Chemotherapy before surgery does not affect bowel function in patients with rectal cancer

This study investigated the effects of different therapies on bowel movements after surgery in patients with rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that chemotherapy alone does not affect the bowel function after rectal surgery.

In the past 20 years, advances in the treatment of rectal cancer improved outcomes and survival of these patients. However, many patients who receive surgery are left with abnormal bowel activity. These patients can have negative effects that affect their quality of life. These effects can be fecal incontinence (leaking of stool) and constipation.

Prior studies showed that chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) given before rectal surgery are associated with these side effects. Therefore, different treatments before surgery are necessary to improve surgery outcomes. Other studies showed that chemotherapy alone before surgery does not affect surgical outcomes.

Another option is induction chemotherapy (high dose chemotherapy) followed by CRT and surgery. Induction therapy is associated with improved tumor responses and less negative side effects. However, it is not known how these treatments could affect the health of the bowel after surgery.

This study included information about 176 patients with rectal cancer. These patients underwent either chemotherapy alone, CRT, induction chemotherapy followed by CRT or surgery alone. All patients completed a questionnaire on bowel movements, 6 months after surgery.

Patients who underwent radiation therapy had worse bowel health. No negative impact on bowel activity was seen in patients that received chemotherapy alone before surgery.

The authors concluded that chemotherapy received alone or in combination with CRT before surgery does not affect bowel function in patients with rectal cancer.

This study included a limited number of patients. More studies including a greater number of patients are necessary.