Infralevator Lymphatic Drainage of Low-Rectal Cancers: Preliminary Results

Background  Some low-rectal cancers may spread into or recur in the inguinal lymph nodes despite optimal resection of the primary tumor. Hence, we hypothesized that lymphatic drainage of low-rectal malignancies may be inhomogeneous and that an extramesorectal route may be involved in at least some cases. The idea of our preliminary study was to analyze the potential lymphatic drainages in low-rectal cancer patients. Methods  The first stage of the experiment included two consecutive low-rectal adenocarcinoma patients (free from inguinal lymph node metastases), in whom the lymphatics of the primary tumor were traced with Patentbalu dye. During the second stage the records of 206 consecutive low-rectal cancer patients were analyzed for presence of inguinal lymph node metastases. Results  An evaluation of specimens from two rectal cancer patients revealed extramesorectal lymphatic drainage of the primary tumor besides the mesorectal route. An analysis of 206 patients revealed six cases of inguinal node metastases. Median age of patients was 55 years. They were all diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma, T3 or T4 tumors with G2 or G3 grade. Conclusion  The demonstration of an alternative route of lymphatic drainage suggests that more radical surgical procedures are necessary for successful treatment of low-rectal cancers.     

Carcinomatous Lymphatic Invasion in Early Gastric Cancer Invading Into the Submucosa

Background: Lymphatic invasion is a risk factor for lymph node metastases in patients with gastric cancer. No studies have been reported, however, on the correlation between lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of lymphatic invasion in 170 patients with early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.Results: Lymphatic invasion was found in 76 patients. Lymphatic invasion correlated significantly with the presence of lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion (P < .05) and with the degree of cancerous submucosal involvement (P < .05). The presence of lymph node metastasis also correlated with the grade of submucosal invasion and lymphatic invasion. The 5-year survival of patients with lymphatic invasion was poorer than that of patients without lymphatic invasion (P < .05). Node-negative patients had similar survival, regardless of the presence of lymphatic invasion. All patients with severe lymphatic invasion had sm3 invasion and lymph node metastases.Conclusion: Although lymphatic invasion is the first stage of lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion in itself does not have clinical importance except for severe invasion in early gastric cancer. It is possible to predict lymph node metastases from the combined evaluation of degree of lymphatic invasion and submucosal involvement of the tumor in patients with early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.     

Prognostic Factors in 2230 Korean Colorectal Cancer Patients: Analysis of Consecutively Operated Cases

To define the prognostic factors in Korean colorectal cancer patients, univariate and multivariate analysis were performed on data from 2230 consecutive patients who underwent resection for colorectal cancer at the Seoul National University Hospital. The prognostic variables used for the analysis included patient's age, gender, bowel obstruction, bleeding, symptom duration, preoperative leukocyte count, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, Dukes' stage, tumor location, tumor size, depth of bowel wall invasion, number of lymph node metastases, histologic differentiation, and gross morphology of tumor. The overall 5-year survival rate was 62%. In the univariate analysis, all the factors except sex, symptom duration, and tumor size were associated with prognosis. Among the factors significant in the univariate analysis, Dukes' stage (p < 0.001), number of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), CEA level (p < 0.001), tumor location (p= 0.003), gross morphology of tumor (p= 0.017), and depth of bowel wall invasion (p= 0.031) were significant in the multivariate analysis. Several differences in prognostic factors between colon cancer and rectal cancer were observed. In the multivariate analysis, gross tumor morphology was significant only for colon cancer, and histologic differentiation was significant only for rectal cancer. Lymph node metastasis was an independent prognostic variable for both colon and rectal cancer, but its significance was more prominent for rectal cancer. Although Dukes' stage is the most reliable prognostic predictor, this study shows that other factors (preoperative CEA level, gross morphology of tumor, location of tumor, nodal status) also provide important information for the outcome of the patient.     

