Anal margin cancer: current situation and ongoing trials

To summarize the current treatment approach in managing anal margin cancer and to discuss potential emerging new strategies.

The management of anal margin cancer has been evolving over the past three decades. The treatment paradigm has been shifted from radical surgical resection to an organ-preservation approach. Multimodality strategies incorporating radiation or even chemoradiation are frequently considered in some cases. However, because of the rarity of the disease, the disease frequently remains an overlooked topic. At present, there is no prospective trial addressing the best clinical management of the disease.

The clinical course of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal margin is very different from that of the anal canal. The biology of anal margin cancer has not been actively explored and fully understood. There is a need to formulate a consensus approach for the clinical management of the disease. In addition, incorporation of new therapeutics in this disease especially in those with advanced stages should be explored.