Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital: A local experience

Ganessan Kichenadasse, Jasiah Zakaria, David J. Rodda, Peter J. Hewett, Nicholas A. Rieger, Jacqueline H. Stephens, Ken Pittman, Kevin Patterson, Martin Borg, Timothy J. Price

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal. We describe our experience of treating such patients at our center. Methods: Patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with a uniform sphincter preserving protocol at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia. Standard radiotherapy along with 5-fluorouracil (750 mg/m2 on days 1-5 and days 29-32) and mitomycin C (12mg/m2 on day 1 only) was given to eligible patients. Results: Of the 34 patients included in this study, nearly 60% were women. Most (89.3%) had T1-2 disease. One-third had nodal involvement. Twenty-seven had chemoradiotherapy, six had local excision alone and one had radiotherapy alone. Among those who had chemoradiation, 71.5% had a complete response and remained colostomy free until the last follow-up. Most completed the treatment without major side-effects. The 3 and 5-year disease free survival rate was 62% and 53%, respectively. All patients who failed chemoradiation underwent salvage surgery with a median survival time of 32.5months. Conclusion: Sphincter preservation is the goal for anal cancers. Chemoradiotherapy is an important modality to achieve this goal.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)214-218
Number of pages5
JournalAsia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Dec 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

Cite this