Is the probability of anal fistula turning into cancer high?

Written by Yang Dong

Colorectal Surgery Department

Updated on September 17, 2024

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An anal fistula, formed due to an anal gland infection, carries a higher risk of malignant transformation if the infection and inflammation are recurrent and persistent, particularly over a long period exceeding five years. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that anal fistulas exceeding five years should be given sufficient attention and surgical treatment should be pursued promptly to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

52sec

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Can colitis cause anal fistula?

If it is chronic colitis, it is possible to cause anal fistulas. Most patients with chronic colitis have symptoms of unformed stools and loose feces. Some feces, which are relatively thin, tend to accumulate in the anal crypts, leading to infection of the anal glands in these areas. The inflammation then spreads to the normal soft tissues around the anus, including subcutaneous tissues, forming perianal abscesses. If a perianal abscess ruptures or is surgically incised to release pus, the external opening and the pus cavity gradually heal and narrow, thus forming an anal fistula. If chronic colitis is diagnosed, it should be promptly diagnosed and treated to prevent the formation of anal fistula.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

48sec

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What should I do about an anal fistula?

Anal fistula is a disease that occurs when repeated infections in the anal crypts extend to the surface of the skin around the anus. Once formed, there are typical fistula tracts with both internal and external openings. Simple anti-inflammatory drug treatments can only relieve the symptoms of inflammation during the acute phase of an anal fistula. For the fistula tracts themselves, these treatments do not completely cure the condition. It is recommended that patients with an anal fistula undergo a fistulotomy as soon as they are diagnosed. Through surgery, the fistula tract and its walls can be completely excised, completely removing the local lesion, thereby further accelerating the regrowth of fresh granulation tissue locally.

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Written by Yang Dong

Colorectal Surgery Department

24sec

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Is the probability of anal fistula turning into cancer high?

An anal fistula, formed due to an anal gland infection, carries a higher risk of malignant transformation if the infection and inflammation are recurrent and persistent, particularly over a long period exceeding five years. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that anal fistulas exceeding five years should be given sufficient attention and surgical treatment should be pursued promptly to prevent malignancy.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

1min

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When will the anal fistula seton fall off?

After the diagnosis of an anal fistula, it is necessary to perform surgery on the anal fistula as soon as possible. The main surgical method for anal fistula is the fistulotomy with seton placement, which uses an elastic band to indirectly cut the local sphincter. The time for the elastic band to fall off mainly depends on the amount of sphincter involved and the depth of the anal fistula location. If it is a simple anal fistula, the band typically falls off about a week after placement. For high, complex fistulas, or if multiple elastic bands are used, the time may extend to ten or even twelve days. If the band does not fall off after the surgery, and the local sphincter has regenerated, a professional colorectal surgeon can cut the band. However, it is important to ensure that the local sphincter is not damaged before proceeding.

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Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

54sec

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What are the symptoms of anal fistula?

An anal fistula generally refers to a tract left behind after an anal abscess bursts on its own or is surgically opened. It usually consists of a primary internal opening and a secondary external opening. The main clinical manifestations, or primary symptoms, are: The first is discharge of pus, which occurs due to recurrent infections in the anal fistula; The second is pain. When the external opening is closed, the pus inside cannot drain properly, or when drainage is poor, this leads to accumulation of pus in the fistula tract, causing localized pain; The third is itching. Continuous irritation of the skin around the external opening by pus draining from the fistula tract can cause itching around the anus and may lead to symptoms like anal eczema.