Radiation-induced severe lymphopenia predicts distant metastasis in rectal cancer: dosimetric implications for immune-sparing radiotherapy

Key Points

• Lymphopenia is a significant predictor of distant metastasis in rectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of immune health.
• The study indicates that patients with severe lymphopenia have higher chances of metastasis, supporting targeted interventions.
• Assessment using dosimetric data highlights the need for immune-sparing approaches in radiotherapy to improve outcomes.
• This study may enable better treatment planning in radiotherapy, particularly for those at risk of metastasis.