Preoperative treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable rectal adenocarcinoma utilizing continuous chronobiologically shaped 5-fluorouracil infusion and radiation therapy

Abstract

The combination of radiation therapy and continuous chronobiologically shaped 5-FU infusion at a dose of up to 275/m2/day is well tolerated and appears to be more effective in downsizing and possibly downstaging locally advanced and unresectable rectal carcinoma than radiation therapy alone. Longer follow-up will determine whether ultimate disease free and overall survival are improved by this method.