ObjectivesTo describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of a group of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, and to make a situational diagnosis of the management. MethodsA case series study was conducted using the clinical information of 41 patients treated in the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología during the year 2010. ResultsThe mean age of the patients studied was 61 years, and 60% were male. The Karnofsky functional state was equal or greater than 70%. The neoadjuvant scheme most used was 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in boluses, concomitant with radiotherapy. Of the 41 patients, 30 completed the treatment with good tolerance; 21 required surgery, with preservation of the sphincter in 10 of them; 18 achieved a pathological response; 14, partial and 4, complete. ConclusionThe patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant treatment with chemo-radiotherapy in the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología during the year 2010 were, mainly males with a good functional state. The principal chemotherapy scheme employed was 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in boluses, due to which resectability of the tumour, preservation of the sphincter, and a pathological response in approximately half of the patients, was achieved.