Repeat hepatic resection as effective treatment for recurrent colorectal liver metastases

Background: Approximately 20–40% of patients who undergo liver resection for colorectal metastases develop recurrent disease confined to the liver. The goals of this study were to determine whether the survival benefit of repeat hepatic resection justified the potential morbidity and mortality. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases between 1983 and 1995 (N=202). Repeat liver resections were performed on 23 patients for recurrent metastases. Results: There were no operative deaths in the 23 patients, and the postoperative morbidity rate was 22%. The 5-year actuarial survival rate after repeat resection was 32%, with a median length of survival of 39.9 months. There were three patients who survived for >5 years after repeat resection. Sixteen patients (70%) developed recurrent disease at a median interval of 11 months after the second resection; 10 of these 16 patients (62%) had new hepatic metastases. No clinical or pathological factors were significant in predicting long-term survival. Conclusions: Repeat liver resection for recurrent colorectal metastases (a) can be performed safely with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates and (b) may result in long-term survival in some patients.Presented at the 49th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Atlanta, Georgia, March 21–24, 1996.     

Recurrences after Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Origin Treated by Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Location,Treatment, and Outcome

Background: After treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer origin by cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), recurrences develop in approximately 80% of patients. This study evaluates the outcome of such recurrences after initial treatment by cytoreduction and HIPEC.Methods: Between November 1995 and May 2003, 106 patients underwent cytoreduction and HIPEC. The progression-free interval, the location of the recurrence, and its treatment were recorded. Factors potentially related to survival after recurrences were studied.Results: Sixty-nine patients had a recurrence within the study period. For patients who had undergone a gross incomplete initial cytoreduction, the median duration of survival after recurrence was 3.7 months (standard error of the mean [SE], .3). If a complete cytoreduction had been accomplished initially, the median duration of survival after the recurrence was 11.1 months (SE, .9). A shorter interval between HIPEC and recurrence was associated with shorter survival after treatment of recurrence (hazard ratio, .94; SE, .02). After effective initial treatment, a second surgical debulking for recurrent disease resulted in a median survival duration of 10.3 months (SE, 1.9), and after treatment with chemotherapy it was 8.5 months (SE, 1.6). The survival was 11.2 months (SE, .5) for patients who received radiotherapy for recurrent disease. Patients who did not receive further treatment survived 1.9 months (SE, .3).Conclusions: Treatment of recurrence after cytoreduction and HIPEC is often feasible and seems worthwhile in selected patients. Selection should be based mainly on the completeness of initial cytoreduction and the interval between HIPEC and recurrence.     

Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy With Mitomycin C for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Nonappendiceal Colorectal Carcinoma

Background: Cytoreductive surgery (CS) and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) are efficacious in patients with disseminated mucinous tumors of the appendix. We reviewed our experience using this approach for nonappendiceal colorectal cancer (NACC).Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of a prospective database for patients undergoing CS and IPHC with mitomycin C for peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal primary lesions between December 1991 and April 2002.Results: There were 77 patients, with a median age of 54 years. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was synchronous and metachronous in 27% and 73% patients, respectively. Seventy-five percent of patients (n = 58) had received chemotherapy prior to IPHC. Complete resection of all gross disease was accomplished in 37 patients (48%). The mean carcinoembryonic antigen level decreased from a preoperative value of 31.2 to a postoperative value of 6.9 (P < .0001). Overall survival (OS) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 56%, 25%, and 17%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 15 months, the median OS was 16 months. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were 30% and 12%, respectively. Hematologic toxicity occurred in 15 patients (19%). Cox regression analysis identified poor performance status (P = .018), bowel obstruction (P = .001), malignant ascites (P = .001), and incomplete resection of gross disease (P = .011) as independent predictors of decreased survival. Patients with complete resection of all gross disease had a 5-year OS of 34%, with a median OS of 28 months.Conclusions: CS and IPHC with mitomycin C can improve outcomes for select patients with peritoneal spread from NACC. One third of patients who undergo complete resection of gross disease have long-term survival.     

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to surgery for recurrent rectal cancer

Background: Locally recurrent rectal cancer is a difficult management problem for the surgical oncologist. Current therapies including radical surgery, radiation and chemotherapy have had little success in producing curative results for these patients. This study incorporated intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunct to radical surgery for the treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer. Methods: Twenty-two patients were enrolled in a prospective feasibility study and injected with Photofrin (Quadra Logic Technologies, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) before surgery. Eight patients were found to be candidates and received PDT after surgical exploration and resection. Seven patients had rectal adenocarcinoma and one had squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Results: Based on the indication for PDT, three patient groups were evaluated: group A, resection of all gross disease with negative pathologic margins in four patients; group B, resection of gross disease with positive pathologic margins in two; and group C, residual bulky tumor in two patients. There was one perioperative death (12.5%), not related to PDT, and one major morbidity due to PDT (12.5%). Local recurrence occurred in six patients (two in group A, two in group B, two in group C). Mean overall survival was 15.4 months for group A, 6.5 months for group B, and 24.5 months for group C. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that intraoperative PDT may be administered safely in patients undergoing resection of recurrent rectal cancer. However, its use in the present state of technology appears to be inadequate for control of disease, particularly if bulky tumor or residual microscopic disease is left behind. Presented at the 47th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Houston, Texas, March 17–20, 1994.     

Long-Term Survival After Complete Resection and Repeat Resection in Patients With Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Background: One of the key issues in the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma is the efficacy of repeat resection of local recurrence and metastatic disease in affected patients. Options in the treatment of locally recurrent or metastatic disease are limited because chemotherapy and radiotherapy generally do not provide any significant prolongation in survival in treated patients.Methods: A series of 113 patients who presented to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma are presented.Results: The median overall survival for all 113 patients was 38 months (5-year survival, 37%). Patients presenting with early stage I or II disease (n = 57) had a median survival of 101 months (5-year survival, 60%), whereas those with late stage III or IV disease (n = 56) had a median survival of 15 months (5-year survival, 10%). Patients who had complete primary resection (n = 68) had a median survival of 74 months (5-year survival, 55%), whereas those with incomplete primary resection (n = 45) had a median survival of 12 months (5-year survival, 5%). Resection of locally recurrent or distant metastatic disease was performed in 47 of these patients. Patients who had a complete second resection had a median survival of 74 months (5-year survival, 57%), whereas those with incomplete second resection had a median survival of 16 months (5-year survival, 0%).Conclusions: Improved survival is seen in patients who present with early stage and have complete primary resection. Patients who undergo complete repeat resection of local recurrence or distant metastasis also have improved survival. Complete repeat resection was more readily accomplished in discrete distant metastatic lesions compared with bulky local recurrences.Presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Orlando, Florida, March 4–7, 1999     

Resection of Locally Recurrent Colorectal Cancer in the Presence of Distant Metastases: Can It Be Justified?

Background: We aimed to determine the outcome of resections for local recurrence of colorectal carcinoma in the presence of distant (M1) disease.Methods: Patients who underwent resection of local recurrence in the presence of potentially resectable M1 disease were identified from the colorectal database. Outcome was determined by chart review.Results: Forty-two patients (23 men) of mean age 60 years (range, 34–88 years) underwent complete gross resection of their local recurrence in the presence of M1 disease. Thirteen of the 42 underwent synchronous M1 resections to render them free of gross disease (R0). Nine of the 29 patients who left with residual disease (R1) subsequently underwent staged M1 resection, so that 22 of 42 were rendered R0 by surgery. The median survival of all patients was 14.5 months (interquartile range, 6–30 months), and that of patients rendered R0 was 23 months (interquartile range, 10–37 months), in comparison with 7 months (interquartile range, 3–25 months) for those of R1 status (P = .006; log-rank method). Ability to achieve R0 status by synchronous or staged resection was the only factor predictive of survival.Conclusions: The presence of M1 disease per se should not preclude resection of local recurrence, although case selection is problematic.Presented to the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, March 2001.     

复发大肠癌230例的临床特征及再次根治性手术的价值

目的探讨大肠癌复发的临床特征、原因以及再次根治性手术的价值。方法回顾性分析230例复发大肠癌患者的临床病理资料、复发特征及再次根治性手术后生存情况。结果直肠癌在术后30个月内复发率迅速上升,中位复发时间是18．6个月;结肠癌在术后20－40个月复发率上升较快,中位复发时间是23．4个月;结肠癌早期复发时间较直肠癌晚,复合复发时间晚于单部位复发时间（P〈0．05）。结肠癌首次复发后再次根治性切除率高于直肠癌（P〈0．05）。单因素分析显示原发肿瘤位置、浸润的深度、淋巴结转移数目、肿瘤的病理类型、术中化疗与否、血管是否有癌栓和早期复发有关（P〈0．05）,但多因素分析显示只有肿瘤浸润深度是独立影响因素。复发病例再次根治性手术者5年生存率明显高于无法根治性手术者。结论大肠癌早期复发高峰在术后40个月内,肿瘤浸润深度是独立影响因素。而原发肿瘤位置、淋巴结转移数目、肿瘤的病理类型、术中化疗与否、血管是否有癌栓是影响早期复发的重要因素。复发病例再次根治性手术可以改善其预后。     

