Treatment of cancer of the anal canal. Description of technique and results of radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy

Retrospective study in a non-selected population (1988 - 2016)

Abstract

Introduction: cancer of the anal canal accounts for approximately 2 to 3% of all digestive neoplasms. Nigro described the conservative treatment of cancer of the anal canal using radiation and chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin-C (MMC). Since then, this is the standard therapy.
Objective: to describe the technique used in our service and its results in the locoregional follow up of cancer of the anal canal.
Method: descriptive, longitudinal, retrospective. The medical history of 72 consecutive patients with no exclusions, who were carriers of cancer of the anal canal were analysed between 1988 and 2016. 67% underwent radiation and chemotherapy and 33% only radiation therapy due to specific medical contraindications. All cases were comprehensively studied and no interruption of treatments were planned. Mandatory interruptions were from 1 to 17 days long and average length was 3 days. Severe reactions were moderate and no late complications were seen. All patients underwent locoregional radiation therapy.
Results: local control in N0 was 86% in T1 and T2 versus 42% in T3 and T4 after 6 years p=0,01 meaningful.
Conclusions: radiation therapy with the technique used in our service is effective to treat cancer of the anal