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October 5, 2009

Topical treatment for pre-cancerous anal cell changes safe and moderately effective

"A course of treatment with topical trichloroacetic acid appears to provide a safe and effective treatment for pre-cancerous cell changes in the anus, US investigators report in a study published in the online edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The treatment was equally effective in HIV-positive and HIV-negative men.

"'Given its ease of use, low cost, and good safety profile, trichloroacetic acid represents a reasonable first-line therapy with carefully selected patients', comment the investigators.

"Higher rates of anal cancer are seen in gay men, especially those with HIV, than in the general population. Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is the name given to pre-cancerous changes in the anus. AIN is graded AIN I, AIN II, and AIN III according to its severity."

Read more in Aidsmap, October 5, 2009.

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