Purpose: To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes of patients with T2 or T3 rectal cancer treated by transanal local excision after preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT).
Methods: Between June 2000 and August 2004, seven patients underwent local excision of T2 or T3 rectal cancer after preoperative CRT. Preoperative clinical staging was on the basis of the findings of endorectal ultrasound. Computed tomography (CT) and digital rectal examination consisted of radiation therapy with 4 500 cGy/25 fractions, given over 5 weeks with 5-FU-based chemosensitization. Local excision was performed 4-7 weeks later.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.9 (35-70) years and the median follow-up period was 23 (5-57) months. The lesions were located 2-6 cm above the anal verge (median 3.0 cm). Pretreatment T staging was estimated as T3 in one patient, and T2 in six patients. Post-treatment T staging was estimated as complete remission (CR) in two patients, T1 in three patients, and T2 in two patients. Pathologic evaluation revealed tumor downstaging in six patients, including three (42.9%) with CR. No tumor cells were seen in the resection margin and there was no sign of recurrence in any of the patients.
Conclusion: These findings support local excision after preoperative CRT as an effective alternative to radical resection in carefully selected patients with T2 and T3 distal rectal cancer.