Comparison of Hypofractionated and Conventional Preoperative Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer in the Elderly

Materials/Methods: From 2000 to 2008, 185 patients older than 65 years with T3-4 M0 rectal cancer received either a preoperative radiotherapy with conventional (45 to 50.4 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy daily fractions) or an hypofractionated (39 Gy in 3 Gy daily fractions) protocol. Fifty-five patients received concomitant chemotherapy in the conventional group and none in the hypofractionated group. Both groups were equivalent in terms of characteristics. Median follow-up was 35,7 months.