Cancers of anal canal: A review article

Malignant tumours of the anal canal are rare and diverse group of tumours of gastrointestinal tract and comprises of 2.5 percent of all digestive system malignancy in United States. Although incidence rates are still low, there has been a significant increase in squamous cell carcinoma over the last 50 years. HIV infected homosexual men appear particularly at risk. HPV DNA is detectable in most anal squamous cell carcinomas. Despite its short length, the anal canal produces a variety of tumour types reflecting its complex anatomic and histological structure.Squamous, glandular, transitional, and melanocytic components occur at this site, either alone, or in combination. Due to the paucity of this malignancy it has been difficult to establish generally accepted guidelines for treatment. While for some neoplasms, the treatment of choice is clear-cut, for others it is still controversial. This review article makes an attempt to clarify current clinical, pathological and therapeutic options for anal canal tumors in the light of recent information.