Treatment for anal cancer depends on the type that you have, and your age, medical history and treatment preferences.

Some common therapies used to treat anal cancer can include:

• Surgery – to remove the tumour is one of the most suitable treatment methods for early-stage anal cancer.
• Radical surgery – involves removing the anal canal, rectum and regional lymph nodes.
• Radiation therapy – or radiotherapy, uses radiation to directly target and destroy cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy – uses specialist drugs that destroy cancer cells. This treatment method can be used alone or together with radiation therapy to treat anal cancer.