[Assessment of chemoradiation therapy for advanced rectal cancer invaded the pelvic organ]

We assess the effect of chemoradiation therapy for four cases of advanced rectal cancer. The radiation therapy consisted of 40-50 Gy delivered in fraction of 2 Gy/day. A treatment of 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/body) with l-leucovorin (100 mg/body) intravenously once a week, or oral S-1 (100 mg/day/body) for four weeks, was given during radiation therapy. Efficacy for primary carcinoma was evaluated as partial response in all four cases. We performed a curative operation in two cases. Histological efficacy for primary tumors was diagnosed as Grade 2 and Grade 3. Grade 3 adverse effect for neutropenia occurred in one patient, and Grade 3 adverse effect for appetite loss occurred in 2 patients. All cases survived without a recurrence for a period of 4 months-5 years and 3 months. Chemoradiation therapy was safe and an effective treatment prior to curative operation for advanced rectal cancer which invaded the pelvic organ.