Clinical evidence of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with rectal cancer
Keywords:
NEOPLASIAS DEL RECTO; PRÁCTICA CLÍNICA BASADA EN LA EVIDENCIA; TERAPÉUTICA; TERAPIA NEOADYUVANTEAbstract
Introduction: Rectal cancer represents a therapeutic challenge due to its high incidence and surgical complexity. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is used to improve tumor response and reduce recurrences.
Objective: To analyze the clinical evidence of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with rectal cancer treated at the Hospital of Pinar del Río between 2016–2021.
Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, and observational study with a quantitative approach was conducted. The design corresponded to a case series. The setting was the “Abel Santamaría Cuadrado” General Teaching Hospital of Pinar del Río. The study population consisted of 60 patients with confirmed diagnosis of rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant treatment during 2016–2021. The sampling was non-probabilistic, intentional, including all available cases in the period. Data collection techniques were based on the review of medical records and institutional registries. Variables analyzed included sociodemographic characteristics, pathological history, histological and tumor features, therapeutic schemes, clinical response, and toxicities. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, with absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. Ethical rigor was ensured by adherence to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, guaranteeing confidentiality and informed consent.
Results: A high rate of clinical and pathological response to neoadjuvant treatment was observed, with manageable toxicities and no treatment interruptions.
Conclusions: Clinical evidence supports the usefulness of neoadjuvant treatment as a safe and effective strategy in locally advanced rectal cancer.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Yeselys Pérez Vilaú, Lucien Gregoria Bory Porras , Ania Margarita Piney Martier, David Antonio Lara Hernández , Reynier Ramírez Rubiera, Maria de la Caridad Casanova Moreno
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