Feasibility of Transanal Local Excision Following Chemoradiation for Lower Rectal Cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of transanal local excision for cT1/cT2 lower rectal cancer following pre-operative chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Patients and Methods: Eleven patients who underwent pre-operative CRT for cT1/cT2 lower rectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Surgical outcomes were compared between the group that underwent trasanal local excision (TLE) (n=6) and that which underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) (n=5). Results: Regarding surgical outcomes, there were significant differences between the two groups in operative time, rate of anal preservation and post-operative hospital stay. There were no differences between the two groups in the disease-free or overall survival rates. Conclusion: The TLE following CRT had acceptable surgical outcomes. Surgeons should consider TLE following CRT for cT1/cT2 lower rectal cancer as a treatment option in selected patients.