Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in combined treatment of patients with rectal cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The article analyzed an efficacy and safety of application of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in elderly and senile patients with rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS. An analysis of treatment results was made in 267 patients, who were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 142) underwent combined treatment that included prolonged course of neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery. The second group of 125 patients underwent surgery without application of CRT. The patients of both groups were subdivided according their age. The subgroup “A” consisted of young and middle age patients. The subgroup “B” included geriatric patients. Comparative analysis was made between the same age subgroups. RESULTS. The age factor didn’t significantly influence on the risk of complications of neoadjuvant CRT and its adverse effects on subsequent outcome of surgery. The application of preoperative CRT in geriatric patients accompanied by less significant growth of recurrence-free survival compared with young patients. CONCLUSIONS. The age factor shouldn’t restrict the application of neoadjuvant CRT in patients with satisfactory general health status and absence of tumor complication process.

Keywords

• rectal cancer
• neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
• elderly patients