Combination chemotherapy used prior to radiation therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Thirty-three patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were scheduled to receive two courses of chemotherapy prior to radical radiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of moderate-dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, bleomycin by infusion, and cisplatin. Loss of body weight and the duration of membrane formation at a specified region of the oral cavity during radiation therapy were used as indices of radiation toxicity: there was no excessive loss of body weight or mucosal reaction in patients who received combined treatment compared to patients in a nonrandomized control group who received radiotherapy alone. Twenty patients (60%) had a greater than or equal to 50% decrease of measurable disease prior to starting irradiation, but only eight patients (24%) are alive and disease-free at a median followup of 16 months. Aggressive chemotherapy does not prevent delivery of subsequent full-dose radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but this study does not suggest that chemotherapy has a great beneficial effect on long-term survival.     

Health‐related quality of life in long‐term survivors after high‐dose chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in esophageal cancer

Curative treatment of esophageal cancer with definitive or preoperative high‐dose chemoradiotherapy inflicts a major strain on the patients with potentially severe physical, emotional, and social consequences. The aim of this study was to assess various aspects of quality of life and fatigue in long‐term survivors following such a treatment. Patients undergoing a potentially curative treatment between 1996 and 2007, and still alive ( n = 41) completed quality of life questionnaires of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire (QLQ‐C30) and esophageal cancer module (QLQ‐OES18). Twenty patients were treated by surgery alone, and 21 patients were scheduled for high‐dose chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. Five of those patients did not undergo planned surgery. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisted of three courses of chemotherapy, cisplatin 100 mg/m ² and 5‐fluorouracil 5000 mg/m ² in each course and concomitant radiotherapy of a median dose 66 Gy. Quality of life in esophageal cancer patients receiving high‐dose chemoradiotherapy was compared with that for esophageal cancer patients who received only surgery, head and neck cancer patients, laryngectomized patients, and a random sample of the general Norwegian population. Esophageal cancer patients treated by high‐dose chemoradiotherapy had significantly worse global quality of life as reflected by almost all functional scales and higher fatigue compared with esophageal cancer patients who received surgery alone, head and neck cancer patients, and the general Norwegian population. There were no significant differences in quality of life between the esophageal cancer patients receiving high‐dose chemoradiotherapy and the laryngectomy patients. Further, the esophageal cancer patients receiving high‐dose chemoradiotherapy had higher intensity of other symptoms like general pain, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation compared with the esophageal cancer patients who received surgery alone, head and neck cancer patients, and the general Norwegian population. High‐dose chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil had a considerable negative long‐term effect on global quality of life in patients with resectable esophageal cancer. Fatigue was a prominent long‐lasting symptom in these patients.     

The epidermal growth factor receptor as a target for cancer therapy

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors are expressed at high levels in about one third of epithelial cancers, and autocrine activation of EGF receptors appears to be critical for the growth of many tumors. We hypothesized that blockade of the binding sites for EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha on EGF receptors with an antireceptor monoclonal antibody (mAb) might be an effective anti-cancer therapy. We produced murine mAb 225 against EGF receptors and demonstrated blockade of receptor function, as well as inhibition of cell growth in cultures and in nude mouse xenografts. mAb C225 is the human:murine chimeric version of mAb 225. Cell cycle inhibition occurred in G(1) phase, and was due to upregulation of p27(Kip1), resulting in inhibition of cyclin E/cyclin dependent kinase-2 activity and hypophosphorylation of Rb. In addition, the amount and/or activities of a number of proapoptotic molecules were enhanced. The antitumor activity in vivo against xenografts was at least partly attributable to reduced vascularization, resulting from decreased vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor production by the tumor cells. Metastasis of xenografts was curtailed with mAB C225 treatment, accompanied by a decrease in tumor production of MMP-9. Further studies showed that mAbs 225 and C225 enhanced the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy against xenografts of a variety of human cancer cell lines. Well established xenografts resistant to either mAb or drug treatment alone were eradicated by the combination therapy. Drugs for which this has been demonstrated include doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, and topotecan. Antibody treatment also potentiated the responsiveness of human tumor xenografts to radiation therapy. These findings led to clinical trials of human:murine chimeric mAb C225 in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Results from phase I and II trials involving more than 500 patients are quite promising, in particular in advanced head and neck cancer treated with C225 plus cisplatin or radiation, in advanced colon cancer treated with C225 plus CPT-11, and in advanced pancreatic cancer treated with C225 plus gemcitabine. Phase III trials are now underway.     

Clinical and pathological features of head and neck follicular dendritic cell sarcoma

Abstract

Objectives

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) in the head and neck is uncommon. The etiology, pathogenesis, optimal treatment, and prognosis are not well understood. In this review, we investigated these features to deepen the understanding of the disease.

Methods

We reviewed FDCS in the head and neck in the English language literature through Medline. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathologic features, immunophenotypic profile, and treatments of FDCS.

Results

Of 137 reported cases of FDCS in the head and neck region, 127 included data on age and gender. Among those, 64 were females and 63 were males. The mean age was 46 years (9–79 years). In the 106 cases with complete follow-up data, fourteen patients (13.2%) had local recurrence. Fourteen patients (13.2%) had distant metastasis. The metastatic site involved the lung, liver, adrenal, rib, vertebral body, and iliac bone. The overall 5-year survival rate was 80.0%. Compared to nodal FDCS and extranodal FDCS, the overall 5-year survival rates were 71.1 and 85.3%, respectively, with no significance (P = 0.42), 0.8% waived treatment, 46.6% received surgery alone, 30.5% received surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy, 8.4% received surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, 7.6% received surgery combined with postoperative chemotherapy, 3.1% received chemotherapy alone, 2.2% received chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, 0.8% received radiotherapy alone.

Conclusions

FDCS in the head and neck is rare. There was no difference in the survival between nodal and extranodal FDCS. The optimal treatment was undetermined.     

Absence of cervical radiation myelitis after hyperfractionated radiation therapy with and without concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced, unresectable, nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of developing radiation myelitis after a cervical spinal cord dose of 50.6 Gy given via 1.1 Gy b.i.d. fractionation during a prospective, randomised trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX RT) to a total dose of 77 Gy given in 70 fractions of 1.1 Gy b.i.d., with and without concurrent low-dose, daily cisplatin (CDDP) for head and neck cancer. Methods: Of 130 patients with locally advanced, unresectable, nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCC H&;N) who entered a prospective, randomised trial, 101 patients received 50.6 Gy to a portion of their spinal cord and survived >1 year following the beginning of therapy. Forty-five patients were treated with HFX RT alone and fifty-six patients also received CDDP. Results: None of these 101 patients developed cervical radiation myelitis. Therefore, it was not possible to investigate the influence of potentially contributing factors on the occurrence of radiation myelitis, such as interfraction interval, cord length, and administration of concurrent CDDP. Conclusions: Given the increasing number of studies with both altered fractionated regimens and concurrent radio-chemotherapy in SCC H&;N, new studies with more patients are needed to gain better insight into the risks of developing cervical radiation myelitis.     

Treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with cisplatin, bleomycin, and methotrexate (PBM)

Twenty-nine of 32 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with two courses of an intensive chemotherapy regimen consisting of cisplatin, bleomycin, and methotrexate (PBM). The frequency of toxic effects (in 29 evaluable patients) associated with this regimen was low. Serious neutropenia occurred in 17% and thrombocytopenia in 10% of the courses. Nausea (50%) and severe vomiting (6%) were easily managed. All 26 (100%) evaluable patients with squamous cell carcinoma had significant reduction (less than 50%) of measurable tumor. Complete regression was noted in seven patients (27%). Fifteen patients were treated with PBM prior to receiving radiation therapy or surgery as definitive treatment for their disease. Antitumor response in these patients was rapid, occurring within 3 weeks from the initiation of chemotherapy. Maximal antitumor effect was achieved by Week 6 of induction chemotherapy. No patient showed tumor regrowth prior to the institution of radiation therapy or surgery. Twelve patients with recurrent disease following previous radiotherapy and/or surgery also received PBM chemotherapy. In our study, previous radiotherapy or surgery did not diminish the antitumor effect of PBM, but toxicity was more severe.     

同时推量加速调强放疗治疗头颈部恶性肿瘤的临床研究

应用同时推量加速调强放疗技术（SIB－IMART）治疗15例头颈部恶性肿瘤，肉眼靶区（GTV）的平均剂量为70Gy，临床靶区（CTV）的平均剂量为54Gy，脑干、脊髓及腮腺等正常组织的受量均在允许范围之内。结果 13例38天内完成治疗，2例因副作用而中断放疗；皮肤反应I级12例、Ⅱ级3例；粘膜反应Ⅱ级9例、Ⅲ级4例、Ⅳ级2例，咽部及食管I级10例、Ⅱ级3例、Ⅲ级2例；唾液腺副作用明显较传统放疗技术轻，15例中0级3例、I级10例、Ⅱ级2例；口干0级3例、I级9例、Ⅱ级3例，无重度或完全口干病例。放疗结束后疗效达CR者13例，PR者2例，无一例出现病情进展。认为SIB－IMART治疗头颈部恶性肿瘤安全可行，特别是肋腺可受到较好保护，且不同的靶区可以同时实现不同的剂量水平，缩短了治疗时间。     

Radiotherapy in head and neck cancer in the elderly: a challenge

Elderly patients represent the most rapidly growing subgroup of the patient population in France and in the majority of industrialized countries. The effect of age in terms of the prognosis and response to treatment remains unclear. The management strategy (curative versus palliative) for head and neck cancer in the elderly has given vent to divergent opinions and controversies in several respects (the type and quality of treatment, quality of life and economic consequences). This review only focuses on the radiotherapy schedule and head and neck cancers. We compare aged patients with head and neck cancer to younger patients in terms of clinical features, tumor biology, type of treatment, side effects and response. We conclude that if the patient is in a good general condition following a complete evaluation of the cancer, physicians should propose curative treatment with radiotherapy because retrospective trials demonstrate that response in older patients when treated aggressively is comparable to that of younger patients. However, specific trials concerning aged patients with head and neck cancer, quality of life and radiotherapy are warranted.     

Recurrence patterns of mucose-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma after definitive radiation treatment: A single center experience

Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcomes in non-gastric and non-nodal mucose-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma patients treated by definitive radiation therapy (RT).

Methods: A total of 134 patients were analyzed. The RT dose was 30.6 or 36?Gy.

Results: The median follow-up duration for all patients was 51.1 months (range, 3.0–132.4 months). Among the 88 orbital MALT lymphoma patients, 12 had disease recurrence. There were 23 head and neck tumor patients. Two patients experienced relapse, all at out-of-field locations. Gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma was diagnosed in 13 patients, and three showed local (n?=?1), distant (n?=?1), or local/distant (n?=?1) relapse.

Conclusion: RT alone is highly effective in achieving local control and long-term survival in localized MALT lymphoma. In orbital MALT, excellent local control is achieved, and relapse is predominantly observed in the contralateral eye. Other head and neck lymphomas are also well controlled.     

Clinical hyperthermia, alone or with radiation therapy: results of a preliminary study on recurrences of cancers

Authors present results obtained by hyperthermic treatment (alone or associated with radiation therapy) on 50 patients (with a total of 66 sites) treated between September 1983 and August 1986. All patients had recurrent or metastatic lesions of pretreated malignant tumors. Among these there were 19 breast adenocarcinomas, 33 squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck, 9 melanomas and 5 subcutaneous metastases of adenocarcinoma of the cervix, rectum and colon. The clinical protocol was: hyperthermia alone (43 degrees -45 degrees C for 30 minutes, bi-weekly, for 4-5 weeks) or hyperthermia plus radiation therapy (4 Gy/fraction) for a total of 8-10 seances, in accordance with previous given doses of irradiation. In summary, complete response rates were 21.2% for head and neck tumors, and 51.5% for cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions. Results have also been analysed according to different prognostic variables related to tumor and treatment characteristics. These data are discussed.     

Multidrug chemotherapy using bleomycin, methotrexate, and cisplatin alone or combined with radiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer

Twenty-two patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck where treated with a combination of bleomycin, methotrexate, and cisplatin. In ten previously untreated patients, a complete response (CR) rate of 20%, a partial response rate of 50%, and a no change rate of 30% were observed. With the addition of radiotherapy, the local CR rate in this group of patients increased to 60%. In 12 patients with recurrent disease after surgery and/or radiotherapy, the CR rate was 25%, the partial response rate was 16.7%, and the no change rate was 58.3%. Toxic effects were acceptable, with no fatalities. These short-term results encourage accrual of more patients in the study and further follow-up to determine whether the cure rate can be increased by using cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with advanced previously untreated head and neck cancer. More energetic treatment should be investigated in patients having disease recurrence after radiotherapy.     

Evolution of clinical trials in head and neck cancer

The treatment paradigm for locally advanced head and neck cancers has evolved over the past two decades as the role of chemotherapy has been substantiated by clinical trials. Presently, concurrent chemoradiation is considered a standard treatment option for patients with resectable head and neck tumors desiring an organ preservation approach, as well as for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers and patients in the postoperative setting who are at high risk for recurrence. The addition of a taxane to induction chemotherapy appears to improve efficacy over cisplatin and 5-FU. Targeted biologic therapies such as the monoclonal antibody Cetuximab has demonstrated efficacy with radiation that appear comparable to chemoradiation combinations and has a favorable toxicity profile. This review will discuss key clinical trials supporting the current standard of care. Emerging new technologies such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) will also be reviewed. Functional assessments and quality of life issues will be addressed.     

Serum sialic acid forms as markers for head and neck malignancies

The value of protein-bound (PSA), lipid-bound (LSA) and free sialic acid (FSA) levels in the serum as marker was assessed together with its use as a prognostic indicator for head and neck cancers in 165 patients followed-up for over 18 months. Elevated PSA levels were found in 57% of patients with benign disorders, 52% with primary head and neck cancers, and 75% with metastatic cancer. Strong correlation was found between PSA and the regression/progression of the disease. The PSA level essentially returned to normal in patients with favorable prognosis and PSA levels showed a tendency to increase or remain at high levels in patients with a poor prognosis. These results suggest that PSA level is a better prognostic indicator in head and neck cancers, for which there is no available tumor marker.     

Effects of preoperative radiotherapy on rectal cancer

Between 1976 and 1983, 61 patients with advanced rectal cancer underwent Miles' operation at the authors' institution. All lesions were located 10 cm or less from the anal verge. Of these patients, 25 were treated by surgery alone and 36 were given preoperative radiotherapy. The total dose was 42.6 Gy, (30.6 Gy [1.8 Gy/fr× 5/week]) delivered to the entire pelvis plus an additional 12 Gy (3.0 Gy/fr×4/week) delivered to the primary tumor. Of 36 patients, 21 were administered intratumor injections of peplomycin and bromodeoxyuridine at the time of boost radiation and 15 were treated without intratumor injections. During the follow-up period (3 to 9 years), in the groups of patients who underwent radiation, there was only one local failure (2.8 percent). In contrast, in the group of patients treated by surgery alone, eight local failures occurred (32 percent). The intratumor injection significantly enhanced the effect of radiation on tumor regression. The incidence of positive lymph nodes was higher in patients in the surgery alone group than it was in the groups treated with radiation. There was no difference in the rate of distant metastasis among the three treatment groups. The five-year survival rate for the radiation with intratumor injection group, radiation alone group, and surgery alone group, was 77.8, 69.2, and 56.0 percent, respectively. No severe complication was experienced.Supported in part by Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from University of Tsukuba Research Project.     

