1. Anal Cancer: The Bottom Line
3 May 2017
Ardis Ann Moe, M.D.
UCLA Center for AIDS Research and Education/NEVHC Van Nuys Adult HIV Clinic

3. Case#1 60 year old male, MSM/MSW presents to clinic in August 2013.
AIDS, CD4 count <20 , HIV viral load >100,000 in Now has 359 CD4 cells and undetectable HIV viral load.
Hx cryptococcal meningitis and cryptococcal pneumonia
Hx MAC
Hx cerebellar stroke from cryptococcal meningitis.
Last 2 years spent in extensive rehab and now is finally able to drive a car and he is about to go back to work. Never got rectal exam or colonoscopy.

4. He came in with complaints of anal pain and constipation
Large, nodular, bloody mass found on rectal exam
Dead 5 months later from metastatic anal cancer, despite XRT, chemo and ostomy placement.

5. Goals: Epidemiology of anal cancer
Pathophysiology of anal cancer and its precursor state
Current status of screening
Treatment for anal cancer
Status of HPV vaccine
ANCHOR study

6. Epidemiology of Anal Cancer in HIV

9. In a typical HIV clinic, 1-2 cases a year
10% lifetime risk for HIV+ MSM
36/100,000 for HIV- MSM (same rate as pre-Pap cervical cancer in women)
1/100,000 for HIV- heterosexual adults.
Many HIV+ persons with anal cancer have NO history of anal sex.
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

11. Median age for anal cancer diagnosis 57 in men, and 68 in women
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

12. Pathophysiology of Anal Cancer

14. Risk factors for anal cancer: Smoking
HPV infection, esp with serotypes 16 , or 18
CD4 count nadir <200
Untreated HIV
Females slightly higher risk than males in HIV- population
Age> 50.
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

15. >80% of anal cancer caused by HPV (serotypes 16,18 most common)
10% by adenocarcinoma
HPV causes infection of squamous epithelium, and can cause a type of cell damage called dysplasia
The dysplasia is graded as low grade dysplasia (LSIL) , or high grade dysplasia (HSIL)
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

17. >90% of MSM HIV+ have anal HPV 59% of MSW HIV+ have anal HPV
79% of WSM HIV+ have anal HPV
HPV in anus common even in persons who have never had anal sex.
Renal transplant patients have 28% anal HPV
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

18. How common is HSIL (severe dysplasia from HPV)
MSM with HIV 1/3 to ½ have HSIL on anal exam
WSM with HIV 9% have HSIL on anal exam
MSW with HIV 18% have HSIL on anal exam
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

23. Case #2 73 yo male with AIDS came to clinic for routine anal exam.
CD4 count nadir 53, dx Now with CD4 count 384 and ND on HIV viral load
No symptoms.
Hemorrhoid tag on external exam to have small whitish nodule .
+ for squamous cell carcinoma.
Completely excised with clear margins. No chemo or XRT needed.

24. In HIV+ , 65% of anal cancers are in the exterior, perianal area
In HIV % are in the anal canal.
External exam of perianus is as important as the internal exam
Any unusual tissue on the outside of the anus should be suspect for anal cancer in HIV+ adults
Source Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas, 3rd ed E.J. Mayeaux M.D. J. Thomas Cox M.D. Chapter 17, page

25. Case #3
25 yo male to female transgender presents to clinic in December for treatment for AIDS.
HIV+ at age 15, but never sought treatment
CD4 count <20, and HIV viral load 140,000
MAC, Candida esophagitis, wasting syndrome, and painful perianal ulcers.

26. Started HIV meds and overall improved
Started HIV meds and overall improved. Weight up 21 lbs and CD4 count now 154 and HIV viral load <20
Rectal ulcers initially responded to acyclovir, but areas of perianal ulceration continued

27. After many months of treatment with HSV meds, she was referred to colorectal and the ulcerated areas revealed superficial squamous carcinoma of the anus.
This was also completely excised with clear margins.

28. Anal and perianal cancer can also present as nonhealing ulcers of the anal and perianal tissue.
In addition, chronic anal fistulas can also have internal anal cancers.
Refer patients with chronic nonhealing anal ulcers and chronic fistulas to colorectal for evaluation.

29. Anal fistula

30. Current Status of Screening

34. No clear paradigm for anal cancer prevention on the same level as cervical cancer
Most authorities recommend annual rectal exam for HIV+ MSM, and for HIV+ women with histories of severe cervical dysplasia.
This recommendation may allow some anal cancers to progress to an advanced stage before they can be detected.
Source: Leeds, Ira L. and Fang, Sandy H. Anal Cancer and Intraepithelial Neoplasia Screening: A Review WJGS January 27;8(1): 41-51

35. Anal pap smear controversial:
Sensitivity for HSIL 69-93% but specificity 32-59%
Anal pap smear only useful if patients have access to high resolution anoscopy (HRA)
HRA expensive: $1300 procedure + $500 for pathology (UCLA)
Few providers trained in HRA
Source: E.J. Mayeaux M.D. and J. Thomas Cox, M.D. Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas 3rd ed. Chapter 17: page

36. Median 57 months from HSIL to anal cancer
In a study of 27 HIV+ adults with HSIL that progressed to anal cancer; 23 had anal cancer that could be palpated on rectal exam OR could be seen on the perianal area as induration or ulceration
Median 57 months from HSIL to anal cancer
Source: Berry, J.Michael, et al. Progression of Anal High Grade Squamous Intraepithelia Lesions To Invasive Anal Cancer Among HIV-infected Men Who have Sex With Men Int. J. Cancer 134,

37. Anal Cancer Treatment

39. Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SICCA) T0
Treated with local incision only; no need for chemo or XRT
Anal cancers <2 cm, that can be completely excised, have best prognosis

43. HPV vaccination

45. HPV vaccination, 4- or 9-valent , safe and highly effective in HIV+ boys and girls, and young men and young women.
ACTG A5298: No efficacy seen in older HIV+ adults (median age 47 in study).
In HIV- teens and young men, all MSM, HPV vaccination may decrease rates of dysplasia
Source: E.J. Mayeaux M.D. and J. Thomas Cox, M.D. Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas 3rd ed. Chapter 17: page
Source: Palefsy, Joel M. et al: NEJM 365: 17 Pages
Source: CROI, Boston, Feb 22-25, Abstact 161
Source: Rainone, V et al. “Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Induces Strong Human Papilloma Virus Specific Cell Mediated Immune Responses in HIV-infected Adolescents and Young Adults” AIDS MEXH 27; 29(6)

46. ANCHOR Study

47. NIH funded study to develop paradigm for screening and treatment.
5000 adults, all HIV+ and at least 35 years old. 5-7 year study
15 sites
All with HSIL on anal biopsy
Randomized to every 6 month exams (active monitoring) or treatment with hyfrecation (preemptive treatment) with followup exams and additional treatments to eliminate HSIL as needed.
To demonstrate utility of high resolution anoscopy and possible need for hyfrecation treatment

48. Hyfrecation is electrocautery of HSIL lesions.

49. Active monitoring arm: repeated HRA exams to find SICCA lesions, when anal cancer is easily cured with local incision.
Pre-emptive treatment arm: to burn off HSIL lesions BEFORE they can become cancer

50. “Active monitoring” is like mammogram paradigm.
“Pre-emptive treatment” is like pap smear paradigm.
Both mammogram paradigm and pap smear/colpo paradigm work to prevent cancer deaths and morbidity in women.
Hyfrecation has side effects of causing anal fissures and anal abscesses and is more expensive than HRA alone.

53. Conclusions

54. Anal cancer is common in HIV+ MSM, and the risk increases with smoking, CD4 <200 nadir, and age
HPV is the cause of most anal cancers, and >90% of HIV+ MSM have HPV
HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV disease even in HIV+ young adults, but not in HIV+ adults> 26 years old. .

55. Many anal cancers can be detected with annual rectal exam for patients who do not have access to HRA
Hemorrhoids are painful on exam, and feel like small pillows
Suspicious masses are firm, discolored or whitish. May or may not be painful.
Any anal mass noted on rectal exam OR any unusual tissue on the perianal area could be anal cancer. Evaluate with a colorectal surgeon if any of these abnormalities are present. Its not just “hemorrhoids”
Pap smear like paradigm for anal cancer prevention yet to be developed. Tune in for ANCHOR results