What are the effects of intraoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer?
Intraoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer is a comprehensive treatment approach that combines surgery with radiation therapy. Its effectiveness lies in reducing the risk of local recurrence, improving local tumor control rates, and enhancing survival outcomes for patients with advanced stages of the disease. However, the suitability of this treatment method should be determined based on individual patient circumstances.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) is a technique where high-dose radiation therapy is directly administered to the surgical bed and tumor site during the surgical resection of rectal cancer. Compared to preoperative or postoperative external beam radiation therapy, IORT allows for more precise targeting of residual tumor areas while minimizing radiation damage to surrounding normal tissues. It is suitable for patients with a high risk of recurrence or those whose tumors are adjacent to critical organs.
A. Reducing the Probability of Local Recurrence: IORT effectively eliminates residual cancer cells by delivering high-dose radiation precisely to the tumor area. Studies have shown that for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, IORT can reduce the postoperative tumor recurrence rate.
B. Improving Local Control Rates: IORT is particularly suitable for patients with poorly defined tumor borders or those with tumors invading adjacent organs. When cancer cells are difficult to completely remove during resection surgery, IORT can further control local lesions.
C. Extending Survival for Advanced-Stage Patients: For some patients with advanced stages of the disease, the combined treatment of surgery and IORT can improve overall tumor control and prolong survival.
A. Common side effects include local tissue reactions such as edema and pain after surgery, which in some cases may affect the function of adjacent organs.
B. IORT is indicated for patients with a high risk of local recurrence, those with advanced-stage tumors, or when the tumor invades surrounding critical structures. It is not recommended for patients with localized, early-stage disease.
Intraoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer is an effective comprehensive treatment approach, but its applicability requires individual assessment. Patients should engage in thorough communication with oncologists and surgeons to develop the most suitable treatment plan, considering both effectiveness and potential risks. After surgery, close follow-up observations and optimized overall management are essential.
