Present Status of the Combination of Surgery and Irradiation

Abstract

Surgery plus irradiation sometimes becomes irradiation plus surgery, the sequence depending on the particular circumstances. A combination of surgery and irradiation that is tailored to fit the individual situation can improve both the survival rate and the quality of survival. Many patients can be spared the mutilation of radical surgical procedures through the use of irradiation to eradicate microscopic disease or to sterilize disease in certain areas of spread.