Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil by Continuous Infusion as a Radiopotentiator — Anal and Rectal Carcinoma

The conventional treatment for both rectal and anal carcinomas remains surgery, with a characteristic 5-year survival rate of approximately 50% at each disease site (Enbald and Adami 1988). The role of radiation therapy in the management of these diseases was not recognized until fairly recently; initially radiation therapy played a palliative role but was not regarded with favor as either a definitive or an adjunct modality. Early suboptimal equipment and poor quality of delivery, coupled with disappointing results and significant morbidity, caused surgeons to remain antagonistic. Once supervoltage irradiation became available, results improved and it was possible to treat patients to tumoricidal doses within normal tissue tolerance dose levels.