TOXICITY OF CONCURRENT CHEMORADIATION IN LOCALLY ADVANCED RECTAL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate treatment related toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal carcinoma

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oncology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi, from Jan 2017 to Jul 2017.

Methodology: Thirty-five patients with histopathologically diagnosed T3-4, N0-2, M0 adenocarcinoma rectum requiring neo adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation delivered using 3-D conformal technique with high-energy photon beams to were included. Patients were followed up weekly during concurrent chemoradiation to evaluate for any adverse events.

Results: Out of total 35 patient, only grade 3 radiation dermatitis developed in two patients. Grade 2 hema-tological toxicities i.e. anemia, leucocytopenia and neutropenia were noted in 11.4%, 17.14% and 5.71% of the patients, respectively. While grade 2 non-hematological toxicities including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and radiation dermatitis were observed in 17.14%, 2.85%, 2.85% and 20% respectively. Grade 1 hematological toxicities i.e. anemia, leucocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were noted in 7 (20%), 12 (34.28%) and 6 (17.14%) of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiation along with oral chemotherapy capecitabine in neoadjuvant setting was a well-tolerated and acceptable treatment option for locally advanced carcinoma of rectum.