title: [Radiotherapy-associated morbidity and mortality in rectal surgery].
abstract: The treatment of rectal cancer has evolved significantly in recent decades. Both modern radiotherapy treatment concepts and surgical techniques have been able to improve oncological as well as functional outcomes for rectal cancer patients. Large-scale, multicenter, randomized trials have been able to demonstrate the benefits of neoadjuvant treatment over adjuvant radiotherapy. In addition, local tumor control is improved by neoadjuvant irradiation. Conversely, patients receiving a total mesorectal excision showed no survival advantage following irradiation vs. only surgically resected patients. In addition, radiation therapy is associated with a certain morbidity and mortality. This paper summarizes the available evidence regarding postoperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term chronic effects of neoadjuvant radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kulu
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ulrich
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005472:Fluorouracil