CHANGES IN THE RADIATION TREATMENT OF CANCER OF THE ANUS IN GLASGOW

The survival and complication rate of two groups of patients with carc inoma of anus were compared. The first group of 20 patients were treat ed between 1974 and 1983 by double plane implantation using radium or equivalent caesium needles and supplementary external beam radiotherap y to groin nodes if present. The second group of 26 patients were trea ted between 1984 and 1990 by external beam radiotherapy followed by a jig implant using afterloading iridium needles. 5-year survival was su perior in the second group (73% vs. 40%) with a lower incidence of rad iation-induced complications.