[Radiotherapy of colorectal carcinomas (author's transl)].

The authors are of the opinion that radiotherapy is always indicated for colorectal carcinoma patients: (1) Operable carcinomas should be given radiation treatment before operation; postoperative saturation of high-risk cases at the full tumor dose is recommended. (2) Inoperable or partially operated carcinomas should be treated with tumoricidal radiation dose. (3) Radiotherapy is also indicated for cases of local recurrence, especially in the floor of the pelvis, in view of the frequent lack of possible operative access. The necessary dose rate must take into account any prior radiation load. (4) The excellent palliative results are themselves a recommendation for radiotherapy.