Neutron radiotherapy for recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of major salivary glands.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm arising in the salivary glands. Surgical management is the primary therapeutic modality. With the use of modern surgical techniques, recurrence is infrequent, and facial nerve sparing is the norm. However, for patients with recurrent disease, the risk of further relapses is increased with surgical resection alone, particularly for those patients in whom multiple recurrences have already occurred. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in this setting remains uncertain. Although neutron radiotherapy is superior to conventional radiotherapy for malignant salivary gland tumors, its role in the treatment of pleomorphic adenomas is less well defined. We report our experience using this modality for high-risk, recurrent pleomorphic adenomas. METHODS: Sixteen patients were treated with neutron radiotherapy for recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of major salivary glands from 1986 through 1993. The median age at diagnosis was 33 years (range, 11-77 years); median age at the time of neutron radiotherapy was 52 years (range, 22-77 years); median number of prior surgical procedures was 3 (range, 1-6); median duration from initial diagnosis to radiotherapy was 14.5 years (range, 3 months-30 years); median follow-up was 83 months (range, 9-144 months). The median period at risk for survivors was 96 months (defined as the interval from completion of neutron radiotherapy to last follow-up). Ten patients had evidence of gross residual disease at the time of treatment as determined by imaging studies, with nine patients having multinodular disease. RESULTS: The 10-year actuarial survival was 79%. One patient died from lung metastases 9 months after treatment; one patient died from a liver tumor of uncertain origin, but the histology could not rule out a metastasis from the previous pleomorphic adenoma; and one patient died from recurrent disease at the base of skull. The 15-year actuarial locoregional control rate was 85%. One of the two patients with locoregional recurrence had a malignant transformation into an adenocarcinoma. No statistical difference in 15-year actuarial survival (75% vs 83%, p =.82) was found comparing patients with gross residual disease vs microscopic residual disease. The actuarial 15-year locoregional control was 76% for patients with gross residual disease vs 100% for those with microscopic disease. The 15-year actuarial risk of RTOG/ESTRO nonaudiologic grade III/IV complications was 21%. No facial nerve injuries were observed as a direct consequence of neutron radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Neutron radiotherapy offers both excellent local control rates and survival rates in patients with multiply recurrent pleomorphic adenomas that are not candidates for surgical resection, even in the presence of gross residual disease. The treatment-related morbidity is acceptable. Malignant transformations and metastases, although uncommon, may be observed in this tumor.     

Nonoperative Management of Primary Colorectal Cancer in Patients With Stage IV Disease

Background: Traditional teaching maintains that patients with primary colorectal adenocarcinoma require timely resection to prevent bleeding, perforation, or obstruction. The true benefits of primary tumor resection remain undocumented for patients presenting with metastatic disease, however. We postulated that resection of primary colorectal tumors could be avoided safely in a select population of asymptomatic colorectal cancer patients presenting with incurable stage IV disease.Methods: A retrospective review of the Vanderbilt University Hospital tumor registry was performed for the years 1985 to 1997. During this period, 955 patients presented for management of primary colorectal cancer. From this group, all patients with stage IV disease at the time of diagnosis were identified. Patients who initially underwent resection of their primary lesion were included in the resection group; those who underwent initial nonoperative primary tumor management were included in the nonresection group. Data were obtained regarding age, extent of disease, nonsurgical therapy, tumor-specific complications, and palliative surgical procedures. Surgery-free survival and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. For patients with liver metastases, hepatic tumor burden was defined as either H1 (<25% parenchymal replacement), H2 (25% to 50%), or H3 (>50%) disease.Results: Sixty-six patients were included in the resection group, and 23 patients with intact asymptomatic primary colorectal lesions were included in the nonresection group. Among patients with hepatic metastases, most of the patients in both groups had H1 disease. Ten patients in the resection group and 3 patients in the nonresection group presented with exclusively extrahepatic metastases. In the nonresection group, primary therapy included chemotherapy in 13 patients, external beam radiation therapy in 1 patient, and combination chemoradiation in 9 patients. The median survival in the nonresection group was 16.6 months. The 2-year actuarial survival was 18%, and the surgery-free survival was 91.3%. Only 2 of 23 patients (8.7%) managed without resection eventually developed obstruction at the primary tumor site requiring emergent diversion. There were no episodes of tumor-related hemorrhage or perforation. For the resection group, the operative morbidity was 30.3%, and the perioperative mortality rate was 4.6%. The median survival in the resection group was 14.5 months (P = 0.59, log-rank test vs. nonresection group).Conclusions: Selected patients with asymptomatic primary colorectal tumors who present with incurable metastatic disease may safely avoid resection of their primary lesions, with an anticipated low rate of hemorrhage, perforation, or obstruction before death from systemic disease. No survival advantage is gained by resection of an asymptomatic primary lesion in the setting of incurable stage IV colorectal cancer.     

Colorectal carcinoma and brain metastasis: Distribution,treatment, and survival

Background: Brain metastasis from colorectal cancer is rare. The present study reports the nature of this disease and analyzes factors correlated with survival in patients harboring such disease. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed between 1980 and 1994 with metastatic brain tumors secondary to colorectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 36 underwent surgery, 57 underwent radiotherapy alone, and the remaining seven received steroids. Results: The most common primary sites were the sigmoid colon and rectum (65%). Brain metastases with concomitant liver and/or lung metastases were seen more frequently than brain metastases alone. The median interval between the diagnosis of primary cancer and the diagnosis of brain metastasis was 26 months (95% confidence interval =22–30). The median survival time after the diagnosis of brain metastasis was 1 month for patients who received only steroids, 3 months for those who received radiotherapy (p=0.1), and 9 months for those who underwent surgery (p<0.0001). The extent of noncerebral systemic disease was not correlated with survival (p>0.05), but early onset of brain metastasis was significantly associated with poor prognosis (p=0.04). Conclusion: Surgical removal of colorectal metastatic brain lesions results in significantly increased survival time, regardless of the status of the noncerebral systemic disease.     

Results of salvage treatment with CyberKnife® fractioned radiosurgery in recurrent large chordoma

Aim

Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are locally destructive tumors with high progression or recurrence rates after initial multimodality treatment. This report examined the role of radiosurgery in patients who were considered inoperable after the recurrence of large chordoma disease having undergone previous surgery and/or radiotherapy.

Methods

All patients who were referred to Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital between 2012 and 2019 for treatment of recurrent or metastatic chordoma and considered not suitable for surgical treatment were included in the study. We included patients presenting with recurrent or metastatic chordoma, those who had undergone surgery and/or radiotherapy and were now considered to be surgically inoperable, patients whose tumors could lead to severe neurologic or organ dysfunction when resected, and those who underwent salvage treatments for definitive or palliative purposes with radiosurgery. After radiosurgical salvage therapy was performed on 13 patients using a CyberKnife® device, the effect of this treatment in terms of local control and survival and the factors that might affect it was investigated. Thirteen lesions were local (in-field) recurrence, and five lesions were closer to the primary tumor mass or seeding metastatic lesions. Tumor response was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors (RECIST) system and volumetric analysis.

Results

The median age of the 13 patients was 59 years, and the median tumor volume of 18 lesions was 30.506 cc (R: 6884.06–150,418.519 mL). The median dose was 35 Gy (R: 17.5–47.5), the median fraction was 5 (R: 1–5), and the median biological effective dose BED_2.45 was 135 Gy (R: 63.82–231.68). The median time for radiosurgery was 30 months after the first radiotherapy and 45 months after the last surgery. The median follow-up time was 57 (R: 15–94) months. The progression-free survival was 24 months. The median survival was 33.9 months. Local control was achieved in 84.6% of patients after 1 year, and 76.9% after 2 years, with the mass shrinking or remaining stable. Survival after recurrence was 69.2% for the 1st year, 61.5% for the 2nd year, and 53.8% for the 5th year.

Conclusion

In patients with recurrent and surgically inoperable chordomas, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a reliable and effective treatment method. Promising result has been obtained with radiosurgery treatment under local control of patients.

Level of evidence

Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.

     

Long-Term Survival of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Origin

Background Peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer is probably best treated by cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). In The Netherlands Cancer Institute, this treatment has been performed since 1995. The long tradition of this treatment enabled us to study long-term survival in detail.Methods Between 1995 and 2003, 117 patients were treated by cytoreduction and HIPEC. The aim of the cytoreduction was to remove all visible tumor. After the cytoreduction, the abdomen was perfused with mitomycin C (35 mg/m²) at 40°C to 41°C for 90 minutes. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival was also analyzed for the following subgroups: no residual tumor, residual tumor 2.5 mm, and more residual tumor. Hazard ratios for each of the seven abdominal regions were calculated to determine the influence on survival.Results The median survival was 21.8 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 75%, 28%, and 19%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve reached a plateau of 18% at 54 months. In 59 patients a complete cytoreduction was achieved, and in 41 patients there was minimal residual disease. The median survival of these patient groups was 42.9 and 17.4 months, respectively. When gross macroscopic tumor was left behind, as was the case in 17 patients, the median survival was 5 months. Involvement of the small bowel before cytoreduction was associated with poorer outcome.Conclusions Cytoreduction followed by HIPEC showed a median survival of 21 months. From 3 years on, a consistent group of 18% of patients stayed alive.     

Intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion with mitomycin C for colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases

Background: Intraperitoneal (i.p.) metastases pose a special problem for surgical treatment because of their multiplicity and microscopic size. This study was designed to examine the feasibility and safety of i.p. hyperthermic perfusion (IPHP) with mitomycin C (MMC) for treating recurrent colorectal cancer. Methods: Fifteen patients with metastatic colon cancer were treated. All patients underwent cytoreductive procedures leaving only residual i.p. metastases <1 cm in diameter. All patients had received prior systemic chemotherapy, but their disease had progressed. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy was administered through three large catheters (28 French) using a closed system of two pumps, a heat exchanger, and two filters. After the patient’s abdominal temperature reached 41°C, 45–60 mg of MMC was circulated intraperitoneally for 1 h. Results: The majority of patients had various anastomoses: small bowel (n=11), large bowel (n=5), and urologic (n=5). No anastomotic complications occurred in any of the patients. One patient experienced severe systemic MMC toxicity, which caused cytopenia and respiratory depression. In all patients the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level decreased after surgery and IPHP. Median follow-up was 10 months, and recurrence was defined as an elevation in CEA level. Disease recurred in three patients within 5 months, and disease recurred in seven other patients over the next 3 months; one patient remains clinically free of disease after 8 months. Conclusion: Our data suggest that IPHP is a safe palliative method of treatment for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The median patient response duration of 6 months may warrant consideration of a repeat IPHP procedure at that time. Presented at the 46th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles, March 18–21, 1993.     

结直肠癌根治术后单纯性肺转移60例临床病例分析

目的:结直肠癌患者根治术后大约有50%会发生远处转移,最常见的转移部位是肝,其次是肺,本文旨在探讨结直肠癌根治术后肺转移的特点、治疗效果和影响预后的因素.方法:随访1967年至2002年间的结直肠癌根治术后发生单纯性肺转移的60例病例,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析和总结.结果:自原发灶切除术后全组病例中位生存时间 37 个月,其中有15例行转移灶的切除手术,中位生存 51个月;其余 45例行非手术治疗,中位生存34 个月;转移瘤大于3个组生中位生存时间 30月,转移瘤小于等于3个组中位生存时间43个月.患者的总生存率可能和是否手术、转移灶的个数有关,而年龄、性别、原发灶病理类型、分期、转移灶大小对生存率无明显影响.结论:结直肠癌根治术后单纯性肺转移的积极治疗是有效的,手术及转移灶个数可能是影响治疗效果的因素.     

