Results of combined modality treatment including preoperative prolonged chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Assessment of tumor response to preoperative radiation therapy with radiosensitization with a daily dose of 1650 мg/m2 capecitabine for stage II–III rectal cancer was carried out. Thirty two patients received combined modality treatment, of them, 22 patients underwent 60 Gy external beam radiation therapy and 10 underwent external beam radiation combined with intracavitary radiation at a total dose of 56 Gy. The control group comprised 33 patients with stage II–III rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery alone. Complete response rate was 21,8 % in patients who received prolonged chemoradiotherapy. Radical sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 84,0 % of patients who received combined modality treatment and in 75,8 % of the control group patients. The comparative analysis of long-term results showed a significant reduction in the incidence of local recurrence and the increase in the 2-year relapse-free and overall survival rates in patients with stage III rectal cancer who received combined modality treatment including prolonged split radiation therapy as compared to the control group.