The role of intraoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of rectal cancer Journal Article

  


Author: Alektiar, K. M.
Article Title: The role of intraoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of rectal cancer
Abstract: In patients with primary resectable rectal cancer, a significant improvement in local control and survival can be achieved with the use of adjuvant radiation therapy plus 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. However, it is more difficult to obtain such results for patients with more advanced disease. In patients with locally advanced and recurrent disease, the tumor is virtually always more locally extensive than is indicated by physical and radiographic examinations. This is because of the propensity of these tumors to adhere to or directly invade adjacent organs or vital structures. Therefore, with the exception of a limited suture line recurrence, initial surgery in this group of patients is often approached in a palliative rather than a curative fashion. A major limitation of pelvic external beam radiation therapy is that the dose required to achieve an adequate level of local control, in many cases, exceeds the tolerance of the surrounding normal tissues. In an attempt to overcome this limitation, a number of approaches have been used. The most promising approaches have included intraoperative radiation therapy and pelvic radiation therapy with systemic chemotherapy. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Keywords: cancer survival; cancer surgery; review; fluorouracil; nonhuman; cancer adjuvant therapy; cancer radiotherapy; radiation dose; palliative therapy; intraoperative period; rectum cancer; beam therapy; human
Journal Title: Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1043-1489
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2001-12-01
Start Page: 239
End Page: 245
Language: English
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:

http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0035664294&partnerID=40&md5=f4e9e1accfeebc85b3722a893e8f0e1b
Notes: Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus