TREATMENT OF CARCINOMA OF THE RECTUM AND SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA OF THE ANUS BY COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY, RADIOTHERAPY AND OPERATION

Abstract

A protocol was formulated for patients with carcinomas of the anus and rectum larger than 5 cm in diameter. The protocol used was a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed 4-6 wk later by abdominoperineal resection. This approach is clearly of value. All lesions decreased in size. In more than 1/2 of the patients, the primary lesion was reduced by more than 50%; 78% of the patients had no nodes at operation. In 10 patients there was no tumor and in 26 only minimal tumor. If operation were delayed another 2 wk, perhaps some of these patients would have had no tumor. It is too early to consider 5 and 10 yr results but present results demonstrate the value of combined interdisciplinary therapy by the available modalities in the management of carcinoma of the rectum and anus.