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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 13/2013

01-12-2013 | Colorectal Cancer

Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors: Nuh N. Rahbari, MD, Heike Elbers, MD, Vasileios Askoxylakis, MD, Edith Motschall, Ulrich Bork, MD, Markus W. Büchler, MD, Jürgen Weitz, MD, Moritz Koch, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 13/2013

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Abstract

Background

Although neoadjuvant radiotherapy may improve local control of rectal cancer, its clinical value requires further evaluation as a result of potential side effects and advances in surgical technique. A meta-analysis was performed to assess effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant radiotherapy in the management of rectal cancer.

Methods

The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Library, Biosis, Web of Science, Embase, ASCO Abstracts and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Randomized controlled trials on the following comparisons were included: (1) neoadjuvant therapy versus surgery alone and (2) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant radiotherapy.

Results

We identified 17 and 5 relevant trials that enrolled 8,568 and 2,393 patients, respectively. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy improved local control (hazard ratio 0.59; 95 % confidence interval 0.48–0.72) compared to surgery alone even after total mesorectal excision, whereas its benefit in overall survival just failed to reach statistical significance (0.93; 0.85–1.00). However, it was associated with increased perioperative mortality (1.48; 1.08–2.03), in particular if a dose of 5 Gy per fraction was administered (1.85; 1.23–2.78). Chemoradiotherapy improved local control as opposed to radiotherapy (0.53; 0.39–0.72), with no impact on perioperative outcome and long-term survival.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy improves local control in patients with rectal cancer, particularly when chemoradiotherapy is administered. The question if the use of more effective chemotherapy protocols improves overall survival warrants further investigation.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors
Nuh N. Rahbari, MD
Heike Elbers, MD
Vasileios Askoxylakis, MD
Edith Motschall
Ulrich Bork, MD
Markus W. Büchler, MD
Jürgen Weitz, MD
Moritz Koch, MD
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 13/2013
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-013-3198-9

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