Repeated lower mesentericography in the assessment of the efficacy of rectum cancer radiation therapy

The results of angiographic observation over 30 patients with cancer of the rectum who had undergone selective lower mesentericography with the purpose of the assessment of the efficacy of tumour irradiation are presented. Comparing the angiographic picture of the tumours obtained in primary and secondary investigations the authors revealed definite alterations in the tumour due to telegammatherapy. Taking into account the obtained data the authors distinguished 3 variants of the tumoral process course. Verification of the results of repeated arteriography in histological study of the removed surgical preparations in 14 patients makes it possible to affirm that with the help of an arteriographic study made one month following the termination of the radiation therapy course (cumulative focal dose-4000 rad) it is possible to assess rather objectively the dynamics of the tumoral process. In complex observation of patients with tumours of the rectum the results of the selective lower mesentericography were the main in the choice of further treatment tactics