The iliac nodes are typically included in the elective target volume when treating early stage anal cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified one prospective study and 8 retrospective studies that omitted elective coverage of the external iliac nodes or upper pelvis nodes (above the inferior border of the sacroiliac joint) in 495 patients receiving chemoradiation for T1-2N0 anal cancer. There were no recurrences in uncovered external iliac nodes, and the rate of regional recurrence in the upper pelvic nodes was a paltry 0.9%. | Socha, Radiother Oncol 2025
