Oncological outcomes of transanal local excision for high risk T(1) rectal cancers

AIM:To evaluate the oncological outcomes of transanal local excision and the need for immediate conventional reoperation in the treatment of patients with high risk T1 rectal cancers.METHODS:Twenty five high risk T1 rectal cancers treated by transanal local excision at the Guangdong General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Twelve patients received transanal local excision and 13 patients underwent subsequent immediate surgical rescue after transanal local excision within 4 wk.Differences in the local recurrence rates and 5-year overall survival rates between the two groups were analyzed.The prognostic value of immediate conventional reoperation for high risk T1 rectal cancers was also evaluated.RESULTS:The median follow-up period was 62 mo.The local recurrence rates after transanal local excisionfor high risk T1 rectal cancer were 50%.By immediate conventional reoperation,the local recurrence rates were significantly reduced to 7.7%.The difference between these two groups was statistically significant(P = 0.030).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a trend for decreased 5-year overall survival rates for patients treated by transanal local excision compared with immediate conventional reoperation(63%vs 89%).CONCLUSION:Transanal local excision cannot be considered sufficient treatment for patients with high risk T1 rectal cancers.Immediate conventional reoperation should be performed if the pathology of the local excision is high risk.     

Transanale endoskopische Mikrochirurgie (TEM)

Local excision of rectal tumors was primarily carried out for adenomas or with a palliative intention. Over a course of more than 20 years local surgery has increasingly become established for early (T1) carcinomas. Among several local resection procedures, the less traumatizing transanal approach has become most accepted as compared to more aggressive techniques. The transanal endoscopic microsurgical (TEM) technique is most widely used. For ‘low risk’T1 carcinomas low local recurrence rates are primarily reported, and both the tumor characteristics and the quality of the resection are relevant prognostic factors. For ‘high risk’T1 or T2 carcinomas, high recurrence rates have to be expected. Among additional measures, immediate conventional radical re-operating is superior to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. In addition, awaiting salvage surgery of local recurrences provides inferior oncological outcomes. Interestingly, favorable results have been obtained with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of T2–3 rectal cancers and first studies consistently showed low recurrence rates.     

Low rectal cancer: Sphincter preserving techniques-selection of patients,techniques and outcomes

Low rectal cancer is traditionally treated by abdominoperineal resection. In recent years, several new techniques for the treatment of very low rectal cancer patients aiming to preserve the gastrointestinal continuity and to improve both the oncological as well as the functional outcomes, have been emerged. Literature suggest that when the intersphincteric resection is applied in T1-3 tumors located within 30-35 mm from the anal verge, is technically feasible, safe, with equal oncological outcomes compared to conventional surgery and acceptable quality of life. The Anterior Perineal PlanE for Ultra-low Anterior Resection technique, is not disrupting the sphincters, but carries a high complication rate, while the reports on the oncological and functional outcomes are limited. Transanal Endoscopic MicroSurgery (TEM) and TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) should represent the treatment of choice for T1 rectal tumors, with specific criteria according to the NCCN guidelines and favorable pathologic features. Alternatively to the standard conventional surgery, neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy followed by TEM or TAMIS seems promising for tumors of a local stage T1sm2-3 or T2. Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision should be performed only when a board approved protocol is available by colorectal surgeons with extensive experience in minimally invasive and transanal endoscopic surgery.     

中低位进展期直肠癌患者全直肠系膜切除术前应用同步新辅助放化疗效果分析

目的：分析中低位进展期直肠癌患者全直肠系膜切除术前同步新辅助放化疗应用疗效。方法选取45例中低位进展期直肠癌患者为研究对象,将其随机分为联合组（23例）与对照组（22例）,对照组患者行单纯全直肠系膜切除术,联合组患者在行全直肠系膜切除术前同步新辅助放化疗,比较联合组新辅助放化疗前后肿瘤分期（TNM）情况,两组患者治疗前后肿瘤标志物水平变化情况及术后3个月保肛率、复发率、转移率、术后并发症发生情况。结果新辅助治疗后联合组TNM分期较治疗前降低,差异具有统计学意义（P﹤0.05）;治疗前两组患者癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖链抗原19-9（CA19-9）、糖链抗原242（CA242）水平差异无统计学意义（P﹥0.05）,治疗后均降低（P﹤0.05）,且联合组低于对照组（P﹤0.05）;两组患者术后3个月转移率及并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（P﹥0.05）,联合组保肛率高于对照组,复发率低于对照组（P﹤0.05）。结论采用全直肠系膜切除术前同步新辅助放化疗,可以有效提高中低位进展期直肠癌患者保肛率,降低复发率,改善肿瘤TNM分期,降低CEA、CA19-9、CA242水平,具有良好的应用前景。     

新辅助同步放化疗联合全系膜切除对局部进展期中低位直肠癌的治疗价值

目的探讨新辅助同步放化疗联合直肠全系膜切除术(total mesorectal excision,TME)用于局部进展期中低位直肠癌治疗的可行性与临床价值。方法111例局部进展期(T3～4 N0～2 M0)中低位直肠癌术前接受同步放化疗,放疗剂量50 Gy,化疗包括奥沙利铂+卡培他滨的联合化疗方案及不含铂类药物的单药化疗方案。共105例患者同步放化疗结束后2～10周内完成了肿瘤根治性(R0)手术,可进行疗效的病理学评价。结果105例患者获得根治性切除,切缘均阴性,42例(37.8%,42/111)患者成功实施保肛手术;18例临床-影像分期为T4期患者中,15例(83.3%)新辅助放化疗后获得根治性切除(R0)。所有患者手术及术后恢复顺利,无严重手术并发症;术后病理示肿瘤完全消退15例(14.3%),重度消退26例(24.8%),中度消退40例(38.1%),轻度及无消退24 例(22.8%)。结论新辅助同步放化疗联合TME手术安全可行,可提高局部进展期中低位直肠癌的根治性切除率与保肛率,不增加手术并发症,是局部进展期中低位直肠癌的优选治疗模式。     

新辅助放化疗对中低位直肠癌患者排便状况的影响

目的：探讨新辅助化疗对中低位直肠癌患者排便状况的影响。方法将单纯进行手术治疗的患者纳入对照组,新辅助放化疗结合手术治疗的患者纳入研究组。比较两种治疗方法对患者术后排便功能的影响。结果新辅助放疗组患者治疗前后肿瘤距齿状线距离存在显著差异,P＜0．05;两组患者治疗后排便异常存在显著差异,P＜0．05;年龄,行辅助放化疗和直肠癌根治术后吻合口距肛缘的距离是大便失禁发生率的影响因素,P＜0．05。结论新辅助放化疗对中低位直肠癌患者,能达到提高肿瘤切除率和提高保肛成功率的目的,虽然对术后患者排便功能有一定的影响,但是也不失为一种有效的治疗方法。     

局部进展期直肠癌新辅助治疗后器官保留策略进展

新辅助放化疗联合全直肠系膜切除术为分期T 3-T 4期或N+的局部进展期直肠癌(LARC)的标准治疗,但往往会带来一系列术后并发症,尤其是接受腹会阴联合直肠癌根治术(Mile′s术)不能保留肛门者,严重影响生活质量。对于新辅助治疗后肿瘤(近)临床完全缓解者,器官保留策略在与根治性手术达到相似治疗疗效...     

Wie radikal muss die Chirurgie des Rektumkarzinoms sein?

The spectrum of modern surgery for rectal cancer covers a range of different operations which should be differentially used following careful patient selection. Optimal surgery implies that a maximum level of oncological therapy is achieved without unnecessary morbidity, functional impairment or loss of quality of life. As a consequence “low risk” cancers should be treated by local excision to avoid undue morbidity even if a minimal risk of local recurrence must be accepted. Furthermore, sphincter preservation is possible if cancers are situated more than 1–2 cm above the dentate line in patients with normal continence so that an abdomino-perineal excision is only mandatory for tumors below this level. Most patients are operated on by anterior rectal resection and total mesorectal excision. It is currently under investigation whether partial mesorectal excision is sufficient for tumors in the upper third of the rectum. Optimal radical surgery for rectal cancer may also mean that multivisceral excision is necessary to achieve the R0 situation which represents a prerequisite for a possible long-term disease-free survival.     

