Thermoradiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the rectum and sigmoid

Between February 1983 and May 1990, 19 rectal cancers and three sigmoid colon cancers were treated with thermoradiotherapy. Among four patients with primary rectal cancer, one received preoperative treatment and three were judged inoperable. All the inoperable patients responded well to treatment and were judged operable. Pathological examination of the resected specimens confirmed the effectiveness of treatment. In one case in particular, no cancer cells were observed in the specimen or at autopsy, 21 months after thermoradiotherapy. Eighteen cases of recurrent colorectal cancer were also treated. Judged by tumor shrinkage alone, these patients were classified into five cases of PR and 13 of NR. When the low density area seen on CT images after treatment was added to the criteria, there was one case of CR, six of PR, and 11 of NR, and the effectiveness ratio shown by the sum of CR and PR was 38.9%. Fourteen cases in the thermoradiotherapy group and 16 in the radiation therapy group were compared as to the reduction in postoperative perineal pain caused by recurrence at the pre-sacral area. It was found that thermoradiotherapy was significantly superior to radiation therapy in the frequency and duration of pain relief. Although most patients complained of the sensation of heat, this was within tolerable limits, and no severe side effects were experienced. (author)