title: [Effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on anorectal function in patients with mid and low rectal cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on anorectal function in patients with mid and low rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 22 patients with mid and low rectal cancer were enrolled into this study from October 2012 to November 2013. There were 14 males and 8 females with a mean age of (59 ± 10) years. We collected the defecation-related symptoms with questionnaire interview and evaluated the anorectal function with three-dimensional high-resolution manometry before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and at 6 weeks after radiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The defecation-related symptoms (including increase in stool frequency, change in stool form, hematochezia and urgency, etc.) improved significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 21). Among those with lower rectal cancer (n = 8), the length of high-pressure zone in manometry increased significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy ((3.84 ± 0.61) vs (2.96 ± 0.80) cm, P = 0.003). However, there was no significant change for other parameters in anorectal function (all P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with mid and low rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may improve the defecation symptoms and enhance anal sphincter high-pressure zone for lower rectal cancer. And it is probably due to its tumor-downsizing effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Yanna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pi
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fangyi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guole
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Huizhong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Email: fangxiucai2@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Xiucai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D001005:Anus Neoplasms; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011312:Pressure; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires