Characteristics of pathologic complete response for locally advanced rectal cancer

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT) is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancers. The purpose of this study was to determine patient and tumor factors associated with a pathologic complete response (pCR). Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program proctectomy-targeted database was utilized to identify all patients from 2016 to 2020 who underwent NACRT followed by proctectomy with curative intent for T3-4N0-2 rectal cancers. Results: A total of 1891 patients were included, of which 253 (13.4%) demonstrated a pCR. Pretreatment N0 staging was associated with a higher rate of pCR (18.9%) when compared to N1 (6.7%) and N2 (6.7%) (p < 0.0001). Patients clinically staged at T3N0 had the highest rate of pCR (19.5%). Gender, age, race, weight, smoking status, and tumor height were not associated with pCR. Conclusions: Patients with cN0 disease were more likely to experience a pCR compared to cN1-2 patients. Tumor height relative to anal verge or patient demographics were not associated with pCR. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify factors associated with a pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The results showed that patients with pre-treatment N0 staging were more likely to experience pCR, while patient demographics and tumor height were not associated with pCR.