Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.02.07

Anal Cancer Treatment Outcomes: A Single-Center Experience

Jasmina Marić Brozić ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Davor Kust ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Alma Demirović ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Pathology and Cytology Ljudevit Jurak, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Željko Soldić ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Jasna Radić ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Šunjić ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Andrea Burić ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Fröbe ; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Anal cancer is a relatively uncommon malignancy, accounting for approximately
2.5% of all gastrointestinal cancers.
This retrospective study included patients diagnosed and treated with anal
cancer between February 1, 2015 and February 1, 2025 at Sestre milosrdnice
University Hospital Center in Zagreb, Croatia. A total of 42 patients met the inclusion
criteria.
All 42 patients had histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. At the
time of diagnosis, 35 patients (83.33%) had localized or locoregionally advanced
disease (stage I–III), 6 patients (14.29%) had metastatic (stage IV) disease, and 1
patient had an unknown disease stage. Most patients (31; 83.78%) received radical-
dose (chemo)radiotherapy at some point during their disease. In patients
with primary chemoradiotherapy as initial treatment, the complete response
rate was 56.52% (13 patients). At the cut-off date (February 1, 2025), 31 patients
(73.81%) were alive. Median follow-up was 24.82 months. For the whole study
cohort, neither 2-year nor 5-year overall survival was reached.
The findings of our single-center study demonstrate that definitive chemoradiotherapy
is an effective treatment for anal cancer, with high rates of local
control and overall survival.

Keywords

Anal cancer; Anal carcinoma; Single-center experience; Squamous cell carcinoma; Human papillomavirus; Concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Hrčak ID:

347692

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347692

Publication date:

10.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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