ABSTRACT
It has been well established that the primary therapeuticapproach to anal squamous-cell carcinoma ischemoradiotherapy. Inguinal lymph node (LN) status isan important prognosis indicator and the presence ofmetastases in the inguinal LN is an independent markerof the local failure and overall survival. The appropriatemanagement of patients with primary anal cancer andclinically uninvolved groins remains controversial.Nowadays there is no reliable diagnostic method toaccurately determine nodal status of the inguinal region.This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of anovel assessment method of the nodal status of theinguinal region in patients with epidermoid carcinomaof the anus and anal margin. We advocate that sentinellymph node biopsy is a safe and feasible technique todetect metastases in inguinal nodes.