[Efficacy of postoperative chemoradiation for stage III low rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative chemoradiation for stage III low rectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with stage III low rectal cancer, including 69 males and 63 females, were identified and divided into two groups: group A received chemoradiation while group B underwent chemotherapy alone. RESULTS: Eighteen patients developed local recurrence after five years of follow-up, with 6 cases(8.3%) in group A and 12(22.2%) in group B(P<0.05). In patients with distant metastasis(n=65), 37(47.4%) were in group A and 28(51.9%) in group B, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The 5-year survival rates for group A and group B were 47.4% and 29.6%, respectively(P<0.05). Radiation proctitis was found in 6 cases in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative chemoradiation can reduce local recurrence rate and improve 5-year survival compared to chemotherapy alone. However, it has little effect on the distant metastasis. Postoperative chemoradiation is safe and effective for low rectal cancer.