Ten-year results of preoperative radiation followed by sphincter preservation for rectal cancer: Increased local failure rate in nonresponders Journal Article


Authors: Rengan, R.; Paty, P. B.; Wong, W. D.; Guillem, J. G.; Weiser, M.; Temple, L.; Saltz, L.; Minsky, B. D.
Article Title: Ten-year results of preoperative radiation followed by sphincter preservation for rectal cancer: Increased local failure rate in nonresponders
Abstract: Background: The primary objective of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of sphincter preservation with preoperative radiation therapy (RT) and surgical resection in the treatment of distal rectal adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: Between April 1988 and December 1 996, 36 (cT2, n = 9; cT3, n = 27) patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled on a phase 1/11 trial of preoperative RT followed by surgical resection. All patients had distal tumors that were clinically judged to require an abdominoperineal resection and received preoperative RT (50.4 Gy) followed by surgery.The median follow-up was 94.5 months (range, 4-187 months). Results: Of the 35 patients in this study who underwent resection, 77% were able to undergo sphincter preservation after preoperative RT. The pathologic complete response rate for these patients was 14%. The 10-year rates of overall survival and local failure for patients undergoing sphincter preservation were 54% and 21%, respectively. The 10-year local failure was 26% in patients with cT3 disease who underwent sphincter preservation.All local failures in this study occurred in patients with cT3 disease undergoing sphincter preservation; however, none of the patients with cT3 disease that was downstaged by preoperative RT experienced local failure. In contrast, 10-year local failure was 67% in the patients with cT3 disease that was not downstaged by RT. Sphincter function was good or excellent in 85% of patients at the time of last follow-up. Conclusion: This approach provides excellent long-term results in all patients with cT2 disease and those with cT3 disease that is downstaged by RT. However, patients with cT3 disease that is not downstaged by RT have an increased risk of local failure.These data underscore the impact of tumor response to radiation on long-term oncologic outcome.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; clinical article; controlled study; treatment outcome; treatment response; aged; middle aged; survival analysis; survival rate; treatment failure; clinical trial; fatigue; salvage therapy; fluorouracil; diarrhea; cancer radiotherapy; preoperative care; radiotherapy, adjuvant; cancer staging; follow up; lymph node metastasis; prospective studies; adenocarcinoma; controlled clinical trial; neoplasm recurrence, local; blood toxicity; nausea; radiotherapy dosage; dosimetry; erythema; recurrent disease; surgery; radiation therapy; rectum carcinoma; rectal neoplasms; atropine; digestive system surgical procedures; dysuria; colostomy; rectum abdominoperineal resection; anus sphincter; diphenoxylate; rectum fistula; abdominoperitoneal resection; sphincter function; defecation disorder; graft occlusion; tenesmus
Journal Title: Clinical Colorectal Cancer
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1533-0028
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2006-03-01
Start Page: 413
End Page: 421
Language: English
DOI: 10.3816/CCC.2006.n.012
PUBMED: 16635280
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 10" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: CCCLC" - "Source: Scopus"
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Ramesh Rengan
    8 Rengan
  2. Leonard B Saltz
    790 Saltz
  3. Philip B Paty
    496 Paty
  4. Bruce Minsky
    306 Minsky
  5. Jose Guillem
    414 Guillem
  6. Martin R Weiser
    532 Weiser
  7. Larissa Temple
    193 Temple
  8. Douglas W Wong
    178 Wong