Patterns of Care for Stage II-III Rectosigmoid Cancers in the United States, 2004-2015

Objectives: Although current guidelines continue to recommend trimodality therapy for stage II to III rectal cancers, a lower incidence of local recurrence has been observed in patients with upper rectal tumors, including those in the rectosigmoid. In practice, patients with upper rectal tumors may not be receiving all 3 modalities of therapy. Patterns of care for patients with rectosigmoid cancers have not previously been described. Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients diagnosed with stage II to III rectosigmoid cancer who underwent definitive surgery between 2004 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regression defined adjusted odds ratio and associated 95% confidence intervals of receipt of any pelvic radiotherapy and preoperative and postoperative pelvic radiotherapy. Multivariable logistic regression also assessed odds of treatment with any chemotherapy and multiagent chemotherapy. Results: Among 8410 patients, 3566 (42.4%) received any pelvic radiotherapy, of which 2516 (70.6%) were treated with preoperative radiotherapy. Factors associated with receipt of radiotherapy included male sex, white race, younger age, positive clinical nodes and positive margins (P
Source: American Journal of Clinical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Gastrointestinal Source Type: research