Abstract
Purpose is to give an overview of treatment possibilities of rectal cancer over time,
but also of the real management of rectal cancer especially in relation to age. From
literature search representative randomised studies on patients with resectable rectal
cancer, comparing only surgery, post- and preoperative radiotherapy with or without
chemotherapy, are reviewed. We also reviewed the literature regarding radiotherapy
for rectal cancer described in population-based studies.
The overview of the trials showed that preoperative radiotherapy improves local control
in relation to no or postoperative radiotherapy. Adding chemotherapy did not significantly
improve survival. No relations were seen between age and complications. All population-based
studies showed that increasing age is associated with less (neo)adjuvant treatment.
To avoid local recurrence, the best possible treatment, being preoperative RT, should
be given to all patients with resectable rectal cancer, irrespective of age.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 23, 2007
Accepted:
June 27,
2007
Received in revised form:
June 20,
2007
Received:
May 15,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
