Is Primary Surgical Treatment of Anal Carcinoma Safe and Cost-Effective in Low Resource Settings?

Elroy Patrick Weledji*

Department of Surgery, University of Buea, Cameroon

^*Correspondance to: Elroy Patrick Weledji 

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Abstract:

The oncological outcome of primary surgical treatment of anal cancer is almost similar to nonsurgical treatment with radiotherapy ± chemotherapy for early locally invasive anal cancer. However, the management of anal squamous carcinoma has changed dramatically in the last few years with chemo-irradiation being the treatment of first choice for most lesions. Surgery is the primary treatment modality for small perianal lesions that can be locally excised. Many failures of non-surgical treatment can be salvaged by abdominoperineal excision. Thus, considering the cost, availability, protracted treatment and complications of radiotherapy ± chemotherapy, primary surgical treatment of anal cancer should remain safe and cost effective in low resource settings, provided the patients are pre-operatively well counseled and trained in stoma care management.

Keywords:

Anal cancer; Human papillomavirus; Surgery; Chemo-radiotherapy; Stoma

Cite the Article:

Weledji EP. Is Primary Surgical Treatment of Anal Carcinoma Safe and Cost-Effective in Low Resource Settings?. Clin Oncol. 2019;4:1673.