[The treatment plan for squamous cell anal canal carcinoma]

The current treatment plan for squamous cell anal canal carcinoma using chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is becoming more standardized. We use CRT rather than surgery to select the appropriate treatment. We experienced 4 patients treated with abdominoperineal resection(APR), of which 1 underwent adjuvant CRT. We also experienced 3 patients treated with radiotherapy(RT) and 2 treated with CRT. A patient treated with RT underwent APR because of radiation colitis. RT and CRT are advantageous for quality of life and are expected to be effective for controlling the disease. We hope that the standard treatment plan for anal cancer in Japan will be determined on the basis of histological features.