title: Multimodality approach towards advanced rectal carcinoma. "Its efficacy and safety".
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of multimodality approach towards advanced rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized trial, two hundred and ten patients with advanced carcinoma of the rectum were studied. Patients were randomly divided in two groups A and B. Patients in group A underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) with adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Group B patients underwent TME with adjuvant stop-flow perfusion along with systemic chemotherapy
  
  
  RESULTS
  The five-year survival for Group A patients was 72% and for Group B patients the overall five-year survival was 92% and the disease-free survival was 87%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multimodality approach to advanced rectal cancer leads to substantial prolongation of survival and optimization of quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece. iasg@iasg.org
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lygidakis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safioleas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome