High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy during preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancers

AIM To determine the feasibility and safety of high dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDR-ILBT) boost during preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer METHODS Between 2008 and 2009, thirty-six patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (>= T3 or N+), were treated initially with concurrent capecitabine (825 mg/m(2) oral twice daily) and pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (45 Gy in 25 fractions), then were randomized to group A, HDR-ILBT group (n = 17) to receive 5 5-7 Gy x 2 to gross tumor volume (GTV) and group B, EBRT group (n = 19) to receive 5 4 Gy x 3 fractions to GTV with EBRT All patients underwent total mesorectal excision RESULTS Grade 3 acute toxicities were registered in 12 patients (70 6%) in group A and in 8 (42 1%) in group B Complete pathologic response of T stage (ypT0) in group A was registered in 10 patients (58 8%) and in group B, 3 patients (15 8%) had ypT0 (P < 0 0001) Sphincter preservation was reported in 6/9 patients (66 7%) in group A and in 5/10 patients (50%) in group B (P < 0 01) Overall radiological response was 68 15% and 66 04% in Group A and B, respectively During a median follow up of 18 mo, late grade 1 and 2 sequelae were registered in 3 patients (17 6%) and 4 patients (21 1%) in the groups A and B, respectively CONCLUSION HDR-ILBT was found to be effective dose escalation technique in preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancers, with higher response rates, downstaging and with manageable acute toxicities (C) 2010 Baishideng All rights reserved