[Perineal wound complications following preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer].

Introduction: Every year, approximately 1200 new cases of rectal cancer are registered in Denmark. Preoperative radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy (chemo-radiation) is a gold standard in the treatment of patients with T3 and T4 tumours. Although it carries a good response rate, preoperative radiation is associated with significant morbidity including wound infection and delayed healing.