Table 1. Baseline characteristics.
| Baseline characteristic | Number of patients (N=57) | % |
|---|---|---|
| Age, years | ||
| Median | 66 | |
| Range | 33–88 | |
| Sex | ||
| Male | 32 | 56 |
| Female | 25 | 44 |
| Tumour stage | ||
| T1–2 | 12 | 21 |
| T3–4 | 43 | 75 |
| N0 | 19 | 33 |
| N1–2 | 33 | 58 |
| Preoperative treatment | ||
| RT | 38 | 67 |
| RCT | 19 | 33 |
| Surgery | ||
| Abdominoperineal resection | 15 | 26 |
| Sphincter-preserving surgery | 38 | 67 |
| TS | ||
| Low | 22 | 39 |
| High | 32 | 56 |
| P53 | ||
| Negative | 13 | 23 |
| Positive | 44 | 77 |
| VEGF | ||
| Negative | 21 | 37 |
| Positive | 31 | 54 |
| P21 | ||
| Negative | 24 | 42 |
| Positive | 32 | 56 |
| MLH1 | ||
| Preserved | 43 | 75 |
| Altered | 14 | 25 |
| MSH2 | ||
| Preserved | 44 | 77 |
| Altered | 13 | 23 |
Abbreviations: RT=radiotherapy; RCT=radiochemotherapy; TS=thymidilate synthase; VEGF=vascular endothelial growth factor.