[Use of preoperative intensive irradiation in the combined treatment of patients with colon cancer].

The paper discusses the results of preoperative intensive irradiation used in combined treatment for cancer of the sigmoid colon. Diagnosis was verified morphologically. Patients were randomly assigned for irradiation+surgery (group 1-97 cases) or surgery alone (group 2-111). Those undergoing radical operations only (in both groups) were included into the analysis. No difference was found between the two groups in rate of postoperative complications development (frequency of intestinal anastomosis failure included). The frequency of recurrence and metastasis development was significantly higher in the surgery only group. In patients with metastasis into regional lymph nodes, five-year survival was significantly higher among those who had undergone irradiation.