Anal cancer with cerebral metastasis: a case report. J Neurooncol. 2011;101:141-143. [PMID: 20440537 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0218-5]

Cerebral metastasis from anal squamous cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review

Anal cancer comprises only 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies, of which only a small proportion of patients will experience distant metastasis; very few of these cases will metastasise to the brain. The present case report details the clinical course of a 56-year-old female patient who was previously diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and subsequently developed an isolated cerebral metastasis ~5 years later. The patient was initially diagnosed with anal SCC after presenting with a non-tender lump in the groin and had no other signs or symptoms. After undergoing a lumpectomy in 2017, the patient was lost to follow-up. In 2022, the patient presented with a perforated rectal tumour and consequently underwent a loop colostomy followed by chemoradiotherapy. The patient was considered to be in remission at the end of 2023 until subsequent presentation months later with vague neurological symptoms, which led to the diagnosis of a large metastatic lesion in the right temporal lobe. Following resection via craniotomy and additional radiation therapy, there was no evidence to suggest recurrence of either the anal primary tumour or cerebral metastasis from follow-up imaging 5 months post-operatively. The present report highlights the potentially aggressive nature of anal SCC, late-onset cerebral metastasis and the need for further investigation into standardising treatment protocols and surveillance strategies for gastrointestinal metastatic disease.

Treatment strategy for vertebral metastases from anal squamous cell carcinoma: a comprehensive literature review and case report

Purpose/aim of the study: Purpose/aim of the study:Central nervous system (CNS), skull, and vertebral metastases from anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are an exceedingly rare entity. We report the first case of multiple vertebral metastases from a primary anal SCC with the aim of define a target therapeutic strategy.Case presentation: We present the case of a 68-year-old male admitted to our hospital for acute exacerbation chronic low back pain and left L2 radiculopathy. His medical history included the diagnosis of a human papilloma virus related, moderately differentiated anal SCC (cT3N0M0-stage IIB), treated with standard chemoradiotherapy regimen two years earlier. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed an isolated solid lesion of the L2 vertebral body. After the surgical removal, histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of moderately differentiated SCC. At 1-month radiological follow-up, two new lesions at the level of T7 to T11 were identified. Additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy for metastatic localization of L2, T7, and T11 were administered. Two-year follow-up demonstrated a radiologically and clinically well-controlled disease. To supplement our case, a systematic literature review on the CNS, skull, and vertebral metastases and their treatments has been performed.Conclusion: Despite several proposed guidelines for the management of vertebral metastases, at present, a universally accepted treatment strategy for vertebral metastases from anal SCC has not been defined. Based on our clinical experience and literature review, in case of vertebral metastases from anal SCC, a prompt and aggressive, local and systemic, and multimodal treatment of the vertebral lesions may be paramount to improve the patient outcomes.

Stage IV anal canal squamous cell carcinoma with long-term survival: a case report

Background

Currently, no established standard treatment exists for metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma. We report a case of complete response in a patient with stage IV anal squamous cell carcinoma after undergoing multidisciplinary treatment.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old woman visited a nearby doctor with a chief concern of severe pain associated with a firm mass in the anus. The patient was diagnosed with anal canal squamous cell carcinoma and liver metastases and referred to First Department of Surgery Faculty of Medicine University of Fukui for treatment. The patient received a TNM classification of T4N0M1 and stage IV. Rectal amputation was performed; however, postoperative complications hindered immediate anticancer therapy and the liver metastases exacerbated. Radiofrequency hyperthermia and systemic chemotherapy were performed 3 months postoperatively. A prominent reduction in the liver metastasis was observed. Lung metastases appeared during the course of systemic chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was performed to treat the lung lesion and resolved. Radiotherapy was also performed for liver metastasis. The lesion in the liver showed resolution after 54 months postoperatively, and treatment with the anticancer drug was discontinued. Ten-year follow-up findings suggested complete resolution of the lesion in response to the treatment protocol followed in this case. This long-term survival was achieved through a multidisciplinary treatment.

Conclusions

The present case suggests that multidisciplinary treatment approach is effective for resolving stage IV anal squamous cell carcinoma, and addition of new anticancer drug therapy may improve the overall prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma.

An overview of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as an etiological factor of the anal cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA tumour virus that is the primary cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The direct connection between HPV and cervical cancer was discovered in 1980, however, many physicians and the general public are still oblivious to the association of HPV and anal cancer; most individuals find out about this relationship after a confirmed diagnosis, and therefore, it is important to raise awareness about HPV as an etiological agent in anal cancer. There is a quadrivalent vaccine available, which prevents an individual from being infected with HPV, thus anal cancer is mainly a preventable cancer when caused by HPV, and ultimately, preventing cancer is better than curing cancer, especially when there is no definite cure.This article aims to review the microbiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, prophylaxis and treatment options for HPV as an etiology agent in anal cancers in light of recent literature.

First Case of the Cervical Lymph Node as the Only Site of Metastasis from Anal Cancer

Anal squamous cell carcinoma was a previously uncommon malignancy that has steadily increased in incidence with the increased prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Anal squamous cell carcinoma is typically characterized by local and regional involvement and distant metastases are far less common. Here, we report a case of a 36-year-old female initially diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinoma manifesting as an anal mass along with an enlarged inguinal lymph node. After receiving chemoradiation therapy, she remained disease-free until recently, when she presented with an isolated left infraclavicular lymph node found on physical examination followed by a biopsy that was consistent with recurrent anal squamous cell carcinoma. The positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) uptake of her original left inguinal lymph node was decreased, suggesting improved regional disease, and no other metastases were found. Our case represents a rare occurrence of metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma to an isolated distal lymph node and reminds physicians not to forget a unusual site of metastasis and prevent any delay in treatment. 

Anal cancer treatment: Current status and future perspectives

Anal cancers (AC) are relatively rare tumors. Their incidence is increasing, particularly among men who have sex with other men due to widespread infection by human papilloma virus. The majority of anal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and they are treated according to stage. In local and locally advanced AC, concomitant chemoradiation therapy based on mitomycin C and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the current best treatment, while metastatic AC, chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin remains the gold standard. There are no indications for induction or maintenance therapies in locally advanced tumors. Many novel strategies, such as targeted therapies, vaccination, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy are in clinical trials for the treatment of AC, with promising results in some indications.

Brain metastasis in basaloid undifferentiated anal carcinoma: A case report

Anal cancer is a rare tumor that accounts for 2% of all colorectal neoplasms. The brain is a rarely affected organ. The aim of the present study was to the review the only four cases of anal cancer brain metastases previously published in the literature. In addition, the current study presents the case of a 69-year-old male diagnosed with basaloid undifferentiated carcinoma of the anal canal (stage IV with liver, lung and bone metastasis). Despite the patient’s good response to chemotherapy and the achievement of a partial response that was maintained for 14 months, brain metastases developed. Although radiotherapy was administered, the patient succumbed to the condition 12 weeks after the diagnosis of brain metastasis.

Anal cancer - a review

Anal cancer accounts for only 1.5% of gastrointestinal malignancies but this disease has shown a steady increase in incidence particularly in HIV positive males. The understanding of pathophysiology and treatment of anal cancer has changed radically over last thirty years. Risk factors have been identified and organ preservation by chemoradiotherapy has become a standard. This article aims to review the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options for anal cancer in the light of current literature.

Development of cerebral metastasis after medical and surgical treatment of anal squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus is a relatively uncommon GI malignancy. When it does occur, it metastasizes in only a small minority of patients. Spread of anal squamous cell carcinoma to the brain is exceedingly rare, and has been previously reported only three times in the medical literature. We report the case of a 67 year old male who was diagnosed on presentation with a poorly differentiated anal squamous cell carcinoma that already had a solitary metastasis to the liver. While the tumors were initially responsive to chemoradiotherapy, the patient's primary and liver lesions recurred. The patient then underwent synchronous abdominoperineal resection for the primary lesion and a liver lobectomy for the metastasis. Soon thereafter, the patient developed focal neurologic symptoms and was found to have an intracranial lesion that on biopsy demonstrated metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. This case highlights the fact that patients with a previous history of anal squamous cell carcinoma can occasionally develop cerebral metastasis. Furthermore, cerebral metastases from anal squamous cell carcinoma portend a dismal prognosis even in the face of aggressive medical and surgical therapy.