Preoperative irradiation of operable adenocarcinoma of the rectum and rectosigmoid colon: report of a randomized study

Preoperative irradiation in a moderate dose schedule (2,000-3,000 rads/two weeks) followed promptly by surgery has had a favorable effect, when matched with controls, on the survival of male patients with operable and resectable adenocarcinoma of the rectum, particularly when the lesion is low lying and requires an abdominoperineal resection. There is a significant reduction in the finding of positive lymph nodes in the treated group (27%) compared with the controls (40%). With 700 men already in the study, life table survivals at five years are documented at 40.4% for irradiated patients who undergo abdominoperineal resection vs. 27.5% for the control group. This favorable effect appears dose related.