“Should we favour the use of 5x5 preoperative radiation in rectal cancer”

The management of patients with “locally advanced rectal cancer” (LARC) is evolving from the original aim of reducing local recurrence. Current practice recognises the importance of surgical technique, high-quality preoperative imaging, and integration of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Contemporary protocols focus on impro ving survival and avoiding radical surgery with organ preservation strategies. Both short course preoperative radiotherapy (SCPRT) with immediate surgery and long-course chemoradiation (LCCRT) are standard neoadjuvant strategies, both demonstrating similar efficacy in preventing local recurrence, di stant metastases and improving disease-free survival (DFS).

Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - October 13, 2019 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Clare Kane, Rob Glynne-Jones Tags: Controversy Source Type: research