[Indications for radiotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors]

As a pre- or postoperative measure, radiotherapy can contribute to the treatment of many gastrointestinal malignancies. Postoperative radiotherapy is recommended in malignant lymphoma of the stomach and the intestine, as well as for invasive and totally resected carcinoma of the recto-sigmoid in order to prevent local recurrences. Preoperative radiotherapy can be attempted for carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus and extended carcinoma of the stomach and the rectum, as long as no better therapeutic association is available. Finally, curative radiotherapy can be administered for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and the anus, with a reasonable chance of success, to avoid subjecting the patient to major surgery.