Surgery remains the mainstay in the management of carcinoma of the rectum.
However, local recurrence and systemic metastasis remain the challenge. It appears that post operative radiotherapy has a very definite role in the reduction of local recurren...
Surgery remains the mainstay in the management of carcinoma of the rectum.
However, local recurrence and systemic metastasis remain the challenge. It appears that post operative radiotherapy has a very definite role in the reduction of local recurrence.
Ninty two patients of carcinoma of the rectum after curative surgery received post operative radiotherapy 5,000 rad/5~6weeks to whole pelvis at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between March 1979 and December 1982.
Fifty three percent of patients show modified Astler-Coller stage C₂.
Actuarial disease free survival rate of rectal cancer was : stage B1,2 75% stage C1 81% stage C₂ 39%, and stage C₃ 20%. Twelve percent shows local recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 28%. Prognostic sighificance of nodal metastasis is also analysed. Incidence of small bewel obstruction, requiring surgery, is 8%. occurring between 5th month to 12th month after operation.
It is suggested that post operative radiotherapy of the rectal cancer following curative surgery has a signifinat role in the reduction of local recurrence.