Abstract
Anal neoplasms are a group of tumors that, over the past 15 years, has emerged from a poorly understood neoplasm to a well-defined tumor entity. Majority is squamous histology and linked to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection through well-known mechanisms. Although the introduction of vaccination has proven to be a viable opportunity for the prevention of anal canal tumors, only in recent years some countries, including Italy, have introduced specific recommendations on this topic. In this chapter the management of the patient affected by anal neoplasms will be examined. The choice of the best therapeutic strategy depends on the stage of illness and therefore on an accurate phase of staging. Staging must include a medical examination and instrumental diagnostic techniques such as magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography (PET), and computed tomography (CT). The combination of radio and chemotherapy remains the standard of treatment for most cases, while surgery is reserved as a rescue strategy. Future perspectives could soon include the development of molecular target therapies or immunotherapies directed against HPV oncoproteins.
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Galvano, A., Guarini, A.A., Gristina, V., La Mantia, M., Russo, A. (2021). Anal Cancer. In: Russo, A., Peeters, M., Incorvaia, L., Rolfo, C. (eds) Practical Medical Oncology Textbook. UNIPA Springer Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56051-5_39
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