The impact of boost radiation therapy after hysterectomy on cervical cancer patients with close or positive resection margins.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of boost radiation therapy (RT) in addition to whole pelvis RT (WPRT) on treatment outcome and safety of cervical cancer patients following hysterectomy with close/positive resection margins (RM). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients with cervical cancer who received WPRT with or without boost-RT as adjuvant treatment between July 2006 and June 2022. Twenty patients (39.2%) were treated with WPRT-alone, and 31 (60.8%) received boost-RT after WPRT using brachytherapy or intensity-modulated RT. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 41 months. According to RT modality, the 4-year local control (LC) and locoregional control (LRC) rates of patients treated with WPRT-alone were 61% and 61%, respectively, whereas those in LC and LRC rates in patients who underwent WPRT with boost-RT were 93.2% and 75.3%, with p-values equal to 0.005 and 0.090, respectively. Seven patients (35.0%) had local recurrence in the WPRT-treated group compared to only two out of the 31 patients (6.5%) in the WPRT with boost-RT-treated counterparts (p = 0.025). Boost-RT was a significantly good prognostic factor for LC (p = 0.013) and LRC (p = 0.013). Boost-RT did not result in statistically-significant improvements in progression-free survival or overall survival. The acute and late toxicity rates were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Boost RT following WPRT is a safe and effective treatment strategy to improve LC without increasing toxicity in patients with cervical cancer with close/positive RM after hysterectomy.

Pelvic diameter is not associated with positive circumferential resection margin in rectal cancer: retrospective analysis of 78 cases

Objective: To identify if there is an association between pelvic entry and pelvic outlet diameters with increased positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) in rectal cancer. Introduction: Positive CRMin rectalcancerisa majorpredictor forlocal anddistant recurrence. Pelvic diameters may be related to the difficulty of dissection, as well as intrinsic tumor characteristics such as tumor size, location, distance from the anal margin, and T stage, which may compromise the integrity of the mesorectum and circumferential margin involvement. Methods: A retrospective review of the patient's medical records who underwent surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma from January 2012 to June 2022 was performed. The patient's preoperative staging, operative characteristics, and histopathologic outcomes were gathered from the medical records. Preoperative MRI scanning was done in all patients. MRI pelvimetry was done by two observers. CRM involvement was recorded as stated in the pathology report. Pelvimetry variables were dichotomized according to their mean values for correlation analysis. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated from a binary logistics regression model to assess the relation between the positive CRM and the independent variables. Results: A total of 78 patients were included in this study. A positive CRM was reported in 10 patients (12.8%). BMI >27.4 + 6.6 (p = 0.02), positive extramural vascular invasion (p = 0.027), positive CRM by MRI scanning (p = 0.004), and anal sphincter involvement (p = 0.03) were associated with positive CRM. Pelvimetry values were not associated with a positive CRM. Conclusion: No association was found between the pelvic diameters measured by MRI pelvimetry with a positive CRM. (AU)

Analysis of survival and clinicopathological characteristics in patients after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases according to resection margin.

BACKGROUND: Criteria for resectability of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) have been expanded over the last decade along with the improvement in chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the differences in several clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) between patients who underwent an R0 (tumour margin > 1 mm) or R1 (margin < 1 mm) resection. METHOD: Retrospective study including 144 patients with CRLM who underwent a potentially curative liver surgery between 2010 and 2018. Patients are classified according to their surgical margin status (R0 or R1). OS and 17 clinicopathological variables are compared. RESULTS: Both groups are similar and comparable in all the studied variables: age (p = 0.158), sex (p = 0.675), ASA (p = 0.502), tumour location (p = 0.793), tumoral stadium (p = 0.280), post-colectomy chemotherapy (p = 0.664), CRLM synchronicity (p = 0.983) and location (p = 0.078), CEA at diagnosis (p = 0.735), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.403), minor/major hepatectomy (p = 0.415), post-operatory complications (p = 0.822) and mortality (p = 0.535), average hospital stay (p = 0.960), post-operative chemotherapy (p = 0.791) and re-hepatectomy (p = 0.530). No significant differences are found in OS a 1, 3 and 5 years (p = 0.160) between patients with R0 and R1 resection. CONCLUSIONS: We consider indicated hepatectomy in any patient with resectable CRLM in whom an R0 resection can be achieved maintaining an adequate hepatic reserve, regardless of the final microscopic resection margin status.

ANTECEDENTES: El avance en oncología ha contribuido a ampliar las indicaciones quirúrgicas de las metástasis hepáticas (MH) del carcinoma colorrectal (CCR). OBJETIVO: Analizar las diferencias en la supervivencia global (SG) y en determinadas características clinicopatológicas entre pacientes con resección R0 (margen tumoral > 1 mm) y R1 (margen < 1 mm). MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo con 144 pacientes con MH de CCR intervenidos con intención curativa entre 2010 y 2018, divididos en dos grupos en función del margen de resección (R0 y R1). Se comparan la SG y 17 características clinicopatológicas. RESULTADOS: Ambos grupos son homogéneos y comparables en todas las variables estudiadas: edad (p = 0.158), sexo (p = 0.675), ASA (p = 0.502), localización del CCR (p = 0.793), estadio tumoral (p = 0.280), quimioterapia (QT) adyuvante poscolectomía (p = 0.664), sincronicidad (p = 0.983) y localización (p = 0.078) de las MH, CEA al diagnóstico (p = 0.735), QT neoadyuvante (p = 0.403), hepatectomía mayor/menor (p = 0.415), complicaciones (p = 0.822) y mortalidad posoperatorias (p = 0.535), estancia media (p = 0.960), QT adyuvante poshepatectomía (p = 0.791) y nueva hepatectomía (p = 0.530). Tampoco se observaron diferencias significativas en la SG a 1, 3 y 5 años (p = 0.160) entre pacientes con resección R0 y R1. CONCLUSIONES: Consideramos indicada la hepatectomía en pacientes con MH resecables con posibilidad de conseguir resecciones R0 manteniendo suficiente remanente hepático, independientemente de la afectación microscópica final del margen tumoral.

Prognostic role of resection margin in open oncologic laryngeal surgery: survival analysis of a cohort of 139 patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma / Papel prognóstico da margem de ressecção em cirurgia oncológica aberta de laringe: análise de sobrevida de uma coorte de 139 pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas

Abstract Introduction: The treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma needs accurate risk stratification, in order to choose the most suitable therapy. The prognostic significance of resection margin is still highly debated, considering the contradictory results obtained in several studies regarding the survival rate of patients with a positive resection margin. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic role of resection margin in terms of survival and risk of recurrence of primary tumour through survival analysis. Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, 139 patients affected by laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent partial or total laryngectomy and were followed for mean of 59.44 ± 28.65 months. Resection margin status and other variables such as sex, age, tumour grading, pT, pN, surgical technique adopted, and post-operative radio- and/or chemotherapy were investigated as prognostic factors. Results: 45.32% of patients underwent total laryngectomy, while the remaining subjects in the cohort underwent partial laryngectomy. Resection margins in 73.39% of samples were free of disease, while in 21 patients (15.1%) anatomo-pathological evaluation found one of the margins to be close; in 16 subjects (11.51%) an involved resection margin was found. Only 6 patients (4.31%) had a recurrence, which occurred in 83.33% of these patients within the first year of follow-up. Disease specific survival was 99.24% after 1 year, 92.4% after 3 years, and 85.91% at 5 years. The multivariate analysis of all covariates showed an increased mortality rate only with regard to pN (HR = 5.043; p = 0.015) and recurrence (HR = 11.586; p = 0.012). Resection margin did not result an independent predictor (HR = 0.757; p = 0.653). Conclusions: Our study did not recognize resection margin as an independent prognostic factor; most previously published papers lack unanimous, methodological choices, and the cohorts of patients analyzed are not easy to compare. To reach a unanimous agreement regarding the prognostic value of resection margins, it would be necessary to carry out meta-analyses on studies sharing definition of resection margin, methodology and post-operative therapeutic choices.

