Outcomes and Side Effects of Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Upper Rectal Cancer

Background/aim: The benefit of neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy for locally advanced upper rectal tumors remains controversial. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients with stage II or-III upper rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision in our institution.

Patients and methods: From April 2004 to October 2019, all patients with stage II or III upper rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision were identified from our database. Overall survival, progression-free survival, and local recurrence were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Acute and late treatment-related toxicities were recorded according to the CTCAE-5 version.

Results: The study group consisted of 106 patients. Respectively, 36% and 61% of patients had stage II and stage III upper rectal cancer. The median follow-up period was 4.4 ± 3.4 years. Five-year overall survival and progression-free survival were respectively 78% [95% confidence interval (CI)=69.2-88] and 76.8% (95%CI=68.4-86.2). The rate of local recurrence at 5 years was 3.78% (95%CI=0-7.98). Forty-two percent of patients presented early toxicities and 27.4% of patients experienced early surgical complications. Late toxicities and surgical complications occurred in 24.5% and 9.4% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision of stage II-III upper rectal cancer is effective and safe.