Neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiation as a potential alternative treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer: A meta-analysis

Figure 1 Flow diagram. RCT: Randomized controlled trial.

Figure 2 Quality of randomized controlled trials and cohorts. RCT: Randomized controlled trial.

Figure 3 Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved overall survival of rectal cancer patients based on a meta-analysis of six studies. CI: Confidence interval; HR: Hazard ratio; Neo-CRT: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; Neo-CT: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Figure 4 Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with lowering incidences of anastomotic fistula and temporary colostomy and increasing the sphincter preservation rate. CI: Confidence interval; nCRT: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; nCT: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; RR: Risk ratio.

Figure 5 There were no significant differences in the tumor downstaging rate, overall complications, and urinary complications between the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups. CI: Confidence interval; nCRT: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; nCT: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; RR: Risk ratio.

Figure 6 The pathological complete response rate was significantly higher in the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group compared to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. CI: Confidence interval; nCRT: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; nCT: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; RCT: Randomized controlled trial; RR: Risk ratio.

Figure 7 Publication bias.