Impact of radiotherapy on local recurrence of rectal cancer in Norway

Abstract

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of radiotherapy on local recurrence of rectal cancer in Norway after the national implementation of total mesorectal excision (TME). Methods This was a prospective national cohort study of 4113 patients undergoing major resection of rectal carcinoma between November 1993 and December 2001. Results The proportion of patients who had radiotherapy before or after operation increased from 4·6 per cent in 1994 to 23·0 per cent in 2001. The cumulative 5-year local recurrence rate decreased from 16·2 to 10·7 per cent. Multivariable analysis showed that preoperative radiotherapy significantly reduced local recurrence (hazard ratio 0·59 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·39 to 0·87)). The use of preoperative radiotherapy in patients from a local hospital offering radiotherapy was 50 per cent higher than that for patients from a hospital without such services (P = 0·003); cumulative 5-year local recurrence rates for these patients were 10·6 and 15·8 per cent respectively (P < 0·001). Conclusion Following national implementation of TME for rectal cancer, increased use of preoperative radiotherapy appeared to reduce recurrence rates further.