recruitment rates were too low

This study will help determine if a short course of radiation therapy is effective to treat rectal cancer in older patients. A shorter course of radiation treatment may be better tolerated than a longer course or surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer in the elderly.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 70 years or older at time of diagnosis
• No restrictions on gender or ethnicity
• Ability and willingness to make follow up appointments
• Pathologic diagnosis of rectal cancer
• Presentation could be symptomatic or asymptomatic
• T1-T3 primary rectal adenocarcinoma as determined on TRUS, CT, or MRI pelvis
• Peri-rectal node positive allowed
• Inability to tolerate radical surgery, as judged by geriatric oncology or surgeon and tumor board OR patient refusal of surgery
• Inability to receive chemoradiation therapy, defined as concurrent chemotherapy and radiation doses of 45-50.4 Gy, as judged by radiation, medical, or geriatric oncology
• Patients with dementia eligible if Health Care Proxy (HCP) is available and supportive of follow up schedule

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age under 70 years of age
• Ability and desire to receive definitive surgical intervention
• Ability and desire to receive concurrent chemoradiation therapy