Chemotherapy versus chemoimmunotherapy of head and neck cancer: report of a randomized study.

Thirty-four patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to receive the five-drug chemotherapy regimen BACON (bleomycin, adriamycin, CCNU, vincristine [Oncovin], and mechlorethamine [nitrogen mustard]; 14 patients) or the same regimen plus bacillus Calmette-Gu erin (BCG) by scarification (20 patients). The majority of both patient groups had received prior surgery and radiation. The patients treated with BACON plus BCG experienced a significantly longer survival (P = 0.014) than those treated with BACON alone. There were five drug-related deaths, and eight other patients required hospitalization for treatment of drug-related morbidity.     

Enhancement of radiotherapy with DNA topoisomerase I-targeted drugs

Since its discovery more than a century ago, ionizing radiation has become a mainstay therapy for patients suffering from cancers. Currently, radiotherapy provides cure or palliative care for approximately one half of the cancer population. The anticancer efficacy of radiotherapy is, however, largely limited by its lack of tumor specificity and, consequently, normal tissue toxicity. There is an urgent need to develop systemic adjuncts that can enhance the efficacy and the selectivity of radiotherapy toward tumor cells. DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1)-targeted drugs such as camptothecin derivatives represent a novel class of chemotherapeutic agents that have recently been shown to be excellent radiation sensitizers. Combined modality therapy with TOP1-targeted drugs and radiotherapy represents a new promising cancer therapy. The mechanism of enhancement of radiotherapy by TOP1-targeted drugs is under intense investigation. Clinical trials using combinations of radiation and camptothecin derivatives are also currently ongoing in various solid tumors including brain, head and neck, and lung cancers. A better understanding of the radiosensitization (RS) mechanism of TOP1-targeted drugs is pivotal to their clinical application, as well as in guiding the development of better radiation sensitizers.     

A case series of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumour that is believed to arise from cells committed to a skeletal muscle lineage. The head and neck region is among the most frequent locations for embryonal RMS in adults. We present a retrospective review of seven patients treated in our institution between 2000 and 2008. The age at diagnosis ranged from 19 to 41 years. One patient received primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Six inoperable patients were treated along a single chemotherapy protocol: the VIA-VIP regimen (a combination of vincristine, ifosfamide and doxorubicin (VIA) in alternation with etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin (VIP) administered in 3-weekly cycles), followed by local therapy, involving radiation therapy and/or surgery. An objective response to chemotherapy was observed in all six patients. Three out of seven patients remain disease-free with a median follow up of 4.5 years. Although the prognosis of head and neck embryonal RMS is worse in adults than in children, a multimodality treatment combining surgery, radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy is feasible and effective in this population.     

Topical use of Jiawei Simiao Yongan Gao to prevent radiodermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer: A retrospective cohort study

Radiodermatitis is a common side effect of radiotherapy, but currently there is no standard treatment for its prevention. This study aimed to observe the effect of topical application of a paste based on traditional Chinese medicine, Jiawei Simiao Yongan Gao, on radiodermatitis caused by radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer.This was a retrospective cohort study of 40 patients with head and neck cancer evaluated during their radiotherapy. Of these, 20 patients were treated with Jiawei Simiao Yongan Gao on the irradiated skin from the beginning of radiotherapy (JSY group). The other 20 patients were given standard nursing (standard group). Acute skin reactions were classified according to the radiation-induced skin reaction assessment scale (RISRAS) and American radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) acute toxicity grading criteria every 2 weeks, and adverse effects were recorded until the end of the radiotherapy.The two groups showed differences in severity of radiodermatitis. At 0 to 30 Gy, the skin reactions were similar in the two groups, while above 40 Gy the skin reactions were significantly lower grade in the JSY group (P < .05). At 0 to 20 Gy, there was no statistical significance (P > .05); but above 30 Gy they were lower in the JSY group (P < .05).Jiawei Simiao Yongan Gao effectively alleviated acute radiodermatitis caused by radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients compared with standard nursing.     

Comparison of blood dynamics of anticancer drugs (cisplatin,mitomycin C,epirubicin) in treatment groups of hepatic arterial infusion,hepatic arterial infusion with lipiodol and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with lipiodol plus gelatin sponge particles in a swine model

Aim: To compare the blood dynamics of anticancer drugs (cisplatin, mitomycin, epirubicin) and the negative effect on normal liver tissue among the following procedures: hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), HAI with lipiodol (Lp-HAI) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lp plus particles (Lp-TACE). Methods: Nine swine were divided into three groups: (i) HAI group animals were infused with 5 mg/mL cisplatin, 1 mg/mL mitomycin and 4 mg/mL epirubicin in 0.1 mL/kg contrast medium; (ii) Lp-HAI group animals, with the same doses in 0.1 mL emulsified fluid (0.05 mL/kg, Lp); and (iii) Lp-TACE group animals, with the same doses in 0.1 mL emulsified fluid plus gelatin sponge particles. Outflow ratio (area under plasma concentration curve [AUC_0–60] / total infused dose of anticancer drug) and necrosis volume ratio (necrosis volume / total slice volume × 100) were explored. Results: Outflow ratios (AUC_0–60/mg) of cisplatin, mitomycin and epirubicin, and the necrosis volume ratio (%) of the livers, were 2.30, 6.91, 0.97 and 0, respectively, in the HAI group; 1.71, 5.43, 0.79 and 1.37, respectively, in the Lp-HAI group; and 1.23, 3.37, 0.47 and 20.88, respectively, in the Lp-TACE group. The significantly lowest outflow ratio for each anticancer drug (P = 0.05/3) and the significantly highest necrosis volume ratio (P = 0.05/3) were found in Lp-TACE, followed by Lp-HAI and HAI. Conclusion: Although the necrosis volume ratio of the liver was tolerable, Lp-TACE caused the greatest delay in outflow ratio for each cancer drug and the greatest negative effect to liver in a swine model.     

Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in Astler-Coller Stages B2 and C rectal cancer

Between 1979 and 1983, 127 patients with Stages B2 or C rectal cancer treated with surgery plus postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (RT group) and 122 patients treated with surgery alone (S group) were compared to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival and disease recurrence. Each group was stratified into subgroups according to stage and tumor differentiation as follows: Subgroups BW (Stage B2 and well-differentiated tumor), BM (Stage B2 and moderately differentiated tumor), CW (Stage C and well-differentiated tumor), CM (Stage C and moderately differentiated tumor), and P (poorly differentiated tumor). Ninety-five percent of the patients were followed until death or, if alive, to five years after surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a reduced five-year survival rate in Subgroup BW (67 vs. 87 percent; P =0.02). In the remaining subgroups of the RT group, there was a statistically insignificant trend toward a worse survival rate (56 vs. 65 percent, 47 vs. 64 percent, 41 vs. 46 percent, and 50 vs. 36 percent for Subgroups BM, CW, CM, and P, respectively). The local failure rates for the S group and RT group were 10 vs. 23 percent (P =0.15) in Subgroup BW, 32 vs. 21 percent (P =0.4) in Subgroup BM, 24 vs. 25 percent (P =0.6) in Subgroup CW, and 18 vs. 18 percent (P =0.6) in Subgroup CM, respectively. Eight percent (9/127) had severe or life-threatening radiation-related complications. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy alone did not improve the survival of patients with Stages B2 or C rectal cancers. It may have led to worsened survival in the subgroup of patients with well-differentiated Stage B2 rectal cancer.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, May 12 to 17, 1991.