PURPOSE: To analyze the efficiency of brachytherapy to the anal region. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between 1993 and 1998; 9 patients with anal canal cancer or rectal adenocarcinoma relapsing at the anal region were treated with brachytherapy. Brachytherapy was applied together with external radiotherapy in two patients who had no adjuvan therapy after surgery and applied alone for palliative aim in two patients who had anal region relapses. External radiotherapy and brachytherapy was chosen as the primary treatment in three patients who had no surgery. And brachytherapy was also applied in one patient with leiyornyosarcoma and one patient with relapsing cervix carcinoma. FINDINGS: Of the patients who were treated for relapse; two had a complete and the other two had a partial response. Of the three patients who had no surgery; two had a complete and one had a partial response. After a complete response; the patient with leiomyosarcoma had a local relapse at the 27.month. Local control had lasted for 10 months for the patient with cervix carcinoma. RESULT: Intersticial brachytherapy can be used for the treatment of anal region cancers as having the property of saving the sfinchter functions. And also; it can be combined with external radiotherapy for palliative aim at the local relapses.

Keywords: anal cancer, recurrence of anal region, brachytherapy