Radiotherapy Aids Rectal Cancer Patients

LONDON-A new study published in The Lancet reports rectal cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy have less of a risk of local recurring cancer. They are also less likely to die from rectal cancer than other patients who chose to not have radiation therapy.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK, examined 8507 patients with rectal cancer. They found that while the overall survival of those patients who underwent radiation therapy was only slightly higher, they did have a 46% less likely chance of recurring cancer than patients who opted for surgery alone.

Patients who chose to radiotherapy were also found to be less likely to die from their disease than patients who only had surgery to treat their cancer.

Information from www.givenimaging.com, Reuters Health