Digital rectal examination and the diagnosis of prostate cancer--a study based on 8 years and three screenings within the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), Rotterdam

Background

Evidence indicates that an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) is a risk factor for high-grade prostate cancer (PC).

Objective

To determine whether men with an initially suspicious DRE, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level ≥3.0 ng/ml, and a benign prostate biopsy are at higher risk for significant PC at rescreening than men with an initially normal DRE, and whether an adaptation of the rescreening interval is warranted for this group.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Within the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), Rotterdam, 2218 men underwent biopsy of the prostate (from 1993 to 2000) with a benign result at initial screening. The serum PSA was determined every 4 yr. A PSA level of ≥3.0 ng/ml prompted a DRE and a lateralised sextant biopsy.

Measurements

Number and characteristics of PCs found at repeat screenings and as interval cancers (ICs) were compared between men with or without a suspicious DRE result at initial screening. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate if an initially suspicious DRE was a significant predictor for detecting cancer at consecutive screenings.

Results and Limitations

After 4 yr, the total number of PCs detected in men with and without an initially suspicious DRE was, respectively, 27 (6%) versus 103 (6%) (p = 0.99). After 8 yr these numbers increased, respectively, to,45 (10%) versus 167 (10%) (p = 0.88). The proportion of clinically significant PCs was 2% and 3%, respectively, for the group with initially normal and abnormal DRE after 8 yr. Having a suspicious DRE result at initial screening was not a significant predictor for detecting PC after 4 yr [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, p = 0.59) or 8 yr (OR = 1.41, p = 0.43)]. A limitation of this study is the relatively short follow-up of 8 yr.

Conclusions

During a follow-up of 8 yr after initial cancer-negative biopsy, an initially suspicious DRE did not influence the chance for detection of cancer or significant cancer at later screens. An adaptation of the rescreening interval on the basis of the initial DRE-outcome is not warranted in future population-based screening for prostate cancer.     

Early and late outcomes of primary laparoscopic endorectal colon pull-through leaving a short rectal seromuscular sleeve for Hirschsprung disease

Aim

To report early and late outcomes of laparoscopic colon pull-through leaving a short rectal sleeve for Hirschsprung disease.

Methods

Laparoscopic endorectal colon pull-through was performed using 4 ports. The ganglionic and aganglionic segments were initially identified by seromuscular biopsies obtained laparoscopically. The rest of the procedure was carried out according to Georgeson's technique. However, we left a short rectal seromuscular sleeve of 1.5 to 2 cm above the dentate line.

Results

From January 2001 to December 2007, 200 patients were operated upon by the same surgeon. Ages ranged from 14 days to 36 months old. The aganglionic segment was located in the rectum in 112 patients, in the sigmoid colon in 80 children, and in the left colon in 8 patients. The median operating time was 152 minutes. There were no perioperative deaths. Conversion to open surgery was required in four patients. There was minimal blood loss during the surgery. Oral intakes of clear fluid were started 12 hours after surgery and advanced to formula on the second day. In 1 patient, a small intestinal perforation occurred 3 days after surgery, requiring a diverting ileostomy. The mean hospital stay was 6.6 days (range, 4-12 days). Follow-up ranging from 5 to 85 months was obtained in 157 patients; 124 patients (79%) had 1 to 4 defecations a day, 17 (11%) had 5 to 6, and 8 had more than 6. Fecal incontinence occurred in 3 patients (2.0%), constipation in 5 patients (3.0%), and enterocolitis in 15 patients (9.5%). Anastomotic fistula occurred in 2 patients.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic endorectal pull-through leaving a short rectal seromuscular sleeve is a safe and effective procedure for Hirschsprung disease.     

Prevalence of elevated serum prostate-specific antigen in rural Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Recent hospital and cancer registry data show increasing prostate cancer incidence in Nigeria, which was previously regarded as a low incidence region. This study investigates the prevalence of prostate cancer risk in a previously unscreened cohort of rural Nigerians. METHODS: Rural Nigerian men, 40 years and older, were screened by serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) and those with PSA >/= 4 ng/mL and/or abnormal DRE were referred for prostate biopsy. RESULTS: Of 200 consecutive men invited, 151 (75.5%) presented for screening, the mean age was 56.45 + 15.1 and 95 (61.6%) were >/= 50 years of age. Of the 140 who consented to a blood test, PSA correlated with age (r = 0.3, P < 0.01), 14 (10.0%) had abnormal PSA >/= 4 ng/mL, increasing from 3 (3.6%) in men < 60 years to 4 (50%) in men >/= 80 years. The rate was 13 (15.7%) for men >/= 50 years and there was no evidence of increased incidence of prostatitis in the community. Mean (median) PSA in ng/mL increased from 1.17 (0.60) in the youngest to 13.75 (4.45) in the oldest cohort. Of those who accepted DRE, 38 (29.0%) had an enlarged prostate, including two who had nodular prostate, one-third with symptoms, increasing from 4 (5.4%) in those < 50 years to 6 (75.0%) in men >/= 80 years. The proportion of men with PSA >/= 4 ng/mL among those with enlarged vs normal prostate is 27.0 to 3.4%, P < 0.001, and the pattern was similar for men >/= 60 years and those < 60 years of age. The 40 (32.0%) men referred for prostate biopsy defaulted mainly because they did not fully understand the need for further investigation because they were symptom free or afraid of the possible side-effects of the procedure or diagnosis of cancer. CONCLUSION: The proportion of men with PSA >/= 4 ng/mL is comparable to that of previously unscreened populations with high incidence of prostate cancer such as African-American men. A larger study is required to confirm these findings and intensify efforts to determine the prostate cancer detection rate by biopsy in this population. A prostate cancer awareness and education campaign will be useful in this community.     

Gasless,video endoscopic transanal excision for carcinoid and laterally spreading tumors of the rectum

Background: The aim of this study is to determine whether gasless, video endoscopic transanal–rectal tumor excision (gasless VTEM) is a valid treatment for rectal carcinoid and laterally spreading tumors (LST). Methods: Eighty-four patients with an adenoma, adenocarcinoma (Tis/T1), or carcinoid tumor of the rectum were divided into three groups: (i) LST (n = 17 patients), (ii) carcinoid (n = 11), and (iii) control with other types of tumors (n = 56). Results: The LST group had a longer median operating time than in the control group, whereas the carcinoid group had a shorter operating time. Two patients (11.7%) in LST group developed peritoneal entry during the operation, while 2 patients (3.6%) in the control group experienced postoperative complications. During a median follow-up length of 55.2 months, one patient in the LST group developed a recurrence. Conclusions: Gasless VTEM is a simple, minimally invasive procedure used to treat LST and carcinoid tumors of the rectum. However, resection for the LST group had a high risk of peritoneal entry during operation.     

Transanal endoscopic excision of rectal adenomas

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for performing local excision of rectal lesions in the mid and upper rectum that would otherwise be inaccessible for local excision by the direct transanal approach. In the absence of this approach, low anterior resection would be required, which is major abdominal surgery. The justification for excising adenomas of the colon and rectum is their malignant potential, which correlates with the size of the lesion. This retrospective review examines our experience using TEM for excision of adenomas of the rectum from February 1991 to the present. The decision for using TEM is based on a precise localization of the lesion with particular attention to the upper margin of the lesion and its diameter. A total of 56 adenomas were removed. The average diameter was 4.9 cm (range, 3–8 cm). The average distance from the anal verge was 7.92 cm (range, 5–12 cm). Carcinoma in situ was seen in 7 lesions, and the remaining lesions were benign. Morbidity was minimal, with one conversion to an open procedure for an intraperitoneal perforation that required a low anterior resection. No patient required transfusion and there was no mortality. The hospital stay was short, with half of the patients being discharged the same day. The average cost from July 1996 to December 1999 was $7775 for TEM versus $34,018 for LAR. Subsequent follow-up average was 38.8 months (range, 1–100 months), during which time two patients had recurrence of their adenomas. This was successfully treated with reexcision. In conclusion, TEM is an accurate, safe, and relatively inexpensive technique when compared to low anterior resection. This technique significantly reduces the proportion of adenomas requiring abdominal surgery.     

