Pre-operative radiotherapy in operable rectal cancer: interim report of a trial carried out by the Rectal Cancer Group

This is an interim report and initial data on aspects of treatment and pathology are not complete. However, the results so far do not show any significant change in the distribution of Dukes' stage or histological grade as a result of the regime of pre-operative radiotherapy used. There is a trend to an increased operative mortality in the irradiated group which is confined to patients treated palliatively. Morbidity is significantly increased in the radiotherapy group in relation to thrombo-embolic and cardiovascular complications. There is not, however, any increased risk in terms of anastomatic healing or wound sepsis. (author)