Radiation-induced carcinoma of the rectum

Carcinomas and sarcomas are known to develop after radiation therapy. A complete review of the literature regarding appearance of carcinoma of the rectum following radiation therapy to the pelvis was undertaken. The average interval between irradiation and diagnosis of the rectal cancer was 15.2 years, the range being from one year, two months to 33 years. We present a case of carcinoma of the rectum arising as two separate primaries 46 years after irradiation for an epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix. There were many pathologic changes related to the radiation therapy.