title: [Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety on neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable rectal cancer and the impact on postoperative complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature search was performed in PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Springer-Link and Elsevier ScienceDirect for randomized controlled trials published before May 2010 that compared neoadjuvant therapy with surgery alone or postoperative adjuvant therapy. The computer search was supplemented with hand search of reference lists for available primary studies. Inclusion criteria and quality assessment were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven studies including 7407 patients were enrolled for analysis. Neoadjuvant therapy group had significant advantages in local recurrence (OR=0.43, 95%CI:0.37-0.50, P<0.01), distant recurrence (OR=0.85, 95%CI:0.76-0.95, P<0.01), 5-year overall survival (RR=1.15, 95%CI:1.04-1.28, P<0.01), and sphincter-saving surgery (RR=1.48, 95%CI:1.17-1.87, P<0.01). There were no significant difference in postoperative mortality rate(OR=1.20, 95%CI:0.68-2.13, P=0.53) and anastomotic complications (OR=1.04, 95%CI:0.73-1.48, P=0.84).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neoadjuvant therapy improves local control, distant recurrence and long-term survival without increasing postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Gastrointestinal and Anal Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510655, China.
authors.forename: Yong-hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Mei-jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yan-hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Xiao-jian
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zu-li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiao-sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jian-ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate