International journal of colorectal disease
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Int J Colorectal Dis · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyShort-term preoperative radiotherapy is a safe approach for treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.
The Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial (SRCT) demonstrated that a short term regimen of high-dose preoperative radiotherapy (5x5 Gy) not only reduces the risk of local recurrence but also improves overall survival rate. An increase in postoperative mortality and morbidity has also been observed, however. We therefore evaluated early postoperative complications in patients treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. ⋯ Short-term preoperative radiotherapy does not increase the rate of postoperative complications and is a safe therapeutic adjunct for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.