Preoperative radiation therapy for rectal carcinoma.

Preoperative irradiation was given to 58 selected patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum to decrease local recurrence and to improve survival. The irradiation was well tolerated without increasing operative complications. At a median follow-up of 25 months, the local failure rate appeared to be improved. Evaluation of increased length of survival will require longer follow-up. Results suggest that preoperative irradiation can safely decrease local recurrence of rectal carcinoma in patients believed to be at higher risk for local recurrence.