title: [A comparative study in rectal adenocarcinoma: preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the results of preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy in rectal adenocarcinoma, in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1989 to 1993, 52 patients with clinically operable rectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Two groups were compared: Patients in Group I received postoperative radiotherapy and those in Group II preoperative radiotherapy. Patients with a Karfnosky index > 70%, no evidence of distant disease and no major systemic problems were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall 5-year actuarial survival was 75% in Group I and 83% in Group II. The 5-year disease-free survival was 52% in Group I compared to 86% in Group II, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.025). A reduction in all Dukes' stages was observed in the preoperative radiation group, allowing preservation of the anorectal function in an increased number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed better results with preoperative radiotherapy and conclude that this treatment might be justified in rectal carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radioterapia y Oncología, Hospital de la Princesa, Madrid.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martín de Vidales
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerezo
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vázquez de la Torre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zapatero
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Cerro
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez Torrubia
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Estudio comparativo en el adenocarcinoma de recto: radioterapia preoperatoria o postoperatoria.