NEOADJUVANT RADIOTHERAPY OF RECTAL CANCER
Our work represents the comparative analysis of prolonged radiotherapy and short course large-fractionated radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients. Prolonged radiotherapy was shown to be able to produce regression of tumor located in low-ampular part with consequent possibility of sphincter-ablative surgery and also to cause the decrease of recurrences` incidence in patients with T4 stage and/or with metastases in lymph nodes. Short course of large-fractionated radiotherapy may be recommended to patients with T3N0 tumors when regression is not necessary, in cases when neoadjuvant treatment cannot affect the volume of surgery or when it is impossible to carry out the prolonged course. Morphological changes were proof positive of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.