What is anal dysplasia and how does it relate to anal cancer?

What is anal dysplasia and how does it relate to anal cancer?

Dysplasia refers to any kind of abnormal changes in your body’s cells. Anal dysplasia is a term used to describe conditions that develop before the onset of anal squamous cell cancer (SCC). Symptoms of anal dysplasia may include:

• Pain.
• Pressure.
• Anal itching (pruritus).

If you develop anal dysplasia, your healthcare provider may perform a procedure called chromoendoscopy to find and destroy any abnormal tissue. During this procedure, your healthcare provider uses an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube that lets them see inside of your gastrointestinal tract) and stains or dyes that make it easier to see when tissue is abnormal.