Characteristics and outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery by age in a tertiary center in Korea: a retrospective review

Purpose@#Colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs in all age groups, and the application of treatment may vary according to age. The study was designed to identify the characteristics of CRC by age. @*Methods@#A total of 4,326 patients undergoing primary resection for CRC from September 2006 to July 2019 were reviewed. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative and postoperative data, and oncologic outcome were compared @*Results@#Patients aged 60 to 69 years comprised the largest age group (29.7%), followed by those aged 50 to 59 and 70 to 79 (24.5% and 23.9%, respectively). Rectal cancer was common in all age groups, but right-sided colon cancer tended to be more frequent in older patients. In very elderly patients, there were significant numbers of emergency surgeries, and the frequencies of open surgery and permanent stoma were greater. In contrast, total abdominal colectomy or total proctocolectomy was performed frequently in patients in their teens and twenties. The elderly patients showed more advanced tumor stages and postoperative ileus. The incidence of adjuvant treatment was low in elderly patients, who also had shorter follow-up periods. Overall survival was reduced in older patients with stages 0 to 3 CRC (P<0.001), but disease-free survival did not differ by age (P=0.391). @*Conclusion@#CRC screening at an earlier age than is currently undertaken may be necessary in Korea. In addition, improved surgical and oncological outcomes can be achieved through active treatment of the growing number of elderly CRC patients.

Clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes in patients with preoperative clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer who were staged as pathologic T3

Purpose@#Clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer from a preoperative exam is often diagnosed as T3 stage colon cancer pathologically after surgery, raising concerns about understaging. The aims of this study were to compare the survival of clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer patients who had received a pathologic T3 stage diagnosis postoperatively. @*Methods@#Patients who were diagnosed with pathologic T3 stage colon cancer postoperatively were reviewed. Patients with clinically suspected T3 or T4 stage cancer on preoperative exam were enrolled in the study. We compared patient demographics and survival of the cT3 and cT4 groups. @*Results@#Out of the 536 patients with pT3 colon cancer, 503 patients were cT3 (93.8%) and 33 patients were cT4 (6.2%) preoperatively. The most common reason for suspected clinical T4 stage cancer was free perforation (78.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-year overall survival and the total 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) between the cT3 and cT4 groups; however, local recurrence was significantly higher in the cT4 group (local 5-year DFS: 98.6% vs. 84.0%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed cT stage was associated with local recurrence, but the association was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer showed inferior local recurrence despite a postoperative pathologic diagnosis of T3 stage cancer. It is necessary to address the shortcomings of pathologic exams in the matter of the understaging of T4 colon cancer, and to reinforce the treatment for local control in patients with cT4 colon cancer.

Clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes in patients with preoperative clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer who were staged as pathologic T3

Purpose@#Clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer from a preoperative exam is often diagnosed as T3 stage colon cancer pathologically after surgery, raising concerns about understaging. The aims of this study were to compare the survival of clinical T3 and T4 colon cancer patients who had received a pathologic T3 stage diagnosis postoperatively. @*Methods@#Patients who were diagnosed with pathologic T3 stage colon cancer postoperatively were reviewed. Patients with clinically suspected T3 or T4 stage cancer on preoperative exam were enrolled in the study. We compared patient demographics and survival of the cT3 and cT4 groups. @*Results@#Out of the 536 patients with pT3 colon cancer, 503 patients were cT3 (93.8%) and 33 patients were cT4 (6.2%) preoperatively. The most common reason for suspected clinical T4 stage cancer was free perforation (78.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-year overall survival and the total 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) between the cT3 and cT4 groups; however, local recurrence was significantly higher in the cT4 group (local 5-year DFS: 98.6% vs. 84.0%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed cT stage was associated with local recurrence, but the association was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative clinically suspected T4 stage colon cancer showed inferior local recurrence despite a postoperative pathologic diagnosis of T3 stage cancer. It is necessary to address the shortcomings of pathologic exams in the matter of the understaging of T4 colon cancer, and to reinforce the treatment for local control in patients with cT4 colon cancer.

Clinical Outcomes of Ileostomy Closure According to Timing During Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Rectal Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: No guidelines exist detailing when to implement a temporary ileostomy closure in the setting of adjuvant chemotherapy following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and oncological outcomes of ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with curative resection of rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated 220 patients with rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-saving surgery with protective loop ileostomy from January 2007 to August 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 161) who underwent stoma closure during adjuvant chemotherapy and group 2 (n = 59) who underwent stoma closure after adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, or postoperative complications in ileostomy closure between the 2 groups. No difference in overall survival (P = 0.959) or disease-free survival (P = 0.114) was observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy was clinically safe, and interruption of chemotherapy due to ileostomy closure did not change oncologic outcomes.

Early Systemic Failure After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for the Treatment of Patients With Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Distant metastasis can occur early after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with rectal cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients who developed early systemic failure. METHODS: The patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT for a rectal adenocarcinoma between June 2007 and July 2015 were included in this study. Patients who developed distant metastasis within 6 months after CRT were identified. We compared short- and long-term clinicopathologic outcomes of patients in the early failure (EF) group with those of patients in the control group. RESULTS: Of 107 patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT for rectal cancer, 7 developed early systemic failure. The lung was the most common metastatic site. In the EF group, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen was higher (5 mg/mL vs. 2 mg/mL, P = 0.010), and capecitabine as a sensitizer of CRT was used more frequently (28.6% vs. 3%, P = 0.002). Of the 7 patients in the EF group, only 4 underwent a primary tumor resection (57.1%), in contrast to the 100% resection rate in the control group (P < 0.001). In terms of pathologic outcomes, ypN and TNM stages were more advanced in the EF group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.047, respectively), and numbers of positive and retrieved lymph nodes were much higher (P < 0.001 and P = 0.027, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although early distant metastasis after CRT for rectal cancer is very rare, patients who developed early metastasis showed a poor nodal response with a low primary tumor resection rate and poor oncologic outcomes.

Anastomotic Sinus That Developed From Leakage After a Rectal Cancer Resection: Should We Wait for Closure of the Stoma Until the Complete Resolution of the Sinus?

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics of an anastomotic sinus and to assess the validity of delaying stoma closure in patients until the complete resolution of an anastomotic sinus. METHODS: The subject patients are those who had undergone a resection of rectal cancer from 2011 to 2017, who had a diversion ileostomy protectively or therapeutically and who developed a sinus as a sequelae of anastomotic leakage. The primary outcomes that were measured were the incidence, management and outcomes of an anastomotic sinus. RESULTS: Of the 876 patients who had undergone a low anterior resection, 14 (1.6%) were found to have had an anastomotic sinus on sigmoidoscopy or a gastrografin enema before their ileostomy closure. In the 14 patients with a sinus, 7 underwent ileostomy closure as scheduled, with a mean closure time of 4.1 months. The remaining 7 patients underwent ileostomy repair, but it was delayed until after the follow-up for the widening of the sinus opening by using digital dilation, with a mean closure time of 6.9 months. Four of those remaining seven patients underwent stoma closure even though their sinus condition had not yet been completely resolved. No pelvic septic complications occurred after closure in any of the 14 patients with an anastomotic sinus, but 2 of the 14 needed a rediversion due to a severe anastomotic stricture. CONCLUSION: Patients with an anastomotic sinus who had been carefully selected underwent successful ileostomy closure without delay.

Analysis of reduced-dose administration of oxaliplatin as adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: An oxaliplatin-based regimen is the most common adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer, but many patients experience dose reduction or early termination of chemotherapy due to side effects. We conducted this study to verify the range of reduction with oncologic safety. METHODS: Patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer who received adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The total amount of oxaliplatin administered per patient was calculated as a percentile based on 12 cycles of full-dose FOLFOX as a standard dose. The cutoff values showing significant differences in survival were calculated, and the clinicopathologic outcomes of patient groups classified by the value were compared. RESULTS: Among a total of 611 patients, there were 107 stage II patients, and 504 stage III patients. At 60% of the standard dose of oxaliplatin, the patients in the dose reduction group were older (62 years vs. 58 years, P = 0.003), had lower body mass index (BMI) (23.1 kg/m2 vs. 24.0 kg/m2, P = 0.005), and were more exposed to neoadjuvant treatment (18.0% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.003) in comparison to the standard group. At 60% of the standard dose, there were no significant differences in 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the 2 groups (5-year DFS: 73.5% vs. 74.2%, P = 0.519; 5-year OS: 71.9% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.256, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with old age, low BMI, and more frequent exposure to neoadjuvant treatment tended to show lower compliance with chemotherapy. More than 60% dose should be administered to patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer as adjuvant chemotherapy to achieve acceptable oncologic outcomes.

Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer: An Update in 2015 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

During the last decade, robotic surgery for rectal cancer has rapidly gained acceptance among colorectal surgeons worldwide, with well-established safety and feasibility. The lower conversion rate and better surgical specimen quality of robotic compared with laparoscopic surgery potentially improves survival. Earlier recovery of voiding and sexual function after robotic total mesorectal excision is another favorable outcome. Long-term survival data are sparse with no evidence that robotic surgery offers major benefits in oncological outcomes. Although initial reports are promising, more rigorous scientific evaluation in multicenter, randomized clinical trials should be performed to definitely determine the advantages of robotic rectal cancer surgery.

Transanal gauze packing to manage massive presacral bleeding secondary to prescral abscess caused by rectal anastomotic leakage: a novel approach

Anastomotic leakage following rectal resection is a serious and fearful complication, and may cause presacral abscess and/or peritonitis. To our knowledge, massive hematochezia secondary to presacral abscess caused by anastomotic leakage has not yet been reported in the literature. We observed this rare and life-threatening complication in three patients who were successfully treated with a simple but effective transanal gauze packing technique.

Safety and Feasibility of Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Insertion for the Right-Side Colonic Malignant Obstruction and Its Clinical Benefits

PURPOSE: The efficacy of stenting for the right-side colonic malignant obstruction is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of self-expandable metallic stent insertion for the right-side colonic malignant obstruction and its clinical benefits. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 460 patients who underwent right hemicolectomy for right-side colon cancer from January 2006 to January 2014 at Korea University Anam Hospital. Twenty four patients who developed malignant obstruction in the right -side colon were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: Self-expandable metallic stent insertion was attempted in 14 patients, and initial technical success was achieved in 13 patients (92.9%). No immediate stent-related complications were reported. Complete relief of obstruction was achieved in all of the 13 patients. Eleven patients who failed stenting underwent emergency operation. All of the 13 patients with stent underwent laparoscopic surgery and only one case was converted to open. Only three patients in the emergency group underwent laparoscopic surgery but one was converted. Operative time and number of retrieved lymph nodes did not differ between the two groups. Postoperative hospital stay (9.8+/-3.2 in stent group vs. 16.3+/-10.9 days in emergency group, p=0.082) tended to be shorter in the stent group. Estimated blood loss (38.5+/-138.7 in stent group vs. 381.8+/-411.9 in emergency group, p=0.010) and duration for resuming diet (3.2+/-2.2 in stent group vs. 6.6+/-7.0 days in emergency group, p=0.017) were significantly better in the stent group. CONCLUSION: Self-expandable metallic stent appears to be safe and feasible in the right-side colonic malignant obstruction. It facilitates minimally invasive surgery and may result in better short-term surgical outcome.

The Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Stenting as a Bridge to Elective Surgery in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Obstruction as Compared with Emergency Surgery

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between stent placement as a bridge to surgery and emergency surgery for obstructive colon cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for left colon cancer and rectal cancer with total obstruction from September 2006 to October 2014 were enrolled. Data for the stent placement and emergency surgery groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients with total obstruction, 53 patients were treated with stent placement and 14 patients were treated with emergency surgery. Significant differences were observed for surgical approach, type of operation, and combined resection. Use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was higher (88.6 vs. 42.9%, p<0.001) in the stent placement (SP) group, and combined resection (5.9 vs. 37.5%, p<0.001) was higher in the emergency surgery (EM) group. In the SP group, resection and anastomosis accounted for the largest proportion (92.5%) and in the EM group, Hartmann's procedure was most common (57.1%) (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in other operative outcomes or in postoperative courses. Five-year overall survival was 96.0 and 77.8% (p=0.311) in the SP and EM groups, respectively. Five-year disease-free survival for local recurrence in the SP and EM groups was 90.0 and 88.9% (p=0.904). CONCLUSION: Stent placement as a bridge to surgery can be performed safely and represents an alternative to emergency surgery with good short-term results. Stent placement as a bridge to surgery is also comparable to emergency surgery in long-term outcomes.

Regional Difference in Colonic Motility Response to Electrical Field Stimulation in Guinea Pig

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In isolated guinea-pig colon, we investigated regional differences in peristalsis evoked by intrinsic electrical nerve stimulation. METHODS: Four colonic segments from mid and distal colon of Hartley guinea pigs, were mounted horizontally in an organ bath. Measurement of pellet propulsion time, intraluminal pressure, electrical field stimulation (EFS; 0.5 ms, 60 V, 10 Hz), and response of pharmacological antagonists, were performed to isolated segments of colon to determine the mechanisms underlying peristaltic reflexes evoked by focal electrical nerve stimuli. RESULTS: In fecal pellet propulsion study, the velocity of pellet propulsion was significantly faster in the distal colon and decreased gradually to the proximal part of the mid colon. Intraluminal pressure recording studies showed that luminal infusion initiated normal peristaltic contractions (PCs) in 82% trials of the distal colon, compared to that of mid colon. In response to EFS, the incidence of PCs was significantly increased in the distal colon in contrast, the incidence of non-peristaltic contractions (NPCs) was significantly higher in the middle-mid colon, distal-mid colon and distal colon, compared to that of proximal-mid colon. Addition of L-NAME into the bath increased the frequency of NPCs. EFS failed to cause any PCs or NPCs contractions in the presence of hexamethonium, atropine or tetrodotoxin. CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed that electrical nerve stimulation of distal colon is the most likely region to elicit a peristaltic wave, compared with the mid or proximal colon. Our findings suggest that EFS-evoked PCs can be modulated by endogenous nitric oxide.

Edematous and painful external hemorrhoids following intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer / 대한외과학회지

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is the ultimate sphincter saving procedure for low rectal cancer. Hemorrhoids are a common benign condition. We present and discuss a case of ISR which developed painful edematous hemorrhoids after ISR. A 62-year-old female with low rectal cancer received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with successful down staging of tumor before undergoing robot assisted ISR with coloanal hand-sewn anastomosis. She had pre-existing external hemorrhoids which were not excised. She developed painful and edematous external hemorrhoids 4 days after surgery. These were treated conservatively before discharge. Many colorectal surgeons performing ISR have experienced similar situations in their patients, but none have reported on this phenomenon. We discuss the possible factors that may contribute to this situation. A possible solution is prophylactic excision of the hemorrhoids during coloanal anastomosis. Painful hemorrhoids may occur after ISR and if managed conservatively, the outcome is skin tags.

Can Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery be Considered Primarily for Patients with Complicated Appendicitis?

No abstract available.

The Value of Follow-up after Curative Resection for Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at determining whether a regular follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer can lead to improved re-resectability, and which test is useful for detecting a resectable recurrence. METHODS: The medical records of 397 consecutive patients, who underwent a curative resection for colorectal cancer between January 1996 and December 2000, with a mean follow-up of 36 months, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 19.6%, with 22.5% and 7.8% in the regular and irregular follow-up groups (P=0.002), respectively. There was a significant difference in the asymptomatic recurrence detection rate (68.1 vs. 16.7%; P=0.021), but a curative intent reoperation was possible in 21 (29.1%) of those patients with a cancer recurrence in the regular follow-up group, and in 1 (16.7%) inform the irregular follow-up group, which was not significantly different (P= 0.454). Careful history taking and a physical examination were beneficial in the detection of a resectable recurrence. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen determination and endoscopy were useful for detecting a recurrence (14 cases and 5 cases, respectively), and of these 4 (28.6%) and 5 cases (100%) could be treated with a curative intent reoperation, respectively. Abdominal CT, or MRI, and a chest radiography were also useful for detecting a recurrence (22 cases and 8 cases, respectively), but the curative intent reoperation rates were slightly low (3 cases (13.6%) and 1 case (12.5%), respectively). CONCLUSION: A regular follow-up after a curative resection for colorectal cancer, although facilitating detection of recurrence before symptoms developed, was unlikely to succeed in increasing the rate of a curative reoperation.

Experience of Catheter Implantation for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis and Catheter Related Complications

PURPOSE: By virtue of advances in scientific methods and technical systems, there has been a rapid growth in the number of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as their primary renal replacement therapy. However, there are various catheter related complications that are limiting factors in patient and catheter maintenance. This study was aimed at introducing of the techniques of CAPD catheter implantation designed for reducing the complication rate, as well as conducting an investigation of the incidence of CAPD catheter related complications and patient survival and catheter survival rates. METHODS: We performed 234 cases of CAPD catheter implantation using a conventional surgical method (n=162, between January 1993 and December 1997) or a modified surgical method (n=72, between January 1998 and December 1999), and retrospectively reviewed the patient's medical records to elucidate the incidence of early catheter related complications and the catheter removal rate in relation to the surgical methods. RESULTS: There were 21 cases (23.8%) of peritonitis in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (79 cases, 48.8%) (P=0.036). There were 9 cases (12.5%) of exit site and tunnel infection in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (36 cases, 22.2%) (P=0.019). We were able to reduce the peritonitis as well as exit site and tunnel infection by a long segment of tunneling and immobilization of the catheter to the skin. Nine cases of leakage (5.5%) have occurred in the conventional group and one case (1.3%) in the modified group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.046). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that our modified surgical methods can reduce the rate of early catheter related complications.