Randomized clinical trial on preoperative radiotherapy 25 Gy in rectal cancer--treatment results at 5-year follow-up.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of time interval between preoperative hyperfractionated radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy) and surgery on long-term overall survival (5 years) and recurrence rate in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer operated on according to total mesorectal excision technique.