Upfront chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases.
BACKGROUND
The optimal treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and oncologic outcomes of upfront chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases.


METHODS
Forty-four patients who underwent upfront chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3/4, <2.0 mm from the mesorectal fascia) with synchronous liver metastases between January 2010 and June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Primary and metastatic liver lesions were resected with curative intent. Upfront chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy were administered. Thereafter, restaging, surgery only, or additional chemotherapy followed by surgery was performed.


RESULTS
At the time of initial diagnosis, 20 patients had <3 liver metastases; 24 patients had ≥3 liver metastases. Twenty-three patients had hemi-liver metastases; 21 patients had bilobar liver metastases. R0 resection of rectal lesions was achieved in 43 patients. Synchronous R0 resection of liver metastases was achieved in 41 patients. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥ III) were noted in 5 patients. Grade 3/4 adverse events were observed in 26 patients. All adverse events were managed effectively with medication and supportive care. The 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 65.3% and 26.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSION
Upfront chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery appear to be safe and effective in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases without substantially increasing treatment induced morbidity.
['Bae|Hyeon Woo|HW|', 'Kim|Ho Seung|HS|', 'Yang|Seung Yoon|SY|', 'Kim|Han Sang|HS|', 'Shin|Sang Joon|SJ|', 'Chang|Jee Suk|JS|', 'Koom|Woong Sub|WS|', 'Kim|Nam Kyu|NK|']
Upfront chemotherapy Locally advanced rectal cancer Short course radiotherapy Synchronous liver metastasis