Table I.
Patient and tumor characteristics.
| Variables | Value (%) (n=161) |
|---|---|
| Gender (M vs. F) | 91/161 (56.52) |
| ECOG | 1: 81/161 (50.31) 0: 80/161 (49.69) |
| Anatomic location (lower rectum vs. middle/upper rectum) | 88/161 (54.66) |
| CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL | 14/112 (12.5) |
| Primary tumor (T) | 4: 24/161 (14.91) 3: 105/161 (65.22) 2: 29/161 (18.01) 1: 3/161 (1.86) |
| Regional lymph nodes (N) | 2: 38/161 (23.6) 1: 48/161 (29.81) 0: 75/161 (46.58) |
| TNM Stage | III: 86/161 (53.42) II: 58/161 (36.02) I: 17/161 (10.56) |
| Histological grade | 3: 38/157 (24.2) 2: 89/157 (56.69) 1: 30/157 (19.11) |
| Lymph nodes sampling ≥12 | 90/161 (55.9) |
| Node capsular effraction | 16/161 (9.94) |
| Vascular invasion | 27/154 (17.53) |
| Lymphatic invasion | 70/160 (43.75) |
| Perineural invasion | 34/157 (21.66) |
| Recurrence | 54/161 (33.54) |
| Local recurrence | 27/161 (16.77) |
| Death | 45/161 (27.95) |
ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status; CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen