PURPOSE

Diverting ileostomy (DI) may cause fluid and electrolyte loss, potentially impairing the tolerability of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in patients with rectal cancer. However, its clinical impact, especially in the presence of high-output stoma (HOS), remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DI and perioperative HOS on chemotherapy completion, dose intensity, and the incidence of severe adverse events (AEs).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 107 patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative resection and received postoperative ACT between June 2012 and December 2024 at Tottori University. Chemotherapy completion, relative dose intensity (RDI), and grade ≥ 3 AEs were compared between patients with and without DI. A subgroup analysis assessed the influence of HOS among DI patients.

RESULTS

Chemotherapy completion rate and RDI were comparable between patients with and without DI. However, the incidence of grade ≥ 3 AEs was significantly higher in the DI group than in the non-DI group (18.2% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.015), and DI was identified as an independent risk factor in multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] 5.749, P = 0.022). Among patients with DI, those with HOS had a significantly lower oxaliplatin RDI than those without HOS (37.5% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.007), and HOS independently predicted failure to complete oxaliplatin-based regimens (OR 13.423, P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

While DI does not impair overall chemotherapy delivery, it is associated with increased early toxicity. HOS may compromise oxaliplatin administration and should prompt early recognition and targeted supportive interventions.