Preoperative radiotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer: clinical outcome of short-course and long-course treatment with or without concomitant chemotherapy.

Abstract

Our findings provide convincing evidence that in comparison to preoperative short-course radiotherapy, the preoperative long-course radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy is the most effective treatment modality for patients with operable locally advanced rectal cancer in terms downstaging and pathologic complete response. Increase in overall survival time as well as lower local recurrence rate makes this modality superior to other preoperative radiotherapy alternatives.