Preliminary clinical observation of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for low and locally advanced rectal cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for low and locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 46 patients with low rectal tumors located within 6 cm from the edge of anal admitted to our hospital between February 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. SIB-IMRT technique was adopted for preoperative radiotherapy. Rectal tumors and positive lymph nodes were irradiated with a dose of 58.75 Gy in 25 fractions (2.35 Gy/fraction), and pelvic lymphatic drainage area was given with 50 Gy in 25 fractions (2.0 Gy/fraction). Oral administration of capecitabine was delivered for concurrent chemotherapy. Radical surgery for rectal cancer was performed at 6 to 12 weeks after the end of chemoradiotherapy. The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) were calculated by using Kaplan- Meier method. Univariate analysis was conducted by log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox’s regression model. Results:After a median follow-up of 47 months, local recurrence occurred in 3 patients and distant metastasis in 6 patients. The ypCR rate was 26%(12/46), the sphincter-preservation rate was 74%(34/46), the R 0 resection rate was 100%(44/44), the overall tumor response TN down staging rate was 87%(40/46), and the postoperative complication rate was 13%(6/46). The 3-year OS, DFS, and PFS were 93%, 91% and 87%, respectively. In univariate analysis, ypN staging was an important factor affecting OS, DFS, PFS, LRFS and MFS (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, ypN staging was significantly correlated with DFS, PFS, LRFS and MFS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative SIB-IMRT 58.75 Gy in 25 fractions combined with capecitabine chemotherapy is a safe and efficacious treatment for patients with low and locally advanced rectal cancer, which improves the ypCR rate and quality of life, and yields tolerable adverse reactions. Nevertheless, the long-term survival benefits remain to be validated.