Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in Patients with Anal Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Anal cancer is a relatively uncommon neoplasm and accounts for a large proportion of squamous cell carcinoma, for which neoadjuvant therapy has been proven useful in its treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the response to neoadjuvant treatment in patients with anal cancer, according to histology and degree of differentiation, treated at the digestive tract clinic of the Holguín Regional Cancer Center.

Methods: An observational, analytical, prospective cohort study without a control group was conducted with 51 patients with anal cancer. The variables analyzed were age, sex, response to treatment, primary tumor site, histological type, and degree of differentiation. Data from individual medical records and the institution's statistical records were used.

Results: The average age was 57.9 ± 11.5 years, with a better therapeutic response among patients under 60 years of age. Women accounted for 69% of the total, with no differences in response according to sex. More than 78% of patients had a tumor in the anal canal, with a twofold higher probability of response compared to anal margin carcinomas; squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type (76%). Patients with differentiated or moderately differentiated carcinomas accounted for 64% of the total.

Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy shows beneficial effects for patients with anal cancer, especially for those under 60 years of age and affected by well-differentiated carcinoma.