[Hypofractionated radiotherapy in rectal cancer for elderly patients]

Abstract

Rectal cancer is a common pathology in the elderly. The standard for advanced rectal tumors is a chemoradiotherapy regimen combined 50Gy with concomitant chemotherapy followed by a surgery. This treatment induces interruptions of chemoradiotherapy and toxicities G3-4 more important in people over 70 years of age. Hypofractionated radiotherapy 5×5Gy with surgery following week is an alternative. All retrospective studies on this fractionation report an excellent immediate and chronic tolerance. The randomized phase III NACRE trial, comparing these 2 radiotherapy, followed by surgery at 6-8 week, established a standard in the management of the elderly patients.

Keywords: Cancer du rectum; Elderly patients; Hypofractioned radiotherapy; Personne âgée; Radiothérapie hypofractionnée; Rectal cancer.