To compare the therapeutic efficacy, adverse toxicity profiles, and survival outcomes of preoperative versus postoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.
Evaluated outcomes between preoperative chemoradiotherapy and postoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.
Assessed endpoints including local tumor control, treatment-related toxicity rates, and overall survival.
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy improved local tumor control compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy.
Preoperative administration was associated with significantly reduced toxicity, although overall survival was not improved compared to postoperative treatment.
Abstract
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy, as compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy, improved local control and was associated with reduced toxicity but did not improve overall survival.