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Current Oncology Reports

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01-09-2018 | Gastrointestinal Cancers (J Meyer, Section Editor)

Neoadjuvant Short-Course Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Trends and Controversies

Authors: Amol K. Narang, Jeffrey Meyer

Published in: Current Oncology Reports | Issue 9/2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, neoadjuvant hypofractionated short-course radiation remains an underutilized regimen in the USA. We review the current clinical literature highlighting the relative merits of short-course radiation, along with modern neoadjuvant strategies that incorporate its use.

Recent Findings

As compared to long-course chemoradiation with delayed surgery, short-course radiation with early surgery offers similar oncologic efficacy for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Delaying surgery after short-course radiation decreases post-operative complications as compared to early surgery and improves tumor downstaging. Delaying surgery also offers the opportunity to administer neoadjuvant systemic therapy, which may help increase local-regional tumor response and potentially decrease distant relapse rates, the latter a persisting problem in rectal cancer treatment.

Summary

Short-course radiation, either with immediate or with delayed surgery, represents an appealing treatment alternative to long-course chemoradiation for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

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Title: Neoadjuvant Short-Course Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Trends and Controversies
Authors: Amol K. Narang
Jeffrey Meyer
Publication date: 01-09-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Oncology Reports / Issue 9/2018
Print ISSN: 1523-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6269
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-018-0714-x

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

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