Cancer of the anal canal: treatment with chemotherapy and low-dose radiation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a standardized protocol of chemotherapy and low-dose radiation therapy in treatment of patients with anal canal cancer.


METHODS
Forty-two consecutive patients with anal canal cancer were treated with 15 fractions of 30-Gy photon beam radiation therapy administered anteroposterior-posteroanterior in conjunction with chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. Survival analysis was performed with the lifetest procedure.


RESULTS
In patients with stage T1 and T2 tumors, 26 of 29 (90%) were free of disease after chemotherapy and radiation therapy and had no recurrent tumors. In patients with stage T3 and T4 tumors, five of 13 (38%) were free of disease after therapy and had no recurrences.


CONCLUSIONS
This therapy is effective for epidermoid cancers of the anal canal that are smaller than 5 cm regardless of nodal status. Tumors larger than this or that invade adjacent structures are not adequately controlled with this protocol.
Smith
D E
DE
Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Shah
K H
KH
Rao
A R
AR
Frost
D B
DB
Latino
F
F
Anderson
P J
PJ
Peddada
A V
AV
Kagan
A R
AR
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy
D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil