[Problems in radiation therapy for carcinoma of the rectum (author's transl)]

The role of radiation therapy within the total treatment for carcinoma of the rectum is reported in this paper. Early treatment with radiological contact methods as well as systemic post operative irradiation of advanced tumor stages are interpreted in detail, and attention is drawn to the importance of pre-operative irradiation meanwhile being tested at many places. Therapy of recurrences and of inoperable tumor stages, including chemotherapy, is explained on the basis of own experiences and of reviewing the data of the literature.