Resumo Introdução: O tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas de laringe necessita de uma estratificação precisa do risco, para a escolha da terapia mais adequada. O significado prognóstico da margem de ressecção ainda é motivo de debate, considerando-se os resultados contraditórios obtidos em vários estudos sobre a taxa de sobrevida de pacientes com margem de ressecção positiva. Objetivo: Avaliar o papel prognóstico da margem de ressecção em termos de sobrevida e risco de recorrência de tumor primário através da análise de sobrevida. Método: Entre 2007 e 2014, 139 pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas de laringe foram submetidos à laringectomia parcial ou total e foram acompanhados por um tempo médio de 59,44 ± 28,65 meses. O status de margem de ressecção e outras variáveis, como sexo, idade, grau do tumor, pT, pN, técnica cirúrgica adotada e radio- e/ou quimioterapia pós-operatória, foram investigados como fatores prognósticos. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 45,32% foram submetidos à laringectomia total, enquanto os demais foram submetidos à laringectomia parcial. As margens de ressecção em 73,39% das amostras estavam livres, enquanto em 21 pacientes (15,1%) a avaliação anatomopatológica encontrou uma das margens próxima e 16 indivíduos (11,51%) apresentaram margem de ressecção comprometida. Apenas seis pacientes (4,31%) apresentaram recidiva, o que ocorreu em 83,33% desses pacientes no primeiro ano de seguimento. A sobrevida doença-específica foi de 99,24% em um ano, 92,4% em três anos e 85,91% em cinco anos. A análise multivariada de todas as covariáveis mostrou um aumento na taxa de mortalidade apenas em relação à pN (HR = 5,043; p = 0,015) e recidiva (HR = 11,586; p = 0,012). A margem de ressecção não demonstrou ser um preditor independente (HR = 0,757; p = 0,653). Conclusões: Nosso estudo não identificou a margem de ressecção como fator prognóstico independente; a maioria dos artigos publicados anteriormente não tem escolhas metodológicas unânimes e as coortes de pacientes analisados não são fáceis de comparar. Para chegar a uma concordância unânime em relação ao valor prognóstico da margem de ressecção, seria necessário fazer metanálises em estudos que compartilham a definição da margem de ressecção, metodologia e escolhas terapêuticas pós-operatórias.

Prognostic role of resection margin in open oncologic laryngeal surgery: survival analysis of a cohort of 139 patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma needs accurate risk stratification, in order to choose the most suitable therapy. The prognostic significance of resection margin is still highly debated, considering the contradictory results obtained in several studies regarding the survival rate of patients with a positive resection margin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic role of resection margin in terms of survival and risk of recurrence of primary tumour through survival analysis. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2014, 139 patients affected by laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent partial or total laryngectomy and were followed for mean of 59.44±28.65 months. Resection margin status and other variables such as sex, age, tumour grading, pT, pN, surgical technique adopted, and post-operative radio- and/or chemotherapy were investigated as prognostic factors. RESULTS: 45.32% of patients underwent total laryngectomy, while the remaining subjects in the cohort underwent partial laryngectomy. Resection margins in 73.39% of samples were free of disease, while in 21 patients (15.1%) anatomo-pathological evaluation found one of the margins to be close; in 16 subjects (11.51%) an involved resection margin was found. Only 6 patients (4.31%) had a recurrence, which occurred in 83.33% of these patients within the first year of follow-up. Disease specific survival was 99.24% after 1 year, 92.4% after 3 years, and 85.91% at 5 years. The multivariate analysis of all covariates showed an increased mortality rate only with regard to pN (HR=5.043; p=0.015) and recurrence (HR=11.586; p=0.012). Resection margin did not result an independent predictor (HR=0.757; p=0.653). CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not recognize resection margin as an independent prognostic factor; most previously published papers lack unanimous, methodological choices, and the cohorts of patients analyzed are not easy to compare. To reach a unanimous agreement regarding the prognostic value of resection margins, it would be necessary to carry out meta-analyses on studies sharing definition of resection margin, methodology and post-operative therapeutic choices.

Proteomic assessment of colorectal cancers and respective resection margins from patients of the Amazon state of Brazil.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in the world with a low survival rate and therapeutic efficiency. Tumor surgery implies the removal of an apparently non-tumorous tissue around the tumor in an attempt to reduce recurrence chances; this tissue is referred to as the resection margin. Our analysis employed an 8-plex iTRAQ to label four adenocarcinoma biopsies and their corresponding resection margins at 5cm; our results disclose fifty-six proteins as being differentially abundant. These proteins are mainly involved in energetic metabolism (e.g. S100 calcium binding protein A11), cell migration (e.g. transgelin), formation of the cytoskeleton (e.g. profilin 1) and degradation of extracellular matrix (e.g. carbonic anhydrase 2). A gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed several proteins related to adhesion, invasion, metastasis, death, and recognition cell. Taken together, our results highlight proteins related to invasion, cell proliferation, and linked to the metastasis of colorectal cancer in tumor tissue. Finally, we argue that the expression patterns revealed in our comparison helps shed light on the development of more effective surgical strategies and add to the comprehension of this disease. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in the world with a low survival rate and therapeutic efficiency. Tumor surgery implies the removal of an apparently non-tumorous tissue around the tumor in an attempt to reduce recurrence chances; this tissue is also referred to as the resection margin. In this regard, resection margins pose as a treasure trove for investigating the molecular characteristics of the tumorigenesis process. While most studies focus on comparing cancer versus control tissue, this study contrasts the proteomic profiles of colorectal cancer biopsies with their corresponding resection margin at 5cm apart. Our analysis employed an 8-plex iTRAQ labeling and a 4-step offline MudPIT online with a Velos. A gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed several proteins related to adhesion, invasion, metastasis, death, and recognition cell.

Resonancia magnética de alta resolución en el cáncer de recto / High-Resolution MRI in Rectal Cancer

La Resonancia Magnética de alta resolución (RM AR) es el mejor método para demostrar la relación del tumor rectal con el potencial margen circunferencial de resección quirúrgico. Por esta razón es considerada en la actualidad el método de elección en la estadificación local del cáncer de recto. La cirugía primaria del cáncer rectal es la escisión total del mesorrecto (ETM), cuyo plano de disección está formado por la fascia mesorrectal que envuelve la grasa del mesorrecto y al recto. Esta fascia es la que determinará el margen circunferencial de resección (MCR). Asu vez, la RM AR permite una adecuada identificación preoperatoria de importantes factores pronósticos de riesgo, mejorando la selección e indicación de la terapia para cada paciente. Esta información incluye, además del MCR, la estadificación tumoral y ganglionar, la invasión vascular extramural y la descripción de tumores de recto inferior. Todos ellos deberán ser descriptos minuciosamente en el informe, siendo parte importante de la discusión en el equipo multidisciplinario (EMD), ámbito en el cual se tomarán las decisiones que involucren al paciente con cáncer de recto. El objetivo de este trabajo es aportar la información necesaria para entender el uso de la RM AR en la identificación de los factores pronósticos de riesgo en el cáncer de recto. Se describirán los requerimientos técnicos para la realización de este estudio y el informe estandarizado, como así también los reparos anatómicos de importancia para la ETM, que como hemos dicho es la cirugía de elección en el cáncer de recto.

High-resolution MRI is the best method of assessing therelation of the rectal tumor with the potential circumferentialresection margin (CRM). Therefore it is currently considered the method of choice for local staging of rectal cancer. The primary surgery of rectal cancer is total mesorectal excision (TME), which plane of dissection is formed by the mesorectal fascia surrounding mesorectal fat and rectum. This fascia will determine the circumferential margin of resection. At the same time, high resolution MRI allows adequate pre-operative identification of important prognostic risk factors, improving the selection and indication of therapy for each patient. This information includes, besides the circumferential margin of resection, tumor and lymph node staging, extramural vascular invasion and the description of lower rectal tumors. All these should be described in detail in the report, being part of the discussion in the multidisciplinary team, the place where the decisions involving the patient with rectal cancer will take place. The aim of this study is to provide the information necessary to understand the use of high resolution MRI in the identification of prognostic risk factors in rectal cancer. The technical requirements and standardized report for this study will be describe, as well as the anatomical landmarks of importance for the total mesorectal excision (TME), as we have said is the surgery of choice for rectal cancer .

Valor de la resonancia magnética en la evaluación del compromiso del margen de resección circunferencial en pacientes con cáncer rectal / Value of the magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) in patients with rectal cancer

Propósito: Determinar si la RM puede predecir el compromiso tumoral del margen de resección circunferencial (MRC) en pacientes con cáncer de recto. Material y Métodos: Entre abril del 2005 y marzo del 2008, se evaluaron por resonancia magnética (RM), en forma consecutiva, 70 pacientes (40 M y 30 H, edad promedio de 64 años, rango de 34-78 años), con diagnóstico endoscópico y por biopsia de cáncer rectal inferior o medio. Se realizó una RM sin contraste E.V. en un equipo Siemens Avanto 1.5T, con bobina phase array de superficie. Se efectuaron secuencias con cortes finos ponderadas en T2 (TR¬-TE 4200-88, espesor de 3mm, gap 0, matriz de 256 x 256, FOV de 150x150 mm) en los planos axial, sagital y coronal. Los pacientes recibieron un enema rectal de 150 ml de glicerina previo al examen. No se realizó insuflación colónica ni administración de antiespasmódicos. Se midió la distancia más corta desde el borde del tumor hasta el MRC. Una distancia ≤ 2 mm en el plano axial se consideró como compromiso del MRC. Resultados: El MRC fue ≤ 2 mm tanto por RM como por anatomía patológica en 26 pacientes. En 8 casos, el MRC fue menor por RM que por anatomía patológica. En 32 pacientes el MRC estaba respetado por ambas metodologías diagnósticas y 4 pacientes fueron considerados positivos para compromiso del MRC en histología pero negativos por RM. La sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo de la RM para el compromiso tumoral del MRC fue de 86%, 80%, 76% y 88% respectivamente. Conclusión: La RM brinda información confiable del compromiso tumoral del MRC en pacientes con cáncer rectal, aportando una ayuda en la evaluación de este factor pronóstico de riesgo en pacientes previo al tratamiento quirúrgico.

Purpose: To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict tumor involvement of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) in patients with rectal cancer. Materials and methods: Between april 2005 and march 2008, 70 consecutive patients (mean age 64, range 34-78 years), 40 F and 30 M, with endoscopy and biopsy- proven middle and lower rectal cancer. Non contrast enhanced MRI was performed on a Siemens Avanto 1.5 T. A phased array coil was used and T2 weighted thin section sequences (TR/TE 4200/88, slice thickness 3mm, gap 0, matrix 256 x 256, field of view 150 x 150 mm) were performed in axial, sagittal and coronal orientations. Patients received a 150 ml glycerin enema before examination. No air insufflations or intramuscular antispasmodic was used. The shortest distance from the tumor edge to the circumferential margin was measured. A distance ≤ 2 mm, analyzed in axial slices, was considered as definition of circumferential margin involvement. Results: The CRM was 2 mm in both MRI and histopathological findings in 26 patients. In 8 cases the CRM was shorter on MRI than in histopathological sections. In 32 patients the CRM was respected in both exams and 4 patients were considered positive on histopathological findings but negative in MRI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for prediction of tumor involvement of CRM were 86%, 80%, 76% and 88%, respectively. Conclusions: MRI gives reliable information on tumor involvement of the CRM in patients with rectal cancer. This may provide accurate identification of an important prognostic risk factor in patients prior to surgical treatment.