Implantation of tissue expander prior to irradiation in the era of intensity modulated radiotherapy: impact on the management of patients with pelvic digestive cancers.

Implantation of tissue expander prior to chemoradiotherapy should be considered, even in the era of IMRT, when irradiated peritoneal cavity volume (V15Gy-V45Gy) far exceeds usual dose constraints. However, it impacts the global strategy of care by delaying the start of irradiation, by introducing induction chemotherapy, and rarely by causing post-operative complications.