Related Experiment Videos
Is total colonic evaluation for anal cancer necessary?
H J Wasvary1, D C Barkel, S N Klein
1Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA.
The American Surgeon
|July 11, 2000
Summary
Routine total colonic evaluation is not necessary for patients with anal cancer. Most patients had normal colonoscopies, and no synchronous colorectal cancers were found, suggesting anal cancer is not a risk factor for colorectal cancer.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
Background:
- Anal cancer patients often undergo colonic evaluations.
- The necessity of total colonic evaluation in this population remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the necessity of total colonic evaluation in patients diagnosed with anal cancer.
- To determine if anal cancer increases the risk of synchronous colorectal malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 69 anal cancer patients treated between 1973 and 1998.
- Analysis of colonic evaluation findings (barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy).
Main Results:
- 85% of patients had normal colonic evaluations.
- 15% of patients had polyps (adenomatous or hyperplastic); no synchronous colorectal malignancies were identified.
- Common anal pathologies included squamous cell carcinoma (72%) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (15%).
Conclusions:
- Total colonic evaluation is not routinely indicated for anal cancer patients.
- Standard colorectal cancer screening guidelines are appropriate for this patient group.
- Anal cancer does not appear to be an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer.