In a nutshell
This study compared the effects of different time intervals between chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) and rectal cancer surgery. Researchers suggested that increasing this interval from 8 weeks to 12 weeks improved treatment response.
Some background
Over 70% of patients with rectal cancer have locally advanced disease at diagnosis. CRT before surgery improves the long-term recurrence-free survival (time from treatment to recurrence – when cancer comes back).
The standard time between CRT and surgery is 6 weeks. However, extending this interval is becoming more and more common. Prior studies showed how longer waiting time can increase the killing effect of CRT on tumor cells. However, while some guidelines recommend a 6 to 8 weeks waiting time others recommend 5 to 12. The best time for surgery after CRT remains to be determined.
Methods & findings
This study included 252 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. These patients were assigned to 2 different groups. One group waited for surgery 8 weeks (125 patients) after CRT, while the other group waited 12 weeks (127 patients).
The treatment response rate was 12% in the 8-week group and 23.6% in the 12-week group. 107 patients (85.6%) of the 8-week group received rectal surgery without removing the sphincter (anus muscle). 94 (74%) received this surgery in the 12-week group.
The mortality and complications rates after surgery were similar between both groups.
The bottom line
This study concluded that extending the waiting time between CRT and surgery to 12 weeks resulted in an increase in treatment response.
Published By :
Colorectal Disease
Date :
Sep 30, 2019
