Primary radiation therapy in the treatment of anal canal carcinoma

Abstract

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 51 patients with primary anal canal carcinoma who were treated by radiation therapy, with surgery being reserved for those with residual carcinoma. The 5-yr uncorrected survival rate was 59%; the corrected survival rate was 71%. The primary tumor was controlled by radiation alone in 29 of 51 patients (57%) and by subsequent radical surgery in 8 of 10 patients. Abnormal lymph nodes were controlled by radiation alone in 8 of 10 patients. Only 3 of 29 patients required surgery for complications associated with radiation in the absence of persistent tumor. Of long-term survivors, 77% (23 of 30) did not require colostomy and retained anal continenece. Modern radiation therapy techniques are well tolerated and are an effective method of treating carcinoma of the anal canal.