[Radio-oncological treatment possibilities in local recurrence of rectal carcinoma. An interdisciplinary comparison].

Local recurrences of rectal carcinomas are frequently associated with a considerable morbidity and a dismal prognosis. Surgical resection leads to long term tumor control in about 30 to 40%, but surgery can be offered to only 10 to 30% of the patients. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is able to induce local responses in 15 to 40% of the cases--similar figures as achieved by radiation therapy alone. A pilot study is presented using radiation therapy combined with the sensitizing agent razoxane (ICRF 159). There was an objective response rate of 62% and the median survival rose to 24 months (13 months with radiation therapy alone). These data compare almost to results seen in surgical series. However, they need confirmation.