T3N0 rectal cancer: Results following sharp mesorectal excision and no adjuvant therapy

Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy following resection of T3N0 rectal cancer is recommended in order to reduce the incidence of local recurrence and improve survival. However, recent experience with rectal cancer resection utilizing sharp dissection and total mesorectal excision has resulted in a reduction in local recurrence rates to as low as 5% without adjuvant treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine if rectal cancer resection utilizing sharp mesorectal excision alone is adequate treatment for local control of T3N0 rectal cancer. Between July 1986 and December 1993, 95 patients with T3N0M0 rectal cancer underwent resection with sharp mesorectal excision and did not receive any adjuvant therapy. Various prognostic factors were analyzed for their association with local recurrence and survival. Seventy-nine patients had a low anterior resection, 10 of whom had a coloanal anastomosis, and 16 had an abdominoperineal resection. The median follow-up was 53.3 months. Six patients had local recurrence, 12 had distant recurrence, and three had local and distant recurrences. The overall local recurrence rate was 9% crude and 12% 5-year actuarial. The overall crude recurrence rate was 22%. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 86.6% with an overall survival of 75%. Postoperative complications occurred in 18 patients (19%). Five patients (6%) had a documented anastomotic leak. Perioperative mortality was 3%. No technical factors, including type of resection (low anterior vs. abdominoperineal), location of tumor, or extent of resection margin, were significant for determining local recurrence. The only histopathologic marker significant for determining local recurrence was lymphatic invasion (P <0.04). Sharp mesorectal excision with low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection for T3N0M0 rectal cancer results in a local recurrence rate of less than 10% without the use of adjuvant therapy. Therefore, in select patients with T3N0M0 rectal cancer, the standard use of adjuvant therapy for local control may not be justified. Presented at the Thirty-Ninth Annual Meeting of The Society of Surgery for the Alimentary Tract, New Orleans, La., May 17–20, 1998.     

Short- and midterm outcomes of laparoscopic surgery compared for 131 patients with rectal and rectosigmoid cancer

Background This study aimed to clarify and compare the short- and midterm surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal and rectosigmoid cancer. Methods Between June 1992 and December 2004, 131 selected patients with cancer of the rectum (n = 60) and rectosigmoid (n = 71) underwent laparoscopic surgery. The indications for laparoscopy included a preoperative diagnosis of T1/T2 tumor in the rectum and T1–T3 tumors in the rectosigmoid. Results The mean follow-up period was 42 months. The procedures included anterior resection for 117 patients, abdominoperineal resection for 11 patients, Hartmann’s procedure for 1 patient, and restorative proctocolectomy for 1 patient. Conversion to an open procedure occurred for four patients (3.1%). Postoperative complications developed in 29 patients (22.1%), including anastomotic leakage in 14 patients (11.8%). The length of hospital stay for the rectal cases was significantly longer than for the rectosigmoid cases (10 vs 7 days; p = 0.0049). The tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages included 0 (n = 14), I (n = 72), II (n = 15), III (n = 29), and IV (n = 1). Recurrences were experienced by 13 patients, including local recurrence (n = 7) and recurrences involving the liver ((n = 2), lung (n = 3), and distant lymph nodes (n = 1). The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were, respectively 91.7% and 97.9% for stage I, 86.7% and 90.9% for stage II, and 77.1% and 90.0% for stage III. Conclusions Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe for selected patients with rectal or rectosigmoid cancer. The selected patients in this study experienced favorable short- and midterm outcomes.     

Residual Mesorectal Lymph Node Involvement Following Neoadjuvant Combined-Modality Therapy: Rationale for Radical Resection?

Background: In order to evaluate the impact of preoperative radiation and chemotherapy (combined modality therapy, or CMT) on primary rectal cancer and mesorectal lymph nodes (MLNs), middle and lower third rectal cancers were resected with total mesorectal excision (TME) and assessed for frequency of MLN retrieval and residual MLN involvement.Methods: Between 1990 and 2001, 187 consecutive patients underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR) or low anterior resection (LAR) for locally advanced (endorectal ultrasound [ERUS] stage, T_3–4) mid and distal rectal cancer following preoperative CMT. Sphincter preservation was possible in 150 patients (80%). The mean number of retrieved MLNs was 10.6. Pre-CMT ERUS stage was compared with final pathologic stage.Results: Comparison of pre-CMT ERUS stage with pathologic stage revealed a decrease in T stage in 93 patients (49%), as well as a decrease in the percentage of individuals with positive MLNs, from 54% to 27% (P < .0001). The overall incidence of positive MLN involvement was 27%, and incidence paralleled pathologic T stage (pT): pT₀ = 7%, pT₁ = 8%, pT₂ = 22%, pT₃ = 37%, and pT₄ = 67%.Conclusions: Following preoperative CMT, the incidence of residual MLN involvement remains significant and parallels increasing pT stage. Therefore, the standard of care for locally advanced distal rectal cancer should continue to include formal rectal resection (TME).     

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic lymph node staging in esophageal cancer: do clinicopathological factors affect the outcome?

Background. This study was performed to evaluate the pattern of lymphatic metastases found by combined thoracoscopic (TS) and laparoscopic (LS) lymph node staging in esophageal cancer, and ascertain whether clinicopathologic factors may be used to guide the clinical practice of combined TS and LS staging.

Methods. A retrospective study was performed in a series of 76 esophageal cancer patients who had undergone both TS and LS staging before treatment. The correlation of TS and LS lymph node metastases with clinicopathologic factors was analyzed, including the clinical T stage, clinical N stage, tumor location, and histology.

Results. Thirty-one patients (40.8%) were found to have lymphatic metastasis by TS and LS staging. Among them, 22 patients had abdominal lymph node metastases, 7 patients had mediastinal lymph node metastases, and 2 patients had both. Patients with advanced T stage (T3 to T4) or adenocarcinoma had a higher frequency of abdominal lymphatic metastases than patients with early T stage (T1 to T2) (39% vs 16%; p = 0.04) or squamous cell carcinoma (39% vs 20%; p = 0.079), respectively. Patients with clinical abdominal N1 stage had a higher incidence of positive laparoscopic finding than patients with clinical abdominal N0 stage (67% vs 23%; p = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between lymphatic metastases and the location of the primary tumor.

Conclusions. Clinicopathologic factors, including the histologic type, the clinical T stage, and abdominal N stage, may affect the outcome of TS and LS lymph node staging in esophageal cancer patients. This clinicopathologic impact may play a role for the selection of candidates for TS and LS staging, and also allows surgeons to focus their attention on the most likely high-yield biopsy targets.     

Surgical Management of Pulmonary Metastases from Colorectal Cancer in 153 Patients

Background Surgery has become a recognized therapeutic means in selected patients with pulmonary metastases from colorectal origin. We reviewed our experience in the surgical treatment of 153 patients with pulmonary colorectal metastases and investigated factors affecting survival.Methods A retrospective analysis of the records of all patients (n = 153) with pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent thoracotomy between 1978 and 2003 at a single surgical center was performed.Results One hundred fifty-three patients with pulmonary metastases from colon (n = 61) or rectal (n = 92) cancer underwent 180 thoracotomies. The 2- and 5-year probabilities of survival after the first thoracotomy were 64% and 37%, respectively. Sex, age, site, International Union Against Cancer stage of the primary tumor, prethoracotomy carcinoembryonic antigen level, size of metastases, and previous resection of hepatic metastases were not found to be statistically significant prognostic factors. Number of metastases (solitary vs. multiple), mode of operation (wedge vs. anatomical resection), disease-free interval (DFI; >36 months), negative hilar or mediastinal lymph node status, resection margin >10 mm, and administration of intraoperative blood substitution were predictors of a longer survival duration by univariate analysis, but only number of metastases (P = .019), mode of operation (P = .004), DFI (P = .027), and intraoperative blood substitution (P = .002) were identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis.Conclusions Pulmonary resection for metastases from colorectal cancer is safe and results in long-term survival in selected patients. Single metastases, anatomical resection, intraoperative blood substitution, and DFI >36 months seem to be the most reliable predictors of survival.     

