Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used together to shrink tumors and make an abdominoperineal resection unnecessary. When only limited surgery is required, the sphincter muscle can often be saved. Treatment by stage Treatments for anal cancer depend on the type of disease, stage of disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment may be considered, based on its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy, and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for most stages of anal cancer.
Simple surgery to remove all of the cancer. Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. If cancer cells remain following therapy, surgery removing the anus and lower part of the rectum may be performed. If cancer cells remain following therapy, additional chemotherapy plus radiation therapy may be performed. Radiation therapy followed by interstitial radiation therapy.