Fig. 1.

Comparison of characteristics of patients before SEMS, before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and before surgery. a, There was no significant difference in BMI. b, Serum albumin before surgery was significantly higher than that before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.01) and that before SEMS (p = 0.01). c, Hemoglobin level before surgery was significantly higher than that before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.008) and that before SEMS (p = 0.003). d, There was no significant difference in prealbumin. e, Bowel wall thickness 10 cm proximal to the upper edge of tumor was significantly greater before neoadjuvant chemotherapy than before SEMS (p = 0.003), and significantly less before surgery than before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.003). Statistical significance was at p < 0.017. BMI Body mass index, Chemo chemotherapy, SEMS self-expanding metallic stent