OBJECTIVETo study the impact of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on erectile and urinary functions in mid-low rectal cancer patients.

METHODSSeventy mid-low rectal cancer patients from January 2012 to May 2013 in The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University were prospectively enrolled. According to tumor staging and patient decision, patients received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy(50 Grays administered over a six-week period and four cycles of concomitant mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy followed by operation (study group) or surgery alone(control group). Dropouts, loss to follow up and relapse during follow-up were removed from the analysis. A total of 30 patients stayed in study group and 29 patients in control group. To assess erectile and urination functions, the five-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) questionnaires were used before therapy and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTSIn both study and control groups, total IIEF-5 score was decreased significantly at postoperative 12-month compared to initial assessment(P<0.01). Compared with control group, IIEF-5 score change was significantly higher in study group (9.6 ± 6.1 vs. 5.3 ± 5.3; P<0.01). Total IPSS score in both groups was increased significantly at postoperative 12-month compared to initial assessment(P<0.05). No significant difference was found in IPSS score change between the two groups (3.0 ± 3.4 vs. 1.5 ± 3.0, P>0.05). Univariate analysis on study group showed that age, tumor location and maximal diameter were associated with erectile dysfunction. Age was associated with urination dysfunction (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNeoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has significant impact on erectile dysfunction after surgery in mid-low rectal cancer patients.