Induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy in loco-regionally advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of induction chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy for treatment of loco-regionally advanced epidermoid anal carcinoma.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients diagnosed during the period 1989-1994 with loco-regionally advanced cancer of the anal canal (phiTmax > or = 4 cm or T4 or N+) were treated with induction chemotherapy consisting of one to three courses of carboplatin (300-375 mg/m2 i.v.) and 5-fluorouracil [5,000 mg/(m2 x 120 h) i.v.] followed by external beam irradiation +/- surgery.


RESULTS
The toxicity of the chemotherapy was low. Twenty-nine patients were tumor free after the primary therapy. Kaplan-Meier analyses were made for overall survival, tumor-specific survival, freedom from recurrence, preservation of sphincter, and event-free survival. For these end points the 5-year data were 67, 85, 80, 69, and 51%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are promising but a well-designed randomized trial is needed to further elucidate the role of induction chemotherapy in the treatment of loco-regionally advanced anal carcinoma.
Svensson
C
C
The Oncological Department of Southern Stockholm, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Goldman
S
S
Friberg
B
B
Glimelius
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012074:Remission Induction
D016190:Carboplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil