The Palliative Effect of Endoscopic Uncovered Self-expandable Metallic Stent Placement Versus Gastrojejunostomy on Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A Pilot Study with a Retrospective Chart Review in Saga, Japan.

Objective Endoscopic self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement and gastrojejunostomy (GJY) are palliative treatments for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The aim of the present study was to compare the palliative effects of these treatments and identify predictors of a poor oral intake after treatment. Methods and Patients In total, 65 patients with GOO at multiple centers in Saga, Japan, were evaluated. Thirty-eight patients underwent SEMS placement, and 27 underwent GJY from January 2010 to December 2016. The characteristics and outcomes of the two groups were compared to detect predictors of treatment failure. Results No significant differences in the technical success, clinical success, post-treatment total protein, hospital discharge, duration from eating disability to death, or post-treatment overall survival were present between the SEMS and GJY groups. More patients in the GJY group than in the SEMS group received chemotherapy (51.4% vs. 26.3%, respectively; p=0.042). The period from treatment to the first meal was longer in the GJY group than in the SEMS group (4.5 vs. 3.0 days, respectively; p=0.013). The present study did not identify any risk factors for failure of SEMS placement. Although the stent length tended to be associated with a poor prognosis, the correlation was not statistically significant (odds ratio: 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.36-1.01, p=0.053). Conclusion Patients with GOO started meals more promptly after SEMS than after GJY, but the clinical outcomes were not markedly different between the SEMS and GJY groups. These findings suggest that endoscopic uncovered SEMS placement might be a feasible palliative treatment for GOO.

Advantages of thoracoabdominal approach by oblique incision for right-side hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thoracoabdominal approach might be safe and facilitate hepatic resection for tumors located in the right lobe. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the thoracoabdominal approach using oblique incision for the right-side hepatectomy, we compared the perioperative data with those of the abdominal approach. METHODOLOGY: The oblique incision for the thoracoabdominal approach was placed along the intercostal space (Oblique group, n=13). The J-shape incision for abdominal approach consisted of an upper median incision and transverse incision (J-shape group, n=13). RESULTS: Patient demographics were similar in the two groups. Operation time was significantly shorter in the oblique group (292 +/- 122 min) than in the J-shape group (450 +/- 137 min, p < 0.01). The difference was noted regardless of the extent of hepatic resection. Clamping time and blood loss were similar in the two groups. The postoperative period of use of analgesia tended to be shorter in the oblique group (9 +/- 3 days) than in the J-shape group (15 +/- 11 days) but not significant (p = 0.08). Postoperative liver function tests, complications and clinical outcome were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoabdominal approach using oblique incision was useful for resection of liver tumors located in the hepatic dome and posterior segment.

Laparotomy wound and anastomotic recurrences after resection for cecum cancer: a case report.

We report herein the case of a 46-year-old man who developed recurrences in both the incisional laparotomy wound of the abdominal wall and the stapled anastomotic site following ileo-colonic resection for cecum cancer. The patient had initially undergone laparoscopic surgery but had converted to conventional open surgery. Intestinal reconstruction had been performed by stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis between the ileum and ascending colon. The implantation of exfoliated cancer cells during the operation may have caused recurrence.

Relationship between CT volumetry and functional liver volume using technetium-99m galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy in patients undergoing preoperative portal vein embolization before major hepatectomy: a preliminary study.

To clarify the relationship between morphological measurements of hepatic volume by computed tomography (CT-vol) and functional volume (RI-vol) by technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) scintigraphy, and its clinical significance, we examined 16 patients with a background liver status of either normal liver function (n=4), chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis (n=7), or obstructive jaundice (n=5). In five patients who underwent preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE), volumetric measurement was performed 2 weeks after PVE. The mean values of CT-vol and RI-vol of the right lobe were 692+/-147 cm3 (66.1+/-10.7%) and 668+/-159 cm3 (67.8+/-13.2%), respectively, and those of the left lobe were 329+/-138 cm3 (33.9+/-10.6%) and 328+/- 170 cm3 (32.2+/-13.2%), respectively. There were no significant differences in the volume measurements between the two volumetric techniques. Correlations between CT-vol and RI-vol in the right and left lobes were positive and significant (r=0.912 and 0.903, respectively; both P's<0.001). The mean values of post-PVE CT-vol and RI-vol of the right lobe in five patients were significantly different (628+/-149 and 456+/-211 cm3, respectively; P=0.033). However, the mean values of post-PVE CT-vol and RI-vol of the left lobe were not different (496+/-124 and 483+/-129 cm3, respectively). We propose that volumetric measurement by 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy is useful for detecting changes in functional volume of individual lobes of the liver and is a more dynamic method compared with detection of morphological changes by CT scan.

Parameters associated with changes in liver volume in patients undergoing portal vein embolization.

BACKGROUND: To identify predictors of changes in hepatic volumes after portal vein embolization (PVE) before hepatectomy, we examined the relationship between clinicopathological parameters and changes in volume of embolized and nonembolized liver and regeneration of remnant liver after hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 25 patients who underwent laparotomy. PVE was performed through transileocolic vein (n = 15) and percutaneous transhepatic puncture (n = 10). RESULTS: Significant atrophy and hypertrophy of the embolized and nonembolized liver were observed after PVE, respectively, and further increase of remnant liver volume was observed after hepatectomy. Background liver disease did not seem to influence the results. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level correlated negatively with atrophy of embolized lobe (r = -0.433). Platelet count correlated positively with hypertrophy of nonembolized lobe (r = 0.412, P < 0.05) and percent increase between lobes and (r = 0.515, P < 0.05). Seven (32%) patients developed postoperative complications, such as long-term ascites or cholestasis. Changes in embolized liver and percent increase between lobes in patients with postoperative cholestasis (-94 +/- 97 cm(3) and 9.6 +/- 5.1% gain) were significantly lower than those in patients without cholestasis (17 +/- 54 cm(3) and 6.6 +/- 1.3% gain, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ALP and platelet counts might be able to predict PVE effect and were related to postoperative course. Identification of more specific predictors is desirable.

Comparative analysis of postoperative morbidity according to type and extent of hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the factors contributing to postoperative complications according to the extent of hepatectomy. METHODOLOGY: We examined 166 patients with hepatobiliary carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy. Patients were divided into three groups according to the type and extent of hepatectomy: 1) left lobectomy (n=27), 2) right lobectomy or posterior segmentectomy (n=55) and 3) other hepatectomies (n=84). Patient demographics, major complications (infection, ascites, pleural effusion, atelectasis, static symptoms of the stomach, biliary leakage and hepatic failure) after hepatectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with obstructive jaundice, lobectomy was the most commonly performed operation due to the extent of tumor along the main hepatic duct. Prolonged ascites or massive pleural effusion was frequently observed after right lobectomy (p=0.001) and posterior segmentectomy (p=0.002). However, the incidences of these complications were similar in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Symptoms related to gastric stasis and biliary leakage were significantly more common after left lobectomy than other surgeries. The incidence of hepatic failure was higher (p<0.05) after major hepatectomy, particularly right lobectomy, than other surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the need to understand characteristics of specific complications occurring after different types of hepatic resection surgery to prevent post-hepatectomy complications.

Adjuvant photodynamic therapy for bile duct carcinoma after surgery: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new palliative option in patients with non-resectable bile duct carcinoma (BDC). Here, we assessed the efficacy of adjuvant photodynamic therapy in eight patients with BDC who underwent surgical resection. METHODS: Five patients had extrahepatic BDC, two had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and one had ampullary carcinoma. Cancer cells were microscopically detected in the stump of the hepatic duct in six patients, and biliary stenosis caused by remnant tumor was observed in one patient. One patient had tumor recurrence with occlusion of the bile duct. At 48 h prior to PDT, porfimer sodium was injected intravenously. A pulse laser by an eximer dye laser (50-100 J/cm2) with a wavelength of 630 microm was applied through an endoscope to the hepatic stump or tumor lesion. RESULTS: Marked destruction of the tumor and ductal epithelium was observed on day 1 after PDT. After PDT, four patients developed mild dermatitis, but no severe morbidity or mortality was noted. In patients who underwent PDT for the stump, one patient showed distant metastasis at 31 months, and four patients did not show tumor recurrence at 17, 12, 12, and 6 months, respectively. However, one of the eight patients died at 2 months, of an unrelated cause. In two patients with occlusion caused by tumor growth, resolution of bile duct stenosis was noted on day 7. These patients showed re-occlusion by tumor at 20 and 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant PDT is a safe and useful option for a better survival benefit in patients with BDC undergoing surgical resection.

Preoperative serum hyaluronic acid level as a good predictor of posthepatectomy complications.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficiency of measuring hyaluronic acid (HA) levels preoperatively in patients with injured liver disease as a predictor of complications after hepatectomy. METHODS: We examined patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver tumors secondary to chronic viral liver diseases or obstructive jaundice. RESULTS: The preoperative HA level correlated significantly with the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min, liver activity at 15 min by technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin scientigraphy, and the histopathological activity index. It was also significantly elevated in patients with severe fibrosis caused by cirrhosis. After hepatectomy, the HA level was increased on postoperative day (PODS) 7, but had normalized by POD 28. The preoperative HA level tended to correlate with the regeneration rate on POD 28, and was significantly higher in patients with prolonged ascites or hepatic failure postoperatively. Multivariate analysis identified a serum HA level above 200 or 150 ng/ml as the only significant predictor of postoperative hepatic failure or long-term ascites, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the preoperative serum HA level is a good predictor of postoperative complications in patients who undergo hepatectomy for injured liver disease.

Minilaparotomy approach for the resection of laterally spreading tumors of the colon.

PURPOSE: We report our experience of using the minimally invasive minilaparotomy approach to resect colonic laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) that could not be removed by colonoscopic snare polypectomy. METHODS: We prospectively examined 17 patients who underwent a minilaparotomy, defined as an incision less than 7 cm long, between 1997 and 2001, for a collective 19 colonic LSTs. RESULTS: Complete en bloc resection of the LSTs was successfully performed in all 17 patients. The resections included colotomy and polypectomy in four patients (four LSTs), limited colectomy in seven patients (nine LSTs), and colectomy with regional lymph node dissection in six patients (six LSTs). There was no mortality or morbidity. The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) length of the minilaparotomy was 6.7 (+/-0.8) cm, and the mean (+/-SD) operating time and blood loss were 139 (+/-39) min and 27 (+/-15) ml, respectively. Histology revealed 2 adenomas, 16 Tis carcinomas, and 1 T1 carcinoma. None of the patients had lymph node metastasis or positive resection margins. There have been no signs of tumor recurrence after a median follow-up period of 30.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The minilaparotomy approach is appropriate for resecting LSTs that cannot be removed by colonoscopic snare polypectomy, and provides a minimally invasive alternative to conventional laparotomy.

Differences in prognosis of colorectal cancer patients based on the expression of sialyl Lewisa, sialyl Lewisx and sialyl Tn antigens in serum and tumor tissue.

PURPOSE: To clarify the differences in prognosis of colorectal cancer patients based on the expression of sialyl Lewisaa sialyl Lewisx and sialyl Tn antigens in serum and tumor tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperative serum levels (by radioimmunoassay) and tumor tissue expression (by immunohistochemistry) of these antigens were simultaneously determined in 52 patients. For each antigen, patients were classified into one of four groups: Group S-/T-, S-/T+, S+/T- and S+/T+. (S denotes serum, T denotes tumor tissue, and negative and positive represent expression). RESULTS: For sialyl Lewisa antigen, the survival time of Group S+/T+ was significantly shorter than Group S-/T- or Group S-/T+ (p=0.027 or p=0.032, respectively). For sialyl Lewisx antigen, the survival time of Group S-/T+ was significantly shorter than Group S-/T- (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Increased expressions of sialyl Lewisa antigen in serum and sialyl Lewisx antigen in tumor tissue may be associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor biological factors in hepatocellular carcinoma: relationship to clinicopathological factors and prognosis after hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between patient prognosis and various tumor biological factors has been reported previously, and prognostic factors of tumor biology may improve predictions of prognosis after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may contribute to a new staging classification. This study was designed to provide an immunohistochemical analysis of tumor biological factors in patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC. METHODS: Factors analyzed included p53 overexpression, microvessel counts, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and expression of nm23. We examined 81 HCCs from patients with chronic liver diseases. RESULTS: In patients who underwent chemoembolization before surgery, or those a who had confluent multinodular tumor, p53 expression tended to be higher than in patients without chemoembolization (33% vs 11%) or those with a simple nodular tumor (28% vs 10%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.051 and P = 0.092, respectively). A lower tumor microvessel count and negative nm23 expression were significantly associated with poor disease-free survival by univariate analysis ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). A lower tumor microvessel count was found to be a significant prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survivals (risk ratios, 2.44 and 3.13, respectively; P << 0.05), in addition to tumor size, vascular invasion, and longterm ascites, by Cox's multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor microvessel count appears to be a useful prognostic marker for predicting HCC recurrence and patient survival.

Additional radical surgery after colonoscopic snare polypectomy for T1 colorectal cancer: use of the minilaparotomy approach.

An additional resection is indicated when colorectal polyps resected by colonoscopy reveal T1 carcinoma with unfavorable histology (no free margin or having risk factors for lymph node metastasis). We describe our experience with this type of surgery with the minilaparotomy approach (< or = 7 cm). This prospective study included 19 consecutive patients between 1997 and 2001. Specimens resected by colonoscopy revealed T1 carcinomas with one of the following histological types: inadequate excision (no free margin), lymph-vascular invasion, histologic grade III, or sm2/sm3 (submucosal invasion greater than 200-300 microm from the muscularis mucosa). The minilaparotomy approach included 15 colectomies and 4 anterior resections. Median length of minilaparotomy was 7 cm (range, 4-7 cm). Median number of lymph nodes removed was 11 (range, 7-21 lymph nodes). Median proximal and distal margins were 9.0 (range, 5.2-17.5 cm) and 8.5 cm (range, 2.0-11.5 cm), respectively. The patients quickly returned to normal function without morbidity and mortality. Five (26.3%) had a residual carcinoma within the bowel wall, and one (5.3%) had lymph node metastasis. At a median follow-up of 33.6 months, one patient (5.3%) developed local recurrence and subsequent distant metastasis. The minilaparotomy approach is suitable for an additional operation following colonoscopic polypectomy for T1 carcinoma, thus providing a minimally invasive alternative to conventional laparotomy.

Relationship between indocyanine green test and technetium-99m galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy in patients scheduled for hepatectomy: Clinical evaluation and patient outcome.

The clinical significance of and discrepancy between the indocyanine green retention rate at 15min (ICGR15) and liver activity at 15min (LHL15) by technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin ( [Formula: see text] -GSA) scintigraphy and clinical outcome were examined in 140 patients who underwent hepatectomy. Both ICGR15 and LHL15 were significantly associated with portal pressure and liver function tests, fibrotic degree and regeneration of the remnant liver ( [Formula: see text] ). The significance of the correlation between LHL15 and liver functions and HAI score appeared to be better than that with ICGR15. A significant correlation was observed between ICGR15 and LHL15 ( [Formula: see text] 0.591, [Formula: see text] ) for all but 12 patients (8.6%). Of three patients with LHL15 better than ICGR15, two had obstructive jaundice and one had an intrahepatic shunt. Patient outcome was relatively good. In nine patients with LHL15 worse than ICGR15, the HAI score was higher (=7) and six of the nine had hepatic failure or uncontrolled ascites. Complications were frequently observed in patients with LHL15 below 0.875 (80% versus 30%, [Formula: see text] ). Our results indicate that [Formula: see text] -GSA scintigraphy is a reliable auxiliary test of hepatic functional reserve combined with ICGR15 for selecting the extent of hepatectomy and predicting patient outcome.

Minilaparotomy approach for removal of a large colonic lipoma: report of two cases.

A minimally invasive surgical approach should be employed to resect symptomatic colonic lipomas whenever possible. We report two cases of large colonic lipomas that were successfully removed using a minimally invasive minilaparotomy approach. Patient 1 was a 53-year-old man with a 3.8-cm symptomatic submucosal lipoma in the ascending colon and patient 2 was a 57-year-old woman with a 4.2-cm symptomatic submucosal lipoma in the transverse colon. Both lipomas were successfully removed through a 5-7-cm minilaparotomy. Normal bowel function returned quickly without any postoperative complications. These case reports demonstrate that the minilaparotomy approach is a suitable alternative to conventional laparotomy to remove a large colonic lipoma.

Surgical treatment for right pleural effusions caused by pancreaticopleural fistula.

A 56-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse presented with exertional dyspnea. A chest radiography showed a massive right pleural effusion with sanguineous pleural fluid and an amylase level of 97,188 IU/L. Despite conservative treatment with no oral intake, total parenteral nutrition and repeated thoracentesis, the pleural effusion was persistent and intrathoracic infection was suspected. Surgical intervention was proposed and a preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed disruption of the mid pancreatic duct and a fistulous tract. A middle segment pancreatectomy was performed for removal of the disrupted portion of the main pancreatic duct and reconstruction of the distal pancreas was completed by end-to-side Rouxen-Y pancreatojejunostomy. The patient had a good postoperative course and was discharged on the 29th postoperative day. He has remained well during the 9 months of follow-up.

Successful resection of a duodenal fistula complicated with recurrent Crohn's disease at the site of previous ileocolonic anastomosis: report of a case.

A duodenal fistula complicated with Crohn's disease may present a difficult management problem. We herein report the case of a 22-year-old woman who developed a colo-ileo-duodenocutaneous fistula with recurrent disease at the ileotransverse anastomosis. The patient had previously undergone an ileoascending colectomy for Crohn's disease. Preoperative colonoscopy did not reveal any evidence of intrinsic duodenal Crohn's disease. Symptomatology was obstructive and a consequence of associated ileocolic lesions. The patient underwent a resection of the diseased bowel including the duodenal component of the fistula. Surgery included a simple closure of the duodenal defect with both omental pedicle graft wrapping and decompression of the duodenum via a gastrostomy tube. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. The duodenal fistula was successfully cured. Our experience demonstrates that duodenal fistulas may be successfully treated when the duodenum is not involved with intrinsic Crohn's disease. Such treatment consists of a resection of the diseased bowel segment and a primary simple closure of the duodenal defect.

Polymorphism in the thymidylate synthase promoter enhancer region is not an efficacious marker for tumor sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil-based oral adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is the target enzyme of 5-fluoropyrimidines. The TS gene promoter enhancer region (TSER) possesses tandem, repeated, regulatory sequences that are polymorphic in humans. This polymorphism has been reported to influence TS expression in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we assessed whether or not the TSER genotype is an efficacious marker for tumor sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based oral adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. One hundred and thirty-five Japanese patients who received curative resection and 5-FU-based oral adjuvant chemotherapy were studied. TSER genotypes of the tumors were analyzed by PCR. The numbers of repeated sequences of representative bands were determined by direct sequence. The genotypes of two-/two-repeats (TSER 2/2), two-/three-repeats (TSER 2/3), three-/three-repeats (TSER 3/3), and three-/five-repeats (TSER 3/5) were found in 11 (8.1%), 32 (23.7%), 85 (63.0%), and 7 (5.2%) tumors, respectively. Patients were classified into two groups: TSER 2/2 or 2/3 group; and the TSER 3/3 group. The relationship between the TSER genotype group and disease-free intervals was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Five-year disease-free survivals of the TSER 2/2 or 2/3 group and the TSER 3/3 group were 77% and 75%, respectively (P = 0.89). Multivariate analysis revealed that stage was the only independent prognostic factor and that the TSER genotype did not have a prognostic significance (hazard ratio for TSER 3/3, 0.91; P = 0.84). In conclusion, TSER genotype is not an efficacious marker for tumor sensitivity to 5-FU-based oral adjuvant chemotherapy for Japanese colorectal cancer patients after curative resection.

Fibrosis and inflammatory activity in noncancerous tissue and mitotic index of cancer tissue in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: relationship to clinicopathological factors and prognosis after hepatic resection.

This study was designed to provide a histopathological analysis focusing on fibrosis (staging) and necroinflammatory reaction (grading, hepatitis activity index: HAI) in noncancerous liver tissue, and mitotic index (MI) in cancerous liver tissue to predict prognosis in 81 patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of grade 2/3 and higher HAI was higher in patients with viral hepatitis C. The incidence of grade 2/3 was associated with vascular invasion of HCC, postoperative liver dysfunction, and cancer recurrence. Higher MI (> or = 5) was significantly associated with vascular invasion, poor histological differentiation, and recurrence rate (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that higher grade was the factor strongly associated with cancer recurrence (odds ratio: 10.621, P = 0.006). Higher MI correlated with overall patient survival (P < 0.05) by univariate analysis. Grading and MI are the useful prognostic markers for predicting tumor recurrence and patient survival.

The relationship between circulating interleukin-6 and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify whether or not preoperative serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) correlate with well-established prognostic variables (serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), stage, histological grade, lymphatic and venous invasion) in colorectal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum levels of IL-6 and CEA were determined in 62 patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer. The patients were divided into two groups based on a selected cut-off value: high and low IL-6 and CEA groups. RESULTS: The median serum level of IL-6 in colorectal cancer patients was significantly higher than the median level in normal controls (p = 0.0014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high serum level of CEA is an independent predictor for a high serum level of IL-6 (odds ratio, 4.10; p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: A high serum level of IL-6 is significantly associated with a high serum level of CEA in preoperative colorectal cancer patients.

Distal intramural spread is an independent prognostic factor for distant metastasis and poor outcome in patients with rectal cancer: a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic value of distal intramural spread of tumor for survival and recurrence in patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: Microscopic distal intramural spread was examined in 134 consecutive specimens of resected rectal cancer. Correlations among distal intramural spread, established clinicopathologic factors, and patients' prognoses were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. American Joint Committee on Cancer classification and stage groupings were used for tumor assessment. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (24.6%) had distal intramural spread. Multivariate logistical regression analysis revealed that T3/T4 and M1 were independent predictive variables for the presence of distal intramural spread. Patients with distal intramural spread had a shorter disease-specific or disease-free survival time after curative surgery than those without distal intramural spread (P =.0003 and P =.0006, respectively). Most patients with distal intramural spread developed distant recurrence. Cox's regression with multiple covariates showed that distal intramural spread is an independent factor in predicting distant recurrence and worse outcomes after curative surgery in patients with rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Distal intramural spread is an independent risk factor for distant metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with rectal cancer.