Abstract
ABSTRACT
Aim
Anal fistula cancer is a rare disease that occurs in
Methods
This was a nationwide observational study using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination data. Patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection or total pelvic exenteration for anal fistula, anal canal, or rectal cancer were included in this study. Patient background, surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and medical costs were compared among the three types of cancer.
Results
This study included 206 patients with anal fistula cancer, 1207 patients with anal canal cancer, and 18 254 patients with rectal cancer. Patients with anal fistula cancer were more likely to be male, younger, or smokers. In patients with anal fistula cancer, the proportion of open surgeries was significantly higher, and the length of hospital stay was significantly longer than in those with anal canal and rectal cancer. Anal fistula cancer tended to be more locally advanced than other cancers, whereas lymph node and distant metastases were less common. The incidence of incisional wound infection and wound dehiscence was significantly higher, and medical costs were the highest in patients with anal fistula cancer.
Conclusion
Anal fistula cancer is characterized by aggressive local progression, resulting in a higher frequency of open surgery, a higher incidence of wound‐related complications, and higher medical costs.