A Case of Recurrent Rectal Cancer who Survived more than 5 Years Following Thermoradiotherapy

Abstract

A case of recurrent rectal cancer who survived more than 5 years following thermo-radiotherapy was presented. A 76-year-old male patient with unresectable recurrent rectal cancer in the perineum was treated with radiation therapy combined with hyperthermia. Total radiation dose was 66Gy/2Gy, and an 8MHzRF capacitive heating device was used for reginal hyperthermia. Although the recurrent tumor showed complete regresion 4 months after the combined therapy, a small marginal recurrence behind sacrum was noted on CT scan. Thermoradiation therapy was performed again for the recurrent tumor. Total radiation dose for the tumor was 50Gy/2Gy, and a 430MHz microwave hyperthermia system was used for local hyperthermia. An average intratumoral temperature was 43.0°C. In terms of toxicity, radiation skin ulcer was noted in the hip region 4 years after the initial treatment. He died of pulumonary infection 5 years and 8months after the combined treatment. At autopsy, neither residual tumor nor distant metastasis was demonstrated. Hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy seems effective in the treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer.