Radiation therapy in cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid.

Carcinoma of the rectum and rectosigmoid is one of the major causes of death in adults. Despite marked advances in surgical skills, anesthesia, and antibiotics, the results remain poor. Although papers in the medical literature have stressed the importance of adjunctive radiation therapy, most general surgeons do not refer patients with this disease for radiation therapy. Irradiation is important adjunctive therapy which should not be ignored. We have reviewed the medical literature and summarized the basic concepts on this subject.