title: Anal cancer with cerebral metastasis: a case report.
abstract: Carcinoma of the anal canal is a relatively rare cancer with a low propensity for metastasis. A literature review identifies two cases of brain metastases from anal cancer. The authors present the case of a 63-year-old female with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal who presented with a solitary dural-based enhancing lesion of the right parietal area. The patient underwent craniectomy and tumor resection. Histopathology confirmed the cerebral lesion to be a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, consistent with the known primary tumor of the anal canal. Although exceptionally rare, the presence of a cerebral lesion in a patient with carcinoma of the anal canal should raise the possibility of metastatic disease. Treatment decisions in patients with newly diagnosed dural-based enhancing lesions and known anal cancer should bear in mind the possibility of metastatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA. anand.rughani@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Anand I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Rughani
authors.forename: Chih
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Bruce I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Tranmer
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011878:Radiotherapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil