Acupuncture might Increase Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Ultralow Rectal Cancer: A Case Report and Review of Related Literature

Abstract

Background: We report a case of a patient with ultra-low rectal cancer who had a successful anus-preserving operation with fire needling to increase the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and an overview of the related literature. Case presentation: A 38-year-old male with a diagnosis of rectal cancer (cT4N0-2M0 Stage III), the lower edge of the tumor was 2 cm away from the anal margin. He had a strong desire for anal preservation and received six cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy by FOLFOX6 regimen at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. The tumor shrinkage was not significant, and then fire-needling acupuncture was added to the original plan at baliao acupoints during the period of chemotherapy. After another six cycles of acupuncture, the tumor disappeared in the imaging examination. He underwent general anesthesia for laparoscopic rectal cancer (ISR) radical surgery. Results: The specimen showed no tumor, and no metastatic carcinoma was found in the peri-intestinal lymph nodes. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with chemotherapy may increase the anti-tumor effect, which could be of great significance for ultra-low rectal cancer patients if evidence can be replicated in an additional study. Further case series research is needed.