Highlights
- •There has been an interest in pCR after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancers.
- •The ‘Watch and Wait’ approach may be appropriate for selected patients.
- •Better prospective studies are warranted to establish the long-term outcomes.
Abstract
Background
There has been an increasing interest in the complete pathological response (pCR)
in rectal cancers following neoadjuvant therapy. The aim of this study was to identify
predictive factors of pCR in locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant
therapy.
Methods
The studies identified were appraised with standard selection criteria. The selection
criteria included studies on patients with stage II or III rectal cancer who underwent
neoadjuvant therapy.
Results
Patients with pCR are more likely to be older (p = 0.0002), have cancers closer distance
to the anal verge (p < 0.00001), smaller tumors (P < 0.0001), no clinical lymph nodes
involvement (p=<0.00001) and waited more than eight weeks until definitive surgery
(p = 0.002). There was no difference in gender (p = 0.15) and tumor differentiation
(p = 0.21).
Conclusions
The ‘Watch and Wait’ approach may be appropriate for selected patients. Patients with
lower rectal cancers, smaller tumors, and negative clinical lymph node involvement
may be more likely to achieve pCR following neoadjuvant therapy.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 05, 2020
Accepted:
January 1,
2020
Received in revised form:
December 22,
2019
Received:
November 4,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
