Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum: A Rare but Curable Tumor

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate one institution’s experience with treatment outcomes for rectal squamous-cell carcinoma. Methods Using our prospective Colorectal Database, we identified patients diagnosed with rectal squamous-cell carcinoma at our institution between 1983 and 2005. Pathology was rereviewed, tumor immunophenotype was compared to control cases of anal squamous-cell carcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma, treatment modalities and outcomes were analyzed. Results Twelve patients were identified (10 females median age, 58 years). Median distal extent of tumors was 7 (range, 5–8) cm from the anal verge. Treatment included chemotherapy only (n = 1), chemoradiation only (n = 2), induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and surgery (n = 2), chemoradiation followed by surgery (n = 5), and surgery followed by chemoradiation (n = 2). The chemotherapy regimen was 5-fluorouracil-based. Radiotherapy total dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/day, daily × 5) external iliac and inguinal nodes were not included in the radiation field. Complete clinical responders to chemoradiation (n = 2) received no further treatment. All seven partial responders underwent surgery; six had complete pathologic response; nodal status in two of six was unknown because they had local excision. Immunophenotypical analysis showed similar keratin expression profile between rectal squamous-cell carcinoma (n = 5) and rectal adenocarcinoma (n = 5), which is different from anal squamous-cell carcinoma (n = 10). All patients were alive without evidence of disease at follow-up (median follow-up, 2.6 (range, 0.5–16) years). Conclusions Our data suggest that most patients treated with upfront chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery did well. Sphincter-preserving surgery is usually feasible. Clinical judgment of tumor response after chemoradiation is not completely reliable. Immunohistochemistry suggests a common cellular origin for rectal squamous-cell carcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma, which is different from anal squamous-cell carcinoma. Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Seattle, Washington, June 3 to 7, 2006. Reprints are not available.     

The role of the randomized controlled trial in plastic surgery

This article discusses the role of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) in plastic surgery. There are unique challenges in the execution of an RCT in plastic surgery, including: (1) surgical equipoise, (2) the surgical learning curve, (3) differential care, (4) randomization, (5) concealment, (6) expertise-based design, (7) blinding, (8) intention-to-treat analysis, (9) loss to follow-up, and (10) treatment effect and implications for sample size calculations. The RCTs conducted in plastic surgery to date are generally of poor quality in design and reporting, are fraught with bias, and have small sample sizes, thus this article attempts to help future investigators perform better quality RCTs.     

Pathologic classification and clinical behavior of the spectrum of goblet cell carcinoid tumors of the appendix

Appendiceal tumors exhibiting both neuroendocrine and glandular differentiation are uncommon and have caused difficulty in pathologic classification, prediction of prognosis, and clinical management. Previously, such lesions have been variously designated as adenocarcinoid, goblet cell carcinoid (GCC), and mixed adenocarcinoma carcinoid. In this study, we undertook a retrospective investigation of 63 such cases and classified them as typical GCC (group A) and adenocarcinoma ex GCC on the basis of the histologic features of the tumor at the primary site. The adenocarcinoma ex GCC group was further divided into signet ring cell type (group B) and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma type (group C). The clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared within these groups and with conventional de novo appendiceal adenocarcinomas. Both groups A and B tumors shared a similar immunoprofile, which included generally focal immunoreactivity for neuroendocrine markers, and a normal intestinal type mucin glycoprotein profile (negative MUC1 expression and preserved MUC2 immunoreactivity). The proliferative index was relatively low in these tumors and slightly increased from groups A to B tumors (11% to 16%). Both beta-catenin and E-cadherin exhibited a normal membranous staining pattern in groups A and B tumors. The poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas ex GCC (group C) demonstrated abnormal p53 and beta-catenin immunoreactivity. The mean follow-up time was 49+/-5 (SE) months. The overall disease-specific survival for all subtypes was 77%, with 46% of patients without evidence of disease and 31% alive with disease. The mean survival was 43+/-7 months. All the patients with clinical stage of I or IIA disease had a favorable outcome after appropriate surgery with or without chemotherapy. Although most patients (63%) with GCC presented at an advanced clinical stage, their clinical outcome could be differentiated by subclassification of tumors. The stage IV-matched 5-year survival was 100%, 38%, and 0% for groups A, B, and C, respectively. In conclusion, GCC is a distinctive appendiceal neoplasm that exhibits unique pathologic features and clinical behavior. They display a spectrum of histologic features and possess the potential to transform to an adenocarcinoma phenotype of either signet ring cell or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma types. Careful evaluation of the morphologic features of GCCs and appropriate pathologic classification are crucial for clinical management and prediction of outcome. Surgical management with right hemicolectomy is recommended after appendectomy for most cases, particularly those with an adenocarcinoma component (groups B and C).     

Phase II study of regional treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis

Background

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is becoming an accepted treatment of carcinomatosis.

Methods

Between February 2000 and January 2008, there were 101 consecutive patients with carcinomatosis who were treated with cytoreductive surgery + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Patient and tumor characteristics, surgical details, complications, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded prospectively.

Results

The majority (82%) of patients, median age 49 years (range, 18-77 y), had complete macroscopic cytoreduction (completeness of cytoreduction score, 0) despite a generally extensive tumor burden. Perioperative mortality and grade III/IV morbidity rates were 4% and 39%, respectively. Preliminary median DFS and OS have not been defined for appendix tumors at a median follow-up period of 16 months (range, 1-86 mo). Median DFS and OS for colonic tumors are 8 months and 26 months, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 12 months (range, 1-48 mo).

Conclusions

Combined regional treatment is feasible and holds significant promise for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.     

Waiting Time to Lymph Node Biopsy is Dependent on Referral Method: Don't Write,Phone!

INTRODUCTION

Patients with lymphadenopathy are commonly referred to general surgeons for diagnostic lymph node biopsy. We were concerned at potential long waits for this service in our hospital and thus wanted to compare the efficiency of written and telephone referral with a view to identifying the optimum care pathway for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients were included in a 2-year retrospective review (excluding referrals associated with breast lumps which were managed separately). Hospital Episode Statistics data were used to analyse notes for the source and method of referral, waiting time to biopsy, clinic attendance and diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of referrals, 33% were from haematology and 28% from general practice. Overall, 47% of patients were referred by letter; of these, 64% were seen in clinic before biopsy. Personal referral between clinicians, by direct discussion, e-mail or fax led to a mean wait of 4 days, compared to 51 days when patients were referred by letter. Clinic attendance had no significant bearing on diagnostic accuracy or complication rate. Neoplasia accounted for 43% of diagnoses and infection (including four cases of tuberculosis) for 10%. Of biopsies, 33% showed benign changes, 8% were unrecorded and 5% were incorrect.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 43% of biopsies revealed malignancy and we advise that lymph node biopsy requests should be managed on a fast-track pathway, expedited by direct personal request. Following this study, we have implemented a fast-track pathway for such patients.     

A 38-year-old Man with Left Knee Pain

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® -     

Direct biceps tendon and supraspinatus contact as an indicator of rotator cuff tear during shoulder arthroscopy in the lateral decubitus position

The purpose of this study was to evaluate consecutive shoulder arthroscopies for the presence or absence of a space between the biceps tendon and the supraspinatus as an indicator of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. We performed 588 consecutive shoulder arthroscopies in the lateral decubitus position, and the presence or absence of a space between the rotator cuff (supraspinatus) and the biceps tendon was recorded immediately upon entering and insufflating the joint. Of the 588 patients, 174 (30%) were found to have full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Of these 174 patients, 171 had absence of the space between the biceps and the supraspinatus, for a sensitivity of 98%. Of the 414 patients in whom no full-thickness tear was present, 4 had absence of the space, for a specificity of 99%. The 4 patients with a false-negative result had adhesive capsulitis. During shoulder arthroscopy, a normal interval exists between the supraspinatus and biceps tendons as a result of joint insufflation. Loss of this interval is both highly sensitive (98%) and specific (99%) for a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. The space between the rotator cuff and the biceps tendon can be a reliable adjunct for verification of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear immediately upon entering the shoulder joint but should not be used in place of a full arthroscopic evaluation of the cuff.     

Retrograde percutaneous enterostomies in children using a needle system with valve mechanism

The technique of enterostomy access frequently uses a needle preloaded with a suture anchor to appose the bowel wall to the abdominal wall. Two of the intrinsic disadvantages of this method are the possible dislodgment of the suture anchor out of the needle hub during the process of guide-wire insertion and the escape of air with subsequent deflation of the viscus, which may necessitate a second puncture. The use of a Check-Flo performer assembly with a valve mechanism provides a leakproof system. It avoids possible dislodgment of the suture anchor during deployment, maintains viscus distension, and may be useful for trainees to do the procedure in a controlled manner.     

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: factor structure and relationship to productivity and supervision needs following severe traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) has been demonstrated to have a relatively stable factor structure in traumatic brain injury (TBI) samples. What is less clear is whether the scores derived from WCST factors are related to functional outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to replicate the WCST factor structure in a sample with severe TBI, and to evaluate the relationship between the factor scores and outcome.

Research design: Retrospective correlational study.

Methods and procedures: Participants (n = 143) who had suffered severe TBI were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests including the WCST within one month of admission to a brain injury rehabilitation program. In addition, participants were administered supervision (Supervision Rating Scale; SRS) and productivity measures (Community Integration Questionnaire- Productivity subscale; CIQ-P) at admission and following discharge.

Experimental intervention: None.

Main outcomes and results: For individuals who were more than one year post injury, more failure to maintain set errors were associated with better occupational outcomes, while more nonperseverative errors were associated with increased supervision needs.

Conclusions: The WCST factor scales are related to functional outcomes in severe TBI. Specifically, the inability to establish a series of correct responses is associated with poorer outcome.