title: Treatment options in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal is a rare malignancy that is often cured with the combined modality therapy of chemoradiation. Yet, a minority of patients will develop distant metastatic disease, an area of oncology in which a universally accepted approach has not been determined. Consideration of platinum-based systemic chemotherapy is commonly provided for palliation with the optimal duration of therapy being largely unknown; the role of biologics and/or surgical resection of metastatic disease are anecdotal. Patients with no contraindications to systemic chemotherapy should be treated aggressively with consideration of multidisciplinary management if appropriate. Here, we present a summary of the existing literature in the treatment of metastatic anal carcinoma in the hopes of providing insight and potential treatment alternatives for the practicing physician.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 426, Houston, TX 77030, USA. ceng@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pathak
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016685:Mitomycin; D016190:Carboplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil