Preoperative Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Rationale, Technique, and Results of Treatment

Over the past decade, 392 patients with stage II and III rectal cancer have been managed with preoperative chemoradiation and surgery at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). Aggressive surgical techniques such as total mesorectal excision, proctectomy with coloanal anastamosis, and multivisceral excisions have been used. Initial pelvic chemoradiation is also used in patients who present with metastases. Preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery has resulted in excellent sphincter preservation (SP) and pelvic control with minimal acute, perioperative, and late morbidity. SP has been achieved in greater numbers of patients over the past 3 years due to the increased use of coloanal anastamosis in very low tumors. There has been no increase in pelvic failure or perioperative morbidity with this practice. Patients with clinical T4 disease have significantly worse pelvic control. An assessment of the impact of CB on pelvic control and survival requires further follow-up. Poor differentiation and poor response to preoperative therapy predict a worse overall survival. Durable symptom control without colostomy has been achieved using initial chemoradiation in patients who present with metastases. Aggressive bowel management and skin care can minimize hospitalization and treatment interruption due to acute toxicity. Multidisciplinary therapy using preoperative chemoradiation and aggressive surgery has resulted in excellent SP and pelvic control. However, more effective systemic therapies are needed, especially for patients who do not respond well to preoperative chemoradiation.