External beam radiotherapy ± chemotherapy in the treatment of anal canal cancer: a single-institute long-term experience on 100 patients

Cancer Invest. 2014 Jul;32(6):248-55. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2014.907420. Epub 2014 Apr 25.

Abstract

One-hundred patients treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) ± chemotherapy (CT) for an anal canal carcinoma (T1-4N0-3M0) were retrospectively analyzed. Five- and 10-year local control (LC) rates were 73% and 67%, respectively. Acute and late G3-G4 toxicity rates were 32% and 12%, respectively. Two patients underwent a colostomy for a G4 anal toxicity. This study confirms the outcomes of RT ± CT in the treatment of anal canal cancer. Concomitant CT and LC statistically influenced Overall Survival and Colostomy-Free Survival. CT also statistically reduced the risk of nodal relapse. High rates of acute skin toxicity impose tailored volumes and techniques of irradiation.

Keywords: Anal cancer; Chemotherapy; Local control; Radiochemotherapy; Radiotherapy; Toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Anus Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil