A trial enrolled 160 adult patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, most female with tumors ≤ 4 cm. Patients were assigned to receive standard radiation dose of 50.4 Gy or a lower dose of 41.4 Gy with concurrent mitomycin and capecitabine. At 6 months posttreatment, 92% of those in the reduced-dose group achieved complete response compared with 87% from standard dose. The lower dose group experienced fewer side effects and better treatment compliance. Symptoms improved by 6 weeks and returned to baseline by 6 months. Reduced-dose treatment appeared safe and effective among patients with localized disease, particularly older adults without compromising short-term cancer control. The primary outcome, locoregional cancer recurrence after 3 years, is still being assessed.

Source: The Lancet Oncology