What is the treatment for anal verge rectal cancer?

The treatment for anal verge rectal cancer typically involves surgical resection to ensure complete removal of the tumor while also addressing the surrounding tissues to minimize the risk of recurrence. In this context, performing an abdomino-perineal excision of the colon and rectum is considered the standard approach for tumors that are located within 5 cm of the anal verge.

This surgical procedure entails a combination of abdominal and perineal approaches to excise the rectum, anal canal, and often the surrounding lymphatics along with the anal sphincter complex. The necessity of removing the anal sphincter is particularly important in cases where the cancer is very close to the anal verge, as it allows for adequate margins to be achieved, thus reducing the likelihood of leaving behind any cancerous tissue.

The other options, while relevant to different types of colorectal cancers, do not align with the typical treatment protocol for anal verge rectal cancer. For instance, sigmoid resection with colostomy and low anterior resection may be suitable for proximal rectal cancers but are less appropriate for those located at the anal verge due to the need to maintain adequate surgical margins. Likewise, right hemicolectomy specifically addresses cancers on the right side of the colon and would not be