What Is the Utility of Restaging Imaging for Patients With Clinical Stage II/III Rectal Cancer After Completion of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation and Prior to Proctectomy?

Abstract

Background In the United States, patients with clinical stage II or III rectal cancer typically receive neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (chemo/XRT) over a 5-6 week period followed by a 6-10 week break prior to proctectomy. In the current study, we evaluate the utilization of restaging studies performed and detection of disease progression during this window. Methods A retrospective review of patients with clinical stage II/III rectal cancer was performed. Medical records were analyzed to collect clinicopathologic data and the performance and results of preoperative, early postoperative, and first surveillance CT and/or PET/CT in patients completing long course neoadjuvant chemo/XRT and undergoing proctectomy. Results Between 2005 and 2017, 176 patients with clinical stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma completed neoadjuvant chemo/XRT and underwent proctectomy. Preoperative restaging with CT CAP and/or CT/PET was performed in 72 (40.9%) patients with no detection of disease progression. Of the 104 patients without preoperative restaging, 1 had intraoperative detection of liver metastases and 31 had early postoperative reimaging (within 30 days of proctectomy) of which 2 had detection of new pulmonary metastases. Among 72 patients with no preoperative or early postoperative reimaging, first surveillance imaging was available in 47 and detected new metastases in 8 (17%). Discussion In patients with clinical stage II/III rectal cancer who undergo long course neoadjuvant chemo/XRT, perioperative reimaging with CT CAP and/or PET/CT detects new metastases in a small percentage of patients. A multi-institutional, prospective analysis using standardized staging protocols is warranted to better determine the value of preoperative restaging in these patients.