Ultra-radical compartmentalized surgery in gynaecological oncology.

AIMS: To describe "ultra-radical" surgery in gynaecological oncology. This is multivisceral pelvic resection aimed at the eradication of locally advanced and recurrent gynaecologic cancer with microscopically tumour-free margins (R0). METHODS: Up-dated analysis of a prospective trial evaluating oncologic outcome and treatment-related morbidity of ultra-radical compartmentalized surgery carried out by the author. RESULTS: From 8/1996 until 9/2005 74 patients with locally advanced and recurrent gynaecologic tumours have been treated with ultra-radical compartmentalized surgery. Eighteen patients with central disease underwent exenteration as multimesovisceral excision, 56 patients with pelvic side wall disease received laterally extended endopelvic resection. In 72 of the patients the tumours were removed with microscopically free margins (R0). Two patients with advanced age and extensive comorbidity respectively, died during the early postoperative period. Moderate and severe treatment-related morbidity was 66%. At a median follow-up period of 29 months (1-112 months) 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival probabilities are 56% (95% CI: 42-69) and 56% (42-70). CONCLUSION: Ultra-radical compartmentalized pelvic surgery may salvage selected patients with locally advanced and recurrent gynaecologic malignancies including those with pelvic side wall disease traditionally not considered for surgical therapy.     

Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery: A safe and useful procedure

AIMS: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flaps to treat locally advanced pelvic gynaecological or digestive tumours. METHODS: We reviewed 46 patients, who received RAM flaps after radical oncopelvic surgery, including: (a) total vaginal reconstruction (TVR); (b) partial vaginal reconstruction (PVR); (c) perineal reconstruction (PR). RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1998, 46 patients underwent pelvi-perineal reconstruction with RAM flaps after radical pelvic surgery for carcinoma of the cervix (n=22), anal carcinoma (n=11), rectal carcinoma (n=7), or other pelvic tumours types (n=6). There were two post-operative deaths. Overall surgical morbidity was 45, 6% (n=21). Specific morbidity of the RAM flap was 21, 7% (n=10). Global re-intervention rate was 13% (n=6). CONCLUSION: Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery is useful for vaginal or perineal reconstruction and prevention of pelvic collections after extended resections with a low rate of associated morbidity.     

Combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for the vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is sometimes required for radical treatment of locally advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer [1]. However, TPE with a transabdominal approach requires highly advanced techniques in the case of repeated surgery due to the effects of primary surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy, especially when a transabdominal approach is used. Recent technical advances in transanal/transperineal endoscopic surgery have proved beneficial for complicated surgery in the deep pelvis [2]. Here we introduce our surgical procedure for combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic TPE (TpTPE) for pelvic recurrence of cervical cancer. A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer involving the rectum, bladder, and ureters following hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection as primary surgery and chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for previous recurrences. We decided to perform TpTPE with a combined laparoscopic approach. The GelPOINT advanced access platform was fixed through a perineal skin incision around the tightly closed anus, external urethral orifice, and vagina. With sufficient pneumopelvic pressure (12 mmHg), TpTPE was performed under a good surgical view without any effect of the primary surgery. A ureterostomy and sigmoid colostomy were created and a right gracilis muscle flap was used to reconstruct the pelvic defect. The total operative time and estimated blood loss were 887 minutes and 497 mL, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed recurrent cervical cancer invading the rectum, bladder, and bilateral ureters with negative surgical margins. The postoperative course was uneventful except for paralytic ileus. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 18. TpTPE is a technically feasible and effective approach for locally advanced pelvic tumors.     

Role of pelvic radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer and synchronous unresectable distant metastases

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of pelvic irradiation combined systematic chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced (cT3–T4 and/or cN+) rectal cancer and synchronous unresectable distant metastases.Patients and methodsA total of 76 eligible patients who received pelvic radiotherapy and concurrent capecitabine-based chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors.ResultsMost of the adverse events were mild during the period of combined chemoradiotherapy. Twenty-two patients experienced resection of primary tumour and 16 patients underwent radical surgery of all lesions. Only five patients had pelvic progression during the follow-up period. The median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 13 and 30 months, respectively. Radical surgery of all lesions following chemoradiotherapy was found to be an independent prognostic factor according to multivariate analysis.ConclusionsPelvic irradiation combined with systematic chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and synchronous unresectable distant metastases is effective and tolerable, both for pelvic and distant control. A curative resection following chemoradiotherapy was associated with prolonged survival.     

Contribution of surgery in patients with bulky residual disease after chemoradiation for advanced cervical carcinoma.

AIM: To report the outcome of 30 patients who underwent surgery after concomitant chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer with residual disease > or = 2 cm. METHODS: From 1988 to 2004, 143 patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer underwent surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Among them, 30 had a residual cervical tumour > or = 2 cm prior to surgery. Surgery consisted in a simple or radical hysterectomy (n=15) or in a pelvic exenteration (n=15). Endpoints were recurrence and distant metastasis rates, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 and 5 years. Analysis included FIGO stage, response to chemoradiation, para-aortic lymphatic status or type of surgery: palliative (remaining disease after surgery) or curative (no evidence of remaining disease after surgery). RESULTS: Surgery has been only palliative in 11 cases. Pelvic recurrences occurred in 8 patients after a median interval of 8.8 months. Distant metastases occurred in 8 patients after a median interval of 13 months. So far, 16 patients have died (53.3%). The 3-year and 5-year OS rates are 64.9% and 55.6%, respectively, for the 19 patients who had a curative surgery. The DFS rate is 50.8% at 3 and 5 years in this latter group. Overall 12 patients (40%) are alive and free of disease after a median follow-up of 32.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant surgery may improve the outcome of patients with bulky residual tumour after chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer, allowing a 5-year OS of 55.6% after curative intervention.     

Preoperative radiation with concurrent 5-fluorouracil continuous infusion for locally advanced unresectable rectal cancer

Background and Purpose: To determine the percentage of complete responders and the resectability rate for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum treated by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusional chemotherapy and pelvic radiation.Materials and Methods: Between October 1992 and June 1996, 29 patients with a diagnosis of locally advanced unresectable rectal cancer received preoperative 5 FU by continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 225 mg/m²/day concurrent with pelvic radiation (median 54 Gy/28 fractions). All patients were clinical stage T4 on the bases of organ invasion or tumor fixation. Median time for surgical resection was 6 weeks.Results: Median follow-up for the group was 28 months (range 5–57 months). Six patients were felt to be persistently unresectable or developed distant metastases and did not undergo surgical resection. Of the 29 patients, 23 proceeded to surgery, 18 were resectable for cure, 13 by abdominoperineal resection, 3 by anterior resection and 2 by local excision. Of the 29 patients, 4 (13%) had a complete response, and 90% were clinically downstaged. Of the 18 resected patients, 1 has died of his disease, 17 are alive, and 15 disease-free. The regimen was well tolerated; there was only one treatment-related complication, a wound dehiscence.Conclusion: The combination of 5 FU infusion and pelvic radiation in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer is well tolerated and provides a baseline for comparison purposes with future combinations of newer systemic agents and radiation.     

The changing role for extended resections in an era of advanced radiotherapy techniques and novel therapies in gynaecological malignancy

Pelvic exenteration, first described in 1948 and subsequently refined, may be offered as a last hope of cure to patients with recurrent or locally advanced pelvic tumours, where radiotherapy is not an option. It is a complex, morbid, ultra-radical procedure involving en-bloc resection of the female reproductive organs, lower urinary tract, and a portion of the rectosigmoid.This article discusses the evolution of and current indications for pelvic exenteration in gynaecologic oncology as well as the reasons for its decline: primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer (the recurrence of which is the most common indication for exenteration); improvements in treatment of cervical, endometrial, vaginal and vulvar cancer in the primary and recurrent setting; and the advent of novel therapies.     

Chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chronomodulated infusion in locally advanced or metastatic/recurrent carcinoma of the cervix

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the combination of circadian chronomodulated 5-fluorouracil infusion in association with cisplatin in patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer of the cervix in order to assess the activity and tolerability of the combination. METHODS: Twenty patients with locally advanced disease and 21 patients with metastatic or recurrent disease were treated from January 1995 to May 1999. 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2, days 1 to 5) was administered by a continuous circadian-shaped infusion employing an external programmable portable pump; cisplatinum (20 mg/m2) was infused days 1 through 5 i.v. over a 2-hr period. Response to treatment was evaluated after 3 and 6 cycles of therapy. Patients with locally advanced disease who achieved a clinical shrinkage of their tumor or were at least stable were submitted to surgery; pelvic radiotherapy was administered to patients with disease progression. RESULTS: Seven patients with locally advanced disease achieved a partial clinical response (overall response, 35%; 95% CI, 15.4-59.2), and 12 of 20 patients were submitted to surgery. Median progression-free and overall survival were 17 months and 36 months, respectively. Objective responses were observed in 9 of 21 patients with metastatic/recurrent disease (7 partial plus 2 minor responses: overall response 43%; 95% CI, 21.8-65.9). Median time to progression and overall survival were 5 and 17 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cisplatinum plus 5-fluorouracil chronomodulated infusion showed a moderate but definite activity and was well tolerated in both groups of patients. In consideration of clinical results comparable to more toxic and expensive regimens reported in the literature, the combination appears to be a reasonable option especially for women with metastatic/recurrent cervical carcinoma and a promising treatment in combination with definitive radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced disease.     

219例子宫颈癌根治术的并发症分析

目的分析子宫颈癌根治术后并发症及其相关因素,探讨其防治措施。方法1995年1月至2003年12月间,施行子宫颈癌根治术219例。其中ⅠA期26例（ⅠA1期17例,ⅠA2期9例）,ⅠB期142例（ⅠB1期78例,ⅠB2期64例）,ⅡA期40例,Ⅱb期3例,另外8例为外院治疗后无法分期。采用子宫颈癌根治术204例,改良子宫颈癌根治术15例。结果发生手术并发症49例,发生率为22．4％。手术并发症主要为尿潴留、淋巴囊肿、腹部伤口感染,其发生率分别为10．0％、7．8％和6．8％。子宫颈癌根治术并发症发生率高于改良子宫颈癌根治术。术前外院介入化疗、根治性放疗和既往有腹部手术史者的手术并发症发生率为分别为50．0％（2／4）、100％（1／1）和25．0％（13／52）,差异无统计学意义。87例术前辅助放疗的手术并发症发生率（25．3％）高于未辅助放疗者（19．4％）,但差异无统计学意义（P=0．239）。结论子宫颈癌根治术后并发症与术式有关,术前辅助腔内后装放疗不增加并发症,适当缩小手术范围可减少手术并发症。     

The evolution of oncovascular pelvic surgery: A historical perspective

Pelvic exenteration surgery has evolved dramatically in recent decades and now represents the standard of care for many patients with advanced pelvic malignancy. Most recently the use of complex vascular resection and reconstructive techniques have been applied in advanced pelvic oncology surgery at specialist units and these oncovascular techniques are considered one of the frontiers in this field. This article summaries the historical evolution of oncovascular surgery in the pelvis and sets the scene for where this treatment is going. The role of vascular resection and reconstruction in curative treatment of advanced pelvic malignancy is an evolving area that is redefining the boundaries of what was historically thought possible.     

A randomized trial comparing radical prostatectomy plus endocrine therapy versus external beam radiotherapy plus endocrine therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer: results at median follow-up of 102 months

BACKGROUND: To investigate the optimal treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer, a prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare radical prostatectomy plus endocrine therapy versus external beam radiotherapy plus endocrine therapy. METHODS: One hundred patients with T2b-3N0M0 prostate cancer were enrolled and 95 were evaluated. Of 95 cases, 46 underwent radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection and 49 were treated with external beam radiation by linear accelerator with 40-50 Gy to the whole pelvis and 20-Gy boost to the prostatic area. For all patients, endocrine therapy was initiated 8 weeks before surgery or radiotherapy and continued thereafter. The long-term outcome and morbidity were examined. RESULTS: Median follow-up period was 102 months. At 10 years overall survival rates in the surgery group were better than the radiation group (76.2% versus 71.1% for biochemical progression-free rates; P=0.25, 83.5% versus 66.1% for clinical progression-free rates; P=0.14, 85.7% versus 77.1% for cause-specific survival rates; P=0.06, and 67.9% versus 60.9% for overall survival rates; P=0.30), although none of them reached statistical significance. Erectile dysfunction was recognized in almost all patients as a result of continuous endocrine therapy. Incontinence requiring more than one pad per day was observed more frequently in the surgery group than the radiation group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, when combined with endocrine therapy, either radical prostatectomy or external beam radiotherapy demonstrated favorable long-term outcomes. The radiation dose of 60-70 Gy might not be enough for the local treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer.     

Outcome after the introduction of a multimodality treatment program for locally advanced rectal cancer.

AIM: This prospective study reports the results of a multimodality treatment protocol in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and assesses outcome after curative vs non-curative surgery and in relation to primary advanced vs locally recurrent cancer. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2002, 122 patients completed the protocol. Fifty-eight had primary advanced and sixty-four had locally recurrent rectal cancer. Median follow up was 82 months (5-143). RESULTS: A potentially curative resection was achieved in 59% of the patients with primary advanced and in 34% of patients with locally recurrent cancer. After curative resection, 53 and 59%, respectively, were free from recurrence during the observation time (median 82 months) and the overall 5-year survival was 34 and 40%. Overall 5-year survival in all patients with primary advanced cancer was 29 and 16% in all patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Multimodality treatment may cure at least a third of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer provided a radical resection is performed. As the post-operative morbidity is high, an optimised patient selection for neo-adjuvant treatment and surgery is essential. However, palliative surgery may benefit the patient if local control is achieved. Future studies should focus on the problem of distant metastasis.     

Short course radiotherapy and delayed surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer in frail patients: is it a valid option?

ObjectiveThe endpoint of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) and SCRT with delayed surgery (SCRT-DS) on a selected subgroup of frail patients with locally advanced middle/low rectal adenocarcinoma.MethodsFrom January 2008 to December 2018, a total of 128 frail patients with locally advanced middle-low rectal adenocarcinoma underwent SCRT and subsequent restaging for eventual delayed surgery. Rates of complete pathological response, down-staging, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.Results128 patients completed 5 × 5 Gy pelvic radiotherapy. 69 of these were unfit for surgery; 59 underwent surgery 8 weeks (average time: 61 days) after radiotherapy. Downstaging of T occurred in 64% and down-staging of N in 50%. The median overall survival (OS) of SCRT alone was 19.5 months. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year OS was 48%, 22%, 14% and 0% respectively. In the surgical group, the median disease-free survival (DFS) and median OS were, respectively, 67 months (95% CI 49.8–83.1 months) and 72.1 months (95% CI 57.5–86.7 months). The 1, 2, 3, 5-year OS was 88%, 75%, 51%, 46%, respectively. Post-operative morbidity was 22%, mortality was 3.4%.ConclusionsFrail patients with advanced rectal cancer are often “unfit” for long-term neoadjuvant chemoradiation. A SCRT may be considered a valid option for this group of patients. Once radiotherapy is completed, patients can be re-evaluated for surgery. If feasible, SCRT and delayed surgery is the best option for frail patients.     

Retrospective Analysis of 498 Primary Soft Tissue Sarcomas in a Single Turkish Centre

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) must be managed with a team involving pathologists, radiologists,surgeons, radiation therapists and medical oncologists. Treatment modalities and demographic charasteristics ofTurkish STS were analysed in the current study. Material-Methods: Primary adult STS followed between 1999-2010 in Cukurova University Medical Faculty Department of Medical Oncology were analzied retrospectivelyResults: Of the total of 498 patients, 238 were male and 260 female. The most seen adult sarcomas wereleomyosarcoma (23%). Localization of disease was upper extremity (8.8%), lower extremity (24.7%), head-neck8.2%, thoracic 8%, retroperitoneal 5.6%, uterine 12.4%, abdominal 10%, pelvic region 3.6 and other regions10%. Some 13.1% were early stage, 10.2% locally advanced, 8.2% metastatic and 12.2% recurrent disease.Patients were treated with neoadjuvant/adjuvant (12%) or palliative chemotherapy (7.2%) and 11.4% patientsdid not receive chemotherapy. Surgery was performed as radical or conservative. The most preferred regimen wasMAID combination chemotherapy in the rate of 17.6%. The most common metastatic site was lung (18.1%). Theoverall survival was 45 months (95%CI 30-59), 36 months in men and 55 months in women, with no statisticallysignificant difference (p=0.5). The survival rates were not different between the group of adjuvant and palliativechemotherapy (respectively 28 versus 18 months) (p=0.06), but radical surgery at 37 months was better than22 months for conservative surgery (p=0.0001). No differences were evident for localization (p=0.152). Locallyadvanced group had higher overall survival rates (72 months) than other stages (p=0.0001). Conclusion: STScan be treated successfully with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The survival rates of Turkish peoplewere higher in locally advanced group; these results show the importance of multimodality treatment approachand radical surgery.     

Outcomes of urinary diversion after surgery for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer with complete cystectomy; ileal and colon conduit

IntroductionSurgery for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) or locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) may require total pelvic exenteration with the need for urinary diversion. The aim of this study was to describe outcomes for ileal and colon conduits after surgery for LARC and LRRC.MethodsAll consecutive patients from two tertiary referral centers who underwent total pelvic exenteration for LARC or LRRC between 2000 and 2018 with cystectomy and urinary reconstruction using an ileal or colon conduit were retrospectively analyzed. Short- (≤30 days) and long-term (>30 days) complications were described for an ileal and colon conduit.Results259 patients with LARC (n = 131) and LRRC (n = 128) were included, of whom 214 patients received an ileal conduit and 45 patients a colon conduit. Anastomotic leakage of the ileo-ileal anastomosis occurred in 9 patients (4%) after performing an ileal conduit. Ileal conduit was associated with a higher rate of postoperative ileus (21% vs 7%, p = 0.024), but a lower proportion of wound infections than a colon conduit (14% vs 31%, p = 0.006). The latter did not remain significant in multivariate analysis. No difference was observed in the rate of uretero-enteric anastomotic leakage, urological complications, mortality rates, major complications (Clavien-Dindo≥3), or hospital stay between both groups.ConclusionPerforming a colon conduit in patients undergoing total pelvic exenteration for LARC or LRRC avoids the risks of ileo-ileal anastomotic leakage and may reduce the risk of a post-operative ileus. Besides, there are no other differences in outcome for ileal and colon conduits.     

Clinical algorithm for the management of advanced pelvic tumours involving the aortoiliac axis

Pelvic exenteration offers potentially curative treatment for locally advanced and recurrent pelvic tumours. Laterally infiltrating tumours involving the pelvic sidewall have historically been considered unresectable. Highly specialised exenteration units have accumulated experience with en bloc resection of part or all of the iliac vascular system for tumours with major vessel involvement. These approaches involve complex vascular dissection and reconstructive techniques requiring collaboration with the vascular surgery unit. Adding to the complexity is the paucity of evidence on oncovascular techniques in the pelvis given its developing nature. An algorithm for the workup to determine resectability and the vascular reconstruction approach for advanced pelvic tumours involving the aortoiliac axis is suggested based on current literature and personal experience from the authors’ unit.     

Management of advanced pelvic cancer by exenteration.

AIM: To describe our results in managing locally advanced primary or recurrent pelvic malignancies. METHOD: Investigations included: clinical, laboratory, endoscopic (rectoscopy and colonoscopy) examinations, ultrasound scan, and CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, to determine the extent of the pelvic malignancy. A careful explorative laparatomy of abdomen and pelvis was performed, followed by anterior, posterior or total pelvic exenteration. RESULTS: In the period June 1995-Jan 2002, 7 anterior, 2 posterior and 51 total pelvic exenterations were performed in 60 patients, distributed as follows: 28 for rectal cancer (12 primary, 16 recurrent), 20 for cervical cancer (9 primary, 11 recurrent) and 12 for other pelvic malignancies. The median survival time and overall 5-year survival rates were as follows: primary rectal cancer--50 months and 32%; recurrent rectal cancer--31 months and 17%; primary cervical cancer--46.4 months and 41% and recurrent cervical cancer--23.4 months and 16%. During the same period, 559 of our patients were treated for primary or recurrent rectal cancer by different types of straightforward resection. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenteration is justifiable in cases of locally advanced primary and recurrent malignancies of rectum, cervical cancer and possibly in cases of other pelvic malignancies.     

局部晚期肝门部胆管癌根治术后放射治疗

Objective： To evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy （RT） in locally advanced hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods： During March 1992 to December 1997, 47 patients who had positive microscopic surgical margins after surgery were treated by postoperative radiotherapy （S＋RT, 28 patients, with a median dose of 50 Gy, 45-62 Gy） and surgery alone （S, 19 patients）. The median follow-up was 30 months （4-113 months）. Results： The overall 5-year survival rate was 28%, with a median survival length of 19.6 months while 5-year survival rates of S＋RT group and S group were 34% and 14%, with median survival lengths of 29 and 10 months respectively （P=0.015）. The occurrence rate of complications was 11% in either group. Conclusion： Postoperative radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival lengths in patients with hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma who had positive microscopic surgical margins. Radiation toxicities are tolerable.     

不能切除和复发的局部进展期胃癌放疗疗效分析

目的 回顾分析不能切除和复发的局部进展期胃癌行腹部放疗的疗效及影响因素。方法 回顾分析2009—2015年我院收治的57例患者,其中不能切除36例(包括局部晚期19例、术后肉眼残留17例),术后复发21例。接受3DCRT 17例、IMRT 40例,照射中位剂量50 Gy (42~60 Gy)。81%患者放疗同期口服氟尿嘧啶类药物化疗。结果 全组患者放疗后中位随访时间为16个月(3.9~77.5个月),放疗后缓解率65%。局部晚期、术后肉眼残留(R₂术后) 、术后复发组放疗后中位生存时间分别为13.9、13.9、19.0个月。全组放疗后2年的预期OS、PFS、LRRFS分别为50%、37%、50%。多因素分析显示病变分组是预后影响因素,而第3站淋巴结受侵并不是不良预后因素。结论 对不能切除及术后复发的局部进展期胃癌进行中等剂量放疗并结合化疗能取得较好的LC并改善患者生存,而术后复发和第3站淋巴结受侵病例均应被视为挽救性放化疗的良好适应征。