Radiotherapy in the combined modality treatment for rectal cancer: the review of the literature

Surgical treatment of rectal cancer leads to unsatisfactory long-term results due to local recurrences. Radiation therapy is one of the most effective methods allowing the improvement of recurrence-free survival of these patients. This literary review is devoted to the problem of radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Two modes of radiotherapy (preoperative and postoperative) are studied. Advantages and disadvantages of the combined modality treatment for rectal cancer are discussed.