The objective of this study was to improve the immediate and long-term results of combined treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The study included 128 patients with morphologically confirmed diagnosis and clinical stage cT3/T4 and N-/N+, treated from 1998 to 2009. The comparison group had 64 patients, combined treatment included prolonged preoperative radiotherapy 4 Gy and 40 Gy, surgery was performed after 4 weeks. In the study group--also 64 patients--combined treatment consisted of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (continuous a-120 hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 500 mg/m2 in the first and last week of radiotherapy in 2 Gy to 50 Gy), surgery was performed through 6 weeks after chemoradiotherapy. Excision of the primary tumor was performed in 40 (62.5%) patients in the control group and in 53 (82.8%) patients in the study group. Wherein R-0 resections were performed in 32 (67%) patients and in 41 (73%), and R-1 resections--in 1 (2%) patients, and 7 (13%) patients in the control and study groups respectively. A 5-year survival rate was 43.6 ± 7.2% control and 62.7 ± 5.1 % in the study group.