[Intraoperative radiotherapy in gastrointestinal tumors]

Intraoperative radiotherapy has proved its worth for curative and palliative treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. IORT indications comprise cancer of the stomach, of the pancreas and colorectal carcinomas. Most authors are cautious to apply it to carcinoma of the esophagus, of the small intestine and of the hepatobiliary system. IORT is applied as adjuvant treatment alone or in combination with postoperative external-beam photon irradiation +/- chemotherapy. There is evidence of an improved local control rate. Pain can be relieved in symptomatic patients by an IORT dose of > or = 20 Gy. Until now, however, there is no evidence of a prolonged relapse-free and overall survival.