Procedure
Radiation therapy focuses high-energy X-rays on the tumor inside the body to specifically kill it. Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for this disease. Surgery is only used in the earliest stages, partly because larger tumors would require an artificial bowel outlet and surgery alone is not sufficient for healing.
Radiotherapy can also be used if the cancer has already spread: radiotherapy can then prevent or alleviate symptoms caused by metastases, e.g. in the lungs or bones(palliative radiotherapy).
Radiation therapy is performed as an outpatient treatment, is non-invasive (i.e. does not require anesthesia) and can thus be easily integrated into everyday private and professional life. It is usually carried out as a fractionated treatment over several weeks. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to improve efficacy. Close and personal support is a matter of course for us.
Radiotherapy procedure
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most modern techniques for precise radiation treatment of anal cancer with few side effects. You will be looked after by proven experts in the treatment of anal cancer.
In the following, we will describe radiation therapy for anal cancer.
Locally advanced anal cancer
In most cases, radiotherapy is the treatment of first choice for anal cancer. In a locally advanced stage, especially if there is already metastasis in the lymph nodes, this alone is sometimes not sufficient for healing. For this reason, chemotherapy is given in addition to radiotherapy in these cases. This eliminates any disseminated cancer cells and makes the cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy offers the greatest chance of recovery.
Due to the often extensive treatment area, the radiation is divided into many small “portions”: the therapy is fractionated over 27-33 treatment sessions per working day over a period of around 6-7 weeks. Spreading the radiation treatment over several weeks improves the tolerability of the treatment, which is mainly carried out on an outpatient basis and can be easily integrated into the patient’s private and professional life. It goes without saying that patients are closely monitored by their attending doctors and nursing experts during this time to ensure the best possible support for illness- and therapy-related complaints.
Radiation and individualized treatment of anal cancer is a focus of our clinic. We pass on our knowledge at international courses and congresses and, as a clinic, participate in state-of-the-art clinical studies on the subject. We are also active in international committees for quality assurance in studies. State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety.
At the same time, we work closely with our colleagues in surgery and medical oncology in order to guarantee treatment “from a single source”. This is already guaranteed by the Interdisciplinary Consultation Hour of the Colorectal Center, which takes place before the start of treatment, where you can be advised by doctors from Visceral Surgery, Medical Oncology and Radio-Oncology at the same time.
We also consult with our colleagues in palliative medicine at an early stage.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of anal cancer in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
Metastases of anal cancer, e.g. in the brain or bones
Anal carcinoma is an aggressive type of cancer that often forms metastases during the course of the disease: this is called metastasis. Common sites of metastasis are the lungs, adrenal glands, bones, liver or brain. Radiotherapy is a highly effective method with few side effects to prevent or treat symptoms caused by metastases. This is usually done in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other targeted therapy. The smaller the metastases are and the earlier they are irradiated, the better the results. Today, metastases in the body can be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
For tumor foci in the abdominal area, e.g. liver or upper abdomen, we carry out body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) on our MRI hybrid accelerator. State-of-the-art radiation technology is combined with MRI images. The radiation is thus carried out under MRI monitoring of the tumor, so that the highest precision is combined with the best imaging. Our clinic was the first in Switzerland to introduce this technology back in 2019. We are still the only clinic in German-speaking Switzerland to offer the highest level of expertise in this field.
Today, brain metastases are treated at our center in most patients by means of a single high-dose radiation treatment: this is called radiosurgery. Metastases at other locations in the body can now also be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
Metastatic anal carcinoma is a clinical and scientific focus of our clinic. We pass on our knowledge in a large number of international courses and congresses. We are active as international experts in guideline commissions. State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety. At the same time, we work closely with our colleagues in medical oncology to guarantee “one-stop” treatment. We also consult with our colleagues in palliative medicine at an early stage.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of anal cancer in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
