Epidermoid cancer of the anus

✍ Scribed by M. J. Greenall; S. H. Q. Quan; Dr. J. J. Decosse

• Book ID: 102770679
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 870 KB
• Volume: 72
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-1323
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.1800721350

✦ Synopsis

Anal epidermoid cancer is a rare tumour, being 20 to 30 times less common than colorectal cancer. In the past, most patients have been treated by local excision or abdominoperineal resection of the tumour. However, it is now apparent that anal cancer is sensitive to both irradiation and a variety of chemotherapeutic agents which may modify the role of traditional surgical treatments.

The management of anal cancer is controversial. Most data are derived from small, retrospective studies that use a variety of pathological classifications and staging systems. Some also combine their results with those for other types of anal tumour such as melanoma, adenocarcinoma and sarcoma. Most important, however, is failure to differentiate epidermoid cancer arising in the anal canal from that of the anal margin. Tumours at these two different sites differ in their clinical presentation, pathological features, treatment and prognosis.

In this paper we review the pathological and clinical features of epidermoid anal cancer. Tumours in the canal are distinguished from those at the margin. The results of various treatments are analysed and a therapeutic approach based on current data is recommended.