Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal and the anal margin are rare malignancies
that are increasing in incidence. Patients with these tumors often experience delayed
treatment due to delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis of the condition. Distinguishing
between anal canal and anal margin tumors has implications for staging and treatment.
Chemoradiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for anal canal squamous cell,
with abdominoperineal resection reserved for salvage treatment in cases of persistent
or recurrent disease. Early anal margin squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with
wide local excision, but more advanced tumors require a combination of chemoradiation
therapy and surgical excision.
Keywords
anal squamous cell carcinoma - chemoradiation - abdominoperineal resection - wide
local excision
