
6. Bladder Cancer 81,400 17,980
7. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 77,240 19,940
8. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer 73,750 14,830
9. Uterine Cancer 65,620 12,590
10. Leukemia 60,530 23,100
- - -
25. Anal Cancer 8,590 1,350

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

0.5%

In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 8,590 new cases of anal cancer and an estimated 1,350 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 rate of new cases of anal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2013–2017 cases, age-adjusted.

Rate of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Anal Cancer
Males
All Races 1.6
White 1.6
Black 2.2
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.4
American Indian/Alaska Native 1.0
Hispanic 1.1
Non-Hispanic 1.7
Females
All Races 2.2
White 2.5
Black 1.9
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.4
American Indian/Alaska Native 1.0
Hispanic 1.7
Non-Hispanic 2.3

SEER 21 2013–2017, Age-Adjusted

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Anal Cancer
Age Range Percent of New Cases
<20 0.0%
20–34 1.1%
35–44 4.6%
45–54 19.3%
55–64 31.7%
65–74 24.2%
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 2013–2017, All Races, Both Sexes

Who Dies From This Cancer?

The death rate was 0.3 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2013–2017 deaths, age-adjusted.

Death Rate 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. 2013–2017, Age-Adjusted

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Anal Cancer
Age Range Percent of Deaths
<20 0.0%
20–34 0.7%
35–44 3.7%
45–54 14.6%
55–64 27.8%
65–74 25.0%
75–84 17.2%
>84 11.1%

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

Median Age
At Death

66

U.S. 2013–2017, All Races, Both Sexes

Trends in Rates

Changes Over Time

Keeping track 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, age-adjusted rates for new anal cancer cases have been rising on average 2.2% each year over the last 10 years. Age-adjusted death rates have been rising on average 3.2% each year over 2008–2017. 5-year relative 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, 1975–2017, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2017/, based on November 2019 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2020.

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.