[Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer: preliminary results]

Many studies in the literature have confirmed the role of combined therapy in the treatment of rectal neoplasms. Aim of the Authors' study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in these patients. The study group consisted of 15 patients, affected by rectal adenocarcinoma T < 4 M0 with age < 75 years, observed from January to August 1998, who underwent to RT of pelvis with three fields--total dose 32 Gy- in ten days associated with 5 FU(500 mg/m2) during the first five. After restaging the patients were operated on. Anterior resections (AR) were followed by mechanical colorectal anastomosis in 10 patients, coloendoanal anastomosis in 4, while in 1 case an abdominoperineal resection (APR) was performed. The protocol was well tolerated in every patient and perioperative complications were similar to those in the control group. A considerable reduction of the mass was obtained in a great percentage of patients studied, confirmed by pathologic examination like "down staging" of cancer. In no case a complete response to the therapy was observed (pT0N0). Survival in the patients operated on for rectal adenocarcinoma in about 50% and local relapse is the most important site of recurrent disease. The aim of neoadjuvant protocol is the control of lymphatic spread and reduction rectal neoplasm allowing coloanal anastomosis in the treatment of the 1/3 inferior rectal cancer. Literature data confirm a significant decrease of local relapse, probably with a better survival. The Authors study confirms that combined preoperative therapy is well tolerated in most of the cases and it represents the protocol of choice in the patient affected by rectal cancer.