2Department of Radiation Oncology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
3Department of Medical Physics, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
4Department of Pathology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
5Department of Radiation Oncology, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Atakent Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2018.1869 OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy in our patients with locally advanced rectum cancer, which was previously observed in the Far East (KROG 11-02).
METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3-4N0-2M0) between November 2014
and August 2016 were included in the study. A 2-week schedule of hypofractionated radiotherapy, 33
Gy/10 fractions, with concurrent 1 cycle of oral capecitabine (1650 mg/m2/day) was applied. Patients
were planned to undergo surgery 6-8 weeks after the completion of chemoradiotherapy. End points
were tumor responses and toxicity.
RESULTS
All patients underwent total mesorectal excision except for only 1 patient, and statistical analysis was
performed on 26 patients. Of the 27 patients, 10 (38.4%) were downstaged, and 3 (11.5%) had a pathologically
complete response. No grade 3-4 toxicity was observed in the patient group. Grade 1-2 hematologic
toxicity developed in 2 (8%) patients, and no biochemical abnormality was observed. Gastrointestinal
toxicity was observed in 17 (65%), genitourinary toxicity in 8 (30%), and radiodermatitis in 3
(11%) patients. One patient had permanent anastomosis and wound dehiscence, and presacral abscess
was also seen in one patient. Enterocutaneous fistula developed in only one patient.
CONCLUSION
A 2-week schedule of radiotherapy with oral capecitabine in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
resulted in similar toxicity levels and tumor response rate in comparison with previous results.