title: [Cancer of the rectum: complete resection of the mesorectum with or without preoperative radiotherapy].
abstract: We report and discuss the results of a randomized trial evaluating the effect of preoperative radiotherapy as an adjunct to total mesorectal excision for rectal cancers. This Dutch trial showed that the radiotherapy does decrease the local recurrence rate even after an optimal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Oncologie Radiothérapie Saint-Jean, Lyon, France. rcoquard@cancer-orlam.org
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coquard
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gérard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romestaing
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery