Multimodality approach towards advanced rectal carcinoma. "Its efficacy and safety"

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of multimodality approach towards advanced rectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: In a prospective, randomized trial, two hundred and ten patients with advanced carcinoma of the rectum were studied. Patients were randomly divided in two groups A and B. Patients in group A underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) with adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Group B patients underwent TME with adjuvant stop-flow perfusion along with systemic chemotherapy RESULTS: The five-year survival for Group A patients was 72% and for Group B patients the overall five-year survival was 92% and the disease-free survival was 87%. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality approach to advanced rectal cancer leads to substantial prolongation of survival and optimization of quality of life.