expert in the care and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS.

Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Men who engage in anal sex are at high risk for anal squamous cell carcinoma, which is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). The anus, which located at the end of the rectum, is the organ through which stool passes out of the body. Cancer can develop on the outside of the anus or on the inside of the rectum.

Symptoms include the following:

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Lump near the anus
• Pain, pressure, itching, and discharge from the anus

An anal Pap smear is a simple, inexpensive procedure used to detect precancerous changes to cells in the anus. If precancerous changes can be detected before they develop into cancer, they can be treated and the cancer prevented. Regular anal Pap smears may help reduce the incidence of anal cancer.

Although anal cancer occurs more frequently among gay and bisexual men, men and women who are infected with HIV and who regularly engage in anal sex should have routine anal Pap smears.

Anyone with HIV/AIDS who has genital warts or may have been exposed to HPV should contact their physician or other health care provider. Patients with HIV/AIDS who has anal cancer should be treated by a cancer specialist (oncologist) who is an expert in the care and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS.