Anal Cancer etc.

[Guest guest]

I don't seem to be able to find the original post about " Get your Butt

Checked " . The thread seems to start in the middle of a discussion about

HPV and AIN, and various other acronyms thrown around that I don't

understand.

Can someone explain the basics of this disease and what we're supposed

to look for? What is dysplasia? What are the symptoms of HPV, AIN, and

anal cancer? I looked at the American Cancer Society site, but it too

seems to presuppose a lot of knowledge.

In short, for us Poz folks who have no symptoms we know of (I don't

actually know the symptoms) -- what should we do?

[Guest guest]

People with HIV and less than normal immune systems are more likely to develop cancers of many types.

Rectal cancer is one of these and is caused by a common virus. If it infects rectal tissue for a long period of time it changes the appearance of this tissue, prior to becoming cancerous. But only your Doctor can see this with a special contrast solution. People who have HIV should have these inspections periodically. Probably the best type is called a High Resolution Anoscopy.

>> I don't seem to be able to find the original post about "Get your Butt > Checked". The thread seems to start in the middle of a discussion about > HPV and AIN, and various other acronyms thrown around that I don't > understand.> Can someone explain the basics of this disease and what we're supposed > to look for? What is dysplasia? What are the symptoms of HPV, AIN, and > anal cancer? I looked at the American Cancer Society site, but it too > seems to presuppose a lot of knowledge.> In short, for us Poz folks who have no symptoms we know of (I don't > actually know the symptoms) -- what should we do?>

[Guest guest]

People with HIV and less than normal immune systems are more likely to develop cancers of many types.

Rectal cancer is one of these and is caused by a common virus. If it infects rectal tissue for a long period of time it changes the appearance of this tissue, prior to becoming cancerous. But only your Doctor can see this with a special contrast solution. People who have HIV should have these inspections periodically. Probably the best type is called a High Resolution Anoscopy.

>> I don't seem to be able to find the original post about "Get your Butt > Checked". The thread seems to start in the middle of a discussion about > HPV and AIN, and various other acronyms thrown around that I don't > understand.> Can someone explain the basics of this disease and what we're supposed > to look for? What is dysplasia? What are the symptoms of HPV, AIN, and > anal cancer? I looked at the American Cancer Society site, but it too > seems to presuppose a lot of knowledge.> In short, for us Poz folks who have no symptoms we know of (I don't > actually know the symptoms) -- what should we do?>

[Guest guest]

I guess some members of our group have gotten a bit carried away about trimming away email strings of related posts. "HPV" is human papiloma virus, the virus that is believed to be responsible for all warts, including anal warts, as well as anal dysplasia, also called anal intraepithelial neoplasia, or AIN for short, and anal cancer. A majority of gay men are infected with HPV, and a much higher percentage of HIV+ men and women are likely to be infected, and should be screened for dysplasia. A search of the Pozhealth archives using search terms "butt" or "anal" should bring up dozens of postings on the subject. Perhaps an easier way to learn about these terms would be to explore the website created by the UCSF Anal Neoplasia Treatment and Research Group, one of the leading centers in the research and treatment of anal cancers and its presumed precursors. Here is a link to their website, which was

created recently and should be up to date. http://www.analcancerinfo.ucsf.edu/ They have promised to add a list of doctors they have trained around the country in the techniques of diagnosing and treating anal dysplasia. petrus7136 <adalbert@...> wrote: I don't seem to be able to find the original post about "Get your Butt Checked". The thread seems to start in the middle of a discussion about HPV and AIN, and

various other acronyms thrown around that I don't understand.Can someone explain the basics of this disease and what we're supposed to look for? What is dysplasia? What are the symptoms of HPV, AIN, and anal cancer? I looked at the American Cancer Society site, but it too seems to presuppose a lot of knowledge.In short, for us Poz folks who have no symptoms we know of (I don't actually know the symptoms) -- what should we do?