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Outcomes of anal cancer

The outcome of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the response to treatment, but  the majority of those with early disease stand a good chance of cure. The advantage of the chemo-radiotherapy programme is that it allows the patient to keep the normal anatomy of the rectum and anus; in the majority of cases (where the sphincter has not been destroyed by the cancer) the patient keeps an intact sphincter (and hence remains continent of faeces).

If the disease returns locally after chemoradiotherapy, then surgery may be is possible with the aim of curing.

In this eventuality, the patient will have removal of the ano(rectum) and be left with a colostomy

Last updated 02/12/2008

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