Abstract | BACKGROUND: Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) is approximately 11-14% and always associated with poorer prognosis. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) based on neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) on locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients with clinically suspected positive LPLNs. METHODS: We retrospectively screened distal LARC patients with NCRT in our center from May 2016 and June 2019. The diagnostic criteria of positive LPLN were nodes of over 7 mm in short axis and irregular border or mixed-signal intensity. All patients with clinically suspected positive LPLN received 56-60 Gy SIB-IMRT in the LPLN area. Concurrent chemotherapy regimens were capecitabine as monotherapy treatment or in combination with oxaliplatin. The toxicities, local-regional recurrence (LRR), and disease-free survival (DFS) were investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-two eligible patients with clinically suspected positive LPLN were screened and analyzed. The median distance from the distal tumor to the anal verge was 4 cm (range, 0-8 cm), while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis revealed the median short diameter of the pelvic LPLN to be 8 mm (range, 7-20 mm). There were 28 (53.8%) mesorectal fascia (MRF) positive and 22 (42.3%) extramural venous invasion (EMVI) positive patients. A radiotherapy dose of 41.8 Gy was administered to the pelvic area, while the LPLN received a median SIB dose of 60.0 Gy (range, 56-60 Gy) across 22 fractions. Synchronous capecitabine with or without oxaliplatin was administered during radiotherapy. In summary, 15 (28.8%) patients displayed grade 2-3 radiation-related toxicity, 8 (15.4%) patients underwent additional LPLN dissection, and positive nodes (26 nodes in total) were not observed. One patient suffered a LLR in the presacral region. The median follow-up duration was 21.2 months (range, 4.7-45.0 months), while the duration of 1- and 2-year DFS were 89.9% and 74.6%, respectively. Patients did not display LPLN recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of SIB-IMRT on clinically suspected positive LPLN of LARC patients were deemed acceptable. Patients did not exhibit in-field LPLN recurrence after NCRT combined with single total mesorectal excision (TME).
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Authors | Jian-Hao Geng, Yang-Zi Zhang, Yong-Heng Li, Shuai Li, Lin Wang, Zhi-Long Wang, Xiang-Gao Zhu, Zhao-De Bu, Zi-Yu Li, Xiang-Qian Su, Yong Cai, Ai-Wen Wu, Wei-Hu Wang |
Journal | Annals of translational medicine
(Ann Transl Med)
Vol. 9
Issue 3
Pg. 217
(Feb 2021)
ISSN: 2305-5839 [Print] China |
PMID | 33708844
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | 2021 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved. |