01-04-2006 | Review
Late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 3/2006
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Background
For locally advanced rectal cancer surgery as sole treatment results in poor local control and survival. After adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, small bowel toxicity has been the most frequent and serious side effect. The gain in survival and local control was accompanied by severe late chronic toxicity reducing the benefit of adjuvant treatment.
Review
Clinical factors, pathology and treatment of late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer will be discussed. This review will focus on different surgical and radiotherapeutic means reducing the risk of late small bowel damage.