[Radiochemotherapy in anal canal epidermoid cancer]

Epidermoid anal canal carcinomas are radio- and chemosensitive tumors. Within a few decades, conservative treatment has replaced mutilating surgery as standard therapeutic practice. Exclusive high-dose radiotherapy remains the standard treatment of early stages T1-T2 N0 smaller than 4 cm. Three phase III trials demonstrated the benefits of combined chemotherapy and irradiation on the local efficacy and colostomy-free survival. Mitomycin C and 5 FU were delivered on weeks 1 and 5 of the irradiation. Concomitant 5 FU and CDDP regimen and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated on phase II trials. Ongoing intensification phase III trials are described.