[Use of high-energy intraluminal brachytherapy in radio- and radiochemotherapy for anal cancer].

ABSTRACT

Complete local response to radio- and chemoradiation for anal cancer was improved due to use of high-energy dosage of intraluminal brachytherapy (complete clinical regression (chemoradiation)--85.7%; combined irradiaton--75%). No signs of tumor progression have been reported in 20 survivors (median duration--21.6 months) (mean recurrence-free survival--12.5 months). Loco-regional relapse was in 4, local--2 patients. Intrapelvic lymph nodes were involved in 2 cases of previously morphologically confirmed regression of primary tumor. 18-month-long recurrence-free survival was in 86.3%, colostomy-free--91.6%. When combined with distant irradiation (+/-chemotherapy), brachytherapy is a relatively effective, safe and well tolerated procedure.