Even for patients with more advanced disease, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may still control this disease in a high percentage of patients. Patients are treated with a combination of 5-FU and Mitomycin and radiation. This regimen has become a standard treatment for anal cancer. 5-FU is given as a continuous infusion over four to five days and Mitomycin is given once a month. The same regimen is repeated every four to six weeks.
Radiation treatment is given over six to eight weeks.
Overall prognosis for this cancer is very good. Most patients with early stage cancers can be cured. In others, the disease can be controlled very well for a period of time, varying from months to years. If the disease reoccurs, the treatment will consist of chemotherapy or surgery. Follow-up After completion of treatment, in any combination that it might have taken place, patients need to remain under surveillance for the possibility of a recurrence of the cancer.