title: Influence of anemia on tumor response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and curative resection, we evaluated the influence of anemia on tumor response to preoperative CRT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2001 and July 2007, 490 patients underwent preoperative CRT, followed by curative-intent surgery. Tumor responses were evaluated based on tumor regression grade (TRG), T- and N-level downstaging, and volume reduction rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of pretreatment hemoglobin (Hb) was 12.9 +/- 1.7 g/dl (range, 7.2-17.6 g/dl). Tumor response rates were significantly different below and above the Hb level of 9.0 g/dl. Specifically, patients with Hb levels >or=9.0 g/dl achieved better tumor responses than those with Hb levels < 9.0 g/dl (rates of TRG 3 or 4-29.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). In addition, there is no differences in tumor response between the nontransfusion and transfusion groups of patients with Hb levels >or=9.0 g/dl (rates of TRG 3 or 4-29.1% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.445).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum Hb level could be a one of prognostic factors that influences the pathologic tumor response, and pretreatment anemia (below 9.0 g/dl of Hb) is associated with poor response to preoperative CRT.
authors: Center for Colorectal Cancer, Research Institute & Hospital, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
authors: Seong Dae
authors: SD
authors: Lee
authors: Ji Won
authors: JW
authors: Park
authors: Kui Seon
authors: KS
authors: Park
authors: Seok-Byung
authors: SB
authors: Lim
authors: Hee Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Chang
authors: Dae Yong
authors: DY
authors: Kim
authors: Seung-Yong
authors: SY
authors: Jeong
authors: Hyo Seong
authors: HS
authors: Choi
authors: Jae Hwan
authors: JH
authors: Oh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins