Are Survival Rates Different for Young and Older Patients With Rectal Cancer?

PURPOSE Although it is generally believed that young patients with rectal cancer have worse survival rates, no comprehensive analysis has been reported. This study uses a national-level, population-based cancer registry to compare rectal cancer outcomes between young vs. older populations.METHODS All patients with rectal carcinoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer database from 1991 to 1999 were evaluated. Young (range, 20–40 years; n = 466) and older groups (range, 60–80 years; n = 11,312) were compared for patient and tumor characteristics, treatment patterns, and five-year overall and stage-specific survival. Cox multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of survival.RESULTS Mean ages for the groups were 34.1 and 70 years. The young group was comprised of more black and Hispanic patients compared with the older group (P < 0.001). Young patients were more likely to present with late-stage disease (young vs. older: Stage III, 27 vs. 20 percent respectively, P < 0.001; Stage IV, 17.4 vs. 13.6 percent respectively, P < 0.02). The younger group also had worse grade tumors (poorly differentiated 24.3 vs. 14 percent respectively, P < 0.001). Although the majority of both groups received surgery (85 percent for each), significantly more young patients received radiation (P < 0.001). Importantly, overall and stage-specific, five-year survival rates were similar for both groups (P = not significant).CONCLUSIONS Although previous studies have found young rectal cancer patients to have poorer survival compared with older patients, this population-based study shows that young rectal cancer patients seem to have equivalent overall and stage-specific survival.Supported in part by The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Limited Project Grant.Presented at the meeting of the Association for Academic Surgery, Sacramento, California, November 13 to 15, 2003.     

Comparison of Characteristics and Survival of Colorectal Cancer Between Japanese-Americans in Hawaii and Native Japanese in Japan

Purpose This study was designed to investigate whether characteristics, prognostic risk factors, and survival of colorectal cancer of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii are different from those of native Japanese in Japan. Methods Aretrospective review of patients with colorectal cancer surgically resected in single institutions in Hawaii and Japan from 1996 to 2002. Results A total of 410 Japanese-American patients (218 males; median age, 73 years) and621 native Japanese patients (382 males; median age, 65 years) were included. There were significant differences in age (P < 0.001), age distribution (P < 0.001), gender (P= 0.008), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (P < 0.001), and anatomic site distribution (P < 0.001). The tumor characteristics of Japanese-American patients wereclose to the general American population compared with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data. There were no differences in tumor size, histologic grade, each of T, N, M status and TNM stage between the two groups. The overall five-year survival rates (Japanese-Americans, 75.5 percent; native Japanese, 76.2 percent; P = 0.55) and survival rates in each of four stratified stages were similar. Risk factors associated with survival were not different, except for carcinoembryonic antigen (P = 0.036). Conclusions In patients with colorectal cancer in Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, some of tumor characteristics have changed from those of native Japanese inJapan. However, there are no remarkable differences in prognostic factors and survival between the two groups. The present study suggests that certain changes of colorectal cancer characteristics that were seen in Japanese-American may occur in native Japanese in Japan in the near future, although the survivaloutcome of colorectal cancer may remain the same. Read at the Clinical Congress of the American Collage of Surgeons, San Francisco, California, October 16 to 20, 2005.     

Favorable Influence of Age on Tumor Characteristics of Sporadic Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: Age is reported as a risk factor for carcinogenesis, even though age can affect cancer behavior both positively and negatively. Young patients with colorectal cancer reveal different tumor characteristics than average-age and older-age groups, although few studies report the influence of age among the entire range of patient ages. The influence of age on clinicopathologic characteristics of sporadic colorectal cancer was analyzed. Whether an age group with distinct tumor characteristics was present was determined. METHODS: A total of 5,436 patients who underwent colectomy in a single institute within a seven-year period were studied. Data on clinical and histopathologic features of colorectal cancer were collected from the cancer registry and medical records. These characteristics were analyzed according to ten-year age groups. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients (1.6 percent) were 30 years of age or younger, whereas 285 (5.5 percent) were 31 to 40 years of age. Most patients (74.6 percent) were 51 to 80 years of age. The proportion of localized tumors (Dukes A and Dukes B) significantly increased as age increased, from 31.3 percent in the 30 years or younger age group to 49 percent in the 80 years or older group (P < 0.001). The proportion of poorly differentiated tumors tended to decreased as age increased (from 16.9 percent in the 30 years or younger group to 6.2 percent in the 80 years or older group; P = 0.009). A similar trend in the proportion of mucin-producing tumors was also observed (36 percent in the younger group vs. 7.5 percent in the older group; P < 0.001). There was no significantly different distribution of tumor locations among the different age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Age appears to favorably influence the clinicopathological characteristics of sporadic colorectal cancer. As age increased, the characteristics of tumor stage at diagnosis, tumor differentiation, and mucin production improved.     

Tumor Pathology and Long-Term Survival in Emergency Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE Patients who have an emergency operation for colorectal cancer have poorer long-term survival outcomes compared with elective patients. This study was designed to define the role of tumor pathology as a basis for the differences in survival outcomes. METHODS There were 1,537 elective and 286 emergency patients who had an operation for bowel cancer from 1997 to 2003. Tumor pathology and survival data collected prospectively for these patients were compared by modes of presentation. RESULTS Excluding 30-day mortality, emergency patients as a whole had a five-year all-cause survival rate of 39.2 percent compared with 64.7 percent for elective patients P < 0.0001 they also had more advanced Dukes C and D tumors (P < 0.0001). The rates of early T1 and T2 cancers were 4.7 percent for the emergency and 25 percent for the elective group. Emergency cases had more lymph node-positive patients and N2 patients (57.1 vs. 41.8 percent and 26.6 vs. 15.9 percent, respectively; P < 0.0001). Curatively resected emergency colon patients again had more advanced Dukes staged tumors (P < 0.0001) with a five-year survival rate of 51.6 percent compared with 75.6 percent for elective patients P < 0.0001. On stage-for-stage analysis, the survival rates for curatively resected Dukes B and C colon cancers remained worse for emergency patients (P = 0.003 and P = 0.0002, respectively). Both emergency Dukes B and C groups had more T4 cases (21.5 vs. 10.6 percent; P = 0.017 and 26.4 vs. 15 percent; P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION Advanced tumor pathology is a basis for poor long-term survival in emergency colorectal cancers. Reprints are not available.     

Risk of Second Cancers in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoids

INTRODUCTION: It is often stated that patients with colorectal carcinoid tumors have an increased risk of developing other malignancies. However, this risk has not been conclusively documented. A comprehensive evaluation is needed to more thoroughly assess the risk of second cancers in patients with colorectal carcinoids. METHODS: A search of the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database from 1973 to 1996 revealed 2,086 patients with colorectal carcinoids. This subset of patients was examined for occurrence of second cancers. The observed incidence of cancer for each site was compared with the expected incidence based on the gender-adjusted and age-adjusted cancer rates in the remaining Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result file. A Poisson distribution probability was used to determine the significance of these comparisons. RESULTS: Patients with colorectal carcinoids had an increased rate of cancer in the colon and rectum (P < 0.001), small bowel (P < 0.001), esophagus/stomach (P = 0.02), lung/bronchus (P < 0.001), urinary tract (P = 0.005), and prostate (P < 0.001), when compared with a control population. Most of the gastrointestinal tract cancers were synchronous cancers, whereas lesions outside the gastrointestinal tract were most commonly metachronous tumors. CONCLUSIONS: A significantly increased risk of synchronous colorectal, small-bowel, gastric, and esophageal cancers and metachronous lung, prostate, and urinary tract neoplasms is clearly demonstrated. After the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoid tumors, patients should undergo appropriate screening and surveillance for cancer at these sites.     

Complications and Survival After Surgery for Rectal Cancer in Patients Younger Than and Aged 75 Years or Older

PURPOSE: An increasing number of rectal cancer patients are elderly and have comorbid medical diseases. This study was designed to compare perioperative morbidity, mortality, and survival after surgery for rectal cancer in patients younger than and aged 75 years or older.METHODS: Between 1980 and 1997, 294 patients with rectal cancer were admitted to the Fourth Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital. Of these, 95 (32 percent) were aged 75 or older and comprise the elderly group.RESULTS: Major curative operation was possible in 59 of 95 patients in the elderly group and in 147 of 199 patients in the younger age group. Among those operated on with curative intent, 20 of 59 patients (34 percent) in the older age group and 39 of 147 patients (27 percent) in the younger age group had complications (P = 0.31). Thirty-day mortality was 2 percent (n = 1) and 0, respectively. Although five-year crude survival was significantly lower in the older age group (43 vs. 65 percent, P = 0.01), five-year cancer-specific survival (60 vs.70 percent, P = 0.6) and disease-free, five-year survival (60 vs. 69 percent, P = 0.4) were similar in both groups. Patients (n = 17) treated with local excision had a cancer-specific survival of 81 and 83 percent in younger and older age groups, respectively. After palliative resection, the two-year survival was similar (20 vs. 24 percent) in both age groups. Ten elderly patients (11 percent) were not operated on at all in contrast to two patients (1 percent) younger than aged 75 years (P = 0.003).CONCLUSIONS: Major, curative, rectal cancer surgery in selected elderly patients can be performed with similar indications, perioperative morbidity, and mortality, as well as five-year, cancer-specific and disease-free survival as in younger patients.Presented at the meeting of the Finnish Surgical Society, Helsinki, Finland, December 20 to 22, 2002.Reprints are not available.     

Trends and outcomes in the use of surgery and radiation for the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer: a propensity score adjusted analysis of the surveillance,epidemiology, and end results registry from 1998 to 2008

We examined outcomes and trends in surgery and radiation use for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, for whom optimal treatment isn't clear. Trends in surgery and radiation for patients with T1‐T3N1M0 squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the mid or distal esophagus in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1998 to 2008 were analyzed using generalized linear models including year as predictor; Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results doesn't record chemotherapy data. Local treatment was unimodal if patients had only surgery or radiation and bimodal if they had both. Five‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using propensity‐score adjusted Cox proportional‐hazard models. Overall 5‐year survival for the 3295 patients identified (mean age 65.1 years, standard deviation 11.0) was 18.9% (95% confidence interval: 17.3–20.7). Local treatment was bimodal for 1274 (38.7%) and unimodal for 2021 (61.3%) patients; 1325 (40.2%) had radiation alone and 696 (21.1%) underwent only surgery. The use of bimodal therapy (32.8–42.5%, P = 0.01) and radiation alone (29.3–44.5%, P < 0.001) increased significantly from 1998 to 2008. Bimodal therapy predicted improved CSS (hazard ratios [HR]: 0.68, P < 0.001) and OS (HR: 0.58, P < 0.001) compared with unimodal therapy. For the first 7 months (before survival curve crossing), CSS after radiation therapy alone was similar to surgery alone (HR: 0.86, P = 0.12) while OS was worse for surgery only (HR: 0.70, P = 0.001). However, worse CSS (HR: 1.43, P < 0.001) and OS (HR: 1.46, P < 0.001) after that initial timeframe were found for radiation therapy only. The use of radiation to treat locally advanced mid and distal esophageal cancers increased from 1998 to 2008. Survival was best when both surgery and radiation were used.     

Comparison of Multivisceral Resection and Standard Operation for Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Analysis of Prognostic Factors for Short-Term and Long-Term Outcome

PURPOSE The aim of the present study is to clarify the characteristics of multivisceral resection and to discuss strategies for improving the overall outcome of multivisceral resection for locally advanced colorectal cancer.METHODS The study included 323 patients who electively underwent curative surgery for pT3–pT4 colorectal carcinoma without distant metastasis. We evaluated the short-term and long-term outcome of multivisceral resection relative to that of the standard operation by means of multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors.RESULTS Of 323 patients, 53 (16.4 percent) received multivisceral resection because of adhesion to other organs. Multivisceral resection was significantly associated with tumor size, depth of invasion, operative blood loss, operation time, and blood transfusion (all: P < 0.0001). Overall morbidity rates were 49.1 percent after multivisceral resection vs. 17.8 percent after the standard operation (P < 0.0001), and postoperative mortality rate was 0 percent in both groups (not significant). Only multivisceral resection (odds ratio, 2.725; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.125–6.623; P = 0.0264) was an independent factor for overall postoperative complications. The survival rate of patients after multivisceral resection was similar to that after the standard operation (5-year rate, 76.6 percent vs. 79.5 percent, P = 0.9347). Lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio, 2.510; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.460–4.315; P = 0.0009) and blood transfusion (hazard ratio, 2.353; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.185–4.651; P = 0.0145) were independently associated with patient survival.CONCLUSIONS For locally advanced colorectal cancer, the long-term outcome after multivisceral resection is comparable to that after the standard operation. However, it should be recognized that multivisceral resection is associated with higher postoperative morbidity. In addition, a reduction in the incidence of blood transfusion may contribute to improving patient survival.     

Palliative Laparoscopic Resections for Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

Purpose Issues surrounding the safety and efficacy of palliative laparoscopic resections for patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer have not been explicitly examined in the literature. This article describes our experience with laparoscopic procedures for patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer and compares their perioperative outcomes to a contemporaneous group of patients with clinically curable (Stages I–III) disease. Methods A prospective database of laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer performed between 1991 and 2002 was reviewed. Data regarding patient demographics, perioperative morbidity and mortality, operative times, conversion rates, and length of stay were extracted. Statistical analysis included chi-squared and Student's t-tests as required and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 375 cases were identified, of these 49 (13 percent) underwent laparoscopic palliative resections while 326 (87 percent) patients had resections for cure. When comparing palliative to curative procedures, there were no differences in intraoperative (4 percent vs. 9 percent) or postoperative complications (14 percent vs. 12 percent), perioperative mortality (8 percent vs. 4 percent), or length of hospital stay. Patients with Stage IV disease had largertumors (5.4 ± 2.3 cm vs. 4.6 ± 2.6 cm, P = 0.04) which contributed to an increased rate of conversion (22 percent vs. 11 percent, P = 0.05) with most conversions secondary to tumor fixation or bulk (64 percent) preventing determination of resectability. Conclusions A palliative laparoscopic resection is a safe and feasible option and presents acceptable morbidity and mortality in patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer. Importantly, in this difficult group ofpatients, our results compare favorably with those from previously published series of open procedures. Presented at the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery Congress, Glasgow, Scotland, June 15 to 18, 2003.     

The Changing Distribution of Colorectal Cancer in Barbados: 1985–2004

Purpose Recent reports have suggested a shift to the right in older female patients of colon cancer. This is believed to be representative of more accessible national endoscopic screening programs. Methods We report the demographic shift in colorectal cancer based on an analysis of resection specimens during four five-year time periods from 1985 to 2004 at the University Hospital, Barbados. Differences in population-based colorectal cancer incidence, age, gender, site, stage, and presentation (emergency vs. elective) are analyzed. Results A total of 1,014 specimens obtained from 993 patients were analyzed, showing a progressive population-based increase in colorectal cancer in Barbados during this 20-year time period. There was an increase in right-sided tumors (P < 0.0001) without a concomitant decline in left-sided tumors. There was a significant increase in Dukes A cancers (P < 0.0001) without gender predilection. During the time period, there was a significant reduction in right-sided tumors presenting as emergencies (P < 0.005) without an effect of stage or gender. Conclusions There has been a steady increase in both right-sided and left-sided colonic cancers without gender predilection. The increase in early-stage tumors and reduction in emergency presentations during the latter part of the study suggests value in instituting a formal national colonoscopic screening program to assess its prospective effect on these parameters.     

DNA index as a significant predictor of recurrence in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: To clarify the prognostic significance of the DNA content in cases of colorectal cancer, we investigated the relationship between the DNA content, as determined by the DNA ploidy or DNA index, and disease-free survival. RESULTS: This study included 201 cases that were treated by curative surgery between 1989 and 1995 at our hospital. 68 were diploid and 133 were aneuploid. The mean DNA index of these tumors was 1.42. Recurrence occurred in 30 cases (14.9 percent). Tumor site, venous invasion, Dukes stage, DNA ploidy (diploid or aneuploid), and a DNA index (less than or greater than 1.4) correlated well with disease-free survival. A multivariable analysis suggested the DNA index to be a stronger predictor than DNA ploidy. Patients with aneuploid tumors had shorter disease-free survival than those with diploid tumors (P=0.011), especially in Dukes Stage C cases (P=0.0209). Patients with a DNA index greater than 1.4 also had a shorter disease-free survival than those with a DNA index less than 1.4 (P<0.001), especially in Dukes Stage C cases (P=0.0033). CONCLUSIONS: The DNA index value (less than or greater than 1.4) seems to be a stronger predictor than DNA ploidy (diploid or aneuploid), and the combination of Dukes stage, tumor site, and a DNA index is, therefore, considered to be clinically valuable in predicting recurrence in cases of colorectal cancer.Presented at the meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama, Japan, July 17 to 18, 1997.     

