Anal Cancer Market

Market Overview

The global anal cancer market size was valued at USD 842.07 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 1,309.58 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.03% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The surging incidence of anal cancer and its risk factors worldwide is driving the global anal cancer market. Anal cancer is rare in the younger population demographic and is more prevalent in the elderly population. An increase in the geriatric population worldwide increases the chances of more people who have anal cancer, thereby boosting the global market. Moreover, ongoing clinical research and trials to develop effective and enhanced drugs and treatment for anal cancer is creating opportunities for market expansion.

Anal cancer is an uncommon form of cancer that affects the anal canal, the narrow channel located at the distal end of the rectum through which stool can pass. The anal canal is located between the rectum and the anus. Squamous cell carcinomas, which originate in the squamous cells lining the anus, comprise the majority of anal cancers. Anal cancer risk factors include receptive anal intercourse, a compromised immune system, and infection with specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Additionally, a history of specific sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and smoking can heighten the risk. The presence of anal bleeding, anal discomfort or pressure, discharge or itching, alterations in bowel habits, and the development of masses or lumps near the anus characterizes anal cancer. Anal cancer may be managed through a combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgical intervention, or both, contingent upon the disease's stage and site.

Market Dynamics

Global Anal Cancer Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Anal Cancer

Anal cancer is a potentially severe medical issue. The incidence of anal cancer has been surging worldwide. According to the GLOBOCAN report, 50,865 new cases of anal cancer were reported globally in the year 2020. In addition, according to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime incidence rate of anal cancer is around 1 in 500. Furthermore, the annual incidence of mortality attributed to anal cancer has demonstrated a progressive trend. For instance, according to GLOBOCAN, 19,293 individuals died of anal cancer in the year 2020.

Furthermore, individuals with specific risk factors for anal cancer are at an elevated risk. Squamous cell anal cancers are predominantly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection contributes to about 5% of all cancer cases globally. It is estimated that annually, over 625,600 women and 69,400 men develop cancer attributed to HPV infection. Thus, the rising cases of risk factors also increase the risk of developing anal cancers, which is expected to drive the growth of the global anal cancer market.

Rising Geriatric Population

Anal cancer is uncommon in individuals under the age of 35, and it primarily affects older adults, with a mean age of onset typically observed in the early 60s. The fall in fertility rates and increased life expectancy have resulted in an aging population. Almost every country in the world is experiencing growth in the geriatric population.

As per the United Nations Report, in 2022, the global populace aged 65 years and over reached 771 million, representing approximately 10% of the global population. Projections indicate that it is anticipated to reach a pace of 16% by the year 2050 and is further forecast to escalate to 24% by the year 2100. Thus, an increase in the global geriatric population increases the risk of individuals who have anal cancer, which is expected to propel the global market.

Global Anal Cancer Market Restraint

Stringent Regulatory Approvals

Stringent regulatory requirements and a lengthy approval process for new drugs or therapies can slow the introduction of innovative treatments, limiting patient options. For instance, in July 2021, Incyte Corporation obtained a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA about its Biologics License Application (BLA) for retifanlimab, an intravenous PD-1 inhibitor intended to treat adult patients with metastatic or locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) who have progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy or are intolerant to it.

The complete response letter informs the applicant that the FDA cannot approve the application under its current state. In line with the recommendation the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee put forth on June 24, 2021, the FDA has concluded that further evidence is required to establish the clinical efficacy of retifanlimab in treating patients afflicted with advanced or metastatic SCAC. Thus, the stringent regulatory approvals are anticipated to hinder the market expansion.

Global Anal Cancer Market Opportunities

Ongoing Clinical Trials and Research

There has been a surge in ongoing clinical trials and research studies that contribute to the development of new drugs and treatment approaches for anal cancer. Physician-scientist Jordan Kharofa, MD, of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, has been investigating improved anal cancer treatments for nearly a decade. Over five weeks, anal cancer is treated with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. It may cause skin and bowel irritation, urinary tract disturbances, sexual dysfunction, hip fractures, and chronic gastrointestinal issues, among other complications.

