Current attitudes in the management of thyroid cancer

The opportunity to assess the current attitudes of surgeons in the management of thyroid cancer was afforded by the responses to a questionnaire that was part of a "Questionnaire Course." The majority of the 72 respondents have a conservative surgical approach to thyroid cancer, find frozen section useful, recommend total thyroidectomy for medullary cancer, seldom or never split the sternum in performing thyroidectomy, and recommend visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerves and the parathyroids. Opinions however, are divided on several other issues. Forty-two per cent (versus 34%) request ultrasound before removal of a "cold nodule." For follicular carcinoma, 44 per cent perform lobectomy with isthmustectomy, 29 per cent perform total ipsilateral lobectomy and subtotal contralateral lobectomy, and 23 per cent perform total thyroidectomy. Following lobectomy for follicular carcinoma, recommended treatments are radioactive iodine (25%), thyroid suppression (21%), and total thyroidectomy (48%). For anaplastic cancer, 44 per cent perform total thyroidectomy and 40 per cent perform radiation therapy. Histologically positive nodes are managed by modified radical neck dissection (61%) or by "berry picking" (23%). It is concluded that despite agreement on several therapeutic approaches for thyroid cancer, certain controversial issues remain unresolved.     

Surgical experience of colon resection in the extreme elderly

A retrospective review was undertaken at Mount Sinai Medical Center of Miami Beach for patients aged 70 and greater undergoing colon resection between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1983. These resections were performed for carcinoma 67.3 per cent, diverticular disease 10.9 per cent, and other indications 21.8 per cent. The operations were performed by different surgeons with a wide spectrum of procedures and associated simultaneous procedures. The morbidity and mortality were reviewed. Complications occurred in 27.7 per cent (38 complications in 28 patients). The complication rate was highest in those with diverticular disease. The overall mortality rate was 4.95 per cent with a zero mortality in patients undergoing elective colon resections. It would appear that with careful monitoring and avoidance of emergency surgery, colon resection can be safely undertaken in this elderly portion of the population.     

Colorectal cancer patterns of care in the Western Sydney and Wentworth Area Health Services

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia. Recent clinical trials show that the recurrence of colorectal cancer decreases with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in advanced disease. The present study aimed to document the patterns of care by the type of treatment, document the preoperative investigations and provide results to the Area Health Services. METHODS: A prospective data collection was initiated in May 1994 and ended in May 1996 in the Western Sydney and Wentworth Area Health Services of New South Wales. Deaths and recurrences were followed up until July 2002. RESULTS: There were 253 colon cancers, 107 rectal cancers and 10 patients with tumours in both the colon and rectum. Forty-one surgeons performed 299 curative procedures with 78% of them performing one to four procedures annually. One hundred and twenty-two patients had non-fatal complications and six (2%) died postoperatively. Twenty-eight per cent of rectal cancer patients underwent abdomino-perineal resection and 56% underwent low anterior resection. Forty-five per cent of rectal cancer patients and 51% of colon cancer patients who were potentially eligible received appropriate adjuvant therapy. Ninety-one per cent of patients who received chemotherapy had no or mild toxicity. By the end of follow-up period, 30% of rectal cancer patients and 24% of colon cancer patients had developed recurrence. At last follow up, 197 patients had died. Median overall survival from time of diagnosis was 73 months. Overall 5-year survival for colonic and rectal cancers was 50% and 57%, respectively. For the 299 patients who had curative procedures, the 5-year survival was 63% and 62% for colonic and rectal cancers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer patients who were eligible for and received adjuvant therapy had significantly better survival. Rectal cancer patients whose tumours only required low anterior resection had a better survival than those who needed an abdomino-perineal resection. High-volume surgeons have less postoperative complications than low-volume surgeons. The high proportion of late presentations seen in colon cancer patients supports the need for screening to improve early detection.     

Outcome after emergency surgery for cancer of the large intestine

The data for 77 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent emergency surgery for acute intestinal obstruction (57 patients) or perforation (20 patients) within 24 h of admission were evaluated. The patients were older and had more advanced disease than patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer. Emergency surgery for carcinoma of the right colon consisted of primary resection in 95 per cent of cases and was followed by a 28 per cent mortality rate. Perforated tumours of the left colon and rectum were managed by primary resection in 82 per cent of cases with a 22 per cent mortality rate. In contrast, obstructing tumours of the left colon and rectum were treated by primary resection in 38 per cent of cases with a 6 per cent mortality rate, and by primary decompression in 62 per cent of cases with a 25 per cent mortality rate. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 23 per cent and increased with advanced tumour disease, perforation and peritonitis. Cardiac decompensation and intraabdominal sepsis were the major causes of death. Although the long-term survival rate following emergency surgery was worse than after elective surgery, improvements in outcome should be achieved by better management of the initial emergency situation.     

The clinically unrecognized colorectal cancer in a patient autopsy sample

An evaluation of 27,543 postmortem records revealed that 29 percent of colon carcinomas and 16.9 per cent of rectum carcinomas had not been identified until postmortem investigation (186 cases). The rate of false diagnosis have decreased from 1954 by 12.5 per cent for colon carcinoma and by 20.8 per cent for rectum carcinoma. They still amounted to 27.7 per cent for patients above 65 years of age and to 11.5 per cent for younger patients. They were 31.6 per cent for carcinoma of the right colon half and 20.6 per cent for left-side colon carcinoma. On admission to hospital, tumour stages III and IV were recorded form 52.7 per cent of all patients hospitalized for colon carcinoma and from 30.8 per cent of those with rectum carcinoma. Sixty-four patients died within 72 hours form hospitalization and another 27 within one week.     

Increasing incidence of right-sided lesions in colorectal cancer.

One hundred ninety-eight patients with 211 cancers of the colon and rectum underwent elective resection at the University of Vermont College of Medicine during the five year period 1971 through 1975. Analysis of this series demonstrated that 35 per cent of all cancers were located in the cecum and ascending colon, that a similar percentage were classified as Dukes' A cancers, that a synchronous cancer was present in 5.5 per cent of the patients and that diagnosis by rectal examination and sigmoidscopy was possible in only 32 per cent of the patients. Comparison of these results with published data during the past thirty years indicate that there is an increasing incidence of carcinoma of the right colon with an associated decrease in the incidence of carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum. It is recommended that patients be screened by examination of the stool for occult blood rather than by rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy so that these proximal lesions can be diagnosed at an earlier stage. Preoperative evaluation of patients with distal colorectal cancer should include double contrast barium enema examinations and colonscopy to rule out synchronous right-sided lesions.     

The effect of preoperative endoscopy on recurrence and survival following surgery for colorectal carcinoma

Numerous studies have elucidated the benefits of endoscopy before surgery for carcinoma of the colon and rectum. In patients with known colon cancer, the incidence of synchronous colon cancers is 1.5 to 7.6 per cent and synchronous colon polyps is 25 to 40 per cent. Standard barium contrast studies are inferior to endoscopic examination in detecting these synchronous lesions. Endoscopy has been shown to alter the planned surgical procedure in 11 to 13 per cent of patients with colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, some authors avoid preoperative endoscopy because of concern that neoplastic cells may be seeded throughout the colon during the examination. They fear that manipulation of the tumor may promote hematogenous or lymphatic spread. Our study seeks to demonstrate whether this concern is valid by comparing rates of local recurrence, distant metastases, and survival between patients who have undergone preoperative endoscopy with those who have not.     

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colorectum

Background Objective of the study was to investigate particular clinicopathological features of colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma.Methods The data of 34 patients with primary colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma were compared with those of 4,458 consecutive patients with primary non-signet-ring cell colorectal adenocarcinoma between 1978 and 1999. For outcome analysis patients, after curative resection of signet-ring cell cancer, were matched for age, gender, tumour site and stage with patients suffering from poorly differentiated non-signet-ring cell colorectal adenocarcinoma.Results Signet-ring cell carcinoma patients were significantly younger than patients with non-signet-ring cell colorectal adenocarcinoma (median age 60 years vs 64 years, P=0.033). The most common tumour sites were the rectum (47%) and the right hemicolon (29%). They presented with significantly more advanced tumour stages and a significantly higher frequency of distant metastases (44% vs 21%, P=0.002). The rate of curative resections was significantly lower (35% vs 79%, P<0.001). However, the prognosis after curative resection of signet-ring cell cancer was as poor as in poorly differentiated non-signet-ring cell colorectal adenocarcinoma of the same stage (5-year survival rate 46% vs 57%, p=0.935).Conclusions Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma is characterized by diagnosis in more advanced tumour stages resulting in lower rates of curative resection. Prognosis is as poor as in non-signet-ring cell colorectal cancer of low differentiation in the same stage.     

Management of severe obstruction of the large bowel due to malignant disease

One hundred twenty-four patients with complete bowel obstruction from colorectal cancer requiring emergency surgery were treated between 1961 and 1970. Two thirds of the tumors were distal to the transverse colon. Curative resection was possible in 72 per cent and the over-all mortality was 15 per cent. Forty per cent survived five years after resection for cure. Primary resection was preferred for obstructions of the right side of the colon and the transverse colon, and staged procedures rather than primary resection were more satisfactory for lesions of the left side of the colon and rectum. The mortality rate was lower after transverse colostomy than after cecostomy. Combined perforation and obstruction (twenty-four patients) had a particularly high mortality (42 per cent) and a poor prognosis (14 per cent five year survival).     

Improving survival rates for patients with colorectal cancer.

Between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1990, 575 patients were operated on for colorectal cancer. The surgical procedure was performed consistently and no patients were lost to follow-up. Almost half of the patients (284 of 575) had tumours of stage I or II, with 5-year survival rates over 90 per cent. After extending the resection margins in 28 cases of colonic carcinoma there has been no case of tumour recurrence. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with colonic carcinoma was 81 per cent. Complete resection of the mesorectum was mandatory for rectal resection. One-third of the carcinomas in the lower third of the rectum could be resected with maintenance of bowel continuity and an abdominoperineal resection avoided. Not only was the tumour recurrence rate in the former patients lower (10.5 per cent) compared with that in those undergoing abdominoperineal resection (14.3 per cent) but the 5-year survival rate at 90 versus 52 per cent was significantly higher. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with rectal carcinoma was 71 per cent.     

Comparative results of surgical management of single carcinomas of the colon and rectum: a series of 1939 patients managed by one surgeon

A comparative analysis has been made of the results of surgical management of single carcinomas of the colon and rectum in a series of 1939 patients treated by one surgeon. The data were prospectively collected, with 99 per cent follow-up. Cancer specific survival did not differ significantly between patients with colonic or rectal cancer. Survival prospects were better for women (P = 0.02) and for patients less than 40 years of age (P = 0.03). Survival was significantly related to tumour staging (P less than 0.002). Cancer specific survival was better after curative resection for colonic than rectal carcinoma (P = 0.003). Five-year survival for patients with colonic tumours was 76 per cent and for rectal tumours 69 per cent. The 10-year survival figures were 73 per cent and 51 per cent respectively. This difference was accounted for by a higher proportion of Dukes' stage C tumours in the rectum (P less than 0.001) and better survival prospects for colonic compared to rectal stage C1 tumours (P = 0.02). Sphincter-saving resections were performed in 64 per cent of rectal cancer patients managed by curative resection. Survival tended to be better than after sphincter-sacrificing operations. After palliative resection, median survival for colonic and rectal cancer was 14 and 13 months respectively. After palliative bypass operations the corresponding figures were 4 and 8 months.     

Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast: The case for conservatism

The survival of forty-seven patients with cancer of the rectum treated by electrocoagulation is compared with thirty-seven patients treated by abdominoperineal resection. The one to ten year survival for the electrocoagulation group was 48 per cent and the one to eight year survival for the abdominoperineal resection group was 46 per cent. We believe that electrocoagulation when selectively applied has a place in the management of cancer of the rectum.     

Carcinoma of the rectum: a 10-year experience

A consecutive series of 303 patients with carcinoma of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon treated by a single surgeon over a 10-year period are reported. Of these, 202 underwent an anterior resection, 85 an abdominoperineal excision of the rectum and 16 a coloanal anastomosis. Surgery was considered palliative in 52 patients undergoing anterior resection and 24 undergoing abdominoperineal resection. The 30-day hospital mortality rate was six patients (3 per cent) for anterior resection and two patients (2 per cent) for abdominoperineal resection. Peroperative anastomotic testing demonstrated leakage in five stapled anastomoses; these were rectified and no clinical sequelae occurred. Two patients (1 per cent) developed a clinical anastomotic leak, one of which proved fatal; in each case the intraoperative test was negative. The overall 5-year survival rate was 64 per cent after anterior resection and 52 per cent after abdominoperineal resection; the median follow-up was 64 months. The incidence of local pelvic recurrence was 6.4 per cent after anterior resection and 14 per cent after abdominoperineal (not significant). These results confirm the success of sphincter-saving anterior resection combined with total mesorectal excision, routine full mobilization of the splenic flexure and cancercidal lavage of the distal rectum in the treatment of low rectal carcinomas; morbidity, local recurrence and survival are not compromised.     

Outcome of colorectal cancer

The outcome of 454 patients who presented with colorectal carcinoma during a 16 year period is reviewed: 54 per cent were males, 58 per cent were aged more than 60 and 10 per cent had an emergency admission, 42 per cent of tumours occurred in the rectum. A curative resection was possible in 68 per cent. Postoperative mortality was 7 per cent. The overall crude 5-year survival was 41 per cent. The mortality from local recurrence was significantly higher in rectal (11.7 per cent) than in colonic cancer (8.8 per cent; P less than 0.01). The rate of recurrence and metastases was higher in patients with low rectal cancer than in patients with cancer of the middle and the upper rectum (P less than 0.01). Distant metastases were the cause of death in 94 per cent of the patients who had a Miles' operation for cancer of the middle rectum, whereas local recurrence was responsible for late mortality in 80 per cent of patients who underwent an anterior resection. No difference in 5-year survival was found in the restorative and in the excisional group.     

Resection of central hepatic malignant lesions

Tumors within the central hepatic region can be managed by various operative techniques. The aim of hepatic resection should be to render the patient free of disease while limiting the excision of functioning parenchyma. Technical feasibility, improved anatomical understanding, and advanced support services have enabled access to lesions previously considered unresectable. Various surgical options and outcomes from a single surgeon's experience are presented. Thirty-three patients underwent surgical resection for central hepatic lesions adjacent to the anterior hilar plate from 1980 to 2001. The mean patient age was 55.7 years (range 34-82). The mean lesion size was 7.7 cm (2-21). Malignant lesions were most commonly encountered in segments IV and V (43%). The most common resection performed was a central hepatic resection (55%) followed by right trisegmentectomy (27%). Resections were primarily performed for metastatic colon cancer (48%), cholangiocarcinoma (25%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (15%). The 5-year survival was 45 per cent for metastatic colon cancer, 20 per cent for cholangiocarcinoma, and 66 per cent for hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall morbidity was 43 per cent, and there was a single mortality. The size, location, and extension of hepatic tumors are important factors that may predict the extent of hepatic resection. Small centrally located focal lesions are amenable to central hepatic resection with biliary reconstitution hence limiting extensive resections. Valuable 5-year patient survival and a low mortality rate were achieved.     

Survival benefit of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) root nodal dissection before high ligation of the artery on survival in patients with sigmoid colon or rectal cancer. METHODS: Data on 1188 consecutive patients who underwent resection for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer, with high ligation of the IMA, were identified from a prospective database (April 1965 to December 1999). Survival of patients with involvement of nodes along the IMA proximal to the origin of the left colic artery (root nodes, station 253) through the bifurcation of the superior rectal artery (trunk nodes, station 252) was determined. RESULTS: Twenty patients (1.7 per cent) had metastatic involvement of station 253 lymph nodes and 99 (8.3 per cent) had metastases to station 252. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of patients with metastases to station 253 were 40 and 21 per cent, and those for patients with metastases to station 252 were 50 and 35 per cent, respectively. CONCLUSION: High ligation of the IMA allows curative resection and long-term survival in patients with cancer of the sigmoid colon or rectum and nodal metastases at the origin of the IMA.     

Treatment options for perianal Bowen's disease: survery of American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Members

The aim of this study was to determine current management practices of physicians caring for patients with perianal Bowen's disease. A questionnaire was sent to 1,499 members listed in the 1997 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Directory asking them how many patients they have treated and which operative or nonoperative treatment option they choose for small (< or =3 cm), large (> 3 cm), and microscopic lesions. Of 1,499, 663 (44.2%) surgeons responded. Not all respondents answered each item. Seventy-five per cent of surgeons surveyed (n = 653) devote greater than 75 per cent of their practice to colon and rectal surgery. Of 642 respondents, 552 (86%) managed a total of <10 patients, and 90/642 (14%), > or =10 patients. Ninety-six per cent of respondents use wide local excision for patients with small lesions. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents use wide local excision for patients with large lesions. Seventy-four per cent treat patients with microscopic disease conservatively and without wide excision. The majority of surgeons caring for patients with perianal Bowen's disease are performing wide local excision for both small and large lesions. Microscopic disease was usually treated conservatively with observation alone.     

Preoperative staging of rectal cancer allows selection of patients for preoperative radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: Variability in rates of local recurrence following resection of rectal cancer has led to the suggestion that all patients should undergo preoperative radiotherapy. This centre employs a selective policy of radiotherapy only in patients with evidence of advanced local disease determined by preoperative staging. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 114 consecutive patients with rectal cancer. Patients were divided before operation into palliative and curative groups based on preoperative staging. Only patients in the palliative group were offered preoperative radiotherapy. Total mesorectal excision (TME) was performed for all tumours of the middle or lower rectum. RESULTS: The perioperative mortality rate was 0.9 per cent and anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 2.8 per cent. Local recurrence developed in 4 per cent of patients in the 'curative' group and in seven of 15 of those assigned to the palliative group before operation (P < 0.01). Positive lateral resection margins were significantly associated with a risk of subsequent recurrence (ten of 13 versus three (3 per cent) of 93; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can be omitted reasonably in patients in whom there is no evidence of locally advanced disease, provided that adequate surgery, incorporating TME for low tumours, is performed.     

Incurable colorectal carcinoma: the role of surgical palliation

About 20 per cent of patients with carcinoma of the colon or rectum present with metastatic disease. Surgeons are frequently asked to consider resection or other operative procedures in these patients for palliation. We performed this review to determine whether patients presenting with known metastatic colorectal cancer derive benefit from surgical intervention. We performed a retrospective review of all patients with M1 carcinoma of the colon or rectum who were identified from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Registry from April 1985 through February 2003. Patients who underwent hepatic and/or pulmonary resection with curative intent were excluded from analysis, as were patients with metachronous metastases. Eighty patients with M1 colorectal cancer who did not undergo surgery with curative intent were identified, and in 74 of these, complete medical records and follow-up were available. Forty-nine of the 74 patients (66%) underwent an operation, and 25 were managed nonoperatively. Indications for surgery included bowel obstruction, active hemorrhage, severe anemia from gastrointestinal bleeding with requirement for blood transfusions, intractable pain, and perforation of the colon. Average survival was 11.2 months for operative patients versus 6.5 months for nonoperative patients (P < 0.05). Thirty-six patients who underwent resectional procedures had a postoperative hospitalization of 7.5 days and a median survival of 11.5 months. Thirteen patients who had a nonresectional procedure had an average postoperative stay of 9 days and a median survival of 4 months. Median survival in those who did not undergo an operation was 4.8 months. Although metastatic colorectal carcinoma cannot usually be cured by surgical intervention, many patients who present with metastatic disease will benefit from palliative operations with relatively short hospitalizations and reasonable survival. Those who are not candidates for resection of the primary tumor have shorter survival times. Surgery can alleviate many of the distressing symptoms in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.     

Trends in preparation for colorectal surgery: survey of the members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

The utility of antibiotic and mechanical preparation for colorectal surgery is controversial, and numerous different regimens are used. The aim of this study was to detect trends in preparation for surgery among American colon and rectal surgeons. Members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons practicing in the United States were surveyed with a postal questionnaire regarding their routine preparations for colon and rectal surgery. Five hundred fifteen (40%) of the 1295 questionnaires sent were returned. Eighty-one per cent of the respondents had completed an accredited colorectal training program, and the average experience in practice was 13.7 (+/- 8.7) years. Half of the surgeons felt that prophylactic oral antibiotic is essential, 41 per cent felt it was doubtful, and 10 per cent considered oral prophylaxis unnecessary. Despite these statements 75 per cent of the surgeons routinely utilized oral antibiotics (96% of them used a combination of two drugs), 11 per cent used them selectively, and only 13 per cent omitted oral prophylaxis from their practice. Similarly although the usefulness of intravenous antibiotics was questioned by 11 per cent of the surgeons 98 per cent routinely used them. The average number of postoperative doses was two (+/- 1.9). Although 10 per cent of the surgeons questioned the importance of mechanical preparation more than 99 per cent routinely used it. Forty-seven per cent of the surgeons used sodium phosphate, 32 per cent used polyethylene glycol, and 14 per cent alternated between these two options. We conclude that although the use of oral antibiotic prophylaxis for colorectal surgery is controversial among surgeons it is still routinely practiced by 75 per cent. Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis and mechanical cleansing, however, are still a dogma and almost invariably used. There is a trend toward the use of a shorter course of postoperative intravenous antibiotics and the use of sodium phosphate for mechanical cleansing.