The Importance of a Minimal Tumor-Free Resection Margin in Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The importance of the circumferential resection margin has been demonstrated in primary rectal cancer, but the role of the minimal tumor-free resection margin in locally recurrent rectal cancer is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the prognostic importance of a minimal tumor-free resection margin in locally recurrent rectal cancer. DESIGN: This was a single-institution, retrospective study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Based on the final pathology report, surgically treated patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer between 1990 and 2013 were divided into 4 groups: 1) tumor-free margins of >2 mm, 2) tumor-free margins of >0 to 2 mm, 3) microscopically involved margins, and 4) macroscopically involved margins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Local control and overall survival were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients with a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 0-144 months) were eligible for analysis. There was a significant difference in 5-year local re-recurrence-free survival in favor of 41 patients with tumor-free margins of >2 mm compared with 34 patients with tumor-free margins of >0 to 2 mm (80% vs 62%; p = 0.03) and a significant difference in 5-year overall survival (60% vs 37%; p = 0.01). The 5-year local re-recurrence-free and overall survival rates for 55 patients with microscopically involved margins were 28% and 16%, and for 20 patients with macroscopically involved margins the rates were 0% and 5%. On multivariable analysis, tumor-free margins of >0 to 2 mm were independently associated with higher re-recurrence rates (HR, 2.76 (95% CI, 1.06-7.16)) and poorer overall survival (HR, 2.57 (95% CI, 1.27-5.21)) compared with tumor-free margins of >2 mm. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS: Resection margin status is an independent prognostic factor for re-recurrence rate and overall survival in surgically treated, locally recurrent rectal cancer. In complete resections, patients with tumor-free resection margins of >0 to 2 mm have a higher re-recurrence rate and a poorer overall survival than patients with tumor-free resection margins of >2 mm.

The prognostic value of the primary tumor's nodal status after surgery for colorectal liver metastases in the era of effective systemic therapy.

BACKGROUND: The nodal status of primary colorectal cancer is of prognostic value for survival after the resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, in the past decade,effective adjuvant chemotherapy for lymph node positive primary colon cancer was introduced. This study evaluated the prognostic value of primary lymph node status in patients with resectable metachronous CRLM in the era of effective systemic therapy. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2011, all consecutive patients undergoing curative liver resection for CRLM were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed by the localization of the primary tumor (colon vs. rectum) and by lymph node status (positive vs. negative) of the primary tumor. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients with metachronous CRLM's were selected. Five-year OS was similar for colon and rectal primaries (42 and 40%, p = 0.62). Lymph node positivity was only a prognostic factor in rectal primaries (N+ 32% vs. N0 49%, p = 0.04) and not in colon primaries (N+ 42% vs. N0 41%, p = 0.99). In multivariate analysis, these results were confirmed. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that the nodal status of primary colon malignancies does not have prognostic value in patients undergoing resection for metachronous CRLM. A possible explanation might be the administration of effective adjuvant chemotherapy in node positive colon cancer.

[The treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer]. / Behandeling van lokaal recidiverend rectumcarcinoom.

Its incidence has decreased in recent decades due to advances in the treatment of patients with primary rectal cancer, but LRRC still occurs in 6-10% of these patients. LRRC is often accompanied by severe, progressive pain and has a major impact on quality of life. Curative treatment is possible based on surgical resection combined with chemoradiotherapy. Radical resection is the most important prognostic factor in curative treatment. Neo-adjuvant systemic therapy may further improve outcomes in LRRC patients. Many patients are not eligible for surgical treatment due to the presence of metastases or irresectability of the local recurrence. These patients should receive optimal palliative care for the disabling pain. Radiotherapy is effective against local pain in around 75% of patients but the duration of palliation is limited.

Intraoperative radiation therapy reduces local recurrence rates in patients with microscopically involved circumferential resection margins after resection of locally advanced rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is advocated by some for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who have involved or narrow circumferential resection margins (CRM) after rectal surgery. This study evaluates the potentially beneficial effect of IORT on local control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All surgically treated patients with LARC treated in a tertiary referral center between 1996 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The outcome in patients treated with IORT with a clear but narrow CRM (≤2 mm) or a microscopically involved CRM was compared with the outcome in patients who were not treated with IORT. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients underwent resection of LARC, and 95 patients (23%) had a CRM ≤ 2 mm. Four patients were excluded from further analysis because of a macroscopically involved resection margin. In 43 patients with clear but narrow CRMs, there was no difference in the cumulative 5-year local recurrence-free survival of patients treated with (n=21) or without (n=22) IORT (70% vs 79%, P=.63). In 48 patients with a microscopically involved CRM, there was a significant difference in the cumulative 5-year local recurrence-free survival in favor of the patients treated with IORT (n=31) compared with patients treated without IORT (n=17) (84 vs 41%, P=.01). Multivariable analysis confirmed that IORT was independently associated with a decreased local recurrence rate (hazard ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.86). There was no significant difference in complication rate of patients treated with or without IORT (65% vs 52%, P=.18) CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that IORT reduces local recurrence rates in patients with LARC with a microscopically involved CRM.

Outcome in patients with resectable locally recurrent rectal cancer after total mesorectal excision with and without previous neoadjuvant radiotherapy for the primary rectal tumor.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (nRTx) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) introduced the problem of treating locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after nRTx and TME. Few data exist on the outcome of the surgical treatment of this type of LRRC and the influence of nRTx for the primary tumor on the outcome is unclear. METHODS: All patients receiving multimodality treatment (including intraoperative radiotherapy) for LRRC in our center between 1996 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The outcome of patients with nonmetastasized resectable LRRC who received nRTx and TME for the primary tumor was compared to the outcome of patients who did not receive nRTx for the primary tumor. RESULTS: During this period, 139 patients underwent surgery for LRRC; 93 of these patients underwent curative surgery for LRRC after TME for the primary tumor. Sixty-five patients did not receive nRTx for the primary tumor, whereas 28 patients received nRTx for the primary tumor. There were no significant differences in the number of incomplete resections or perioperative morbidities. There was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival (28 vs. 43%, p = 0.81), recurrence-free survival (55 vs. 48%, p = 0.5), and disease-free survival (27 vs. 40%, p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of carefully selected patients with nonmetastasized resectable LRRC after nRTx and TME for the primary tumor is feasible and can result in sustained local control and overall survival. Patients with resectable LRRC who received nRTx for the primary tumor do not have a poorer outcome than patients who did not.

Is restaging with chest and abdominal CT scan after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer necessary?

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence regarding restaging of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after a long course of neoadjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. This study evaluated the value of restaging with chest and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan after radiotherapy. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2010, all newly diagnosed patients in our tertiary referral hospital, who underwent a long course of radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, were analyzed. Patients were only included if they had chest and abdominal imaging before and after radiotherapy treatment. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were treated with curative intent were included. A change in treatment strategy due to new findings on the CT scan after radiotherapy was observed in 18 (12%) of 153 patients. Twelve patients (8%) were spared rectal surgery due to progressive metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Restaging with a chest and abdominal CT scan after radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer is advisable because additional findings may alter the treatment strategy.

Prediction of tumor stage and lymph node involvement with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The usefulness of restaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after chemoradiotherapy (CTx/RTx) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer has not yet been established, mostly due to the difficult differentiation between viable tumor and fibrosis. MRI with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences may be of additional value in distinguishing malignant from nonmalignant tissue. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of tumor, nodal staging, and circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement by MRI with DCE sequences after CTx/RTx. METHODS: The accuracies were assessed by MRI on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with DCE sequences in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after a long course of CTx/RTx. MR images were assessed by two independent radiologists. RESULTS: For tumor staging and CRM involvement, MRI with DCE sequences had an accuracy of 45 and 60 %, respectively. The accuracy for nodal staging was 93 %. On MRI, malignant lymph nodes had a median diameter of 8 mm (range, 4-18) and benign lymph nodes a median diameter of 4 mm (range, 3-11). A significant indicator for benign nodes was hypointensity on T2-weighted images (p < 0.001) and early complete arterial phase enhancement on DCE-weighted images (p < 0.001). A significant indicator for malignant nodes was heterogeneity on T2-weighted images (χ (2), p < 0.000) and early incomplete arterial phase enhancement on DCE (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MRI with DCE is a useful tool for nodal staging after CTx/RTx. The addition of DCE sequences did not improve the accuracy of determining the tumor stage, CRM involvement, and in detecting complete response.

[A man with a painful thumb]. / Een man met een pijnlijke duim.

A 22-year-old man presented with a subluxation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of his left thumb. Correct anatomical position was obtained with manual reposition. The hand was immobilised for 2 weeks and was thereafter actively mobilised. After 1 month he was free of pain and the function of his thumb had completely recovered.

Endoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy in patients with ectopic Cushing's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA) is a treatment option to alleviate symptoms in patients with ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS) for whom surgical treatment of the responsible nonpituitary tumor is not possible. ECS patients have an increased risk for complications, because of high cortisol levels, poor clinical condition, and metabolic disturbances. This study aims to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of endoscopic BLA for ECS. METHODS: From 1990 to present, 38 patients were diagnosed and treated for ECS in the Erasmus University Medical Center, a tertiary referral center. Twenty-four patients were treated with BLA (21 endoscopic, 3 open), 9 patients were treated medically, and 5 patients could be cured by complete resection of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumor. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed and entered into a database. For evaluation of the efficacy of BLA, preoperative biochemical and physical symptoms were assessed and compared with postoperative data. RESULTS: Endoscopic BLA was successfully completed in 20 of the 21 patients; one required conversion to open BLA. Intraoperative complications occurred in two (10%) patients, and postoperative complications occurred in three (14%) patients. Median hospitalization was 9 (2-95) days, and median operating time was 246 (205-347) min. Hypercortisolism was resolved in all patients. Improvements of hypertension, body weight, Cushingoid appearance, impaired muscle strength, and ankle edema were achieved in 87, 90, 65, 61, and 78% of the patients, respectively. Resolution of diabetes, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis was achieved in 33, 89, and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic BLA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with ectopic Cushing's syndrome.