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Title: Preoperative concurrent 5-Fluorouracil infusion, Mitomycin C and pelvic radiation therapy in tethered and fixed rectal carcinoma

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

This is a Phase 1/2 study of preoperative concurrent radiation and chemotherapy in tethered and fixed rectal carcinoma. This study examined the curative resectability, the acute toxicities during chemo-radiation and the surgical complications. Between 1986 and 1990, 46 patients were treated with preoperative pelvic radiation (4,000 cGy in 20 fractions in 4 weeks), 5-Fluorouracil infusion (20 mg/m[sup 2], days 1--4 and 15--18) and Mitomycin C (8 mg/m[sup 2], day 1). This was followed by surgery 6 to 8 weeks later. 30 patients had tethered tumors and 16 patients had fixed tumors. After preoperative chemo-radiation, 41 patients (89%) underwent curative resection. Two patients (4%) had no residual tumor found (T0N0M0). Seven patients (15%) had nodal metastases. Two patients developed grade 3 neutropenia (WBC = 1--2 [times] 10[sup 9]/L) during chemo-radiation. Five patients had delay in perineal wound healing. One patient had an anastomotic leak. Four patients developed stomal stenosis which required surgical revision. The 2-year actuarial survival was 73%. The 2-year local relapse rate was 16%. Patients with fixed carcinoma had a higher incidence of local failure (28% vs. 10%) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0036). The 2-year distant failure rate was 41%, and the rates were similar for both tethered and fixed carcinomas. Preoperative pelvic radiation, chemotherapy and surgery could achieve a curative resection rate of 89% in tethered and fixed rectal carcinomas. However, distant metastases remained the major cause of failure. 42 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.

OSTI ID:
6375697
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Vol. 25:5; ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English