ArticleCancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)2023
The Patient's perspective on radiation therapy for anal cancer: Evaluation of expectations and stigma.
Article in Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Improving our understanding of the quality of life of patients with metastatic or recurrent/persistent anal cancer: a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Pooled it
- Multidimensional expectations of radiotherapy among patients with cancer - A cross-sectional study (ExpectRT).Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology · 2026Article
- Patients' perspective in anal cancer.ESMO gastrointestinal oncology · 2026Review
- Lived experiences of cancer care for people living with HIV who are treated for anal cancer: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Healing Beams: Radiation and Radiotherapy in Novels, Poems, Music, Film, Painting.Journal of medical radiation sciences · 2026Review
- MRI-based radiomics nomogram to predict complete response to definitive chemoradiation in patients with anal cancer.The British journal of radiology · 2025Article
- The Patient's perspective on radiation therapy for anal cancer: Evaluation of expectations and stigma.Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.) · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLittle is known regarding anal cancer patients' perspectives on undergoing radiation therapy. Additionally, the stigma surrounding anal cancer diagnosis warrants a better understanding of the barriers to complete disclosure in patient-healthcare team interactions.
methodsIncluded patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the anus treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) from 2009 to 2018. Survey questions were adapted from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and Discrimination and Stigma Scale.
resultsA total of 46 anal cancer patients who underwent CRT were surveyed, of which 72% responded. 73% of respondents indicated little to no pre-treatment knowledge of CRT. 70% reported overall short-term effects as worse than expected, most commonly with bowel habits (82%), energy (73%), and interest in sexual activity (64%). 39% reported overall long-term effects to be worse than expected, most commonly with changes to bowel habits (73%), sexual function (67%), and interest in sexual activity (58%). However, 94% agreed they were better off after treatment. Regarding stigma, a subset reported hiding their diagnosis (12%, 24%) and side effects (24%, 30%) from friends/family or work colleagues, respectively, and 15% indicating they stopped having close relationships due to concerns over stigma.
conclusionsAlthough patients' perceptions of the severity of short-term CRT side effects were worse than expectations, the vast majority agreed they were better off after treatment. Targeted counseling on common concerns may improve the anal cancer treatment experience. A notable subset reported stigma associated with treatment, warranting further evaluation to understand the impact on the patient experience.
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Registered trials
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