Analysis of Result of Primary Treatment of Anal Cancer

Choi, Dong Lak; Yu, Chang Sik; Kim, Jin Cheon; Kim, Jong Hoon

Abstract

Anal cancer is a relatively rare disease to supply consistent therapeutic modality. We analysed 18 anal cancer patients treated from 1989 to 1996 at the Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, to evaluate two categories of the treatment e.g. initial surgery followed by radiochemotherapy and radiochemotherapy Preceding surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the advantage and pitfall of both therapeutic options. Among 18 patients presenting with carcinoma of the anus, the dominant histologic type was squamous followed by cloacogenic and verrucous carcinoma, 72%, 17%, 11% respectively According to the staging system of AJCC/UICC, T1 and T2 were 12 patients, NO were 7 patients. According to the treatment options, abdominoperineal resection preceding radiochemotherapy were performed in 8 patients, Whereas surgery after radiochemo-therapy were in 10 patients. Among the 8 patient with prior surgery, two patients developed recurrent disease and one patient was dead. Among the 10 patient with prior radiochemotherapy, two patients developed recurrent disease and two patients were dead. Histological differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma was significantly related with survival. The metachronous lymph nodes metastasis showed poorer prognosis than the synchronous metastasis. Radiochemotherapy shoud be considered as primary therapy of anal cancer that obviated wide excision sacrificing anorectal function.