title: [Results of preoperative irradiation in the treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma].
abstract: The goal of this retrospective study was to assess the tolerance and the efficacy of preoperative irradiation in the treatment of rectal carcinoma. From 1980 to 1983, 81 patients with potentially operable rectal carcinoma underwent abdominoperineal resection. Fourty-one were treated with surgery alone; 40 had a preoperative pelvic irradiation. They received 30 Gy in 15 fractions during three weeks. Surgery followed within four weeks after the last irradiation. In one third of the irradiated patients, the size of the tumor decreased by at least 50 p. 100. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were not increased following irradiation and there was no delay in perineal healing. Five year survival was improved by irradiation (78 p. 100 versus 28 p. 100) with statistical significance (p less than 0.05). In patients with stage C tumors according to Astler-Coller's modification of Dukes staging, 5 year survival was higher in patients who received preoperative irradiation (68 p. 100 versus 23 p. 100) with a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05). Pelvic recurrence occurred in 8 p. 100 of the patients irradiated and in 45 p. 100 of the patients treated with surgery alone respectively. This difference was also statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Survival of patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma appeared to be improved with preoperative irradiation.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies
vernacular_title: Résultats de l'irradiation pré-opératoire dans le traitement des adénocarcinomes rectaux.