ANAL CANCER - CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Anal cancer is uncommon accounting for only 2% of anorectal cancers. T he recognition of many similarities between cervical and anal cancer h as stimulated research into the identification of a common aetiologica l agent. DNA from human papillomaviruses has consistently been found i n both of these cancers and is thought to be an important factor in th e development of both of these tumours. Simultaneously, epidemiologica l data from the west coast of America have indicated that the demograp hy of anal cancer may be changing. Further studies in the USA and the UK have identified certain groups at high risk of developing anal canc er. These high-risk groups include 'never married' men and immunosuppr essed patients both from iatrogenic immunosuppression in transplant pa tients and those infected with HIV. The potential increase in anal can cer cases, due to the ever increasing numbers of patients who have rec eived transplants and the spiralling number of the population infected with HIV make it timely to review what is known of the aetiology, pre sentation and management of this cancer.