BACKGROUND: The most appropriate therapy for anal cancer is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with chemotherapy (CTX). The significance of additional brachytherapy is still under evaluation. We report on our experience of combined modality therapy of anal cancer and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided high-dose rate (HDR) afterloading therapy, referring to results of a study published in 1998 by the coauthors. METHODS: From 1993 to 2001, 50 patients with anal cancer were treated. After combined RCTX, HDR 2 x 4 Gy brachytherapy was administered based on TRUS imaging as a target. RESULTS: In five patients (10%), tumor recurrence occurred or the tumor did not respond to therapy, and four (8%) developed distant lymph nodes or organ metastases. Five patients (10%) had to undergo salvage abdominoperineal resection because of suspected recurrence. Specific disease-related 5-year survival was 82%. Therapy-associated complications in terms of sphincter necrosis and incontinence were observed in three patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: TRUS-guided brachytherapy permits excellent local tumor control and results in minimal treatment-related morbidity. Consequently, TRUS-guided brachytherapy may be a useful addition to current combined modality treatment regimens for anal cancer.
BACKGROUND: The most appropriate therapy for anal cancer is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with chemotherapy (CTX). The significance of additional brachytherapy is still under evaluation. We report on our experience of combined modality therapy of anal cancer and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided high-dose rate (HDR) afterloading therapy, referring to results of a study published in 1998 by the coauthors. METHODS: From 1993 to 2001, 50 patients with anal cancer were treated. After combined RCTX, HDR 2 x 4 Gy brachytherapy was administered based on TRUS imaging as a target. RESULTS: In five patients (10%), tumor recurrence occurred or the tumor did not respond to therapy, and four (8%) developed distant lymph nodes or organ metastases. Five patients (10%) had to undergo salvage abdominoperineal resection because of suspected recurrence. Specific disease-related 5-year survival was 82%. Therapy-associated complications in terms of sphincter necrosis and incontinence were observed in three patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: TRUS-guided brachytherapy permits excellent local tumor control and results in minimal treatment-related morbidity. Consequently, TRUS-guided brachytherapy may be a useful addition to current combined modality treatment regimens for anal cancer.
Authors: G G Grabenbauer; K E Matzel; I H Schneider; M Meyer; C Wittekind; B Matsche; W Hohenberger; R Sauer Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 1998-04 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: A P Sandhu; R P Symonds; A G Robertson; N S Reed; S G McNee; J Paul Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 1998-02-01 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: A Allal; J M Kurtz; G Pipard; M C Marti; R Miralbell; Y Popowski; R Egeli Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 1993-09-01 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: E Touboul; M Schlienger; L Buffat; D Lefkopoulos; F Pène; R Parc; E Tiret; D Gallot; M Malafosse; A Laugier Journal: Cancer Date: 1994-03-15 Impact factor: 6.860