Textbook oncologic outcomes in elderly patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicenter study - Summary - MDSpire

Textbook oncologic outcomes in elderly patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicenter study

  • By

  • Alessandra Pulvirenti

  • Carlotta Parati

  • Simona Deidda

  • Daniela Rega

  • Gino Guarino

  • Mirko Armas

  • Ilaria Govoni

  • Silvia Negro

  • Quoc Riccardo Bao

  • Paolo Delrio

  • Angelo Restivo

  • Gaya Spolverato

  • August 25, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the incidence of Textbook Oncologic Outcomes (TOO) in patients aged ≥ 70 years undergoing surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and identify pre-treatment predictors associated with achieving this benchmark, including a clear definition of TOO.

Key Findings:
  • A total of 157 elderly patients with LARC were included, with a median age of 75 years, highlighting the demographic shift in cancer incidence.
  • R0 resection was achieved in 98% of patients, with a median of 13 harvested lymph nodes, indicating effective surgical intervention.
  • Severe complications occurred in 8.9% of patients, and there was no 90-day mortality, suggesting favorable outcomes compared to younger cohorts.
Interpretation:

The study highlights the feasibility of achieving TOO in elderly patients with LARC, emphasizing the importance of optimizing treatment strategies to improve oncologic outcomes while minimizing morbidity, which is crucial for this vulnerable population.

Limitations:
  • The study was conducted at three high-volume centers, which may limit generalizability to other settings.
  • The definition of TOO may vary and lacks universal consensus in rectal cancer, potentially affecting the applicability of the findings.
Conclusion:

This study provides insights into the oncologic care of elderly patients with rectal cancer, suggesting that achieving TOO is possible and may enhance surgical outcomes in this vulnerable population, warranting further research into tailored treatment approaches.

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