[Adjuvant radiotherapy in operable rectal and rectosigmoid carcinoma]

In case of radically operable rectal and recto-sigmoidal carcinomas, the local (and probably also the general) tumor control can be markedly improved by adjuvant radiotherapy. The authors recommend a combination of a unique preoperative irradiation with 5 Gy for all patients and a postoperative irradiation with 40 to 45 Gy in 20 to 25 fractions for risk patients (infestation of the serosa and/or lymph nodes).