Epidermoid carcinoma of the anus

Twenty five patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the anus, representing 1.5% of all large bowel malignancies, were seen over a 33 year period. Most patients presented with an advanced lesion which gave rise to a fungating mass, bleeding or pain. Nearly all patients who received either palliative irradiation or refused treatment died within a year of diagnosis. Abdominoperineal resection in 12 patients yielded an encouraging five year survival rate of 68.5%. Therapeutic groin node dissection performed on six occasions led to only one late recurrence. The surgical literature on sphincter saving local excision and therapeutic radiotherapy is reviewed. Currently, radical resection remains the most appropriate treatment for the majority of patients with epidermoid anal cancer.