Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Does Not Improve Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Resection for Upper Rectal Cancer: A US Rectal Cancer Consortium Analysis

Background: The use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) for upper rectal cancer remains controversial. Our aim was to determine whether NCRT was associated with improved outcomes. Methods: The US Rectal Cancer Consortium was queried for patients who underwent resection of nonmetastatic upper rectal cancer (≥12 cm from anal verge) from 2007-2017. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications. Results: 193 pts met inclusion criteria; 100 (52%) did not receive NCRT and 93 (48%) did. Patients in each group had similar age, gender, and pathological stage (non-NCRT: 22% stage I, 32% stage II, 36% stage III; NCRT: 21% stage I, 23% stage II, 33% stage III; P = 0.143). Median follow-up was 31 months (non-NCRT) and 34 months (NCRT). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, NCRT was not associated with improved RFS compared to non-NCRT (3-year RFS 85% vs 80%; P = 0.34) or OS (3-year OS 88% vs 90%; P = 0.49). This finding persisted on multivariable cox regression. R0 resection rate was similar between groups at 99% (non-NCRT) and 97% (NCRT; P = 0.27). Anastomotic leak occurred in 11% of both cohorts. Creation of a diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) was nearly 3 times higher in NCRT (82%) vs non-NCRT patients (29%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Among patients with nonmetastatic upper rectal cancer, NCRT did not improve survival or recurrence rates, but was associated with a nearly 3-fold higher DLI rate. Although NCRT is a mainstay of treatment for lower rectal cancer, our results do not support its use in upper rectal cancer.