Combined Effect of Preoperative Irradiation and Local Hyperthermia for Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Seventy-eight patients with an untreated rectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups A and B. To 40 cases of Group A, the radiotherapy was received first, and then, in thirty minutes, the intracavitary hyperthermia using 915 MHz microwave was given in twice a week. The dosage selected for the radiotherapy were severally 30Gy/3 weeks and 40Gy/4 weeks. In Group A (combined treatment) CR and PR were observed in 57.5% and 32.5%. As compared with it, in Group B (radiotherapy alone) CR and PR were seen in only 5.3% and 26.3%. In both groups the radical resection was performed after preoperative procedures, and the combined effect between radiotherapy and hyperthermia was confirmed histologically.