Cancer is a public health challenge in India, with experts warning that one in nine people are likely to develop the deadly disease in their lifetime. While lung and breast cancer have been the leading cancer sites in both men and women, there are some rare cancers that require significant attention.

Doctors say these invisible threats are on the rise in India – due to the huge population, primarily due to limited awareness, diagnostic barriers and limited treatment options.

What are the rare cancers?,

According to doctors, rare cancers refer to those that have a low incidence rate, typically affecting less than 6 per 100,000 persons annually or possibly 3 people per 100,000 population in countries like India. where the relative incidence of cancer is low. Statistics say that more than 200 types of rare cancers have been identified, which affect various organs and tissues throughout your body.

Notably, despite being individually rare, rare tumors overall account for more than 20 percent of the total cancer burden – equivalent to any common cancer and requiring increased attention.

Top Rare Cancers in India

anal cancer

Also known as anal canal carcinoma, this uncommon cancer develops in the tissue of your anus, or the lining of the anal canal. According to experts, it is a gastrointestinal cancer that becomes incurable once it becomes metastatic, while treatment can increase survival time and provide relief from symptoms.

Statistics say that around 7,000 new cases of anal cancer are reported annually in India. If detected timely, the survival rate is 91 percent.

Signs and symptoms of anal cancer include:

• constant itching in your anus
• rectal bleeding
• a lump or mass
• Pain
• Notice changes in your bowel movements, such as stool frequency or consistency
• stool leakage
• feeling a constant need to defecate

Even though doctors aren’t sure what causes anal cancer, most anal cancer cases are linked to some type of human papillomavirus, or HPV.

eye melanoma

Ocular melanoma is a rare type of eye cancer that starts in the uveal tract and affects about 5 people per million adults per year in India. Doctors say that ocular melanoma — which is highly aggressive and often grows in the skin — develops in melanocytes, which are cells that make melanin.

According to experts, even though ocular melanoma doesn’t show any signs or symptoms at first, when it starts to develop it can look similar to other, less serious conditions. Some of these include:

• change in pupil size or shape
• Changes in the position of the eyeball or movements within the socket
• eyes that are bulging
• Growing dark spot on the iris
• sensation of flashing lights or floaters
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision or losing part of your field of vision

salivary gland cancer

This extremely rare cancer develops in your salivary glands – organs in your mouth and throat that produce saliva. In India, it affects 1 in 100,000 adults and if it is confined to the salivary glands, it is curable with a five-year survival rate of 95 percent.

While anyone can get salivary gland cancer, men are more likely to develop malignant salivary gland tumors. You are more likely to develop cancer in your salivary glands if you:

1. are 55 or older
2. frequent smoking or drinking alcohol
3. You have received radiation therapy to your head or neck

Some signs and symptoms include:

• weakness or numbness in your face
• constant pain in your face
• difficulty opening one’s mouth fully
• trouble swallowing
• your mouth is bleeding

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma or FLC is a rare type of liver cancer that primarily affects young adults and teenagers, often occurring in people with healthy livers. According to doctors, this terrible disease is characterized by distinctive microscopic features, including layers of fibrous tissue interspersed between the tumor cells, giving it a “lamellar” appearance.

Doctors say that the average period of survival after diagnosis of this cancer is 6-20 months.

Signs and symptoms of this cancer include:

• stomach ache
• nausea
• vomit
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• Jaundice
• anaplastic thyroid cancer

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