Questions to ask: Anal cancer

Diagnosis

• What type of anal cancer do I have? Is it squamous cell carcinoma?
• Is my cancer in the anal canal or the skin around the anus?
• What is my stage, and what does it mean for me?
• Has the cancer spread to lymph nodes in my groin or pelvis?
• Is my cancer linked to HPV?
• Should I have an HIV test? If I have HIV, how does that change my care?
• Which scans do I need before treatment starts?
• Is the goal of my treatment to cure the cancer?
• Should I be treated at a center that treats many people with anal cancer?
• Is there a clinical trial I should think about?
• Should my partner be checked for HPV-related problems?

Before

• Will I have chemoradiation? What chemotherapy will I get with my radiation?
• Will I get fluorouracil through a pump, or capecitabine pills?
• How many weeks of radiation will I have, and how long is each visit?
• Will you use IMRT to protect my healthy tissue?
• What side effects should I expect, and when do they usually start?
• How should I care for my skin during radiation, and which creams are safe?
• What is my pain plan if the area gets very sore?
• Will treatment affect my fertility or sex life? Can I save eggs or sperm first?
• Will I need a colostomy at any point?
• Can I keep working during treatment?
• Who can help with rides, costs, and insurance during daily radiation?
• If I have HIV, will my HIV medicines interact with my cancer treatment?

During

• Is my skin reaction normal for this point in treatment?
• What can I take for diarrhea, and when should I call?
• Are my blood counts safe for the next treatment?
• Should I take sitz baths, and how often?
• Is my pain medicine dose right, and how do I prevent constipation from it?
• Do I need to stop treatment for a break if side effects get bad?
• What should I eat to help with bowel symptoms?
• Can I have sex during treatment?
• Who do I call after hours, and when should I go to the emergency room?

After

• When will you check whether the cancer is gone?
• If some tumor is still there at the first check, how long will we wait before deciding on surgery?
• How often will I need exams, anoscopy, and scans?
• What signs of the cancer coming back should I watch for?
• How long will my skin and bowel symptoms last?
• Should I see a pelvic floor physical therapist?
• Should I use a vaginal dilator, and for how long?
• What late side effects should I watch for, such as bone weakness?
• Should I get the HPV vaccine or other screening, such as a Pap test?
• Are there support groups for people with anal cancer?

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.