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Mucinous Gastric Carcinoma

Background The clinicopathologic characteristics of mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC), an uncommon subtype of gastric carcinoma, were examined by comparing 45 MGC and 1255 non-MGC (NGC) cases. Methods Of 1300 gastric cancer patients, 1184 (early, n = 568; advanced, n = 616) underwent potentially curative or palliative resection. Age, sex, tumor location, tumor diameter, macroscopic appearance, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion were monitored. Results In all registered patients, MGC patients’ characteristics were as follows: advanced-stage disease (P = .0293), macroscopically ill-defined tumors (P = .0051), deeper invasion (P = .0046), and more lymph node involvement (P = .0008). Although there were no significant differences between curatively resected MGC and NGC advanced-cancer patients, in curatively resected early-cancer patients, depth of invasion (P = .0060) and lymphatic invasion (P = .0374) were significantly different. Survival time in all registered patients was shorter for MGC patients (P = .0489). Survival of curatively resected advanced and early gastric cancer patients was not significantly different. Age, macroscopic appearance, tumor diameter, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and curability, but not histological type, were independent prognostic factors in all registered patients. Histological type also did not influence prognosis after curative resection. MGC patients had significantly more metastatic lymph nodes and lymphatic and venous invasion. Survival was significantly different (P = .0450) between all patients with undifferentiated and differentiated MGC, but not in curatively resected patients. Conclusions MGC patients’ poor prognosis correlates with advanced disease at diagnosis. Therapeutic and follow-up plans after curative resected MGC and NGC should remain the same, possibly with alterations according to the former’s histological subtype.     

Pathomorphological and histological prognostic factors in curatively resected ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

The fate of patients with potentially resectable carcinomas is not only determined by the pTNM tumor stage, but also possibly by tumor-biological factors. The aim of this study was to identify these prognostic factors in patients undergoing primary curative (R0) resection. The study retrospectively analyzed 113 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma who were operated on between 1986 and 1995. R0 resection was able to be performed in 93 patients. Lymph node metastases were found in 73%. The rates of lymph vessel and perineural invasion were 83.5% and 45%, respectively. Among the 25 carcinomas without lymph node metastases, 64% already had lymph vessel invasion and 48% had perineural invasion. The cumulative 5-year survival rate of the 91 surviving patients analyzed was 10.5%. Depending on the tumor stage we found a significant difference in 5-year survival rates between patients without lymph node metastases (26.5%) and those with lymph node involvement (5%) (P = 0.008). A multivariate analysis only identified lymph vessel invasion (L0/1), tumor size (≦/≦2 cm), and tumor grading (G) to have significant and independent prognostic value. Lymph vessel invasion, tumor size, and tumor grading proved to be independent factors determining long-term prognosis. Received: May 12, 1999 / Accepted: January 7, 2000     

Management of malignant T1 colorectal cancer polyps: results from a 10-year prospective observational study

Aim

The recurrence risk associated with residual malignant cells (bowel wall/regional nodes) following T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) polypectomy must be weighed against operative morbidity. Our aim was to describe the management and outcomes of a large prospective cohort of T1 CRCs.

Method

All T1 CRCs diagnosed between March 2007 and March 2017 at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary were included. Patients were grouped by polypectomy, rectal local excision and formal resection status. χ² testing, multivariate binary logistic and Cox regression were performed.

Results

Of 236 patients, 90 (38.1%) underwent polypectomy only, six (2.6%) polypectomy and then rectal excision, 57 (24.2%) polypectomy and then resection, 14 (5.9%) rectal excision only and 69 (29.2%) primary resection. Polypectomy only correlated with male sex (P = 0.028), older age (P < 0.001), distal CRCs (P < 0.001) and pedunculated polyps (P < 0.001); primary resection with larger polyps (P < 0.001); polypectomy then resection with piecemeal excision (P = 0.002) and involved polypectomy margin (P < 0.001). Poor differentiation (OR 7.860, 95% CI 1.117–55.328; P = 0.038) independently predicted lymph node involvement. Submucosal venous invasion (hazard ratio [HR] 10.154, 95% CI 2.087–49.396; P = 0.004) and mucinous subtype (HR 7.779, 95% CI 1.566–38.625; P = 0.012) independently predicted recurrence. Submucosal venous invasion (HR 5.792, 95% CI 1.056–31.754; P = 0.043) predicted CRC-specific survival. Although 64.4% of polypectomy-only patients had margin involvement/other risk factors, none developed recurrence. Of 94 with polypectomy margin involvement, five (5.3%) had confirmed residual tumour. Overall, lymph node metastases (7.1%), recurrence (4.2%) and cancer-specific mortality (3.0%) were rare. Cancer-specific 5-year survival was high: polypectomy only (100%), polypectomy and then resection (98.2%), primary resection (100%).

Conclusion

Surveillance may be safe for more T1 CRC polyp patients. Multidisciplinary team discussion and informed patient choice are critical.     

Significance of Multiple Lymphatic Basin Drainage in Truncal Melanoma Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Background Truncal melanoma involving metastases to multiple lymph node basins has a much worse prognosis than tumor involvement of a single lymph node basin. Recent results also suggest that, independently of the status of lymph node involvement, patients with multiple lymphatic basin drainage (MLBD) on lymphoscintigraphy have an increased risk of lymph node metastasis and a worse prognosis than those with a single lymphatic drainage basin. Because published reports have conflicting results, the authors compared their experience at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center with recently published findings.Methods The authors searched a prospectively maintained melanoma database at the University of Michigan for patients with primary truncal melanoma who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy between 1997 and 2004. The association of MLBD with the clinical and pathologic characteristics collected and the presence of regional metastases was tested by using contingency tables and the χ² test statistic and by using the Fisher’s exact test statistic when cell frequencies were small. The product-limit method of Kaplan and Meier was used to estimate disease-free and overall survival probabilities.Results Of 423 patients with primary truncal melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, 123 (29%) had a positive result, and 98 patients (23.2%) had MLBD. Patients with tumors located in the middle of the trunk and tumor ulceration were more likely to have MLBD (P < .0001 and P = .045, respectively). Patients with a single lymphatic drainage basin and MLBD had a similar risk of lymph node metastasis and similar disease-free and overall survival.Conclusions Patients with truncal melanomas tend to have MLBD when the tumor is located in the middle of the trunk or when ulceration is present. In our experience, drainage to multiple lymphatic basins was not an independent risk factor for sentinel lymph node metastasis and has no independent prognostic significance.     

Total Rectal Resection and Complete Mesorectum Excision Followed by Coloendoanal Anastomosis as the Optimal Treatment for Low Rectal Cancer: The Experience of the National Cancer Institute of Milano

Background: At present, abdominoperineal resection remains the most diffuse method of treatment of very low rectal cancer. Today, we can avoid this method in some patients by using a sphincter-saving procedure.Methods: From March 1990 to January 1999, 273 consecutive total rectal resections and coloendoanal anastomoses were performed at our Institute; this study concerns 141 consecutive patients treated for a primary adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum, from 3.5 to 8 cm from the anal verge. Patient stratification, based on definitive pathological report, was 31 Dukes stage A (T2N0), 44 stage B (T3N0), and 66 stage C (T2N+–T3N+).Results: Overall recurrence rate was 9.2%; postoperative morbidity attributable to the procedure was low. A perfect continence was documented in 61% of cases. The only pathological factor related to local recurrence rate is peritumoral lymphocytic reaction inside and around the tumor (P = .0005 and .031) independently from the number of metastatic lymph nodes, depth of fatty tissue infiltration, and lymphatic and venous neoplastic emboli. The minimum follow-up time is 12 months.Conclusions: Our data, in accordance with other authors, seem to highlight the relevant role that a well-practiced surgery, together with accurate information on the spreading of this disease, has in achieving an optimal local control of cancer.Presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of Society of Surgical Oncology, Orlando, Florida, March 4–7, 1999.     

Is Total Mesorectal Excision Always Necessary for T1–T2 Lower Rectal Cancer?

Background

The goal of this multicenter study was to clarify the determinants of local excision for patients with T1–T2 lower rectal cancer.

Methods

Data from 567 consecutive patients who underwent radical resection for T1–T2 lower rectal cancer at 12 institutions between 1991 and 1998 were reviewed. Rates of lymph node metastasis were investigated using a tree analysis, which was hierarchized using independent risk factors for nodal involvement.

Results

The independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were female gender, depth of tumor invasion, histology other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and lymphatic invasion. According to the first three parameters that can be obtained preoperatively, only 0.99% of the patients without risk factors had lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, even if the lower rectal cancer was at stage T1, women with histological types other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma had an approximately 30% probability of having lymph node metastasis. Lymphatic invasion was most useful to predict nodal involvement among patients with T2 lower rectal cancer. The rates of lymph node metastasis in T2 patients with and without lymphatic invasion were 32.9% and 9.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Gender is one of the most important predictors for lymph node metastasis in patients with early distal rectal cancer. Three parameters, including depth of tumor invasion, histology, and gender, are useful determinants for local excision. Additional studies are required to establish the minimum optimal treatment for T2 lower rectal cancer.     

Factors Predicting Iliac Metastasis and Overall Survival in Malignant Melanoma of the Lower Extremities

Background : To analyse the patient-related, disease-related and treatment-related factors in a group of melanoma patients to assess their impact on iliac metastasis and on overall survival.

Methods : Medical records of thirty nine patients with lower extremity malignant melanoma were retrospectively reviewed to confirm all of the clinical data. Age and gender were recorded as patient-related factors. Tumor location, size, histology, ulceration status, and TNM stage, Breslow thickness, Clark level, presence of inguinal LN metastases, and locoregional metastases (local recurrences, in transit metastases and regional LN metastases) were evaluated as disease-related factors. Type of surgery (en block excision of primary tumor, en block excision of primary tumor and inguinal lymph node dissection, en block excision of primary tumor and ilioinguinal lymph node dissection) and postoperative chemotherapy were taken into account as treatment-related factors.

Results : The presence of inguinal lymph node metastases was significantly associated with iliac metastasis (p = 0.015). Tumor size (p = 0.046), tumor TNM stage (p = 0.009), Breslow thickness (p = 0.033), Clark level (p = 0.029), presence of in transit metastases (p = 0.010) and postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.002) has been related to impaired overall survival rate.

Conclusions : Therapeutic lymph node dissection appears to carry a small but definite therapeutic benefit. Selection of appropriate patients for the more extensive procedure would be ideal, but at present there are no well proven selection criteria. The authors advocate therapeutic dissection when the inguinal lymph nodes are involved.     

Clinical Significance of Lymph Node Micrometastasis in Ampullary Carcinoma

Background This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of lymph node micrometastasis in ampullary carcinoma. Materials and Methods Pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy was performed for 50 consecutive patients with ampullary carcinoma. A total of 1,283 regional lymph nodes (median, 25 per patient) were examined histologically for metastases. Overt metastasis was defined as metastasis detected during routine histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin. Micrometastasis was defined as metastasis first detected by immunohistochemistry with an antibody against cytokeratins 7 and 8. The median follow-up period was 119 months after resection. Results Overt metastasis was positive in 90 lymph nodes from 27 patients. Micrometastasis was positive in 33 lymph nodes from 12 patients, all of whom also had overt nodal metastases. Patients with nodal micrometastasis had a larger number of lymph nodes with overt metastasis (median, 3.5) than those without (median, 0; P < 0.001). Overt metastasis to distant nodes (superior mesenteric nodes, para-aortic nodes) was more frequent (P = 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively) in patients with nodal micrometastasis. Nodal micrometastasis was found to be a strong independent prognostic factor on univariate (P < 0.0001) and multivariate (relative risk, 5.085; P = 0.007) analyses. From among the 27 patients with overt nodal metastasis, the outcome after resection was significantly worse in the patients with nodal micrometastasis (median survival time of 11 months) than in those without (median survival time of 63 months; P = 0.0009). Conclusions Immunohistochemically detected lymph node micrometastasis indicates intensive lymphatic spread, and thus adversely affects the survival of patients with ampullary carcinoma.     

Survival After Resection of Colorectal Cancer Based on Anatomical Segment of Involvement

Purpose

To determine survival differences for patients undergoing colonic or rectal resection for cancer on the basis of the specific anatomical location of primary tumor.

Methods

A total of 143,747 patients undergoing segmental colectomy, hemicolectomy, anterior resection, or abdominoperineal resection (APER) for adenocarcinoma from 1995 to 2009 were identified from 13 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results regions. The primary end point was overall survival determined by adjusted hazard ratios (HRs); the secondary end point was lymph node yield.