In September 2023, Kharofa, with the assistance of Ride Cincinnati, a non-profit bike organization that raises funds for cancer research and care, stated that it is conducting a clinical trial to reduce medication adverse effects and improve outcomes for patients with anal cancer. The research will ascertain whether reducing the radiation dose administered to a healthy lymph node in a patient with anal cancer leads to a decrease in adverse effects. Cancer patients enrolled at the University of California, Ohio State University, Case Western University, and the University of Vermont will participate in the study for up to three years after completing treatment. Positive results from these studies can create opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global anal cancer market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global anal cancer market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The North American anal cancer market is mainly boosted by the increasing prevalence of anal cancer in the region. For instance, in the United States, the number of new anal cancer cases has been increasing over the past several years. The American Cancer Society projects that approximately 9,760 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with anal cancer in 2023 (3,180 men and 6,580 women). An approximate total of 1,870 fatalities (860 male and 1,010 female) are attributed to this ailment within the United States in 2023.

Moreover, cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in North America, especially in the U.S. For instance, according to the CDC, in 2021, nearly 12 out of every 100 adults aged 18 or older in the United States (11.5 percent) smoked cigarettes. This indicates that approximately 28.3 million adults presently engage in cigarette smoking in the United States. More than sixteen million Americans are afflicted with a disease caused by smoking. As smoking increases the risk of anal cancer, the surge in smoking drives the regional market.

Furthermore, research and development efforts for the treatment of anal cancer are the primary focus of market leaders in this region, which is anticipated to propel the expansion of the North American market throughout the forecast period. For instance, in October 2016, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts, and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a pharmaceutical company based in the United States, commenced a phase II clinical trial to assess the therapeutic utility of Pembrolizumab (potential), a monoclonal antibody drug produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., in the context of advanced anal cancer.

The Asia-Pacific region is estimated to exhibit a significant rate. Increasing disposable income, improving healthcare infrastructure, and rising consumer awareness will likely be key market drivers in the Asia-Pacific region. The surging geriatric population in the region is further contributing to market expansion. For instance, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP), The rate of population aging in the Asia-Pacific area surpasses that of any other global region. The global population comprises around 630 million individuals who are 60 or older, accounting for 60% of the total older population worldwide. According to projections, the global population is expected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050. Therefore, a surge in the geriatric population increases the risk of anal cancer, which is anticipated to boost the Asia-Pacific market.

Segmental Analysis

The global anal cancer market is bifurcated into cancer type, treatment type, and end-user.

Based on cancer type, the global market is segmented into carcinoma in situ, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and others. 

Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer that can potentially develop in a multitude of bodily tissues, such as the anus, lungs, esophagus, mouth, and other organs. It originates from the epithelium, the tissue that lines hollow organs and comprises the surface of the epidermis, which contains squamous cells—thin, flat cells. Depending on the precise site of the cancer, squamous cell carcinoma may be associated with smoking, chronic inflammation or irritation, exposure to particular substances, or infections with particular viruses.

Symptoms and signs of squamous cell carcinoma may differ according to its origin; however, typical characteristics may comprise an enduring, scaly red patch, an elevated growth accompanied by a central depression, or an unhealing wound. Treatment and early detection are crucial for improving the prognosis.

Based on treatment type, the global anal cancer market is bifurcated into chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. 

The chemotherapy segment is the highest contributor to the market. Chemotherapy is a medical intervention that targets rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, with drugs to eliminate or impede their proliferation. Although the principal objective of chemotherapy is to eradicate cancer cells from the entire body, it may also impact rapidly dividing, healthy, normal cells, including those found in the digestive tract, hair follicles, and bone marrow. This may result in a multitude of adverse effects.

Chemotherapy is frequently used to treat systemic cancer, which means that cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body can be reached via its circulation. It is frequently administered alongside other cancer therapies, including radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery, the specifics of which vary according to the cancer type and stage.

Based on end-user, the global anal cancer market is bifurcated into hospitals and clinics, research and academic institutes, and others.

Hospitals and clinics hold a significant share of the anal cancer market, as most treatment is done in hospitals. Moreover, the growing number of hospitals across developing countries positively impacts the growth of this segment. For instance, as per the American Hospital Association Annual Survey 2021, in the United States, there were 1,805 rural community hospitals, 3,336 urban community hospitals, and 3,453 community hospitals in a system in 2019. In addition, total admissions in all United States hospitals were around 36,241,815 in 2019. Effective reimbursement policies offered in hospitals in certain countries around the world, which ease the medical cost burden on the patient, contribute to the growth of the hospital and clinic segment.

Recent Developments

• August 2023- Taiho Oncology, Inc. and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. jointly declared today that LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) received approval from the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). These patients had previously undergone chemotherapy based on fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and an anti-EGFR therapy if RAS wild-type.
• November 2023- Eli Lilly, an American pharmaceutical corporation, announced that it plans to build a new manufacturing facility in western Germany with an estimated investment of 2 billion euros (USD 2.17 billion).