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Treatment of stages I, II, and III anal cancer
Source: Anal Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Treatment of stages I, II, and III anal cancer
Treatment of stage I, stage II, and stage III anal cancer may include:
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local resection for tumors of the skin around the outside of the anus and tumors inside the anal opening that do not involve the anal sphincter
external beam radiation therapy with chemotherapy
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radiation therapy alone
abdominoperineal resection, if cancer remains or comes back after treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, or other options that may include treatment with additional chemoradiation therapy, chemotherapy alone, or immunotherapy
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Those who have had treatment that saves the sphincter muscles may receive follow-up exams every 3 months for the first 2 years, including rectal exams with endoscopy and biopsy, as needed to check for recurrence.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice