[Role of the intracavitary irridiation in the curative treatment of cancer of the rectum. 170 cases].

In carcinoma of the rectum occurring in patients in whom surgery represents a high risk, the problem of local treatment is worthy of discussion in certain precisely defined cases. Intracavitary radiotherapy (contact radiotherapy, interstitial curietherapy) proved to be effective in a series of 170 patients, observed over a period of five years. The death rate due to carcinoma was less than 11 per cent. This simple, ambulatory method may be used in fragile and very elderly patients and is without danger. Surgery is still possible in the case of failure but irradiation can be used only in selected patients, in whom very close follow-up is possible.