Preoperative Irradiation of Carcinoma of the Rectum

Abstract

The authors present the five-year results of their program of aggressive preoperative irradiation in cancer of the rectum. Survival rates were above expectations in patients with Duke Stage A (tumor confined to the colon wall) and Stage B disease (tumor invading the pericolon fat). Patients with Stage C disease (tumor in the lymph nodes) did not benefit from preoperative irradiation, most likely due to the high incidence of distant metastases in such cases. No serious complications were observed.