Acceptance of neoadjuvant short-term radiotherapy: a survey under surgeons and radiotherapists.
OBJECTIVE
Since introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) the prognosis of rectal cancer patients has improved significantly. Debate exists regarding the optimal mode of multimodal treatment. The aim of this survey was to determine the preferred multimodal treatment and the significance and acceptance of short-term radiotherapy (5 x 5 Gy) in Germany.


METHODS
In August 2003, a questionnaire was sent to the heads of all 1,275 surgical and 157 radiotherapy departments in Germany.


RESULTS
Four hundred ninety-three of 1,275 surgical (39%) and 89 of 157 radiotherapeutic questionnaires (56%) were returned. The majority of the answering surgeons and radiotherapists performed adjuvant (89 and 100%), followed by neoadjuvant (61 and 94%) and short-term radiotherapy (5 x 5 Gy) (16 and 17%). Other questions of the survey dealt with indications for each treatment modality, the initiation of treatment, and reasons for objection to short term radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-tem radiotherapy played a minor role in the treatment of rectal cancer patients in 2003 and was mainly initiated by surgeons (approximately 70%). However, 74% of the answering surgeons and 42% of the answering radiotherapists not performing short-term radiotherapy in 2003 were open minded towards the introduction of this treatment modality.
Ulrich
Alexis
A
Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Schwerdt
Jessica
J
Z'graggen
Kaspar
K
Kienle
Peter
P
Weitz
Jürgen
J
Büchler
Markus W
MW
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005858:Germany; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires