Is the centralized treatment of small cell carcinoma of anal canal necessary? A case report

Abstract

Anal canal tumor has different prognosis depending on the histological type. Cancer of the anal canal is an uncommon condition in digestive tumors, representing small cell cancers of the anal canal less than 0.2% of all colorectal tumors. The histological type of tumors of the anal canal will determine treatment and prognosis. We report the case of a male aged 71 who presented with rectal bleeding and constipation. It revealed a tumor 2 cm from the anal margin, with pathological diagnosis of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Despite treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the disease progressed to develop multiple metastases, and the patient died due to pulmonary thromboembolism and multiorgan failure. Centralized management of these tumors would allow the creation of specific guidelines for treatment and follow-up with the aim of achieving better morbidity and mortality rates. © 2011 Kiba T.