Topical treatment for pre-anal cancer

A course of topical trichloroacetic acid appears to provide a safe and effective treatment for anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) – the name given to pre-cancerous cell changes in the anus, US investigators report.

Higher rates of anal cancer are seen in gay men, especially those with HIV. The treatment, however, proved just as effective on both positive and negative men.

The investigators are encouraged by these results and suggest that the treatment could provide a useful first-line treatment.

It also provides another good reason why positive men, particularly, should monitor their anal health and seek early medical help.