Authors' objectives: To assess the effectiveness of IORT as a boost for the current standard treatment of colorectal cancer, in terms of recurrence, survival, cosmetic results and impact on quality of life; and to ascertain the safety of this procedure, in terms of acute and late toxicity.

Authors' recommendations: The results which evaluate IORT's association with combined treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer indicate that, while this association achieves good results, it does not amount to an increase in effectiveness and overall survival, or to a significant reduction in safety regard to conventional treatment (surgery and radiochemotherapy). In terms of safety, IORT does not increase the complication rate, displaying comparable short- and long-term complications. A matter for concern is the higher incidence of adverse effects related with the surgical incision and the appearance of complications that do not arise in controls. In the case of recurrent disease, the available evidence is, not only of low quality, but is far less abundant.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.sergas.es/docs/Avalia-t/riocolon/avalia-t201215RioColon-def.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Scientific Advice Unit, avalia-t; The Galician Health Knowledge Agency (ACIS)

Contact Address: Conselleria de Sanidade, Xunta de Galicia, San Lazaro s/n 15781 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Tel: 34 981 541831; Fax: 34 981 542854;

Contact Name: avalia-t@sergas.es

Contact Email: avalia-t@sergas.es

Copyright: Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T)