FP2.7 - Results of Lower Rectum Cancer Treatment

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate oncological outcomes, specifically, the rate of locoregional recurrences in lower third rectum cancers treated with concurrent radio-chemotherapy and radical surgery. Methods Locoregional and metastatic recurrences were analyzed based on the initial tumor stage, response to neoadjuvant treatment, and the type of surgery. We utilized the biomedical statistics software SPSS24 and Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, with the calculation of the P-value (Pearson's test). Results During the period from 2000 to December 2021, 638 consecutive resections for lower third rectum cancer were conducted. One hundred and sixty-one patients (25.23%) underwent abdominoperineal amputation (AAP), while 477 (74.76%) underwent conservative surgery. There were 389 men and 249 women, with an average age of 51 years (ranging from 20 to 88). Thirty of our patients were classified as T1, 163 as T2, 420 as T3, and 25 as T4. One hundred and thirty-five patients (21%) received preoperative radiotherapy, and four hundred and eighty-six (76%) underwent concurrent preoperative radio-chemotherapy. Two hundred and six patients (43%) had an ultralow colorectal anastomosis, and 252 (52.8%) had a coloanal anastomosis. Local resection was performed in nineteen patients. The mortality rate was 0.78%, and the morbidity rate was 34%, including twenty-seven anastomotic fistulas (5.6%). Forty-one local recurrences were observed (6.4%). Conclusion During surgery for lower rectal cancer, the surgeon's primary concern is to achieve a valid oncological resection, preserve sphincter function, and ensure patients a recurrence-free survival.