Radio-Chemotherapy in Pre-Operative Rectal Adenocarcinoma at Dalal Jamm Hospital, Senegal

Background: Radiation therapy is an essential treatment for rectal cancer. In 2018, Senegal experienced a transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional radiotherapy (RC3D). We are evaluating for the first time the impact of this RC3D in the treatment of rectal cancer in Senegal. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic profile of rectum cancer in Senegal, to list the different radiotherapy techniques used, to evaluate the response as well as the outcome of patients. Method: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study on preoperative radio-chemotherapy of rectal adenocarcinoma at the Dalal Jamm University Hospital in Dakar from July 2018 to June 2020. Results: The 42 patients included, including 18 men and 24 women (Sex Ratio: 0.75), had an average age of 55.9 years. We found a family history of CRC (Colorectal cancer) in 7 cases and smoking in 5 cases. The clinical signs were dominated by rectal bleeding, noted in 92.8% of cases, with or without pain, and changes in transit in 57.1% and 50% respectively. The tumor was perceptible on digital rectal examination (DRE) in 76.1%. All patients had undergone endoscopy, which revealed a budding aspect in 69% of cases. The preferred location was the lower rectum (59.5%). The predominant histological type was liberkhunian adenocarcinoma (85.7%). T3 and T4 tumors accounted for 30.9% and 21.4% of cases respectively and stage III was predominant, 69%. The aim of radiotherapy was curative in 33 patients and palliative in 9 patients. Curative radiotherapy was preoperative in 29 patients and adjuvant in 2 patients. RC3D was the technique used in all our patients and the total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 sessions of 5 days per week was the most used (69%). The incidents noted during radiotherapy were 12 cases of radiodermatitis, 15 cases of diarrhea, and no severe toxicity was noted. Thirty-one patients underwent surgery, 16 with anterior resection of the rectum and 3 with total proctectomy; the sphincter preservation rate was 61.2%. The surgical resection was carcinological (R0) in 26 patients and microscopically incomplete (R1) in 5 patients. Post-operative evaluation of the pathological specimen showed a complete histological response in 21% of cases. The evolution was marked by a progressive disease in 4 cases, local recurrence in 3 cases, metastatic recurrence in 4 cases, death in 8 cases and remission in 23 cases. The average follow-up of our patients was 17.3 months. Conclusion: Rectal cancer is diagnosed late in Senegal; surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. Radiotherapy increases the resectability and local control.