Prognostic significance of tumor regression in locally advanced rectal cancer after preoperative radiochemotherapy

Abstract

The majority of rectal cancers are discovered in locally advanced forms (UICC stage II, III). Treatment consists of preoperative radiochemotherapy, followed by surgery 6–8 weeks later and finally by postoperative chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to find out if tumor regression affected long-term survival in patients with localy advanced rectal cancer, treated with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.

Keywords

• rectal cancer
• tumor regression
• preoperative radiochemotherapy
• prognosis