Anal cancer: current and future methodology.

Despite the small number of patients affected by carcinoma of the anal canal it remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat. For although it is one of the few malignancies that may be cured with chemoradiation alone, the use of combined modality therapy may result in significant treatment-related morbidity. Novel approaches currently are underway in this select patient population and will be addressed for the purposes of this manuscript.