title: Preoperative irradiation with and without chemotherapy (MFL) in the treatment of primarily non-resectable adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Results from two consecutive studies.
abstract: Twenty-one consecutive patients with primarily non-resectable adenocarcinoma of the rectum were treated with preoperative split-course radiotherapy (40 Gy) and simultaneous sequential methotrexate + 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin (MFL). An initial infusion of methotrexate (250 mg/m2) was followed in the 2nd hour by 5-FU--first a bolus injection (10 mg/kg) and then continuous infusion (35 mg/kg/24 h) for 72 h. Leucovorin rescue (15 mg every 6 h) was initiated 24 h after the initial injection. Radiotherapy (10 Gy) was given with two 2.0 Gy fractions on days 1 and 2, and one fraction on day 3. The toxicity of the treatment was mostly mild to moderate. Compared with a previous consecutive series comprising 38 patients who received preoperative irradiation (greater than or equal to 40 Gy) only, with a resectability rate of 34%, the 71% resectability rate with this treatment seems to be superior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frykholm
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glimelius
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Påhlman
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate