Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol 92, No 11:NOVEMBER 2009 0125-2208 92 11 2009 Nov The Surgical Outcome of Preoperative Chemoradiation Therapy for Ultra Low Rectal Cancer 1423 EN Wiroon Boonnuch Varut Lohsiriwat Thawatchai Akaraviputh Vitoon Chinswangwatanakul Darin Lohsiriwat Original Article To evaluate the surgical outcome of preoperative long-course chemoradiation therapy (PCRT) inpatients with ultra low rectal cancer. Medical records of patients with rectal adenocarcinoma located within the length of5 cm from the anal verge, who underwent elective oncological resection between 2003 and 2006 at SirirajHospital, were reviewed. PCRT was performed in some patients based on tumor characteristics and surgeon’sdecision. Rate of sphincter preservation and other surgical outcomes were assessed. Ninety-three patients with an average age of 60 years were studied. Twenty-seven (29%) receivedPCRT. There was no difference in demographic data and location of the tumor between PCRT and non-PCRTgroup. Patients with PCRT had a smaller size of tumor (2.6 vs. 5.0 cm, p < 0.001) and better tumor staging(p < 0.001). Complete pathological response was found in four patients with PCRT (15%). However, therewas no significant difference in SPP rate between PCRT and non-PCRT group (37% vs. 36%, p = 0.95). Othersurgical outcomes between the two groups were also not different. PCRT did not increase rate of sphincter preservation in patients with low rectal cancer. Chemoradiation therapy Drug therapy Preoperative care Radiotherapy Rectal cancer Rectalneoplasms Sphincter preservation