Neoplasms of the Anus

Abstract

Overview Although an uncommon tumor, the incidence of anal cancer has increased over the past few decades. This increase may be due to sexual transmission of human papillomavirus virus as well as the impact of human immunodeficiency virus. Chemoradiation therapy (CMT) involving pelvic radiation and concurrent chemotherapy (5‐FU combined with either mitomycin‐C or cisplatin) has resulted in 5‐year survival rates of approximately 80% while maintaining sphincter preservation for most patients. Surgery is reserved for selected patients with T1M0 disease who can undergo resection with acceptable functional outcomes or an abdominoperineal resection (APR) for salvage following CMT.