[Anal cancer. A review]

The article contains a brief review of anal carcinoma. Biopsy and histopathological examinations are extremely important to ensure correct diagnosis, as there is a great therapeutic difference between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in this region. Primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is chemoradiotherapy, while surgery is second line treatment. This regimen gives excellent locoregional tumour control with 70% long-time survival. The most serious problem now is the the development of distant metastases. The main diagnostic procedure, both for primary tumours and local relapses, is well performed digital anal palpitation. A Norwegian standard protocol for anal carcinoma has been prepared to ensure good quality diagnostic procedures, therapy and follow-up in these patients.