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February 10, 2012

Anal Cancer (cont.)

Treatment Options by Stage

Stage 0 Anal Cancer (Carcinoma in Situ)

Treatment of stage 0 anal cancer is usually local resection.

Stage I Anal Cancer

Treatment of stage I anal cancer may include the following:

  • Local resection.


  • External-beam radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.


  • Internal radiation therapy.


  • Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.


  • Internal radiation therapy for cancer that remains after treatment with external-beam radiation therapy.

Patients who have had treatment that saves the sphincter muscles may receive follow-up exams every 3 months for the first 2 years, including rectal exams with endoscopy and biopsy, as needed.

    Stage II Anal Cancer

    Treatment of stage II anal cancer may include the following:

    • Local resection.


    • External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.


    • Internal radiation therapy.


    • Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.


    • A clinical trial of new treatment options.

    Patients who have had treatment that saves the sphincter muscles may receive follow-up exams every 3 months for the first 2 years, including rectal exams with endoscopy and biopsy, as needed.

    Stage IIIA Anal Cancer

    Treatment of stage IIIA anal cancer may include the following:

    • External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy. If cancer remains after treatment, additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy.


    • Internal beam radiation.


    • Abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.


    • A clinical trial of new treatment options.

    Stage IIIB Anal Cancer

    Treatment of stage IIIB anal cancer may include the following:

    • External-beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy.


    • Local resection or abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lymph nodes may also be removed.


    • A clinical trial of new treatment options.

    Stage IV Anal Cancer

    Treatment of stage IV anal cancer may include the following:

    • Surgery as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.


    • Radiation therapy as palliative therapy.


    • Chemotherapy with radiation therapy as palliative therapy.


    • A clinical trial of new treatment options.

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