新辅助放化疗对局部进展期直肠癌保肛术后排便功能的影响

目的:探讨新辅助放化疗对局部进展期直肠癌保肛术后排便功能的影响。方法:回顾性分析2013年至2016年我院185例局部进展期直肠癌行直肠低位前切除术患者的临床和病理资料,采用低位前切除综合征（LARS）评分量表评估患者术后排便功能状况,通过单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析影响患者术后排便功能的危险因素。结果:所有患者均严格遵循直肠全系膜切除术（TME）原则行低位前切除术,其中113例行术前（新辅助）放化疗,50例行术后（辅助）放化疗,22例未行放化疗。术后12～48个月中,患者中LARS的发生率为64.9%,重度LARS的发生率为31.9%,重度LARS患者占全部LARS患者的49.2%。单因素分析发现,接受放化疗者术后重度LARS发生比例显著高于未接受放化疗者（P＜0.001）,肿瘤距肛缘距离＜5 cm者术后重度LARS发生比例显著高于≥5 cm者（P=0.001）,开放手术者术后重度LARS发生比例显著高于腹腔镜手术者（P=0.038）,然而放化疗的不同时机（新辅助、辅助）、新辅助放化疗的不同形式（长程放化疗、短程放疗）对术后重度LARS发生比例的影响,差异并无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。多因素分析发现,只有放化疗（P=0.001）、肿瘤距肛缘距离＜5 cm（P=0.003）是术后发生重度LARS的独立危险因素。结论:LARS是直肠癌保肛术后长期困扰患者的常见并发症,放化疗、肿瘤位置较低是导致术后LARS的独立危险因素。然而,新辅助放化疗与辅助放化疗,长程放化疗与短程放疗对术后LARS发生的影响基本相似。     

Local excision for early rectal cancer: transanal endoscopic microsurgery and beyond

The goal of treatment for early stage rectal cancer is to optimize oncologic control while minimizing the long-term impact of treatment on quality of life. The standard of care treatment for most stage I and II rectal cancers is radical surgery alone, specifically total mesorectal excision (TME). For early rectal cancers, this procedure is usually curative but can have a substantial impact on quality of life, including the possibility of permanent colostomy and the potential for short and long-term bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. Given the morbidity associated with radical surgery, alternative approaches to management of early rectal cancer have been explored, including local excision (LE) via transanal excision (TAE) or transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). Compared to the gold standard of radical surgery, local procedures for strictly selected early rectal cancers should lead to identical oncological results and even better outcomes regarding morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.     

新辅助治疗——对直肠癌现有治疗模式的挑战?

近年来,新辅助治疗对于直肠癌的疗效得到进一步的肯定,已被公认为进展期直肠癌的标准治疗方法。一些研究甚至开始探讨新辅助治疗是否可以取代根治性手术成为主导治疗方式。放化疗后临床分期的准确度以及T分期与淋巴结阳性率的相关性这两个方面从理论上决定非根治性手术的可行性。尽管目前不乏新辅助治疗后不手术或行局部切除术结果满意的报告,但由于缺乏前瞻性研究,关于新辅助治疗在进展期直肠癌治疗中的地位仍存在争议。     

Is the increasing role of Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery in curation for T1 rectal cancer justified? A systematic review

Driven by the aim to avoid a permanent colostomy and also the morbidity and mortality of major radical surgery for rectal cancer, the proportion of patients with rectal cancer treated by local excision has increased the last ten years or so. In T1 carcinomas local excision is considered a curative option in selected tumors. However, the scientific base upon which this treatment regimen is built remains controversial. In this systematic review we try to elucidate current literature regarding local excision for T1 rectal carcinomas. Several questions are addressed. First, is there enough evidence to propagate LE as a curative option in selected (T1) rectal carcinomas? Second, if LE is justified, which technique should be the method of choice? Third, can we adequately identify, pre- and postoperatively, tumors suitable for LE? Finally, future perspectives are discussed.     

定量DCE-MRI在局部进展期直肠癌疗效评估中的应用

目的:评价定量动态增强磁共振成像(dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI,DCE-MRI)在局部进展期直肠癌患者新辅助治疗疗效评估中的应用价值。方法:收集我院34例局部进展期直肠癌患者，于新辅助治疗前、后分别行DCE-MRI检查，根据肿瘤退缩分级，将其分为有反应组（mrTRG1、mrTRG2和mrTRG3）和无反应组（mrTRG4和mrTRG5）。测量并比较治疗前后总体及两组间DCE-MRI定量参数Ktrans（容量转移常数）、Kep（速率常数）以及Ve（血管外细胞外间隙容积分数）的差异。结果:34例患者，治疗后Ktrans［治疗前、后分别为(1.48±0.80)/min，(0.88±0.45)/min，P＜0.001］、Kep［治疗前为(3.29±1.25)/min，治疗后为(2.12±1.18)/min，P＜0.001］均较治疗前减低，有反应组、无反应组的Ktrans、Ve值在治疗前和治疗后的变化差值均有统计学意义，其中，治疗前有反应组的Ktrans值为(1.93±0.81)/min、Ve值为0.59±0.27、治疗后变化差值相应为(-1.11±66)/min、-0.14±0.16，无反应组的Ktrans值为(0.82±0.49)/min、Ve值为0.35±0.16，相应的变化差值为(-0.03±19)/min、0.21±0.27。结论:定量动态增强磁共振成像对局部进展期直肠癌新辅助治疗疗效评价具有一定的价值。     

