[Advanced stages of rectosigmoid cancer. The role of postoperative radiotherapy]

In patients with advanced rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma treated with radical surgery alone, loco-regional relapse rate is quite high (29%-60%). When postoperative radiotherapy is performed, loco-regional relapse rate sharply falls to 7%-15%. A series of 42 patients, stage B2, C1 and C2, is presented. All patients were treated with radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Only two loco-regional relapses were found (5%). Overall actuarial survival at 5 years is 76% for B2, and 46% for C1 and C2. The authors conclude that adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy is useful in reducing loco-regional relapses, whereas survival seems to be improved only for stage B2 patients.