Anal cancer

Combined modality treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, and conservative surgery controls most epidermoid cancers of the anal canal and advanced squamous cell cancers of the perianal skin. Anorectal function is preserved in about 70% of patients or more. Five-year survival rates are similar to those previously obtained with radical surgery or radical radiation therapy. The cytotoxic drugs 5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin C are frequently given concurrently with radiation, but other effective regimens have also been described. The mechanisms of interaction of radiation and cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of anal cancer are not known.