Inguinal CTV contouring in anal cancer: comparative validation of inguinal lymph nodes contouring guidelines and implications for consensus.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Contouring Inguinal lymph nodes (ILNs) in anal squamous cell cancer (ASCC) remains challenging. Accurate delineation is essential to optimize treatment efficacy with sparing of organs at risk (OaRs). Garda et al. proposed a contouring guideline based on the anatomical distribution of inguinal lymphadenopathy. This study evaluates their effectiveness in ensuring adequate ILNs coverage.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed ASCC patients with radiologically positive inguinal lymph nodes treated with IMRT in our institution between 2015 and 2024. ILNs were mapped relative to the femoral vessels and delineated based on the Garda's guidelines. Descriptive analyses were conducted.

Results

Among 46 patients with positive ILNs, 27 (59%) had

SUBMITTER: De Luca V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12933745 | biostudies-literature | 2026 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature