ABSTRACT
A retrospective analysis of 291 eligible patients with carcinoma of rectum and rectosigmoid was undertaken. The patients were assigned to one of four treatment groups: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy [CRT], followed by postoperative chemotherapy [POCT], postoperative radiotherapy [PORT], postoperative chemotherapy [POCT] and postoperative CRT. The results showed that with a median follow up of 57.2 months, the 5-year overall survival was 47.8%, the 5-year DFS was 42.4%. The 5-year OS was 48.3% in the preoperative CRT group, 42.4% in PORT group, 34.3% for POCT group and 55% in the POCRT group. The 5-year DFS was 44.8%, 39.4%, 31.5% and 50% in the four treatment groups, respectively. Local failure [LF] occurred in 14.1% of the patients and distant metastasis [DM] was observed in 28.9%