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Background/aim: Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced upper rectal adenocarcinoma (LAURC) is debated. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between LAURC and locally advanced sigmoid and recto-sigmoid junction cancer (LASC)., Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 149 consecutive patients [42 CRT/LAURC, 16 upfront surgery (US/LAURC) and 91 LASC]. Partial mesorectum excision (PME) was performed for all LAURC. Pathology results as well as short-and-long-term outcomes were compared between the three groups., Results: Overall mortality was nil. Morbidity was comparable (CRT/LAURC 23.8% vs. LASC: 20.8% vs. US/LAURC: 37.5%, p=0.2354). CRT was associated with a reduced risk of positive circumferential margin (CRT/LAURC: 9.5% vs. US/LAURC: 18.7%, p<0.0001). Recurrence rate, 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were similar between the three groups., Conclusion: CRT and PME did not improve LAURC oncological outcomes but were associated with improved margins. CRT for LAURC was not associated with increased morbidity., (Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: EORTC trial 22921 examined the addition of preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy to preoperative radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer. After a median follow-up of 5 years, chemotherapy-irrespective of timing-significantly improved local control. Adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve survival, but the Kaplan-Meier curves diverged, suggesting possible delayed benefit. Here, we report the updated long-term results., Methods: We randomly assigned patients with clinical stage T3 or T4 resectable rectal cancer to receive preoperative radiotherapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy before surgery followed by either adjuvant chemotherapy or surveillance. Randomisation was done using minimisation with factors of institution, sex, T stage, and distance from the tumour to the anal verge. Study coordinators, clinicians, and patients were aware of assignment. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy to the posterior pelvis in 25 fractions of 1·8 Gy over 5 weeks. Each course of chemotherapy consisted of fluorouracil (350 mg/m(2) per day intravenous bolus) and folinic acid (leucovorin; 20 mg/m(2) per day intravenous bolus). For preoperative chemotherapy, two courses were given (during weeks 1 and 5 of radiotherapy). Adjuvant chemotherapy was given in four cycles, every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival. This analysis was done by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00002523., Findings: 1011 patients were randomly assigned to treatment between April, 1993, and March, 2003 (252 to preoperative radiotherapy and 253 to each of the other three groups). After a median follow-up of 10·4 years (IQR 7·8-13·1), 10-year overall survival was 49·4% (95% CI 44·6-54·1) for the preoperative radiotherapy group and 50·7% (45·9-55·2) for the preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy group (HR 0·99, 95% CI 0·83-1·18; p=0·91). 10-year overall survival was 51·8% (95% CI 47·0-56·4) for the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 48·4% (43·6-53·0) for the surveillance group (HR 0·91, 95% CI 0·77-1·09, p=0·32). 10-year disease-free survival was 44·2% (95% CI 39·5-48·8) for the preoperative radiotherapy group and 46·4% (41·7-50·9) for the preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy group (HR 0·93, 95% CI 0·79-1·10; p=0·38). 10-year disease-free survival was 47·0% (95% CI 42·2-51·6) for the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 43·7% (39·1-48·2) for the surveillance group (HR 0·91, 95% CI 0·77-1·08, p=0·29). At 10 years, cumulative incidence of local relapse was 22·4% (95% CI 17·1-27·6) with radiotherapy alone, 11·8% (7·8-15·8) with neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, 14·5% (10·1-18·9) with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy and 11·7% (7·7-15·6) with both adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p=0·0017). There was no difference in cumulative incidence of distant metastases (p=0·52). The frequency of long-term side-effects did not differ between the four groups (p=0·22)., Interpretation: Adjuvant fluorouracil-based chemotherapy after preoperative radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy) does not affect disease-free survival or overall survival. Our trial does not support the current practice of adjuvant chemotherapy after preoperative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. New treatment strategies incorporating neoadjuvant chemotherapy are required., Funding: EORTC, US National Cancer Institute, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, Ligue contre le Cancer Comité du Doubs., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Considerable variation in intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolism can occur due to the wide range of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme activity, which can affect both tolerability and efficacy. The oral fluoropyrimidine tegafur-uracil (UFT) is an effective, well-tolerated and convenient alternative to intravenous 5-FU. We undertook this study in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of UFT with leucovorin (LV) and preoperative radiotherapy and to evaluate the utility and limitations of multicenter staging using pre- and post-chemoradiotherapy ultrasound. We also performed a validated pretherapy assessment of DPD activity and assessed its potential influence on the tolerability of UFT treatment., Methods: This phase II study assessed preoperative UFT with LV and radiotherapy in 85 patients with locally advanced T3 rectal cancer. Patients with potentially resectable tumors received UFT (300 mg/m/2/day), LV (75 mg/day), and pelvic radiotherapy (1.8 Gy/day, 45 Gy total) 5 days/week for 5 weeks then surgery 4-6 weeks later. The primary endpoints included tumor downstaging and the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate., Results: Most adverse events were mild to moderate in nature. Preoperative grade 3/4 adverse events included diarrhea (n = 18, 21%) and nausea/vomiting (n = 5, 6%). Two patients heterozygous for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) experienced early grade 4 neutropenia (variant IVS14+1G > A) and diarrhea (variant 2846A > T). Pretreatment ultrasound TNM staging was compared with postchemoradiotherapy pathology TN staging and a significant shift towards earlier TNM stages was observed (p < 0.001). The overall downstaging rate was 42% for primary tumors and 44% for lymph nodes. The pCR rate was 8%. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for staging was poor. Anal sphincter function was preserved in 55 patients (65%). Overall and recurrence-free survival at 3 years was 86.1% and 66.7%, respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 36 node-positive patients (mean duration 118 days)., Conclusion: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy using UFT with LV plus radiotherapy was well tolerated and effective and represents a convenient alternative to 5-FU-based chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of resectable rectal cancer. Pretreatment detection of DPD deficiency should be performed to avoid severe adverse events.

Purpose: Few studies have evaluated the quality of life (QoL) of patients with rectal cancer. This report describes the quality of life of French patients who entered the 22921 EORTC trial that investigated the role and place of chemotherapy (CT) added to preoperative radiotherapy (preop-RT)., Patients and Methods: Patients without recurrences were evaluated with EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires, after a median time of 4.6 years from randomisation., Results: All the scores of QLQ-C30 functions were high, from 78 up to 88, with those of global health quality of life scale (GHQL) status being 73. The mean scores of symptoms were low except for diarrhoea. For QLQ-CR38, the mean scores for "body image" and "future perspective" were high at 79.6 and 69.7 respectively. The scores for "sexual functioning" and "enjoyment" were low. Men had more sexual problems than females (62.5 vs 25 mean scores respectively). Chemotherapy was associated with more diarrhoea complaints, lower "role", lower "social functioning" and lower global health quality of life scale., Conclusion: The overall quality of life of patients with rectal cancer is quite good 4.6 years after the beginning preoperative treatments. However, adding chemotherapy to preoperative radiotherapy has a negative effect on diarrhoea complaints and some quality of life dimensions., (Copyright © 2010 Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Preoperative radiotherapy is recommended for selected patients with rectal cancer. We evaluated the addition of chemotherapy to preoperative radiotherapy and the use of postoperative chemotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer., Methods: We randomly assigned patients with clinical stage T3 or T4 resectable rectal cancer to receive preoperative radiotherapy, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy, or preoperative chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy delivered over a period of 5 weeks. One course of chemotherapy consisted of 350 mg of fluorouracil per square meter of body-surface area per day and 20 mg of leucovorin per square meter per day, both given for 5 days. Two courses were combined with preoperative radiotherapy in the group receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy and the group receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy; four courses were planned postoperatively in the group receiving preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy and the group receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy. The primary end point was overall survival., Results: We enrolled 1011 patients in the trial. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups that received chemotherapy preoperatively (P=0.84) and those that received it postoperatively (P=0.12). The combined 5-year overall survival rate for all four groups was 65.2%. The 5-year cumulative incidence rates for local recurrences were 8.7%, 9.6%, and 7.6% in the groups that received chemotherapy preoperatively, postoperatively, or both, respectively, and 17.1% in the group that did not receive chemotherapy (P=0.002). The rate of adherence to preoperative chemotherapy was 82.0%, and to postoperative chemotherapy was 42.9%., Conclusions: In patients with rectal cancer who receive preoperative radiotherapy, adding fluorouracil-based chemotherapy preoperatively or postoperatively has no significant effect on survival. Chemotherapy, regardless of whether it is administered before or after surgery, confers a significant benefit with respect to local control. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00002523 [ClinicalTrials.gov].)., (Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society.)

The esophagus is divided into four regions: cervical esophagus, intrathoracic esophagus with upper, mid and lower thoracic portion. Cancer may occur on each of these regions. Computed tomography of the thorax and superior abdomen and endoscopic ultrasound are necessary for reliable staging. CT simulation allows accurate definition of tumor volume. GTV includes tumor volume and regional lymph nodes. CTV encompasses GTV plus safety margin and lymph nodes areas considered to harbor potential microscopic disease. The extent of prophylactic lymph node irradiation depends on the anatomic location of the primary tumor.

Radiation therapy with concomitant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for non resectable esophageal carcinoma. For patients with operable tumors, surgery is the traditional treatment. However several data have suggested that preoperative chemo- and radiotherapy could improve therapeutic results. At the present time, no randomized trial has demonstrated, except for adenocarcinoma of the cardia, the benefit of preoperative treatment. Other randomized trials are needed to determine the role and the optimal modalities of these treatments. This is a review of the literature data in concomitant chemotherapy and radiation in the management of esophagus.

Purpose: To determine predictive factors and prognostic value of tumor downstaging and tumor sterilization after preoperative RT for rectal cancer., Methods and Materials: Between 1977 and 1994, 167 patients with a histologically proven adenocarcinoma (70 T2, 65 T3, 29 T4, and 3 local recurrences) underwent preoperative RT. Median dose was 44 Gy (5-73 Gy). Surgery was performed in a mean time of 5 weeks after RT. Pathologic specimens have been reviewed by the same pathologist in order to specify the modified Astler Coller classification (MAC), and to quantify the residual tumor cell density (RTCD)., Results: According to the MAC, there was 9 stage 0 (5%), 10 stage A (6%), 103 stage B1-B3 (62%), and 45 stage C1-C3 (27%) tumors. Seventeen percent and 56% of the patients who received a dose > or = 44 Gy had respectively a 0-A and a B tumor, compared to 4 and 69% in those who received a dose < 44 Gy (p = 0.04). Tumor differentiation and a longer interval before surgery were significantly associated with a more frequent downstaging, and preoperative staging correlated well to the postoperative pathological findings. According to the RTCD, 62 tumors (37%) showed no or only rare foci of residual tumor cells (Group 1); 62 (37%) showed an intermediate RTCD (Group 2); and 43 (26%) a high RTCD (Group 3). No predictive factor of RTCD was statistically significant. In univariate analysis, postoperative staging was a significant prognostic factor, with corresponding 5-year overall survival rates in 0-A, B, and C stages of 92, 67, and 26% (p < 0.01). RTCD was not a prognostic factor. However, overall and disease-free survival rates for patients with complete pathologic response of 83% at 2 and 5 years suggested a better outcome in this subgroup of patients., Conclusion: The favorable influence of higher doses of preoperative RT on pathologic stage has been observed. Tumor differentiation, preoperative classification and time before surgery were the other predictive factors of tumor downstaging. However, there was no predictive factor of complete pathologic response. Even after preoperative RT, postoperative staging remained a prognostic factor.

Purpose: To determine predictive factors and prognostic value of tumor downstaging and sterilization after preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer., Patients and Methods: Between 1977 and 1994, 167 patients with a histologically proven adenocarcinoma underwent preoperative radiotherapy (median dose, 44 Gy; mean time before surgery, 5 weeks). Pathologic specimens were reviewed by the same pathologist in order to specify the modified Astler Coller classification (MAC) and to quantify residual tumor cell density (RTCD)., Results: According to the MAC, there were nine stage 0 (5%), 10 stage A (6%), 103 stage B1-B3 (62%) and 45 stage C1-C3 (27%) tumors. Seventeen per cent and 56% of the patients who received a dose > or = 44 Gy presented with stage 0-A and stage B1-B3 tumors, respectively, compared to 4 and 69% of those who received a dose < 44 Gy (P = 0.04). Tumor differentiation and a longer interval before surgery were significantly associated with more frequent downstaging. According to the RTCD, 62 tumors (37%) showed no or only rare foci of residual tumor cells; 62 (37%) showed an intermediate RTCD and 43 (26%) a high RTCD. No predictive factor of RTCD was statistically significant. Only post-operative staging was a significant prognostic factor (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The favourable influence of higher doses of preoperative radiotherapy on pathologic stage has been observed. Tumor differentiation and time before surgery were the other significant predictive factors of tumor downstaging. Even after preoperative radiotherapy, post-operative staging retained its prognostic value.

The authors report the result of a study carried out on 16 cases of tubal adenocarcinoma treated between the years 1975 and 1988. This is a rare gynaecological cancer with a poor prognosis. The mean age of the patients was 57 years, 64.5% of them were menopausal. 25% had had a history of sterility. 29% were nulliparous and 37.5% had previous salpingitis. In 44% of cases the principal clinical signs were a watery discharge and a blood stained discharge. Pelvic pain occurred in 37% of the cases and CT scan showed a pelvic mass in 50% of cases. Hysterosalpingography and ultrasound were two complimentary investigations. The relatively early stage at which first signs of the condition were noted, show the stages of the disease: stage I 68.7%, stage II 25%, stage III 6.2%, stage IV 0%. Surgery above all was the basis of treatment carried out in all cases, and supplemented in 15 out of the 16 cases by added treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy of hormone therapy). As far as histology was concerned, well or moderately well differentiated forms were found to predominate (there were 37.5% grade I and 37.5% grade II) against only 26% for grade III. More than half of the tube wall was infiltrated in 50% of cases. The actuarial survival rate after 5 years was 33%. The authors examine the principal factors responsible for the prognosis, the tissue, the early diagnosis and the possibility of removing the tumour completely at the first operation as well as the histological grading and above all the degree of depth of infiltration of the wall of the tube.

Surgery is the traditional treatment for endometrial carcinoma stage I and II. Radiotherapy is given to improve local control rate. Vaginal vault curietherapy can reduce vaginal recurrences rate. Chronology of curietherapy (pre or post operative) is under discussion. We have retrospectively analyzed treatment results of patients treated either with pre operative curietherapy (60 Gy) and then radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy (RH-BSO) (group 1), or with RH-BSO and then vaginal curietherapy (60 Gy) (group 2). Patients with bad prognostic factors (grade 3 and deep tumor invasion into the myometrium) received pelvic external irradiation and were excluded. 121 patients were in group 1, 63 patients were in group 2. All patients received curietherapy using Cesium 137 sources (one uterine and two vaginal sources in group 1, three vaginal sources in group 2). Total dose delivered to the reference volume was 60 Gy. Doses delivered to some reference points (vagina, rectum, bladder, pelvic wall) were calculated according to the ICRU recommendations. Surgery was at least RH-BSO performed either before or after curietherapy. 82 patients in group 1 and 44 in group 2 had a pelvic lymphadenectomy. Curietherapy data were comparable in the two groups according to the dose distribution to the vagina, rectum and bladder. Reference volume was smaller in the group 2. Local failure rate was 13% in group 1 and 10% in group 2. Distant metastases rate was 12% in group 1 and 9% in group 2. Five year actuarial survival rate was not statistically different between the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In our institution endometrial carcinomas stage I and II were treated with uterovaginal brachytherapy and radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. We have studied in a retrospective analysis the results of the lymphadenectomy in order to precise his place in the treatment strategy. Between 1976 and 1986, 155 patients were treated these modalities (107 were stage I, 48 were stage II). The mean age was 60.2 years. Brachytherapy delivered 60 Gy and then radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. 26 patients received a pelvic external beam irradiation on account of lymph node involvement and or deep tumor invasion into the myometrium. 14 patients (9%) had a lymph node involvement. External iliac lymph nodes were involved in 78.5% of these cases. Lymph node involvement rate was higher for stage II, grade 3 tumors and when there was a deep tumor invasion into the myometrium. Pelvic failure rate was 12% for N- patients and 36% for N+ patients. Five years actuarial survival rate was 83% for N- and 41% for N+ patients. Now, we carry out a pelvic external radiotherapy for all stage II, grade 2 or 3 patients and when there is a deep tumor invasion into the myometrium and we do not perform lymphadenectomy for these patients. We perform only external iliac sample for patients with stage I grade 1 tumour without deep tumour invasion.

In our institution endometrial carcinomas Stage I and II were treated with initial uterovaginal brachytherapy 60 Gy followed by modified radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. We have studied the results in order to assess the value of lymphadenectomy in the treatment strategy. Between 1976 and 1986, 155 patients were treated (107 Stage I, 48 Stage II mean age 60.2 years). Twenty-six patients also received postoperative pelvic external beam irradiation on account of lymph node involvement and/or deep tumour invasion into the myometrium. Fourteen patients (9%) had lymph node involvement. External iliac lymph nodes were involved in 78.5% of these cases. Lymph node involvement rate was higher for stage II, grade 3 tumours and when there was deep tumour invasion of the myometrium. The rate of local (pelvic) treatment failure was 12% for node-negative patients and 36% for node-positive patients and the 5-year actuarial survival rates for the two groups were 83% and 41% respectively. As a consequence of our interpretation of the findings and influenced by the high complication rate which we attribute to lymphadenectomy and the information given by other prognostic indicators, we have changed to a policy of carrying out pelvic external radiotherapy for all Stage II, grade 2 or 3 cases and those with deep myometrial invasion. Lymphadenectomy is not performed in these cases. For patients with Stage I grade 1 tumours without deep tumour invasion only external iliac node sampling is performed. If this shows tumour, external irradiation is given in addition to vaginal vault brachytherapy.

The Dijon clinical and endoscopic staging system for intracavitary radiotherapy of rectal cancer takes into account the size and the depth of penetration of the rectal wall. Its prognostic value was evaluated in a series of 72 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma treated at the Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer G. F. Leclerc in Dijon: 30 presented with a clinical stage (CS) T1A (purely exophytic tumors of less than 3 cm). The 5-year local relapse-free actuarial survival (LRFS) was 97%. Fourteen patients with CS T1B (infiltrative component and less than 3 cm diameter) had a LRFS of 77%. Nine patients with CS T2A tumors (with larger exophytic tumors) has a LRFS of 65%. Nineteen CS T2B cases (larger than 3 cm with an infiltrative component) presented a LRFS of 60%. The size of the tumor and the clinical estimate of the infiltration of the rectal wall both have a significant prognostic value: adenocarcinoma of less than 3 cm (n = 44) had a LRFS of 93% versus 59% in larger ones (n = 39; p = less than 0.01). Free mobile lesions (n = 39) did better (n = 33; LRFS = 86%) than infiltrated tumors (n = 33; LRFS = 66%; p = 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In our institution endometrial carcinoma stages I and II is treated with uterovaginal brachytherapy and radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. We have made a retrospective analysis of the results of lymphadenectomy to determine its place in the treatment strategy. Between 1976 and 1986, 155 patients were treated with these modalities (107 were stage I, 48 were stage II). The mean age was 60.2 years. Brachytherapy delivered 60 Gy, and then radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Twenty-six patients received pelvic external-beam irradiation because of lymph node involvement and or deep tumor invasion into the myometrium. Fourteen patients (9%) had lymph node involvement. External iliac lymph nodes were involved in 78.5% of these cases. The lymph node involvement rate was higher for patients with stage II disease, patients with grade 3 tumors, and patients in whom there was deep tumor invasion into the myometrium. Pelvic failure rate was 12% for node-negative patients and 36% for node-positive patients. The 5-year actuarial survival rates were 83% for node-negative and 41% for node-positive patients. We administer pelvic external-beam radiotherapy to all stage II patients, grade 2 or 3 patients, and patients in whom there is deep tumor invasion into the myometrium. We do not perform lymphadenectomy on these patients. We perform only external iliac sampling for patients with stage I, grade 1 tumor without deep tumor invasion.

Between 1976 and 1986, we treated with curative intent, 108 patients with inoperable esophageal cancer. Eighty-three patients (77%) were treated with radiation therapy alone with a mean total dose of 61 Gy and 25 (23%) patients were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Actuarial survival, site of failure, sequellae of treatment, and prognostic factors were analysed in this retrospective study. Survival rates at 2, 3 and 5 years were 23, 16 and 9%, respectively. Local failure occurred in more than 61% of documented failures. Patients with tumor located in the upper third of the esophagus, or with total tumor stenosis or poor performance status had low results, but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients treated according to CT scan plans had a 43% 3-year survival rate; this difference is statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Induction chemotherapy improved one year local control and survival rate (60%), but no long term survival benefit was observed. We conclude that inoperable esophageal cancer can be treated successfully by radiotherapy with a curative intent. We also discuss the role that CT scan planning can play in the effective treatment of these patients.

