title: [Brief preoperative radiotherapy in surgical therapy of rectal carcinoma. Long-term results of a prospective randomized study].
abstract: To ascertain whether preoperative short-term radiotherapy can improve local tumor control and the long-term survival of patients with operable rectal cancer, a prospective randomised trial was performed from 1988 to 1993. Ninety-three patients with rectal cancer were either directly treated with surgery (n = 46) or underwent preoperative radiotherapy with 5 x 3.3 Gy irradiation and operation within 48 h (n = 47). If indicated (T4, UICC stage III) patients also received postoperative irradiation. Comparison of the methods of operation (abdominoperineal amputation versus anterior resection) revealed no significant difference in 5-year survival rate (P = 0.393). Local control of R0-resected tumors was improved after preoperative irradiation (P = 0.08). The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher after preoperative short-term radiotherapy (P = 0.027). Preoperative radiotherapy is not an independent factor according to overall survival (P = 0.078) and local recurrence (P = 0.07). In agreement with the results of other authors the present study indicates improved local tumor control of rectal cancer after preoperative radiation therapy. The 5-year survival rate was significantly better after preoperative radiotherapy than after surgery alone.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein- und Abdominalchirurgie, Krankenhaus Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Städtisches Klinikum, Dresden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hellmich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henke
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate