The value of combined 5-fluorouracil and x-ray therapy in the palliation of locally recurrent and inoperable rectal carcinoma.

The difficulties of treating patients with pelvic recurrence from rectal cancer by further suegery, chemotherapy or by radiotherapy are summarised. Fifty-fibe patients with this form of recurrence are presented to whom 5-fluouracil was administered to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy. A safe and effective regime is described which produced complete relief of pain in 66 percent of the patients who presented with this symptom with a further 16 percent obtaining partial relief. Total resolution of tumour masses and complete relief from mucoid rectal discharge were achieved less often, although the majority of patients derived benefit from treatment. An important finding of this study has been that in this particular group of patients a short, low-dose course of combined therapy was as effective, both in the relief of symptoms and the prolongation of survival, as more prolonged high-dose treatment.