North Pacific Surgical AssociationHIV positivity and anal cancer outcomes: A single-center experience

BackgroundAnal cancer remains common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Chemoradiation has had mixed results. We evaluated outcome differences by HIV status.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 14 HIV+ and 72 HIV− anal cancer patients (2000 to 2013). Outcomes included chemoradiation tolerance, recurrence, and survival.ResultsHIV+ patients were more often male (100% vs 38%, P < .001) but diagnosed at similar stages (P = .49). They were less likely to receive traditional chemotherapy (36% vs 86%, P < .001). Recurrence (P = .55) and survival time (P = .48) were similar across groups. HIV+ patients had similar colostomy-free survival (P = .053). Receipt of 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin C (MMC) chemotherapy predicted recurrence-free and overall survival (Hazard ratios .278, .32). HIV status did not worsen recurrence (P = .71) or survival (P = .57).ConclusionsHIV+ patients received more non-MMC-based chemoradiation but had equivalent colostomy-free, recurrence, and overall survival. Use of 5-fluorouracil/MMC chemotherapy increased after 2008.