title: High-dose preoperative radiation and radical sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer.
abstract: To reduce local recurrence associated with rectal cancer and to extend the scope of anal sphincter preservation, a selective program of high-dose preoperative radiation therapy and sphincter-preserving surgery was initiated in 1976. High-energy photon therapy (40 to 60 Gy) was administered in doses of 1.8 to 2.5 Gy during a period of 4 1/2 to 6 weeks and followed in 4 to 6 weeks with curative sphincter-preserving surgery for clinicopathologically unfavorable and low rectal cancers. None of the 143 patients in the study died during the postoperative period. Fifteen (13%) of 117 patients followed up for at least 24 months experienced local recurrence. Acceptable sphincter function was retained in 130 patients (91%). Our program of high-dose preoperative radiation therapy and sphincter-preserving surgery for the treatment of high-risk cancers, including those in the distal third of the rectum, resulted in better-than-expected survival and control of local recurrence with acceptable morbidity and no mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Rectal Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107-5098.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohiuddin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eitan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masoni
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rakinic
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate