Squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus

The five-year survival rate in 72 patients who underwent treatment for squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus in Stockholm County (1972 to 1978) has been studied. There were no differences in survival rates after rectum-preserving treatment (mainly consisting of irradiation±cytostatics ±local excision) as compared with extensive surgery (abdominoperineal resection), even if the tumor size, location, and differentiation were taken into consideration. It therefore seems appropriate to suggest irradiation±cytostatics as the therapy of choice regardless of size, location, and differentiation of the tumor.