Long‐term anorectal function in rectal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy

Aim The aim was to study anorectal function in long-term survivors after combined, curatively intended, chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy for low rectal cancer. Methods This a case–control design. We compared by anal manometry, functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) bag distension cancer patients (RCPs) healthy, normal subjects (NSs). Symptoms were assessed the anterior resection syndrome (LARS) Wexner faecal incontinence scores. Results Thirteen RCPs (12 men, median age 68 years, range 52–92) 60 Gy radiotherapy, 5 oral tegafur-uracil with complete clinical response (median time since treatment 2.8 2.2–5.6) 15 NSs (14 64 47–75). had lower than resting pressure, 38.6 mmHg (range 8.8–67.7) versus 58.8 (25.7–105.2) (P < 0.003), squeeze 117 (55.2–203) 188 (103–248) 0.01). Squeeze-induced pressure increase recorded EndoFLIP also (q > 7.56, P 0.001) as canal resistance increasing = 3.13, 0.05). No differences volume at first sensation (72 [22–158] vs. 82 [36–190] ml, 0.4) or urge defaecate (107 [42–227] 132 [59–334] 0.2) found. However, maximum tolerable (145 [59–319] 222 [106–447] 0.02). (range) score 27 (0–39) 7 (0–23) 0.001), while 0 (0–5) (0–4) 0.56). Conclusion Radiotherapy combined causes symptoms, impaired sphincter reduced capacity.