Anal and rectal cancer in Crohn's disease

Several epidemiological studies have been published regarding the risk of Crohn's disease‐ associated colorectal cancer. The findings are, however, contradictory and it has been particularly difficult to obtain indisputable information on the incidence of cancer limited to the rectum and the anus. During 1987–2000 rectal or anal cancer was diagnosed in 335 patients in Sweden (153 males, 182 females). In other words, approximately 3 Crohn patients per million inhabitants were diagnosed with rectal or anal cancer every year during that time period which is 1% of the total number of cases. At diagnosis of cancer 36% were aged below 50 years and 58% below 60 years. Corresponding figures for all cases of anal and rectal cancer were 5% and 18%, respectively. Present knowledge from the literature implies that there is an increased risk of rectal and anal cancer only in Crohn's disease patients with severe proctitis or severe chronic perianal disease. However, the rectal remnant must also be considered a risk factor. Multimodal treatment is similar to that in sporadic cancer but proctectomy and total or partial colectomy is added depending on the extent of the Crohn's disease. The outcome is the same as in sporadic cancer at a corresponding stage but the prognosis is often poor due to the advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. We suggest that six high‐risk groups should be recommended annual surveillance after a duration of Crohn's disease of 15 years including extensive colitis, chronic severe anorectal disese, rectal remnant, strictures, bypassed segments and sclerosing cholangitis.     

低位直肠癌保肛手术的临床分析

目的探讨低位直肠癌保肛手术的临床应用价值。方法回顾分析了109例低位直肠癌行Dixon保肛手术的临床疗效。结果在109例保肛手术中,术后发生伤口感染3例;吻合口漏2例,其中1例死亡,无肛门狭窄及肛门失禁。在术后随访1、3、5年中发现保肛手术组与mile's手术组之间的生存率无明显差异。结论低位直肠癌保肛手术疗效肯定,选择保肛手术时需要重视肿瘤的生物学特性。     

低位直肠癌行乙状结肠齿状线吻合的保肛术的临床应用

目的：探讨低位直肠癌保留肛门括约肌功能的最佳治疗术式。方法：经腹和肛门齿状线切除直肠下段癌，行乙状结肠与肛管齿状线吻合22例。结果：全组无手术死亡，无吻合口漏和吻合口狭窄。术后随访11个月至5年，平均随访时间3年1个月。术后10～12周对排气和干大便控制良好，无大便失禁者。3例Dukes C1期于术后14、18个月和23个月死于远处转移，无局部复发病例。结论：根据直肠肿瘤临床分期和肿瘤生物学行为选择手术适应证。经腹、肛门齿线联合切除根治下段直肠癌，行乙状结肠与肛管齿状线吻合术是一种良好的保肛术式。     

应用管状吻合器实施乙状结肠造瘘术

目的：探讨应用管状吻合器实施结肠造瘘术的手术技巧。方法：1999年3月-2002年10月间应用管状吻合器施行乙状结肠造瘘术5例，其中包括直肠下段癌4例和直肠癌伴肠梗阻1例。手术方式是乙状结肠单腔造瘘4例，乙状结肠双腔造瘘术1例。结果：术后无一例发生人工肛门出血、坏死、内陷及感染等并发症。随访平均1．8(1．1—2．9)年，造瘘口的吻合钉在术后1年后逐渐脱落，人工肛门外形及功能良好。结论：应用管状吻合器进行乙状结肠造瘘术，具有操作简便、造瘘口形态一致，手术并发症少的优点。     

腹腔镜直肠癌前切除术学习曲线中并发吻合口瘘的原因

目的：探讨腹腔镜直肠前切除术学习曲线中并发吻合口瘘的主要原因。方法：将179例直肠前切除(Dixon) 术患者按手术团队和手术方式分为腹腔镜初学组63例、开放组55例和腹腔镜成熟组61例,对3组患者术后并发吻合 口瘘的情况进行对比分析;分析吻合口多次切割对腹腔镜初学组和腹腔镜成熟组的影响,同时分析男性、高龄、肥 胖、营养合并症、吻合口位置5种危险因素对3组的影响。结果：腹腔镜初学组吻合口瘘发生率高于另外2组,差异有 统计学意义(P<0.05);吻合口多次切割显著影响腹腔镜初学组吻合口瘘的发生率,对腹腔镜成熟组没有明显影响;除 肥胖因素外,其他4个因素对腹腔镜初学组吻合口瘘的发生率都有影响,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),各个因素对开 放组、腹腔镜成熟组影响无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论：操作技术缺陷是初学团队腹腔镜直肠前切除术后并发吻合口 瘘的主要原因,初学团队应尽量避免选择男性、高龄、肿瘤位置低及有营养合并症的高危患者进行手术,以降低术 后吻合口瘘的发生率。