[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.
Zhou
Yi
Y
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin People's Hospital, Tianjin 300121, China.
Hua
Yang
Y
Wang
Tao
T
Chen
Shuo
S
Wang
Feng-wei
FW
Wang
Wei-zhong
WZ
Zhang
Xi-peng
XP
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