On 2014 Aug 10, Matthew Katz commented:

Organ preservation as a treatment strategy effectively demonstrated chemoradiation as the standard of care for anal canal cancer. RTOG proved the point in 83-14 [Sischy B, 1989]. The RTOG phase III trial above confirmed the importance of mitomycin-C as part of the treatment regimen, which remains the standard in 2014.

With the rising incidence of HPV+ anal cancer, which may have a better prognosis, an important question will be whether we should lessen treatment intensity. Further trials will be needed to see if it's possible to lessen treatment toxicity without compromising cancer control.

On 2014 Aug 10, Matthew Katz commented:

Organ preservation as a treatment strategy effectively demonstrated chemoradiation as the standard of care for anal canal cancer. RTOG proved the point in 83-14 [Sischy B, 1989]. The RTOG phase III trial above confirmed the importance of mitomycin-C as part of the treatment regimen, which remains the standard in 2014.

With the rising incidence of HPV+ anal cancer, which may have a better prognosis, an important question will be whether we should lessen treatment intensity. Further trials will be needed to see if it's possible to lessen treatment toxicity without compromising cancer control.