In a nutshell
This study investigated the impact of chemotherapy after surgery (CAS) in patients with rectal cancer who had a complete response to chemotherapy before surgery. Researchers suggested that the routine use of CAS should not be recommended in these patients.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer worldwide. The standard treatment for this cancer is surgery and CAS. Prior studies showed the effectiveness of this treatment. However, the progression rates after long-term follow-up are still high (20 to 30%).
Some studies with colon cancer showed that CAS improved disease outcomes. However, CAS failed to show the same effectiveness on a long-term follow-up study.
A complete tumor response after CAS is associated with a good prognostic. However, only 10 to 20% of patients have seen this. Therefore, no studies have been conducted to assess the survival benefit given by CAS.
Methods & findings
This study reviewed 13 other studies. Patients in these studies were assigned to receive CAS or no treatment after surgery. All patients had a complete tumor response after surgery.
A trend was observed toward a slight improvement overall survival in patients who received CAS. No significant difference was seen in prognostic in patients who received CAS when compared to patients who did not.
The bottom line
This study concluded that the effect of CAS in patients with advanced rectal cancer is limited. The authors suggest that CAS should not be routinely recommended for these patients.
The fine print
This study was based on information from medical records. Data may have been missing. Further studies are needed.
Published By :
Scientific reports
Date :
Jul 10, 2019
