[Radiotherapy of rectal carcinoma].

Indication for radiotherapy as a complementary measure to surgery has become considerably wider ever since the introduction of high-volt therapy and CT-assisted radiation planning, plus the radiobiological experience made in recent years. The article highlights the possibilities of preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative radiation; in addition, attention is also drawn to the very restricted possibilities of palliation in relapse of carcinoma of the rectum. Finally, preoperative radiotherapy as short-term preliminary radiation is emphasised, supplemented by postoperative radiotherapy series in advanced carcinoma, as the therapy of choice.