S3 guideline anal carcinoma Diagnostics, therapy and follow-up of anal canal and anal margin carcinomas

Anal cancer is a relatively rare tumor but has shown a continuous increase of new diseases with a doubling of the incidence in the last 20 years. Nearly all anal cancers are induced by a persisting infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). In the guidelines program for oncology for the first time German language S3 guidelines for optimization of the diagnostics, treatment and aftercare of anal cancer have been compiled under the patronage of the German Society of Coloproctology. Suggestions for recommendations were compiled in interdisciplinary working groups based on the formulated key questions, which were modified and graded within a nominal consensus procedure. After the systematic literature search the endpoint-related assessment and classification of the evidence was carried out within the framework of the GRADE procedure. A total of 93 recommendations and statements were formulated with respect to the topics prevention and screening, diagnostics and staging, supportive measures before and after targeted tumor treatment, treatment of anal cancer in stages I-III, response evaluation following primary chemoradiotherapy, aftercare, treatment of residual and recurrent anal cancer, treatment of metastatic anal cancer (stage IV), palliative care and rehabilitation. The new guidelines provide a foundation for the optimization of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral care of anal cancer patients. Based on quality indicators future health services research should investigate whether the guideline recommendations are taken into consideration and whether these contribute to an improvement in care