[Pathological Complete Response following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Lower Rectal Cancer-A Case...

A 56-year-old man was referred to our institution with bloody stools. Colonoscopy revealed a type 3 tumor in the lower rectum. Histological analysis revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the tumor was confined to the rectal wall; however, enlarged lymph nodes were observed. Computed tomography revealed no signs of metastasis. The patient was diagnosed with rectal cancer(cT3N1aM0, cStage Ⅲb). The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)consisting of capecitabine and oxaliplatin(CAPOX). After 4 courses of CAPOX, the diagnosis was revised to ycT2N0M0. The patient subsequently underwent robot-assisted intersphincteric resection, ileostomy, and bilateral lymphadenectomy. Pathological examination revealed a complete response. This case suggests that NAC may be a viable option for treating locally advanced rectal cancer.