Key result
Anastomotic leakage after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative resection for rectal cancer was not associated with a significant difference in 5-year overall survival (90.9% vs 86.3%, P=0.242).
Why the study?
Does anastomotic leakage impact oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT and curative resection?
Cohort (n=698)
Does anastomotic leakage impact oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT and curative resection?
Absolute Event Rate: 90.9% vs 86.3%
p-value: p=0.242
Anastomotic leakage after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative resection for rectal cancer does not significantly worsen long-term oncologic outcomes or survival.
Anastomotic leak after preoperative CRT does not appear to worsen recurrence or survival; leaves open need for prospective validation in rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of anastomotic leakage, local recurrence, and overall survival in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and curative resection. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between anastomotic leakage and oncologic outcomes after preoperative CRT. METHODS: A total of 698 consecutive primary rectal cancer patients after preoperative CRT between April 19, 2000, and December 27, 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-seven patients who had anastomotic leakage were compared with 651 patients who had no anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: Of 698 patients, 47 (6.7%) patients had anastomotic leakage. Among these 47 patients, 39 (83.0%) had grade C leak that required urgent operation, while 8 (17.0%) had grade B leak that was managed expectantly or by percutaneous drainage. The median follow-up period was 47.6 months (range, 27.1 to 68.9 months). One hundred twenty (17.2%) recurrences were identified among all patients. The median overall disease-free survival was 43 months (range, 22.4 to 66.7 months). Five-year disease-free survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (80.5% vs 80.4%, P = 0.839). Five-year local recurrence-free survival did not differ significantly either between the 2 groups (93.7% vs 94.9%, P = 0.653). Five-year overall survival rates of patients with or without leakage were 90.9% and 86.3%, respectively (P = 0.242). Five-year cancer-specific survival rates of patients with or without leakage were 92.2% and 86.3%, respectively (P = 0.248). CONCLUSION: After preoperative CRT, an anastomotic leak is not associated with a significant increase in local recurrence or long-term survival in rectal cancer.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Jang et al. (2017) conducted a cohort in Rectal cancer (n=698). Anastomotic leakage vs. No anastomotic leakage was evaluated on 5-year overall survival (p=0.242). Anastomotic leakage after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative resection for rectal cancer was not associated with a significant difference in 5-year overall survival (90.9% vs 86.3%, P=0.242).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: