[Associated clinical features in 41 patients with anal epidermoid carcinoma, studied at a cancer center].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the main associated clinical characteristics in a group of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

BACKGROUND

Anal carcinoma is associated with sexually transmitted viral carcinogenesis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We analyzed the charts of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus treated during 1994 and 1995. Demographic characteristics, presence of HIV-1, sexual behavior and the presence of anal warts were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 41 patients, 26 females and 15 males with a mean age of 61 and 45 years respectively. Twenty-three patients (56%) had history of anal intercourse, 17 (41%) had anal warts and 12 (29%) were HIV-1 (+). This factors were observed more frequently in the male population (p < 0.001). The patients who had anal intercourse had more frequently anal warts and HIV-1(+) compared with those who did not (p < 0.001 in both). The HIV-1 (+) patients had more frequently anal intercourse and anal warts than those HIV-1(-) (p < 0.001 in both).

CONCLUSION

1) male population develop squamous cell carcinoma of the anus earlier than female population, 2) there is a high incidence of homosexuality, anal warts and HIV-1(+) in the male population; these findings suggest different mechanism of carcinogenesis in both gender.