How long does chemotherapy and radiotherapy last before rectal cancer surgery?

The short-term effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy before rectal cancer surgery is generally about 5 days, and the long-term effect is about 25 days.

Chemoradiotherapy before rectal cancer surgery can reduce the size of rectal cancer tumors, reduce tumors, improve the success rate of surgery, and reduce the difficulty of surgery. Chemoradiotherapy can also kill or inhibit the growth and spread of rectal cancer cells, and reduce the risk of cancer cell metastasis and recurrence before surgery. Chemoradiotherapy can remove cancer cells that may remain after surgery, reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence, and can be used as an adjuvant treatment to improve surgical results.

Short-term radiotherapy and chemotherapy use high-dose radiation or chemotherapy drugs, with a large dose at a time and a short treatment time, usually about 5 days. Long-term radiotherapy and chemotherapy use low-dose radiotherapy or chemotherapy drugs, with a smaller dose each time, and require a longer treatment time to achieve the therapeutic effect, usually about 25 days. The specific radiotherapy and chemotherapy plan will be determined according to the patient's specific situation and circumstances, and the doctor will develop the most appropriate treatment plan based on the patient's situation.

Patients are advised to maintain a good mood during treatment and avoid excessive stress. At the same time, they should pay attention to maintaining a balanced diet and eat more nutritious foods such as eggs, milk, and fish.