Preoperative combined modality treatment for rectal cancer.
The encouraging results achieved with adjuvant postoperative combined modality therapy in patients with resectable rectal cancer has prompted an increased interest in preoperative combined modality therapy. Based on the potential of such regimens to deliver higher chemotherapy doses, enhance downstaging, and decrease acute toxicity in patients with unresectable disease, this approach is attractive in patients with resectable rectal cancer. Randomized trials of preoperative vs postoperative combined modality therapy using combinations of bolus fluorouracil and leucovorin are in progress.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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BD
Minsky
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil