Centenary of the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences
Treatment of carcinoma of the anal canal at Groote Schuur Hospital
Abstract
Methods. The records for 31 patients presenting during this period were reviewed. Patient and tumour characteristics were recorded. Twenty-six patients were treated with chemoradiation. Local failure-free, colostomy-free and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results. Compared with the literature, the median patient age was younger and the stage was more advanced in this study. The complete response rate for all stages with chemoradiation was 80%. The local failure-free survival at 5 years was 60.7%. Colostomy-free and overall survival at 5 years were 59.2% and 65.6%, respectively.
Conclusions. The patients presented with locally advanced disease. Chemoradiation is effective treatment for this group of patients and the majority avoid a permanent colostomy as they preserve anal sphincter function.
Authors' affiliations
B Robertson, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
L Shepherd, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
R P Abratt, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
A Hunter, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
P Goldberg, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
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Article History
Date published: 2012-05-23
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