title: Chemoradiation as definitive treatment for primary squamous cell cancer of the rectum.
abstract: In this report, we present a case of advanced squamous cell cancer located in the rectum of a 78-year-old woman treated with chemoradiation with curative intent. The patient showed a complete clinical response to chemoradiation; multiple biopsies were performed at the site of the previous mass 5 mo after the end of treatment and histological examination showed no residual tumour in the specimens. Surgical intervention was avoided and the patient was free of disease 12 mo after the diagnosis of cancer. Primary chemoradiation should be considered as the treatment of choice for this rare malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Eva Iannacone, Daniela Musio, Rossella Caiazzo, Nicola Raffetto, Enzo Banelli, Department of Radiation Oncology, "University Sapienza", 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iannacone
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dionisi
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Musio
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caiazzo
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raffetto
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Banelli