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World J Radiol. Aug 28, 2010; 2(8): 329-333
Published online Aug 28, 2010. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i8.329
Published online Aug 28, 2010. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i8.329
Chemoradiation as definitive treatment for primary squamous cell cancer of the rectum
Eva Iannacone, Daniela Musio, Rossella Caiazzo, Nicola Raffetto, Enzo Banelli, Department of Radiation Oncology, "University Sapienza", 00161, Rome, Italy
Francesco Dionisi, Radiotherapy Unit, Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, 20162, Milan, Italy
Author contributions: Iannacone E, Dionisi F and Musio D designed the study; Musio D and Caiazzo R analyzed the data of the literature cited in the text; Raffetto N and Banelli E approved the final version of the manuscript; Dionisi F and Iannacone E wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Francesco Dionisi, MD, Radiotherapy Unit, Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Piazza dell’Ospedale Maggiore, 20162 Milan, Italy. francesco.dionisi@ospedaleniguarda.it
Telephone: +39-2-64442233 Fax: +39-2-64442834
Received: June 7, 2010
Revised: June 29, 2010
Accepted: July 6, 2010
Published online: August 28, 2010
Revised: June 29, 2010
Accepted: July 6, 2010
Published online: August 28, 2010
Abstract
In this report, we present a case of advanced squamous cell cancer located in the rectum of a 78-year-old woman treated with chemoradiation with curative intent. The patient showed a complete clinical response to chemoradiation; multiple biopsies were performed at the site of the previous mass 5 mo after the end of treatment and histological examination showed no residual tumour in the specimens. Surgical intervention was avoided and the patient was free of disease 12 mo after the diagnosis of cancer. Primary chemoradiation should be considered as the treatment of choice for this rare malignancy.