The long-term influence of hospital and surgeon volume on local control and survival in the randomized German Rectal Cancer Trial CAO/ARO/AIO-94

BackgroundThe association of treatment volume and oncological outcome of rectal cancer patients undergoing multidisciplinary treatment is subject of an ongoing debate. Prospective data on long-term local control and overall survival (OS) are not available so far. This study investigated the long-term influence of hospital and surgeon volume on local recurrence (LR) and OS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers.MethodsIn a post-hoc analysis of the randomized phase III CAO/ARO/AIO-94 trial after a follow-up of more than 10 years, 799 patients with stage II/III rectal cancers were evaluated. LR-rates and OS were stratified by hospital recruitment volume (≤20 vs. 21–90 vs. >90 patients) and by surgeon volume (≤10 vs. 11–50 vs. >50 procedures).ResultsPatients treated in high-volume hospitals had a longer OS than those treated in hospitals with medium or low treatment volume (p = 0.03). The surgeon volume was adversely associated with LR (p = 0.01) but had no influence on overall survival. The positive effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) on local control was the strongest in patients being operated by medium-volume surgeons, less in patients being operated by high-volume surgeons and missing in those being operated by low-volume surgeons.ConclusionsPatients with locally advanced rectal cancers might benefit from treatment in specialized high-volume hospitals. In particular, the surgeon volume had significant influence on long-term local tumour control. The effect of neoadjuvant CRT on local tumour control may likewise depend on the surgeon volume.     

Influence of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy combined with hyperthermia on the quality of life in rectum cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The present study compares quality of life (QoL) after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with or without hyperthermia in patients with advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: Between April 1994 and May 1999, 137 patients were treated by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with (69 patients (50.4%)) or without (68 patients (49.6%)) hyperthermia. Forty-six patients (33.6%) filled-out a 'Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index' (GIQLI) questionnaire at four time points (before and after neoadjuvant therapy, early after surgery and after long-term follow-up) and were included in the present study. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the global GIQLI index between patients treated with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with and without hyperthermia at any time point. The longitudinal analysis of GIQLI values in both treatment groups showed specific profiles that were identical in both treatment groups. Occurrence of severe toxicity during the neoadjuvant therapy in both arms lead to a significant temporary reduction of QoL scores at TP2 without any detrimental long-term effects. Patients with sphincter preservation and patients with sphincter resection reported similar QoL scores during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with and without hyperthermia has similar effects on the QoL of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The addition of hyperthermia during the neoadjuvant therapy with the potentially associated inconveniences has no negative effects on QoL.     

局部晚期中低位直肠癌新辅助同步放化疗58例分析

[目的]探讨局部晚期中低位直肠癌新辅助同步放化疗的疗效及其影响因素。[方法]58例局部晚期（T3-4N0-1M0）中低位直肠癌术前接受同步放化疗,放疗剂量50Gy,化疗包括奥沙利铂＋卡培他滨的联合化疗组及不含铂类药物的单药化疗组。共55例患者同步放化疗结束后2～10周内完成根治性手术,依据术后病理结果进行疗效评价。[结果]全组55例患者手术顺利,无严重手术并发症;术后病理示肿瘤完全消退8例（14．5％）,重度消退11例（20．0％）,中度消退20例（36．4％）,轻度及无消退16例（29．1％）;治疗前肿瘤（T）及淋巴结（N）临床分期与放化疗后肿瘤消退程度无关：奥沙利铂联合卡培他滨化疗组肿瘤完全消退与重度消退率为41．2％,不含铂类药物组为23．8％（P〉0．05）;与术前临床分期相比,同步放化疗后原发肿瘤（T）降期率为41．8％,淋巴结（N）降期率为58．8％。[结论]新辅助同步放化疗用于局部晚期中低位直肠癌的术前治疗可使大部分肿瘤获得不同程度消退：有关直肠癌同步放化疗疗效的预测指标以及高效的化疗方案有待进一步深入研究。     

Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Executive Summary of an ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline

PurposeThis guideline reviews the evidence and provides recommendations for the indications and appropriate technique and dose of neoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of localized rectal cancer.MethodsThe American Society for Radiation Oncology convened a task force to address 4 key questions focused on the use of RT in preoperative management of operable rectal cancer. These questions included the indications for neoadjuvant RT, identification of appropriate neoadjuvant regimens, indications for consideration of a nonoperative or local excision approach after chemoradiation, and appropriate treatment volumes and techniques. Recommendations were based on a systematic literature review and created using a predefined consensus-building methodology and system for grading evidence quality and recommendation strength.ResultsNeoadjuvant RT is recommended for patients with stage II-III rectal cancer, with either conventional fractionation with concurrent 5-FU or capecitabine or short-course RT. RT should be performed preoperatively rather than postoperatively. Omission of preoperative RT is conditionally recommended in selected patients with lower risk of locoregional recurrence. Addition of chemotherapy before or after chemoradiation or after short-course RT is conditionally recommended. Nonoperative management is conditionally recommended if a clinical complete response is achieved after neoadjuvant treatment in selected patients. Inclusion of the rectum and mesorectal, presacral, internal iliac, and obturator nodes in the clinical treatment volume is recommended. In addition, inclusion of external iliac nodes is conditionally recommended in patients with tumors invading an anterior organ or structure, and inclusion of inguinal and external iliac nodes is conditionally recommended in patients with tumors involving the anal canal.ConclusionsBased on currently published data, the American Society for Radiation Oncology task force has proposed evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of RT for rectal cancer. Future studies will look to further personalize treatment recommendations to optimize treatment outcomes and quality of life.     

Advances in organ preserving strategies in rectal cancer patients

Treatment of rectal cancer patients has been subjected to change over the past thirty years. Total mesorectal excision is considered the cornerstone of rectal cancer treatment, but is also associated with significant morbidity resulting in an impaired quality of life. The addition of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to surgery has shown to improve survival and local control and may lead to a partial or even complete response (CR). This raises questions regarding the necessity for subsequent radical surgery. After careful patient selection local excision and wait-and-see approaches are explored, aiming to improve quality of life without compromising oncological outcome. A multimodality diagnostic approach for optimal staging is crucial in determining the appropriate neoadjuvant treatment regimen. Adequate endoscopic restaging of rectal tumours after multimodality treatment will aid in selecting patients who are eligible for an organ preserving approach. The role and accuracy of imaging in the detection of the primary tumour, residual rectal cancer or local recurrence seems vital. Alternative neoadjuvant regimens are currently explored to increase the rate of clinical CRs, which may support organ preserving approaches. This review aims to generate insight into the advances in diagnostics and treatment modalities in all stages of rectal cancer and will highlight future studies that may support further implementation of organ preservation treatment in rectal cancer.     

Complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for distal rectal cancer

Multimodality treatment of rectal cancer, with the combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery has become the preferred approach to locally advanced rectal cancer. The use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) has resulted in reduced toxicity rates, significant tumor downsizing and downstaging, better chance of sphincter preservation, and improved functional results. A proportion of patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT may ultimately develop complete clinical response. Management of these patients with complete clinical response remains controversial and approaches including radical resection, transanal local excision, and observation alone without immediate surgery have been proposed. The use of strict selection criteria of patients after neoadjuvant CRT has resulted in excellent long-term results with no oncological compromise after observation alone in patients with complete clinical response. Recurrences are detectable by clinical assessment and frequently amenable to salvage procedures.     

直肠癌新辅助放化疗后病理完全缓解的临床因素分析

目的 评估影响直肠癌新辅助放化疗后pCR的临床因素。方法 回顾分析2009—2012年间接受新辅助放化疗随后行根治性手术的116例直肠癌患者临床资料。所有患者术前接受盆腔调强放疗50 Gy分25次,同期氟尿嘧啶为基础化疗,完成治疗休息4~8周后行根治性手术。应用 Logistic法分析影响pCR和非pCR的临床因素。结果 共20例患者经新辅助放化疗后达pCR,pCR率为17.2%。单因素分析表明肿瘤侵犯直肠管腔周径范围达75%以上(全周肿瘤)、治疗前血清CEA水平、T分期、N分期、肛缘距离、分化程度、肿瘤最大直径与直肠癌新辅助放化疗后肿瘤pCR水平相关。多因素分析结果显示全周肿瘤、治疗前血清CEA水平和T分期是影响放化疗后肿瘤pCR预测因素。结论 非全周肿瘤、低CEA水平和早T分期等治疗前临床因素可能是获得pCR的重要决定因素。