Trial Testing Ftorafur (UFT) Associated With Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy Versus Radiotherapy Alone in Rectal Adenocarcinoma
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2008-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as 5-fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop
the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing and
also as a radiosensibilisant. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells.
5-fluorouracil may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Oral 5-fluorouracil
is more convenient for ambulatory patients. Giving UFT (Tegafur and Uracil) with radiation
therapy before surgery may shrink the tumor so it can be removed.
PURPOSE: This phase III trial is studying how well giving UFT with radiation therapy works in
treating patients who are undergoing surgery for operable rectal cancer.