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Cancer Stat Facts: Anal Cancer
Statistics at a GlanceShow More
At a Glance
- Estimated New Cases in 2017 8,200
- % of All New Cancer Cases0.5%
- Estimated Deaths in 2017 1,100
- % of All
Cancer Deaths 0.2%
Percent Surviving
5 Years
Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The number of new cases of anal cancer was 1.8 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 0.2 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2010-2014 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 2012-2014 data.
Survival StatisticsShow More
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.
Percent Surviving
5 Years
Based on data from SEER 18 2007-2013. 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, 48.2% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year survival for localized anal cancer is 81.3%.
Localized (48%)
Confined to Primary Site
Regional (32%)
Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes
Distant (13%)
Cancer Has Metastasized
Unknown (7%)
Unstaged
SEER 18 2007-2013, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Summary Stage 2000
Additional Information
Number of New Cases and DeathsShow More
How Common Is This Cancer?
Compared to other cancers, anal cancer is rare.
| Common Types of Cancer | Estimated New Cases 2017 |
Estimated Deaths 2017 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Breast Cancer (Female) | 252,710 | 40,610 |
| 2. | Lung and Bronchus Cancer | 222,500 | 155,870 |
| 3. | Prostate Cancer | 161,360 | 26,730 |
| 4. | Colon and Rectum Cancer | 135,430 | 50,260 |
| 5. | Melanoma of the Skin | 87,110 | 9,730 |
| 6. | Bladder Cancer | 79,030 | 16,870 |
| 7. | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 72,240 | 20,140 |
| 8. | Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer | 63,990 | 14,400 |
| 9. | Leukemia | 62,130 | 24,500 |
| 10. | Endometrial Cancer | 61,380 | 10,920 |
| - | - | - | |
| 27. | Anal Cancer | 8,200 | 1,100 |
Anal cancer represents 0.5% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
0.5%
In 2017, it is estimated that there will be 8,200 new cases of anal cancer and an estimated 1,100 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 1.8 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 cases.
Anal cancer is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 55-64.
Median Age
At Diagnosis
SEER 18 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes
All Races
White
Black
Asian /
Pacific Islander
- Not Shown, <16 casesAmerican Indian /
Alaska Native
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic
SEER 18 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted
Who Dies From This Cancer?
The number of deaths was 0.2 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 deaths.
The percent of anal cancer deaths is highest among people aged 55-64.
Median Age
At Death
U.S. 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes
All Races
White
Black
Asian /
Pacific Islander
- Not Shown, <16 casesAmerican Indian /
Alaska NativeNot Shown, <16 cases 
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic
U.S. 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted
Trends in RatesShow More
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 2.9% each year over 2005-2014. 5-year survival trends are shown below the figure.
| Year | 1975 | 1980 | 1985 | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Year Relative Survival | 64.3% | 60.6% | 58.1% | 57.2% | 63.7% | 73.2% | 67.6% | 68.7% |
SEER 9 Incidence & U.S. Mortality 1975-2014, All Races, Both Sexes. Rates are Age-Adjusted.
More About This CancerShow More
Cancer and the Anus
Figure: Anatomy of the Lower Digestive System
Click to enlarge.
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.
- About risk factors for anal cancer
- About symptoms and diagnosis of anal cancer
- About treatment options for anal cancer
- About clinical trials
- About cancer prevention
- About the health risks of smoking and ways to quit
- About HPV and 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, Bishop K, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2014, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2014/, based on November 2016 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2017.
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, http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/anus.html
These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the US 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.
