Are elevated CEA levels and low distance of the tumor from the anal verge predictors of incomplete response to chemoradiation in patients with rectal cancer?
Very low tumors with a high serum CEA are very unlikely to reach a CPR. The predictive value of these easily available clinical factors should not be underestimated, and better therapeutic strategies for these tumors are needed.
Most patients with IPLS are treated without a definitive imaging diagnosis. This lack of diagnosis may result in the overtreatment of patients who do not have acute PE or, more importantly, in the undertreatment of patients who do have acute PE. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of the current management strategies on patient outcome.