Adjuvant radiation therapy for colon carcinoma

Although the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk carcinoma of the colon after surgical resection has been shown through randomized trials, the role of external beam radiotherapy is uncertain. Historic studies on patterns and predictors of failure in colon cancer have identified subsets of patients with tumors that, based on specific anatomic, clinical, and pathologic features, have a propensity toward increased risk of local-regional failure. Single institution analyses of the role of external beam radiotherapy in such patients have been performed and have suggested benefits to local aggressive treatment in terms of both local control and, possibly, survival. The following review presents the rationale and results with adjuvant radiotherapy for this disease. In addition, appropriate radiotherapy techniques and novel treatment strategies in which external beam radiotherapy is used will be considered briefly. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Duke Scholars

Author Christopher G. Willett Radiation Oncology