Preoperative Radiotherapy Improves Outcome in Recurrent Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: METHODS: RESULTS:The median follow-up of patients alive for the total group was 16 (range, 4-156) months. Tumor characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Complete resections were performed in 64 percent of the patients who received preoperative radiation and 45 percent of the nonirradiated patients. A complete response after radiotherapy was found in 10 percent of the preoperative irradiated patients (n = 6). There were no differences in morbidity and reintervention rate between the two groups. Local control after preoperative radiotherapy was statistically significantly higher after three and five years (P = 0.036). Overall survival and metastases-free survival were not different in both groups. Complete response to preoperative radiotherapy was predictive for an improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: