Öz
This study was conducted to reveal the effect of neoadjuant chemoradiotherapy to down-staging and sphincter sparing surgery in rectal cancer. Patients with lower and middle rectum cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were included in the study. The data of the patients were collected retrospectively and recorded in a database. Neoadjuvant treatment protocols applied to the patients, downsizing, downstagings and sphincter sparing surgery rates were determined and evaluation was made in the light of the literature. 88 patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for lower and middle rectal cancer were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 57.6 (21-78) years, and the ratio of women to men was 3/5. The mean waiting time after neoadjuvant therapy was 6.5 (4-8) weeks. Downsizing, downstaging and sphincter sparing rates were 80.7%, 65.9%, 63.6% (32.5% for the lower rectum, 89.6% for the middle rectum) respectively. The pathological complete response was obtained in four patients. Eight of the patients had undergone very low anterior anterior resection, 47 had low anterior resection and 1 patient had intersphincteric resection. It was evaluated that, 5 patients who underwent sphincter sparing surgery had advanced incontinence score (wexner≥9) and their quality of life was generally not impaired. As a result, the rates of downsizing, downstaging and sphincter-sparing surgery rates after neoadjuvant therapy were evaluated to be compatible with the literature. As stated in the literature, the most effective factors on sphincter sparing surgery rates are; the location of the tumor, its relation with the anal sphincter mechanism and the surgeon's attitude.