title: [The role of radiotherapy in the curative treatment plan of cancer of the rectum].
abstract: Surgery remains the primary treatment of rectal cancers T3, T4 and/or N1 (Dukes B2 C) but the role of radiotherapy as an adjuvant is well established. Pelvic irradiation, either pre-operative, post-operative or "sandwich", diminishes the risk of local recurrence from 30 to 5% for B2, tumours and from 45 to 10-15% for C tumours. These techniques of radiotherapy have not unfortunately improved survival. The actual recommended adjuvant treatment after surgery (abdomino-perineal resection or anterior resection) for adenocarcinoma of the rectum T3, T4 and/or N1 is a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. These recommendations were made after the publication of results showing improved survival as well as better local control for patients receiving combined radio-chemotherapy compared to radiation alone.
authors.affiliation: Département de radio-oncologie, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blondeau
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: La place de la radiothérapie dans le traitement à visée curative du cancer du rectum.