Multivariate Analysis Of Pathological Complete Remission After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose:Recent data suggest that good responders to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) have a good prognosis in rectal cancer patients. The aim of this study was to identify clinical factors that could predict pathological complete response (pCR) to preoperative CRT for rectal cancer.Methods:The study involved99rectal cancer patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgery between April2011and January2013at Sir Sun Sun hospital. Tumor responses to preoperative CRT were evaluated in terms of tumor regression. Statistical analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with pCR.Results:Pathological complete response (pCR) was observed in15patients (15.2%). Univariate analysis showed that pretreatment CEA level, pretreatment CA199level, pretreatment CA724level and pretreatment clinical N staging were correlated with pCR after preoperative CRT. Multivariate analysis found that pretreatment CEA level (P=0.025) and pretreatment clinical N staging (P=0.049) were the independent factors for pCR after preoperative CRT.Conclusions:The data suggest that pretreatment CEA level and pretreatment clinical N staging are the most important clinical factor of pCR. It may be of benefit in the selection of treatment options as well as the assessment of individual prognosis.