Retrospective study of total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.

To compare treatment outcomes of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Patients with LARC (cT2-4 and/or cN1-2) who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy plus induction and consolidation chemotherapy followed by surgery or the standard treatment were recruited. Pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, overall survival, disease-free survival and the sphincter preservation rate as well as safety were evaluated. 49 cases were treated with TNT and 71 cases received the standard treatment. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that TNT and tumor size were independent risk factors for pCR. Grade 3 chemoradiotherapy toxicity and postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. TNT improved the pCR rate for patients with LARC, with tolerable toxicities.