Objective To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with total mesorectal excision （TME） in treatment for locally advanced lower rectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 31 patients with locally advanced lower rectal cancer received concurrent chemoradiotherapy from January 2009 to December 2011 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Conventional fraction radiotherapy with total dose 50 Gy and chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX regimen were taken. The efficacy was assessed by recording results of clinical and pathological examination. The function of sphincter was also recorded. Results All 31 patients underwent TME operation. The complication morbidity and mortality was 12.9% （4/31） and 3.2% （1/31），respectively. As a result of the preoperative management，the tumor was reduced by an average of 21.9%， down-regulation of T stage was observed in 48.4% （15/31） patients，the frequency of lymph node metastasis decreased from 83.9% （26/31） to 38.7% （12/31）. Pathological complete response was observed in 5 patients （16.1%） and the total response rate was 74.2% （23/31），grade 3/4 toxicity was occurred in 2 （6.5%） patients. 84.6% （22/26） of patients underwent sphincter preservation surgery reserved good function of sphincter. Conclusions Preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with TME in treatment for locally advanced lower rectal cancer is effective and safe，which can lead to pathological complete response，decrease the tumor stage and the rate of lymph node metastasis，and can also increase the efficacy of operation.
Objective To discuss the important role of preoperative chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of mid-low rectal cancer. Methods From the surgical point of view, the evidences from clinic trials in literatures of recent years and also from the results of our single institution were analyzed. Results Preoperative radiotherapy with total dosage of 50 Gy had showed more and more advantages in the past two decades. Preoperative radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy had definite effects in downing stage and improving local control, while its role in sphincter preserving kept in controversy. However, this combined preoperative therapies had not improved long-term survival in rectal cancer. By now, there were no proper indicators to predict the effects of therapies. Conclusion Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is still the only way to improve the rate of R0 resection and decrease the rate of local currence after surgery for patients with mid-low advanced rectal cancer.