Cancer of the anal region

Cancer of the anal region represents 3-3.5% of all anorectal tumours. The peak incidence is between 58 and 64 years. Since 1960 an increased incidence among men younger than 45 years, and among women has been observed. The number of women diagnosed with anal canal cancer (7 per 1000000 person per years) is twice as much as that of men, while anal margins cancers are more frequent in men (4 per 1000000 person per years). Tumour extension determines the different treatment strategies, aiming at definite cure, with a conservative approach. Small tumours can be resected without mutilating surgery, while for larger tumours combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the standard treatment, even though a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been recently introduced. Long-term quality of life (QOL) scores are acceptable, with the exception of patients who experience severe anal dysfunction. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.