There are two types of surgery used to remove anal cancer. Your operation will depend on the size and position of your cancer. A local resection is used to remove small tumors and some of the surrounding tissue. This can only be done if your anal sphincter won't be affected by the surgery. This surgery usually doesn't affect your ability to pass a bowel movement. Alternatively, your anus, rectum and part of your bowel can be removed- an abdominoperineal resection. Without your rectum and anus you can't pass a bowel movement so the end of your bowel is brought out onto the skin (a colostomy) and the opening of your bowel is called a stoma. You will wear a bag over the stoma to collect faeces outside your body. After a while people with colostomies are able to live normal lives.
Attribution: BUPA