Abstract
Background
Assessment of tumor response in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant treatment by MRI (Tumour
Regression Grade, TRG 1–5) is well standardized. The overall timing and method of
defining complete response (cCR) remain controversial. The aim of this work was to
evaluate the feasibility of a defined Response Surveillance Program (RSP) to increase
organ preservation for locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant treatment.
Methods
A standardized program of clinical (CR), radiological (RR) and metabolic (MR) assessment
of tumor response is defined over a 6 month period from completion of NACRT with formal
assessment performed every 2 months (M). Patients with TRG1-3 at M2 and TRG1-2 at
M4 continue in the program up to M6 assessment. Patients managed with this protocol
from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. The primary endpoint was rectal preservation rate.
Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival and overall survival at 3 years.
Result
314 potentially suitable patients were enrolled in the RSP and 50 patients completed
the six month program and were successfully enrolled into watch and wait. Fourteen
(28%) were T2 tumor stage, 27 (54%) T3 and nine (18%) were T4. During watch and wait,
patients with locoregional recurrence (n = 11) were treated with local excision (n = 3),
endocavitary radiotherapy (n = 1), TME (n = 5) and APR (n = 2). With a median follow-up
of 32 months, the rectal preservation rate was 88%, with a 3-year disease-free survival
of 67% and an overall survival of 98%.
Conclusion
This study validates the feasibility of the practical implementation of a Response
Surveillance Program to increase organ preservation rates without compromising oncological
outcomes in rectal cancer.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 30, 2022
Accepted:
August 25,
2022
Received in revised form:
August 2,
2022
Received:
June 13,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.
