[Effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer in conjunction with local hyperthermia and metronidazole].

Our study included 36 patients with hard fixed rectal tumors (T3, T4) who had received combined treatment at the Center's Clinics. On irrigoscopic evidence, lesions were more than 10 cm long. Radiotherapy was conducted thrice a week, STD of 4 Gy--TTD of 40 Gy; capecitabine, per os, 650 mg/m2 twice a day, days 1-22; oxaliplatin, 50 mg/m2, intravenously, days 3, 10 and 17; metronidazole in polymer composition, intrarectally, 10 mg/m2, twice, days 12 and 17 of radiotherapy; local hyperthermia (the <> installation), 460 mHz, 41-45 deg. C, 60 min, days 8, 12, 15 and 17. Diarrhea (stage III) was reported in 3 (8.3%); no toxicity (grade IV). Radical surgery was carried out in 35 (97.2%); sphincter-saving operation--20 (55.5%). Therapy-related pathomorphism (grade III-IV) was detected in 15 (42.8%). Combined neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus polyradiomodification featured low toxicity and good tolerability and immediate effect.