Pre-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for non-resectable rectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The treatment results of combined pre-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery for patients with initially non-resectable primary rectal cancer were reviewed.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with locally advanced non-resectable rectal cancer were treated with pre-operative irradiation consisting of 50.4-54 Gy plus concomitant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) delivered during the 1st and 5th weeks of radiotherapy.


RESULTS
Following pre-operative therapy, the resectability rate was 91%, with all but one patient undergoing complete resection. The pathologic complete response rate was 10%. The overall peri-operative and postoperative complication rate was 0.8 complications per patient. There was no postoperative mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
This early experience indicates that high resectability rates are achievable with pre-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for non-resectable rectal cancer while maintaining acceptable postoperative morbidity.
Leong
T
T
Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Australia.
Guiney
M
M
Ngan
S
S
Mackay
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil