The Association of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Anal Canal

Squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal (SCCA) and its precursor lesions are increasing in prevalence for the diffusion of human papillomavirus infection. The treatment of the cancer of the anal canal represents a model for the application of organ sparing, combined modality therapy for curative treatment. Squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal was originally a surgically treated disease that required Abdominoperineal Resection (APR), approximately two thirds of patients are now cured with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation with sphincter preservation. This article reviews randomized trials and recent studies on chemoradiation for anal cancer.