Salvage high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer^*

Braquiterapia intersticial com alta taxa de dose na recidiva de tumor de reto distal

Abstract

For tumors of the lower third of the rectum, the only safe surgical procedure is abdominal-perineal resection. High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy is a promising treatment for local recurrence of previously irradiated lower rectal cancer, due to the extremely high concentrated dose delivered to the tumor and the sparing of normal tissue, when compared with a course of external beam radiation therapy.

Keywords:
Rectal neoplasms; Salvage therapy; Brachytherapy; Radiotherapy