Anal cancer, how aggressive is it?

[loeezy]

What's this I hear about Anal Cancer being one of the most aggressive forms of cancer?  My son just was told he had an abnormal pap smear for this and he has to wait a month for a biopsy.  Isn't that dangerous?

Thanks

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

A positive pap smear does not always mean anal cancer. The nature and the prognosis of the cancer, if diagnosed, depend on the stage of the cancer. This would not be an emergent situation as one wound tend to think though; and one could wait for a few weeks for the biopsy.
Hope this is useful.

Take care!

[hewa82]

I am from India scared of anal Cancer . I dont know where anal pap smear testing is done in india. I asked few doctors who told that this test is not a standard test so it's not practiced. Also I asked for digital rectal exam but still clueless. Plz help me out in knowing where I can ask for these test in India or in other country like singapore. Thankyou.