Could concomitant radio-chemotherapy improve the outcomes of early-stage node negative anal canal cancer patients? A retrospective analysis of 122 patients

Cancer Invest. 2015 Apr;33(4):114-20. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2014.1001898. Epub 2015 Feb 12.

Abstract

One hundred twenty-two early-stage anal canal cancer patients (median age: 69 years) were treated with curative radiotherapy with (70 patients) or without (52 patients) concomitant chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 65 months (range: 4-238). At multivariate analysis, concomitant chemotherapy significantly improved local control (p = .007). Local control significantly influenced all considered endpoints, except the metastases free survival. The global rates of G3-G4 acute and late toxicity were 13.1% and 8.2%, respectively, and they were not increased by concomitant chemotherapy. Finally, concomitant chemotherapy is efficacious and safe in the treatment of T1-2N0 anal canal cancer patients and should be prospectively studied.

Keywords: Anal cancer; Early-stage anal cancer; Node negative; Radiochemotherapy; Radiotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anus Neoplasms / mortality
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Anus Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Retrospective Studies

Supplementary concepts

  • Anal Canal Carcinoma