Recurrence rates and prognostic factors in ypN0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision Journal Article


Authors: Govindarajan, A.; Reidy, D.; Weiser, M. R.; Paty, P. B.; Temple, L. K.; Guillem, J. G.; Saltz, L. B.; Wong, W. D.; Nash, G. M.
Article Title: Recurrence rates and prognostic factors in ypN0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision
Abstract: Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is typically recommended for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Patients with pathologically node-negative tumors have an improved prognosis, but recurrence patterns and independent prognostic factors in these patients have been incompletely characterized. Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we included all rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and curative surgery from 1993 through 2003, who had ypN0 tumors. We characterized recurrence rates and patterns in patients not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Secondarily, we compared them to patients who did receive adjuvant treatment and assessed for independent prognostic factors, using univariate and multivariable survival analyses. Results: Overall, 324 ypN0 patients (ypT0: n = 73; ypT1-2: n = 130; ypT3-4: n = 120) were followed for a median of 5.8 years. The risk of recurrence was associated with pathologic stage-2.7% ypT0, 12.3% ypT1-2, 24.2%ypT3-4. Five-year recurrence-free survival in patients who did not receive adjuvant treatment was 100% (ypT0), 84.4% (ypT1-2) and 75% (ypT3-4). There was no significant difference in 5-year recurrence-free survival between patients who did and did not receive adjuvant treatment. In multivariable analysis, pathologic stage was the factor most strongly associated with recurrence (hazard ratio 3.6 for ypT3-4 vs. ypT0-2, 95% confidence interval 1.9-6.7, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The recurrence rates for selected patients with ypT0-2N0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision are low. Although standard practice remains completion of planned postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for all patients undergoing chemoradiation, these data suggest prospective trials may be warranted to measure the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in favorable subgroups, such as ypT0-2N0. © 2011 Society of Surgical Oncology.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; retrospective studies; major clinical study; postoperative period; fluorouracil; treatment planning; cancer adjuvant therapy; cancer patient; chemotherapy, adjuvant; combined modality therapy; neoadjuvant therapy; radiotherapy, adjuvant; cancer staging; recurrence risk; follow-up studies; neoplasm staging; neoplasm recurrence, local; antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; cohort analysis; retrospective study; folinic acid; oxaliplatin; rectal neoplasms; rectum cancer; chemoradiotherapy; rectum surgery; digestive system surgical procedures; recurrence free survival; total mesorectal excision
Journal Title: Annals of Surgical Oncology
Volume: 18
Issue: 13
ISSN: 1068-9265
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2011-12-01
Start Page: 3666
End Page: 3672
Language: English
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-011-1788-y
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 21590450
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 3 January 2012" - "CODEN: ASONF" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Leonard B Saltz
    791 Saltz
  2. Philip B Paty
    499 Paty
  3. Jose Guillem
    414 Guillem
  4. Diane Lauren Reidy
    294 Reidy
  5. Martin R Weiser
    538 Weiser
  6. Garrett Nash
    263 Nash
  7. Larissa Temple
    193 Temple
  8. Douglas W Wong
    178 Wong