Which treatment is typically not performed for squamous cell anal cancer?

Squamous cell anal cancer is primarily managed through a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, particularly for localized disease. The standard treatment approach for this type of cancer is often radiation combined with chemotherapy rather than surgery for initial treatment unless there are specific indications, such as failure of non-surgical treatments or localized disease that cannot be effectively managed otherwise.

In general, surgery, particularly abdominoperineal resection, is less favored in the treatment of squamous cell anal cancer in comparison to other cancers because non-operative approaches have shown favorable outcomes regarding disease control and preservation of anal function. The focus is on maintaining quality of life by using modalities that limit the need for invasive surgical interventions.

While immunotherapy is emerging as an option for some cancers, it is not a standard treatment for squamous cell anal cancer and is typically reserved for other malignancies or specific circumstances. Therefore, those modalities are utilized more extensively in the management of squamous cell anal cancer, which supports the conclusion about the role of surgery in its treatment.