Disease profile and treatment results of anal canal SCC: experience from AIIMS, New Delhi.

INTRODUCTION: Anal Canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for nearly 2% of all cancers of the alimentary tract. Over the past few years, the management of anal canal cancer has changed from primary surgery to primary chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: A total of 83 patients' (pts) records (62 males, 21 females) were retrospectively reviewed. Length of disease was 50 Gy=41 pts. RESULTS: RT compliance was optimal in 64/69, grade (Gr) ≤ 2 toxicity in 56/69 and Gr ≥ 2 in 13/69 pts. Thirteen pts (18.84%) were hospitalized during RT. No response (NR) was found in 4/83, 50-<100% in 39/83 and complete response (CR) in 22/83 pts. Recurrence at primary site was seen in 7 and loco-regional in 2 pts. Salvage therapy was done in all 9 pts (surgery=8 and CT=1). Status at last follow up, alive without disease = 22/83 and with disease = 61/83 pts. CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis revealed that the advanced disease was in 47%, the optimal anti-cancer therapy could be delivered to 63.9%. Despite heterogeneity of patient population and management, the overall disease-free survival (DFS) with sphincter-preservation was achieved in 26.5% pts.