[Treatment of advanced anal cancer]

Anal carcinoma affects between 30 and 40 Norwegians every year. The disease is twice as frequent in women as in men. It is usually located in the anal canal only, and is cured by a combination treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Metastatic anal carcinoma has a poor prognosis. We present two such cases. 5-fluorouracil in combination with cisplatin or mitomycin C can give responses even in advanced cases. Radiotherapy may also be of value. In view of the difference between norwegian clinics in the treatment of anal carcinoma, there would appear to be a need of a Scandinavian or international study based on standardized treatment.