Improved survival in rectal cancer patients who are treated with long-course versus short-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy: A propensity-matched analysis of the NCDB

Brandon C. Chapman, Karyn Goodman, Patrick Hosokawa, Ana Gleisner, Michelle L. Cowan, Elisa Birnbaum, Jon D. Vogel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated comparable survival outcomes for short-course (SCRT) and long-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy (LCRT) in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: Using the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2015), a propensity score was used to match 188 patients with rectal cancer receiving SCRT to 376 patients receiving LCRT. Perioperative, oncologic, and survival outcomes were compared. Results: Patient and clinical tumor characteristics were similar between groups. Patients in the LCRT were more likely to undergo surgery (91% vs 85%; P = 0.03). The LCRT group were more likely to have tumor (T) (56% vs 43%) and nodal (N) (25% vs 19%) downstaging, and a complete pathological response (15% vs 6%) compared with the SCRT group (all P < 0.05). Length of stay (6 vs 8 days), 30-day (1% vs 5%) mortality, and 90-day mortality (1% vs 10%) were significantly lower in the LCRT group (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for patient and tumor-related characteristics, LCRT was associated with a 50% reduction in the risk of mortality compared with SCRT (hazard ratios, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.70). Conclusions: In this analysis, LCRT was superior to SCRT in terms of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy, perioperative mortality, and overall survival. These findings provide evidence for the use of LCRT when neoadjuvant therapy is indicated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)518-531
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of surgical oncology
Volume119
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2019

Keywords

  • neoadjuvant therapy
  • oncologic outcomes
  • overall survival
  • perioperative outcomes
  • rectal cancer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improved survival in rectal cancer patients who are treated with long-course versus short-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy: A propensity-matched analysis of the NCDB'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this