Table 3.
Randomized trials of preoperative RT compared to alternative treatments in rectal cancer.
| Trial (Reference) | Treatment | No. Patients | Local Failure (%) | Survival Rate at 5 years (%) | ||
| Preoperative RT | Surgery Delay | Postoperative RT (Delay) | ||||
| Pahlman & Glimelius [30] | 5.1 Gy × 5 - |
1 week - |
- 60 Gy in 54* (4–6 weeks) |
236 235 |
22% 33% p = 0.012 |
43% 37% p = 0.43 |
| RTOG [31] | 0.5 Gy × 1 - |
1 day - |
45–51 Gy* (2–6 weeks) |
175 178 |
32% 32% p = NS |
43% 32% p = NS |
| Herrmann et al. [32] | 3.3 Gy × 5 - |
1–2 days - |
41.5 Gy in 48* 59.8 Gy in 56* (6–14 weeks) |
48 46 |
25% 39% p = 0.142 |
49% 37% p = NS |
| EORTC [33] | 2.3 × 15 2.3 × 15 + 5-FU |
2 weeks 2 weeks |
- - |
121 126 |
15% 15% p = NS |
59% 46% p = 0.06 |
| Francois et al. [34] | 3.0 Gy × 13 3.0 Gy × 13 |
2 weeks 6–8 weeks |
- - |
99 102 |
9% 9% p = NS |
78%† 73%† p = NS |
Note: NS indicates not statistically significant; RTOG, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. * Radiation given only to high-risk cases (stages B2 and C). † 3-year survival rate.