[Preoperative irradiation in the treatment of rectal carcinoma: study of results of 116 cases at five years (author's transl)]

Abstract

Pilot study of combined radiosurgical treatment of carcinoma of the rectum. 116 patients underwent surgical excision of a carcinoma of the rectum after concentrated preoperative irradiation giving 40 grays in 18 sessions over the pelvic tumour volume. The operation in 79 cases consisted of abdomino-perineal excision and in 37 cases of anterior resection. The node involvement noticed on the resected volume is of 16,4 per cent. The operative mortality is of 7,7 per cent and the complications due to radiotherapy itself mainly a delay in cicatrisation. Survival rate at five years is of 60 per cent. Preoperative irradiation seems to be realy a benefit in the treatment of rectal carcinoma.