How is anal cancer treated?

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How is anal cancer treated?

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Anal cancer is primarily treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. This reduces the need for a colostomy and carries a 5 year survival rate of over 70%. The treatment of anal cancer, in this fashion, has not changed since 1974.

Surgery is reserved only for patients failing the above therapy. Salvage therapy has resulted in a 60% 5 year survival rate.

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