Study of Short Course Radiation Therapy for Elderly Patients With Rectal Cancer

Prospective Study of Short Course Radiation Therapy for Elderly Patients With Rectal Cancer

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