It is proved that preoperative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy can improve both local control and overall survival in stage II/III rectal cancer patients. But elderly patients, especially patients over 75 years were hardly involved in related clinical trials considered of their fragility.~Several retrospective study showed that old rectal cancer patients would also benefit from concurrent chemo-radiation, with acceptable toxicity. Several new drug, such as capecitabine, also seem to be safety for elderly cancer patients. But few prospective study has been carried out.~The investigators designed this phase I study, to explore the maximum tolerant dose of capecitabine in preoperative concurrent chemoradiation for elderly stage II/III rectal cancer patients, as well as to evaluate safety.
This phase I study is designed to determine the maximum tolerant dose of capecitabine when used in preoperative concurrent chemo-radiation for locally advanced rectal patients over 75 years old.