Yanna Pi1, Yi Xiao, Zhifeng Wang, Fangyi Liu, Guole Lin, Huizhong Qiu, Xiucai Fang2. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China. 2. Email: fangxiucai2@aliyun.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on anorectal function in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 22 patients with mid and low rectal cancer were enrolled into this study from October 2012 to November 2013. There were 14 males and 8 females with a mean age of (59 ± 10) years. We collected the defecation-related symptoms with questionnaire interview and evaluated the anorectal function with three-dimensional high-resolution manometry before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and at 6 weeks after radiotherapy. RESULTS: The defecation-related symptoms (including increase in stool frequency, change in stool form, hematochezia and urgency, etc.) improved significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 21). Among those with lower rectal cancer (n = 8), the length of high-pressure zone in manometry increased significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy ((3.84 ± 0.61) vs (2.96 ± 0.80) cm, P = 0.003). However, there was no significant change for other parameters in anorectal function (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mid and low rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may improve the defecation symptoms and enhance anal sphincter high-pressure zone for lower rectal cancer. And it is probably due to its tumor-downsizing effect.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on anorectal function in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 22 patients with mid and low rectal cancer were enrolled into this study from October 2012 to November 2013. There were 14 males and 8 females with a mean age of (59 ± 10) years. We collected the defecation-related symptoms with questionnaire interview and evaluated the anorectal function with three-dimensional high-resolution manometry before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and at 6 weeks after radiotherapy. RESULTS: The defecation-related symptoms (including increase in stool frequency, change in stool form, hematochezia and urgency, etc.) improved significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 21). Among those with lower rectal cancer (n = 8), the length of high-pressure zone in manometry increased significantly after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy ((3.84 ± 0.61) vs (2.96 ± 0.80) cm, P = 0.003). However, there was no significant change for other parameters in anorectal function (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mid and low rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may improve the defecation symptoms and enhance anal sphincter high-pressure zone for lower rectal cancer. And it is probably due to its tumor-downsizing effect.