The standard therapy for people with locally-advanced rectal cancer is to receive chemo and radiation after surgery. But, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that receiving chemoradiation before surgery may be better for patients.
Researchers found that although changing the time frame for the treatment didn't impact overall survival, it had many other benefits for patients.
According to the study, chemoradiation before surgery (with fluorouracil) resulted in an improved rate of local control, increased sphincter preservation (better control of defecation), and fewer side effects. (Chemoradiation refers to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.)
If you're scheduled for rectal cancer surgery, you may want to talk to your doctor about receiving chemoradiation before surgery instead of after surgery.
Related Research:
- Benefits of Esophageal Doppler-Guided Fluid Management
- Chemo and Radiation Before Surgery Help Keep Rectal Cancer from Coming Back
- Benefit of Radiation Before Rectal Cancer Surgery
