[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.
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin People's Hospital, Tianjin 300121, China.
Yi
Y
Zhou
Yang
Y
Hua
Tao
T
Wang
Shuo
S
Chen
Feng-wei
FW
Wang
Wei-zhong
WZ
Wang
Xi-peng
XP
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome