title: Outcome and toxicity of postoperative short course adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy following resection of adenocarcinoma of the rectum.
abstract: A retrospective review has been performed to assess the outcome and toxicity of post-operative adjuvant therapy of 25 Gy/5 fractions/1 week following resection of stage II and III rectal cancer. Forty patients were treated between August 1992 and May 1995. The ages ranged from 42 to 79 (median 63); 32 were male (80%). At last follow up 32 were alive with 0.9 to 11.3 years of follow-up (median 6.6 years). The 5-year actuarial survival was 76% (95% CI: 62-91%). The local relapse free rate was 73% (95% CI: 58-88). Seven patients experienced grade 3 or 4 early toxicity. Three patients had grade 2 or 3 late toxicity. Although treatment was well tolerated, the local relapse rate observed was high. In view of the changes in surgical and pathological techniques in the last decade, further studies are required to determine the merits or otherwise of postoperative Short Course Adjuvant Radiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto Ontario, Canada. james.brierley@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brierley
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Jolie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ringash
authors.forename: J-H John
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Catton
authors.forename: Rebecca K S
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Malcolm J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Melania
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pintilie
authors.forename: C Shun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome