Step 1: Histology of a tumour follows the epithelium from which it springs. The lower anal canal carries squamous mucosa.
Step 2: Consequently the dominant malignancy at this site is squamous cell carcinoma, which arises in that squamous lining.
Step 3: Basal cell carcinoma ranks second and malignant melanoma is another recognised but uncommon anal tumour.
Step 4: Adenocarcinoma is characteristic of the glandular colorectal mucosa rather than the anal canal, so it is the wrong choice here.
\[\boxed{\text{Squamous cell carcinoma}}\]