Primary <Emphasis Type="Italic">vs</Emphasis>. Delayed Resection for Obstructive Left-Sided Colorectal Cancer: Impact of Surgery on Patient Outcome

Purpose By comparing surgical outcomes between primary and delayed resection, we addressed whether and how surgical strategies impacted prognosis of patients with left-sided colorectal cancer underwent emergency curative resection. Methods Between January 1980 and December 2002, a total of 143 patients were identified who presented with obstructive left-sided colorectal cancer and received emergency curative resection in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Patients were stratified according to the timing of tumor resection into two groups: primary resection and delayed resection. Demographic data of the patients, characteristics of the tumors, and short-term and long-term outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results The demographic data and tumor characteristics did not differ between the two groups except for more rectal cancers in the delayed resection group (P = 0.021). Primary resection group had a higher anastomotic leakage rate (P = 0.017) and a trend toward a higher mortality rate, which did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.063). The median follow-up intervals were similar (60.4 vs. 58.3 months; P = 0.79). The median survival tended to be longer in delayed resection group (66 vs. 105 months; P = 0.088). Overall five-year and ten-year survival for primary resection were 43.7 and 31.9 percent, respectively, compared with 67.2 and 53.2 percent, respectively, for delayed resection. Conclusions Delayed resection seems to be a safer procedure and provided a better oncologic outcome compared with primary resection in obstructive left-sided colorectal cancer under emergency situations. Supported by the Taipei Veterans General Hospital Research Fund (VGH92-B262).     

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon, rectum, and anus

PURPOSE: There have been 49 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon, rectum, and anus reported in the English literature. We have reviewed 145 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma to better define epidemiologic and survival characteristics of this extremely rare colon carcinoma. METHODS: The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program public use CD-ROM file for the years 1973 through 1992 were reviewed. This represents approximately 9.5 percent of the United States population. Adenosquamous carcinomas arising in the colon, rectum, and anus were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-O codes. The Astler-Coller tumor classification was used for staging. Two-tailed Student'st-test, Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared tests, and generalized Wilcoxon's tests were used for comparisons of means, proportions, and actuarial survival rates, respectively. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five cases of adenosquamous carcinoma were identified, representing 0.06 percent of all colorectal malignancies. The mean age of patients was 67 years. Eighty-four percent of patients were Caucasians, 15 percent were Afro-Americans, and 1 percent were other races. Afro-Americans were diagnosed at a significantly younger age (median age, 62 years;P=0.03). Fifty-three percent of the carcinomas were located in the sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus, 28 percent in the right colon, and the rest in the middle segment. Seventy-four percent of distal cases were staged A through C, compared with 44 percent of proximal cases. Patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus survived longer than all other patients (P=0.001). Patients with adenosquamous carcinoma Stages A and B₁ had survival rates similar to patients with comparably staged adenocarcinomas. Fifty percent of the patients, including most of the patients with D stage, died in the first year. Patients with Stages B₂, C, and D adenosquamous carcinomas had a significantly shorter survival than the comparably staged adenocarcinomas (P0.02). The overall adjusted five-year survival rate was 30.7 percent. In those patients who survived more than 24 months, the five-year survival was 84 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rates for patients with adenosquamous carcinoma Stages A and B₁ are similar to patients with comparably staged colorectal adenocarcinomas. However, we found that patients with colorectal and anal adenosquamous carcinomas staged B₂ through D have significantly poorer survival than patients with comparably staged adenocarcinomas, supporting the previous reports of a poor prognosis associated with adenosquamous carcinomas.     

Colorectal cancer in patients younger than 40 years of age

To assess prognostic factors in patients who develop colorectal cancer before the age of 40 years, a 30-year experience from 1956 through 1985 was reviewed. There were 50 patients ranging in age from 7 to 39 years. Five cases were associated with either ulcerative colitis (2) or familial polyposis (3). The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (66 percent), hermatochezia (60 percent), change in bowel habit (41 percent) and weight loss (30 percent). On pathologic staging (N=44), only 14 of 44 (31 percent) had a Dukes' stage A on B lesion, 20 (45 percent) had Dukes' stage C, and the remaining 10 (23 percent) had distant metastases at the time of surgery. Fiveyear survival rate was 28 percent with a disease-free survival rate of 18 percent. Median survival was only 28 months. Negative prognostic tactors were Dukes' stage C/D (P<0.01), symptom duration of longer than 3 months (P=01), noncaucasian ancestry (P=0.1), and poorly differentiated histology (P=06). In contrast to older patients with colorectal cancer, only 1 of 30 (3 percent) patients with stage C/D disease was disease-free at 5 years. In view of the poor survival rate associated with both delay in diagnosis and the presence of advanced disease, it was concluded that young patients presenting with the symptoms listed above need early, aggressive evabuation for possible colorectal cancer     

Preoperative T Staging of Colorectal Cancer by CT Colonography

Purpose  This study was designed to estimate the accuracy of CT colonography for the assessment of T stage in colorectal cancer. Methods  CT colonograms obtained from 246 lesions were reviewed by 3 investigators. Intestinal wall deformity on shaded-surface display and rough appearance around the intestine were studied to assess their relations to T stage. Intestinal wall deformity was classified into arc type, trapezoid type, and apple-core type, defined as a trapezoidal wall deformity involving ≥50 percent of the circumference of the lumen. Results  As for intestinal wall deformity, the rate of arc type was higher in Tis/T1 than in T2 (74 percent: 17/23 vs. 24 percent: 8/34, P < 0.0001); the rate of trapezoid type was 17 percent (4/23) in Tis/T1, 59 percent (20/34) in T2, and 15 percent (28/189) in T3/T4 (Tis/T1 vs.T2, P < 0.0001; T2 vs. T3/T4, P < 0.0001); and the rate of apple-core type was lower in T2 than in T3/T4 (18 percent: 6/34 vs. 81 percent: 154/189, P < 0.0001). Arc type, trapezoid type, and apple-core type were primarily associated with T1, T2, and T3/T4, respectively. When these criteria were used, the overall accuracy for T stage was 79 percent. Rough appearance was specific for T3/T4, but insensitive. Conclusions  CT colonography can provide important information for the preoperative assessment of T stage in colorectal cancer. Presented at the meeting of United European Gastroenterology, Berlin, Germany, October 21 to 25, 2006.     

Anal Canal Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was designed to obtain an updated population-based perspective on anal canal cancer incidence rates, demographics, and outcomes using a nationwide database. Eight-five percent of all carcinomas of the anus are anal canal cancers, and previous studies suggest that incidence rates may be rising. Although the most successful treatment for anal canal cancer has been chemoradiation, little information at the population-level exists regarding demographics, treatment, and survival. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with anal canal cancer from 1973 to 1998 in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry were analyzed. Data regarding demographics, cancer characteristics, treatment, and survival were assessed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 4,841 patients were studied (mean age was 61 years; 62 percent female). Female patients were significantly older than male patients (65 vs. 58 years; P < 0.0001). There was a yearly increase in incidence of anal canal cancers (from 1973–1998). Disease prevalence by stage was localized (53 percent), regional (38 percent), and distant (9 percent). Racial/stage differences were seen, because black patients had less localized disease than white patients (46 vs. 53 percent; P < 0.01). Overall five-year survival for the entire cohort was 53 percent, and cancer-specific survival was 84 percent. Survival improved per decade (based on year of diagnosis). Significant survival differences in race were noted, but were less when the receipt of treatment was considered. CONCLUSION: Although most anal canal cancer reviews are single institutional series, this study was performed with population-based data. The incidence of anal canal cancer is increasing, and overall survival rates are improving. Important disparities in care were identified, which need to be addressed.     

Accumulation Profile of Frameshift Mutations During Development and Progression of Colorectal Cancer From Patients With Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

Purpose Role and timing of frameshift mutations during carcinogenesis in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer have not been examined. This study was designed to clarify the relationship between frameshift mutations and clinicopathologic features in colorectal cancer from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Methods Thirty-one colorectal cancers from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer at different clinicopathologic stages were analyzed for frameshift mutation in 18 genes. Results The frameshift mutations of the ACVR2 and PTHLH genes were found to have an extremely high frequency (94–100 percent) in all pathologic stages, and mutation of the MARCKS gene also was high (94 percent) in Dukes B and C cancers. These frequencies were higher than the frequency of TGFβRII gene inactivation (64–88 percent). Mutations of the hMSH3, TCF4, CASP5, RIZ, RAD50, and MBD4 genes were comparatively frequent (>35 percent) in all stages. Frequencies of inactivation of the MARCKS, BAX, IGFIIR, and PTEN genes were significantly higher in Dukes B and C cancers than in Dukes A cancer (P < 0.05). The number of accumulated frameshift mutations was larger in Dukes B and C cancers (9.4) than in Dukes A cancer (6.8) (P = 0.003). Conclusions The present data suggest that the disruption of the transforming growth factor-β super-family signaling pathway by the alteration of the ACVR2 and/or TGFβRII genes and the disruption of antiproliferative function by the PTHLH gene alteration contribute to the development of early colorectal cancer. Moreover, the further accumulation of alterations in the MARCKS, BAX, IGFIIR, and PTEN genes seem to be associated with progression from early to advanced colorectal cancer from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.     

The Impact of Splenectomy on Outcome After Resection for Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter, Nested, Paired Cohort Study

Purpose This study was designed to determine whether incidental splenectomy for iatrogenic injury affects long-term cancer-specific survival in patients having resection of an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid or rectum. Methods A retrospective case-matched review of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer with incidental splenectomy between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999 was undertaken. Data were analysed for age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, gender, disease stage, operation type, and outcome. These cases were matched with patients from the same center, of the same age and gender, with the same stage of disease and operation, who did not require a splenectomy at the time of their surgery. Results Fifty-five patients were identified who had an iatrogenic splenectomy. Matched gender, stage, and American Society of Anesthesiologists-matched controls were identified. Follow-up from time of surgery to death or last follow-up ranged from 2 to 205 (median, 43) months. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model to define the statistical significance found a significant difference between the groups favoring those without splenectomy (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95 percent confidence interval (CI), 1–3.3; P = 0.0399). Cancer-specific survival at five years was 70 vs. 47 percent and at ten years was 55 vs. 38 percent. Discussion Patients with colorectal cancer who had splenectomy as a result of iatrogenic damage of the spleen while undergoing resection of the sigmoid or rectum for adenocarcinoma had a significantly worse prognosis. Reprints are not available.     

Impaired interleukin-12 production is associated with a defective anti-tumor response in colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION: Despite development of many chemotherapeutic regimens, colorectal cancer continues to have a high mortality. One of the major new potential therapies is interleukin-12, a heterodimeric cytokine produced by antigen presenting cells.In vitro andin vivo studies have demonstrated the role of interleukin-12 in stimulating a cell-mediated anti-tumor response against a number of colon adenocarcinoma tumor models. However, it is unknown whether patients with colorectal cancer have impaired interleukin-12 production. A study was performed to investigate production of interleukin-12 preoperatively and the relationship between these levels and disease stage at surgery. METHODS: Preoperative peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients and agematched controls were stimulated byStaphylococcus aureus Cowan's Strain 1 (0.0075 percent wt/vol)in vitro for 24 hours. Expression of interleukin-12 was then assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A single pathologist assessed the tumors for stage according to TNM and Dukes classifications. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with colorectal cancer and 14 controls were recruited for the study. Interleukin-12 production was significantly impaired in patients with colorectal cancer compared with controls (P=0.014), especially those with advanced disease: Dukes C,P=0.001 and T4,P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-12 production is impaired in patients with colorectal cancer, especially those with advanced disease, suggesting a defective Th1-mediated anti-tumor response. These patients may well benefit from exogenous interleukin-12 treatment.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 22 to 26, 1997. Winner of The Piedmont Society Award.     

Long-Term Results of Transanal Repair of Rectocele Using Linear Stapler

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the long-term outcomes of transanal rectocele repair using a linear stapler.METHODS: Between 1989 and 1999, 21 patients with symptomatic rectocele were enrolled for this study. Median age at time of presentation was 52 (range, 21–75) years. All patients underwent a transanal repair using a linear stapler. End evaluation to assess long-term results was performed after a median duration of follow-up of 58 (range, 12–118) months. Patients were asked about current problems with constipation, use of laxatives, incontinence, vaginal digitalization, presence of vaginal bulge, pain, bleeding, and sexual dysfunction.RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. Sixteen (76 percent) patients had symptomatic relief. The operation reduced symptoms of obstructed defecation (21 vs. 5, preoperative vs. postoperative; P < 0.001) and the need of vaginal digitalization (21 vs. 6; P < 0.001). Only three patients (14 percent) showed no sign of improvement. Two patients (9 percent) had temporary improvement for three years before recurrence.CONCLUSIONS: Transanal repair of rectocele using a linear stapler is an easy, safe, and useful procedure for the correction of symptomatic rectocele. Successful long-term outcome can be achieved with this procedure.Reprints are not available.