Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the surgical complication rate after further experience with infusional chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative radiation therapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks) and concurrent continuous infusion of 5- fluorouracil (300 mg · m-2 · d-1) were given to 117 patients with rectal cancer. Approximately 6 weeks after therapy, surgery was performed. RESULTS: The histopathologic cancer stages were Tis-2N0 in 30 patients (26%), T2N1 in six (55), T3N0 in 24 (21%), T3N1 in 18 (15%), T4N0 in six (5%), and T4N1 in one (1%); a complete response to preoperative therapy was histopathologically confirmed in 32 patients. A decrease in cancer stage allowed a sphincter-saving procedure in 68 patients (58%) and abdominoperineal resection in 49 patients (42%). Only one patient developed fistula; nine patients; perioperative wound complications; and four patients, pelvic infection. In the authors' previously reported chemotherapy and radiation therapy results (same protocol), eight (22%) of 37 patients developed fistulas and five (14%) developed pelvic abscess; in the authors' previous experience with preoperative radiation therapy only (median total dose, 45 Gy; dose range, 40.0-59.4 Gy), results were similar. CONCLUSION: Surgical complications after chemotherapy and radiation therapy are statistically significantly (P < .05) reduced with further experience.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 131-136 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Radiology |
Volume | 206 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1998 |
Keywords
- Chemotherapeutic infusion
- Rectum, neoplasms
- Surgery, complications
- Therapeutic radiology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging