Bowel Functional Outcomes After Long-Course or Short-Course Radiation for Advanced Rectal Cancers: A Propensity-Matched Analysis

This study was conducted at a single tertiary cancer center. Patients were operated on between 2014 and 2020. PATIENTS: The study included patients with locally advanced, nonmetastatic, mid, and low rectal cancers who underwent low anterior resection with stapled anastomosis and diverting ostomy. Extended or beyond total mesorectal excisions and lateral node dissections were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Long-course radiation delivered as a radiation dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions or short-course radiation (5 Gy in 5 fractions) and delayed surgery after 4 to 6 weeks with or without chemotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One-time assessment of low anterior resections syndrome and Wexner incontinence scores at least 6 months after stoma reversal. RESULTS: After matching 124 patients in the 1:2 ratio between short- and long-course radiations, 93 patients were included for analysis. Any low anterior resection syndrome was found in 90.3% of short-course patients compared to 54.8% after long-course radiation (p
Source: Diseases of the Colon and Rectum - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Contributions: Colorectal Cancer Source Type: research