Hemoglobin Level as a Prognostic Factor of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: This retrospective study aimed to determine the effect of pre-treatment hemoglobin (Hgb) value on the prognosis of patients with advanced rectal carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in terms of pathologic complete response (pCR). Methods: A total of 192 individuals with rectal cancer who underwent nCRT were included in the study between 2011 and 2019. The patients were separated into anemic and non-anemic categories based on pretreatment Hgb values (Hgb 60 years, and CA19-9 value was high (p=0.021, p=0.042, p=0.014 and p=0.030). In logistic regression analysis for pCR, tumor regression grade (0-1 vs. 2-3) and pathologic T-stage (0 vs. 1-2) was statistically significant (p11 gr/dL) was not statistically significant (p=0.219). Conclusion: In the group with lower pretreatment Hgb values (<11 gr/dL), the pCR, partial response, and OS time were lower. However, Hgb levels with a cut-off of 11 gr/dL were not statistically proven to be prognostic factors for rectal carcinoma treated with nCRT.

Keywords

• rectal cancer
• anemia
• concurrent chemoradiotherapy
• complete response