Journal of B.U.ON., cilt.12, sa.2, ss.203-208, 2007 (Scopus)
Purpose: We report the feasibility and toxicity profile, and the impact on local control, disease-free survival and overall survival rates of our study which consisted of postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy using uracil-tegafur (UFT)/leukovorin (LV) in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Patients and methods: Thirty-one patients operated for rectal adenocarcinoma (pT3/4 or N+) were enrolled onto the study. Twenty-three patients were males and 8 females with median age 62 years (range 21-85). Radiotherapy (RT) to the pelvis with conformal technique and individual blocks was delivered within 8 weeks following surgery. Total RT dose was 50.4 Gy and was given in a conventional single fraction of 1.8 Gyper day. Chemotherapy was administered concomitantly and consisted of UFT(300mg/m2/day) and LV (30mg/day) during RT-days. Following chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy alone was administered for 4 cycles in the same dose for 28 days every 35 days. Results: No lethal toxicity occurred. All patients completed the scheduled RT Concurrent chemotherapy continued in 22 (70.9%) patients until the end of RT. Seventeen (54.8%) patients completed the whole concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy as planned, No grade 3-4 stomatitis/mucositis or haematological toxicities were observed during the whole treatment period. During concomitant therapy grade 1-2 toxicities were: nausea/vomiting 60%, dyspepsia/gastric pain 39%, diarrhea 39% and dysuria 10%, whereas grade 3 nausea and diarrhea occurred in 6% and 19%, respectively. Median follow-up was 22 months. Two-year local control, disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 96.3%, 72.3% and 83.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The acute toxicity profile of UFT/LV, local control, disease-free survival and overall survival in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy setting for operated, locally advanced rectal cancer seem comparable with the standard 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based therapies. © 2007 Zerbinis Medical Publications.