Adjuvant preoperative radiotherapy in patients with rectal carcinoma: Adverse effects during long term follow-up of two randomized trials

Abstract

Although high dose, short term, preoperative radiotherapy can improve outcome after surgery for rectal carcinoma, there also may be an increased risk for long term morbidity. Refinement of the radiotherapy technique and a more accurate selection of patients suitable for the treatment will probably further improve the results, at least in regard to treatment-related complications.