The influence of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for lower rectal cancer on urinary function.

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether neoadjuvant chemoradiation for lower rectal cancer causes a deterioration in urinary function. This study aimed to prospectively compare the postoperative urinary function of patients with lower rectal cancer treated by surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiation with that of patients treated with surgery alone.

METHOD

Urinary function was assessed before treatment and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery by calculating the changes in the scores of the seven items of the International Prostatic Symptom Score (incomplete emptying, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining, and nocturia) and Quality of life index.

RESULTS

Among 123 patients with lower rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy plus surgery and surgery alone between 2014 and 2016, 29 eligible patients in the surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiation group and 34 eligible patients in the surgery alone group were analyzed. The changes in each item score at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were similar between the two treatment groups. The scores of all items were already recovered at 6 months after surgery, except for weak stream and straining in the Surgery + chemoradiotherapy group and nocturia in the Surgery-alone group.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for lower rectal cancer did not affect postoperative urinary function.