Survival After Resection of Multiple Hepatic Colorectal Metastases

Background: Hepatic resection is potentially curative in selected patients with colorectal metastases. It is a widely held practice that multiple colorectal hepatic metastases are not resected, although outcome after removal of four or more metastases is not well defined.Methods: Patients with four or more colorectal hepatic metastases who submitted to resection were identified from a prospective database. Number of metastases was determined by serial sectioning of the gross specimen at the time of resection. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, complications, and survival were analyzed.Results: From August 1985 to September 1998, 155 patients with four or more metastatic tumors (range 4–20) underwent potentially curative resection by extended hepatectomy (39%), lobectomy (42%), or multiple segmental resections (19%). Operative morbidity and mortality were 26% and 1%, respectively. Actuarial 5-year survival was 23% for the entire group (median 5 32 months) and there were 12 actual 5-year survivors. On multivariate analysis, only number of hepatic tumors (P = .005) and the presence of a positive margin (P = .003) were independent predictors of poor survival.Conclusions: Hepatic resection in patients with four or more colorectal metastases can achieve long-term survival although the results are less favorable as the number of tumors increases. Number of hepatic metastases alone should not be used as a sole contraindication to resection, but it is clear that the majority of patients will not be cured after resection of multiple lesions.Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, March 16–19, 2000, New Orleans.     

Results After Rectal Cancer Resection With In-Continuity Partial Vaginectomy and Total Mesorectal Excision

Background: Although sharp mesorectal excision reduces circumferential margin involvement and local recurrence, a concomitant partial vaginectomy may be required in women with locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods: Sixty-four patients requiring a partial vaginectomy during resection of primary rectal cancer were identified. Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method, and distributions were compared by the log-rank test.Results: Locally advanced disease was reflected by presentation with malignant rectovaginal fistulae (n = 6) or cancers described as bulky or adherent/tethered to the rectovaginal septum (n = 32). Thirty-five patients received adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 22 months, 27 (42%) patients developed recurrent disease, with most of these occurring at distant sites. The 5-year overall survival was 46%, with a median survival of 44 months. The 2-year local recurrence–free survival was 84%. The crude local failure rate was 16% (10 of 64), and local recurrence was more common in patients with a positive as opposed to a negative microscopic margin (2 [50%] of 4 vs. 8 [13%] of 60, respectively). Positive nodal status had a significant effect on overall survival (P < .001).Conclusions: Partial vaginectomy is indicated for locally advanced rectal cancers involving the vagina. The results are most favorable in patients with negative surgical margins and node-negative disease.Presented in part at the 54th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, March 15–18, 2001.     

Routine compared with nonscheduled follow-up of patients with “curative” surgery for colorectal cancer

Background: The main rationale for follow-up of colorectal cancer patients resected for “cure” is that early detection and treatment of recurrence and metachronous disease should result in improved survival. Our purpose was to assess in a prospective fashion the impact on survival of a follow-up program versus that of undergoing nonscheduled visits. Methods: Within the 14-year period from 1975 through 1988, a prospective study was carried out on 800 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma radically resected with no evidence of synchronous cancers of the colon and rectum or in other organs, of whom 322 patients were to attend a 5-year follow-up, and 478 patients were free to make nonscheduled visits on account of symptoms. Results: Asymptomatic recurrence was found at follow-up in 92 (28%) of 322 patients, whereas 175 (36%) of 478 patients had a symptomatic recurrence detected at a nonscheduled visit. Diagnosis of resectable recurrence was established within a median time of 21.5 months. Surgical resection of recurrence was performed in 30 (32%) of 92 and in 13 (7%) of 175 patients (32 vs. 7%;p<0.001). Resection was curative in 13 (14%) of 92 and in two (1%) of 175. Five-year survival of resected recurrence was 10% in 30 of 92 patients and 0.8% in 13 of 175 (10 vs. 0.8%;p<0.01). Two patients are alive with no evidence of disease or two (2%) of 92. Metachronous colorectal lesions were treated for cure in 63 (19.5%) of 322 patients. The effectiveness of scheduled follow-up was 4% (13 of 322 patients). Conclusions: These results underline the rationale for a follow-up program in early detection and surgical treatment of recurrent disease in patients operated on for colorectal cancer.     

Palliation of advanced/recurrent carcinoma esophagus with intraluminal brachytherapy

Introduction: Esophageal Cancers are usually associated with late presentation, advanced disease and poor prognosis. In majority the main objective of treatment remains palliation of dysphagia. In this paper we present the results of patients with advanced or recurrent oesophageal cancers treated with palliative intraluminal brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: Between 1988 to May 2000, 126 patients with advanced / recurrent esophageal carcinomas were treated with intraluminal brachytherapy either low dose rate / medium dose rate (LDR/MDR) since 1988 or high dose rate (HDR) since 1994, with or without external radiation for palliation at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The selection criteria for palliative brachytherapy includes 1) lesions in upper / mid / lower esophagus 2) more than 5 cm long lesion on barium swallow and esophagoscopy 3) histologically proven esophageal carcinoma 4) Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of ≤ 50% 5) Recurrent / metastatic disease. 6) Intraluminal Brachytherapy (ILRT) feasible. Results: There were 68 patients (36 previously untreated, 32 with post -treatment recurrent disease) in LDR/MDR group and 58 patients (37 previously untreated, 21 with post - treatment recurrent disease) in HDR group. Overall improvement in swallowing status was seen in 18 (26.5%) patients in LDR/MDR group whereas in HDR group, 22 (48%) patients showed improvement in swallowing status and 24 (41%) patients maintained pre-treatment swallowing status. Median dysphagia free survival was 7.7 months in LDR/MDR and 10 months in HDR group respectively. Post-RT Complication rates were as follows stricture seen in 17%, ulceration in 17% and T.O fistula in 12% patients in LDR/MDR group as compared to 15%, 10% and 5% in HDR group respectively. Complication rates were higher in post-treatment group in both the dose rate groups. Incidence of Post-RT stricture was more with HDR in post-RT recurrent tumors. The median overall survival for the LDR/MDR group was 9.9 months and 7 months in HDR group. Conclusion: Fractionated intraluminal brachytherapy with either low/medium dose rate or high dose rate offers quick and useful palliation for a prolonged period. Overall complication rates are within acceptable limits. However, the incidence of higher complications especially in post treatment recurrent group (post - RT) remains a major concern and low/medium dose rate should be used for this group.     

Chest wall resection and reconstruction for recurrent breast cancer – A multidisciplinary approach

BackgroundDespite therapeutic advances in the management of breast cancer, a significant number of patients present with locoregional recurrence. Treatment with hormonal, chemo or radiotherapy remains standard in such cases. However, in selected patients of recurrent breast cancer involving chest wall, multidisciplinary surgical approach could be considered.MethodsBetween 2010 and 2018, 21 patients with recurrent breast cancer, involving chest wall, were treated at a tertiary care center with resection and reconstruction. The mean age of the patients was 55 years (22–77 years).ResultsThe median interval from first breast resection to chest wall resection (CWR) for recurrent disease was 6 years (1–24 years). Eighteen patients underwent bony resection and 3 patients required extensive soft tissue resection. Complete resection was achieved in 90% of patients. All patients had chest wall reconstruction. There was no in-hospital mortality. During follow-up, 8 patients died, of which 7 were due to distant metastases. The 1 year and 3-year overall survival were 90% (95% CI 66–97) and 61% (95% CI 31–81) respectively. The disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years was the same at 70% (95% CI 45–86). At a mean follow up of 23 months, the average survival in patients operated for local recurrence is 51.7 months (95% CI 37.7–65.7) and 24.5 months (95% CI 7.3–41.7) for patients with distant metastatic recurrence.ConclusionA multidisciplinary oncoplastic approach for recurrent breast cancer, which includes chest wall resection and reconstruction is a useful adjunct in selected group of patients. This improves local disease control, symptoms and possibly disease-free survival.     

Treatment with 5-Fluorouracil/Folinic Acid, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan Enables Surgical Resection of Metastases in Patients With Initially Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background The prognosis of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer might be improved if a radical surgical resection of metastases could be performed after a response to chemotherapy. Methods We treated 74 patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (not selected for a neoadjuvant approach) with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOXIRI and simplified FOLFOXIRI). Because of the high activity of these regimens (response rate, 72%), a secondary curative operation could be performed in 19 patients (26%). Results Four patients underwent an extended hepatectomy, nine patients underwent a right hepatectomy, three patients underwent a left hepatectomy, and three patients had a segmental resection. In five patients, surgical removal of extrahepatic disease was also performed. In seven patients, surgical resection was combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation. The median overall survival of the 19 patients who underwent operation is 36.8 months, and the 4-year survival rate is 37%. The median overall survival of the 34 patients who were responsive to chemotherapy, but who did not undergo operation, is 22.2 months (P = .0114). Conclusions The FOLFOXIRI regimens we studied have significant antitumor activity and allow a radical surgical resection of metastases in patients with initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer not selected for a neoadjuvant approach and also those with extrahepatic disease. The median survival of patients with resected disease is promising.