Anal carcinoma presenting as a perirectal abscess or fistula
R. L. Nelson, M. L. Prasad and H. Abcarian
In five years, 15 patients were seen with anal carcinomas presenting as
perirectal abscesses or fistulas. Nine patients had acute abscesses without
histories of chronic anorectal disease, and six patients had long-standing
anorectal disease in which carcinoma developed. Operative exploration was
needed to establish the diagnosis in all patients. Early definitive surgery
would certainly have prevented most if not all of the cancers from
developing in the group with chronic anorectal disease.