Results

Total lymph node yield significantly decreased from proximal to distal resected segment in stage 0–II cancer, but not in stage III cancer. Lymph node ratio increased from cecum to hepatic flexure and then decreased distally (p < 0.001). Adjusted HRs revealed that survival after right colonic resection for ascending hepatic flexure and transverse colon cancer was not significantly different from cecal cancer. Survival after left colonic resection for descending colon cancer was not different from splenic flexure cancer, but sigmoid colectomy carried improved survival (HR 0.95, p = 0.027). APER carried worse survival compared to anterior resection (HR 1.28, p < 0.001) or right colonic resection for cecal cancer (HR 1.61, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Survival after resection from colorectal cancer depends on specific anatomical segment and not just the division between colon and rectum, or left and right colon. This may be related to inherent differences in the anatomical characteristics of the particular colorectal segment, with varying lymph node yields contributing to understaging. This supports an individualized approach to colorectal cancer, with particular attention to surgical technique, leading to survival improvement.     

Factors Related to Preoperative Assessment of the Circumferential Resection Margin and the Extent of Mesorectal Invasion by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Comparison Study

Background  This study was designed to identify factors related to inaccurate prediction of circumferential resection margin (CRM) and the extent of mesorectal invasion (EMI) in T3 tumors by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rectal cancer. Methods  A total of 66 patients with rectal cancer were enrolled prospectively in this study. CRM was defined as the distance from the outer tumor margin to the mesorectal fascia, and EMI was defined as the distance from the outer surface of the muscularis propria to the outermost tumor margin. CRM and EMI measurements on MRI were compared with corresponding measurements from whole-mount sections using 1-mm and 5-mm reference values, respectively, as prognostic indicators. The following variables were analyzed for relevance to preoperative staging: tumor distance from the anal verge (lower and middle), tumor location (anterior and posterior), tumor (T) and nodal (N) stage, and the thickness of the perirectal fat (anterior, left, right, and posterior positions). Results  MRI correctly predicted CRM status in 57 of the 66 tumors and EMI status in 51 of the 58 tumors (eight T1 tumors were excluded from EMI analysis). Univariate analysis showed that T3 stage, lymph node involvement, anterior tumor location, and thin perirectal fat thickness at the anterior portion were related to incorrect prediction of CRM. Anterior tumor location and thin perirectal fat thickness at the anterior portion were related to incorrect prediction of EMI. Conclusions  Preoperative chemoradiation can be accurately guided by preoperative MRI staging, but CRM and EMI in anterior rectal tumor should be interpreted with caution.     

Anterior-entry Abdominoperineal Resection: A Variation in the Method of Perineal Dissection

Background  

For patients with rectal cancer, there is a greater risk of a positive radial margin or local tumor recurrence when an abdominoperineal versus low anterior resection is performed, or when tumors are in an anterior versus nonanterior location. In response, clinical leaders have encouraged perineal dissection in the prone position or in concert with a coccygectomy. We describe anterior-entry abdominoperineal resection, which may minimize the need for such maneuvers and negative patient outcomes.     

Outcomes of salvage surgery for epidermoid carcinoma of the anus following failed combined modality treatment

Background

Chemoradiation is first-line therapy for epidermoid carcinoma of the anus (ECA). Surgery is reserved for treatment failures. The authors report outcomes after salvage procedures for ECA.

Methods

All treatment failures managed with radical surgery between 1998 and 2006 in our institution were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Log-rank and Cox regression were used for univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively.

Results

Fifty-one patients underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection for locoregional failure. Five-year overall survival after abdominoperineal resection was 29% (median, 22 months). Age, gender, human immunodeficiency virus status, tumor-node-metastasis stage, node status, and failure type did not predict survival. Negative resection margin was most strongly associated with improved overall and disease-free survival (P = .03 and P < .0001, respectively). Median survival for patients undergoing inguinal lymph node dissection for regional recurrence (n = 6) was 11 months, with freedom from cancer achieved in 2 of 6 patients.

Conclusions

Recurrent anal carcinoma after primary chemoradiotherapy carries a poor prognosis. Salvage abdominoperineal resection offers a potential for long-term survival.