Could we do the 0% rate of local recurrence in patients who responded to preoperative chemoradiation therapy?

We conducted phase I/II studies of chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and irinotecan in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The study group comprised 76 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (T3 or T4, any N) who were enrolled in phase I/II studies of preoperative chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and irinotecan, given in the recommended (irinotecan, 80 mg/m2; S-1, 80 mg/m2) or lower doses. The rate of local recurrence was extremely low (0%) in our patients who responded to preoperative therapy. (author)