Anal Cancer by AJCC v9 Stage

**Semantic type:** Neoplastic Process

**Definition:** A term that refers to the staging of anal cancer according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 9th edition. This staging system applies to all carcinomas arising in the anal canal, including high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma), carcinomas that arise within anorectal fistulas, and those arising in the perianal area. This staging system does not apply to sarcomas (they are staged according to the classification for soft tissue sarcomas of the abdomen and thoracic visceral organs), mucosal melanomas of the anus (no AJCC staging system), and well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (no AJCC staging system). Premalignant lesions [i.e., LSIL, HSIL, anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), Paget's disease, Bowen's disease] are not part of the AJCC system. (from AJCC 9th Ed.)

**Synonyms:** - Anal Canal and Perianal (Anal Margin) Carcinoma by AJCC v9 Stage - Anal Carcinoma by AJCC v9 Stage