Can a twenty-year anal fistula turn into cancer?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on March 08, 2025
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Firstly, anal fistulas can become cancerous. Statistical data show that the probability of malignant transformation in anal fistulas is 1/1000, and such transformations are relatively rare in clinical practice. However, anal fistulas can change, but the timing of malignant transformation varies. Generally, the longer the duration of an anal fistula, the higher the chance of it becoming cancerous. The factors contributing to this transformation typically include chronic inflammation, long-term irritation, bacterial infection, and stimulation from medications, all of which can lead to cancerous changes.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 11sec home-news-image

What are the consequences of not treating anal fistulas?

Since an anal fistula is caused by the infection and inflammation of the anal glands, it connects the rectum or anal canal with the skin around the anus, forming repeated abscesses, pain, and discharge of pus and blood around the anus. If an anal fistula is not treated, more fistula tracts will develop over time, and more of the muscles around the anus will become infected. This can even lead to high, complex anal fistulas, making surgical treatment later on more difficult and could easily lead to anal incontinence. Also, if an anal fistula is left untreated for a long time, there is the possibility of malignant transformation. Therefore, in clinical practice, it is recommended to undertake surgical treatment for anal fistulas as early as possible. The surgery for an anal fistula mainly involves the removal of the internal opening and the fistula tract, which is essential for a complete cure. Postoperatively, it is necessary to persist in changing dressings to avoid infection or pseudohealing at the wound site. Moreover, patients should be mindful of their diet.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What should be paid attention to for anal fistula?

Patients with anal fistula, as there is an external opening in the anal region and intermittent thick secretion from this opening, should first ensure to keep the perianal area clean. It is recommended to change underwear daily and to cleanse the area after bowel movements with saline or hemorrhoid wash, and to conduct fumigation and hot compresses around the perianal area and the external opening to prevent irritation and even sharp pain caused by residual feces and secretions. Furthermore, during acute episodes of anal fistula, mupirocin ointment can be applied around the external opening for anti-inflammatory treatment. The definitive surgery for anal fistula primarily involves fistulotomy with seton placement. Without surgery, an anal fistula cannot be completely cured and may lead to worsened conditions such as thickening of the fistula wall or increased branching of the fistula channels.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 15sec home-news-image

Are hemorrhoids the same as anal fistulas?

Hemorrhoids and anal fistulas are two completely different diseases. Clinically, hemorrhoids can be divided into mixed hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids, and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are often characterized by intermittent, painless rectal bleeding, while external hemorrhoids primarily cause symptoms such as a foreign body sensation in the anus and itching. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, if the condition severely affects the patient's normal life, surgical treatment can be considered, such as external peeling and internal ligation surgery, and internal hemorrhoid banding. Anal fistulas are mainly due to perianal abscesses that rupture spontaneously or are incised and drained, subsequently forming an anal fistula, which causes the patient to experience recurrent perianal swelling pain and pus and bloody discharge. Treatment for anal fistulas can only be surgical, and early surgical intervention tends to result in relatively fast postoperative recovery. The surgery mainly involves the removal of the internal opening and the fistula tract, followed by diligent postoperative dressing changes to promote wound healing.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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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 Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Can anal fistulas be contagious?

An anal fistula is a pathological channel that forms a connection between the anal canal, rectum, and the skin around the anus. It primarily develops from an infection causing a perirectal abscess around the rectal anal canal. These infections are generally purulent, with a smaller number due to tuberculosis. Other specific infections, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, can also lead to anal fistulas. Generally, such infections are caused by Escherichia coli, leading to purulent infections; tuberculosis can be contagious, but generally, it is not infectious or contagious.