Email this article Long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant radiotherapy of rectal cancer during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Multicenter retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching
- Authors: Ishchanov D.G.1, Chernykh M.V.1, Ivanov V.A.1, Petukhov E.A.2, Rybakov E.G.3, Moskalenko A.N.4
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Affiliations:
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Kommunarka», Moscow Healthcare Department
- A.N. Ryzhikh National Medical Research Center of Proctology, Ministry of Health of Russia
- Branch Oncology Center No. 1 of the S. S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital, Moscow Healthcare Department
- Issue: Vol 16, No 2 (2026)
- Pages: 126-133
- Section: ORIGINAL REPORT
- Published: 20.06.2026
- URL: https://onco-surgery.info/jour/article/view/942
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17650/2949-5857-2026-16-2-126-133
- ID: 942
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Abstract
Background. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy remains the standard treatment for patients with rectal cancer; however, the choice between short-course radiotherapy (25 Gy in 5 fractions) and long-course chemoradiotherapy (50–54 Gy with fluoropyrimidines) remains debatable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for comparative assessment of these modalities increased due to the necessity of optimizing treatment under conditions of increased burden on the healthcare system.
Aim. To compare long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant radiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer depending on the radiotherapy regimen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and methods. A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed. Propensity score matching at a 1:1 ratio was used to adjust for observed confounders. The primary endpoint was 2-year recurrence-free survival; the secondary endpoint was 2-year overall survival.
Results. After propensity score matching, 94 patients were analyzed in each group. Two-year recurrence-free survival in the short-course group was 81.9 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 74.4–90) compared to 76.6 % (95 % CI 68.5–85.7) in the chemoradiation group (p = 0.464). Two-year overall survival reached 95.7 % (95 % CI 91.7–99.9) and 94.6 % (95 % CI 90.1–99.3), respectively (p = 0.941). No statistically significant differences in survival outcomes were observed between the groups.
Conclusion. Short-course radiotherapy and long-course chemoradiotherapy demonstrate comparable long-term outcomes in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer. Definitive conclusions can be made with a longer follow-up.
About the authors
D. G. Ishchanov
N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Author for correspondence.
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-4671-8532
Russian Federation, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115522
M. V. Chernykh
N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4944-4035
Russian Federation, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115522
V. A. Ivanov
N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
Russian Federation, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115522
E. A. Petukhov
Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Kommunarka», Moscow Healthcare Department
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8444-0158
Russian Federation, 8 Sosenskiy Stan St., Kommunarka, Moscow, 108814
E. G. Rybakov
A.N. Ryzhikh National Medical Research Center of Proctology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3919-9067
Russian Federation, Build. 28, 2 Salyama Adilya St., Moscow, 123423
A. N. Moskalenko
Branch Oncology Center No. 1 of the S. S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital, Moscow Healthcare Department
Email: dgi@kantoku.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2499-6637
Russian Federation, Build. 7, 18A Zagorodnoye Shosse, Moscow, 117152
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