Poor compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy use associated with poorer survival in patients with rectal cancer: An NCDB analysis

Abstract

There is poor compliance to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery. Adjuvant therapy appears to be independently associated with improved OS regardless of stage of disease, pathologic response, and patient factors. The greatest survival benefit was observed in patients who were complete responders. Age and comorbidities were found to be significantly associated with nonreceipt of adjuvant therapy. Improved rehabilitation and physical conditioning may improve the odds of patients receiving adjuvant therapy. Cancer 2017;52-61. © 2016 American Cancer Society.