We are reporting a localised skin angiosarcoma of the breast. As far as we can tell this is only the fourth time this condition has been published. The tumour appeared 6 years after a conservative lumpectomy with removal of lymphatics and follow-up radiotherapy had been carried out for an adenocarcinoma of the breast. This tumour was characterised by the presence of several round blue-coloured nodules in the skin with some inflammation surrounding them. The glandular tissue underneath was normal, as was the opposite breast, and there was no spread. The patient was pyrexial and a syndrome of inflammation persisted until the tumour had been removed by a simple mastectomy. We have discussed the clinical and histological aspects of this case and compared them with those found in the literature. Differential diagnosis with in particular Stewart-Treves syndrome has been emphasized. The treatment consists in wide excision and sometimes followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The prognosis is very poor, survival never having been more than 22 months. Finally the role of irradiation in the causation of this tumour has been discussed. (Our patient is alive after 2 years without any sign of a recurrence).

At the Centre Georges-François Leclerc of Dijon, 91 limited rectal tumors received a complete intracavitary 50 kV contact radiotherapy alone or associated with interstitial brachytherapy according to the guidelines of J. Papillon. Nineteen had a villous adenoma and 72 a well or moderately differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma. The majority of patients had contra-indications for major surgical procedures. The median age was 70 years. Seventy-six percent (69/91) of the rectal tumors remained free from local recurrence. After salvage therapy, the local control was 91% (83/91). Sphincter preservation was obtained in 85% (77/91). "De novo" adenocarcinomas developed on pre-existing benign pathology and villous adenomas were not significantly different with regard to local control (76% resp. 75% versus 59.5%; p = 0.22). According to the Dijon clinical staging system, the local relapse-free survival at 5 years was 97% for CS T1A, 77% for CS T1B, 65% for CS T2A, and 60% for CS T2B. Tumors of the anterior rectal wall had a better local control rate than lateral and posterior primaries (100% versus 63% versus 67%). For the middle rectum, the local relapse-free survival was 94% compared to 54% of the upper and 77% of the lower rectum. Four additional patients had a preoperative intracavitary therapy and salvage surgery for incomplete tumor regression; the complete remission rate is 96% (91/95). Intracavitary radiotherapy alone is an effective treatment for limited rectal cancers. Contact X ray therapy can be used alone in CS T1A whereas a combination of contact X ray therapy and interstitial brachytherapy is often the optimal approach in CS T1B and CS T2A. In CS T2B, our data do not support the use of intracavitary techniques alone. In these cases, the sequence external irradiation followed by an interstitial implant seems of interest and deserves further evaluation with more patients and follow-up.

In order to better assess the place of radiotherapy in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma, the length of survival in 44 patients treated with irradiation has been examined. 44 patients, with nil or minimal (less than 2 cm) residual disease, were found among 92 patients with invasive ovarian carcinoma treated consecutively in our center from 1976 to 1986. Treatment included laparotomy for 42 patients. Debulking surgery was complete in 9 stage I and 10 stage II patients. Those patients also received abdominopelvic (16 cases) or pelvic (3 cases) irradiation. Residual tumour was left in the 25 remaining patients (2 with stage IIc, 18 with stage III, and 5 with stage IV) who further underwent various regimes of polychemotherapy (9 without and 16 with cisplatin) followed by second-look laparotomy. 25 patients had no (8 patients) or minimal (17 patients) residual disease after this second laparotomy and they underwent abdominopelvic irradiation. Overall 3-year survival was 68%, 3-year survival was 80% for stage I and II patients treated by radiotherapy after initial complete debulking surgery, and 58% for advanced stages treated by radiotherapy after chemotherapy and second-look laparotomy, 3-year survival was 71% for 18 patients with stage III. Tolerance for irradiation was significantly decreased after chemotherapy and this prevented a complete dose being delivered to 32% of the patients. A late severe complication was noted in only one case. For stage I or II our results are close to those already published by others.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)