Radiation Therapy in Anal and Rectal Cancer

Brian G. Czito, Jeffrey Meyer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Historically, squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal was treated with abdominoperineal resection. Nigro discovered that radiation therapy combined with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin resulted in high rates of local control and colostomy-free and overall survival without surgical intervention. Recent advances include the integration of PET into staging, radiation treatment planning, disease monitoring, and the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. For rectal cancer, clinical trials have established the role for neoadjuvant therapy for T3-4 and/or node-positive tumor presentations. Chemotherapy and targeted agents are under study in both anal and rectal cancers to improve on the standard combinations of chemotherapy and radiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)525-543
Number of pages19
JournalSurgical Oncology Clinics of North America
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2013

Keywords

  • Anal cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Rectal cancer
  • Rectal cancer surgery
  • Targeted drug

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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