Propensity score-matched analysis of the short-term outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The advantages of robot-assisted rectal surgery (RARS) over conventional laparoscope-assisted rectal surgery (LARS) remain controversial. This study was performed to compare the short-term outcomes of RARS and LARS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 207 patients who had undergone either RARS (n = 97) or LARS (n = 110) for rectal cancer (RC) from 2018 to 2020. A 1:1 matched propensity score-matched analysis was performed and the surgical outcomes of the two groups compared. RESULTS: After matching, a well-balanced cohort of 136 patients was analyzed (n = 68 in each group), and there was no significant difference in the median operative time. The RARS group had less intraoperative blood loss than the LARS group. There were no significant differences in length of postoperative hospital stay or complication rate between the two groups. In the subgroup of lower RC, defined as the inferior edge of the tumor being within the rectum distal to the peritoneal reflection, the rate of sphincter preservation was higher in the RARS group (81.8% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: This study shows that RARS is a safe and feasible approach for RC compared with LARS, RARS having the advantage of more often preserving the sphincter.

Preoperative predictors of extended resection in patients with complicated acute appendicitis undergoing surgery.

Background : Appendectomy can be challenging and occasionally converted to extensive resection for complicated appendicitis. However, optimal treatment strategies can be developed using preoperative risk assessment. Thus, we aimed to investigate the preoperative predictors of extensive resection in complicated appendicitis patients undergoing surgery. Materials and methods : In total, 173 complicated appendicitis patients undergoing surgery between 2014 and 2019 were classified into the appendectomy (n = 153) or extensive resection (n = 20) groups. Clinicopathological factors and surgical outcomes were compared between groups. Results : Extensive resection was performed in 20 of 173 complicated appendicitis patients (11.5%). The rates of having defects in the wall structure at the appendix root on computed tomography images were significantly higher, and the duration from onset to surgery was significantly longer in the extensive resection group. Significant differences were found in operative duration, blood loss and postoperative hospitalization, but none in the incidence of postoperative complications between groups. Multivariate analyses showed that defects in the wall structure at the appendix root and five days or longer from onset were identified as independent predictors of extensive resection. Conclusions : Defects in the wall structure at the appendix root and five days or longer from onset predict extensive resection performance in complicated appendicitis patients. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 334-341, August, 2021.

Effects of chemotherapy on quality of life and night-time sleep of colon cancer patients.

Background : The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life (QOL) and night-time sleep disturbance in colon cancer patients with middle risk chemotherapy for proper antiemetic therapy. Methods : The study enrolled 139 patients with colorectal cancer. All patients received oxaliplatin or irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Patients completed a questionnaire about chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance was checked, and the relationship between sleep disturbance and nausea was analyzed. Results : The prevalence of nausea was 48.9% (68 / 139). The degree of the nausea was slight / moderate / severe in 51 / 11 / 6 patients, and 12 patients had vomiting. Appetite showed no change / slightly decreased / half / one-fourth / none in 51 / 34 / 33 / 6 / 7 patients. There were significant differences in the mental component summary (MCS) score and the role-social component score (RCS). (MCS : nausea(+) vs nausea(-) 46.4 ±â€…1.1 vs 54.1 ±â€…1.1 p < 0.01 RCS : nausea(+) vs nausea(-) 33.1 ±â€…2.1 vs 41.6 ±â€…2.1 p < 0.01). Using the MCS with a cut-off score of 50, patients were divided into two groups, and nausea was significantly correlated with a low MCS score. Furthermore, patients were divided into two groups using a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index cut-off score of 6, and sleep disturbance was correlated with old age and second-line chemotherapy. Conclusions : Nausea affects QOL and night-time sleep of colon cancer patients with middle risk chemotherapy. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 338-342, August, 2020.

A case report of tuberculous peritonitis in rectal cancer diagnosed by staging laparoscopy and post-treatment status at laparoscopic low-anterior resection.

An 87-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with early rectal cancer and massive ascites. Tuberculous peritonitis was suspected because positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed high uptake in the hypertrophic peritoneum. A staging laparoscopy was performed and the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis was established from inspection of histopathological biopsy specimens showing tiny white nodules on the peritoneum, Langhans giant cells, and epithelioid cell granulomas. Tuberculosis bacterium was also detected from this tissue. After 4 months' treatment for tuberculous peritonitis, laparoscopy assisted low-anterior resection was performed. Laparoscopy was used to assess the status of tuberculous peritonitis from before to after treatment, and treatment for rectal cancer was instituted.

Prediction of response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy and establishment of individualized therapy in advanced rectal cancer.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has become the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, no specific biomarker has been identified to predict a response to preoperative CRT. The aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression patterns of patients with advanced rectal cancer to predict their responses to preoperative CRT. Fifty-nine rectal cancer patients were subjected to preoperative CRT. Patients were randomly assigned to receive CRT with tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1 group, n=30) or tegafur-uracil (UFT group, n=29). Gene expression changes were studied with cDNA and miRNA microarray. The association between gene expression and response to CRT was evaluated. cDNA microarray showed that 184 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the responders and the non­responders in the S-1 group. Comparatively, 193 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the responders in the UFT group. TBX18 upregulation was common to both groups whereas BTNL8, LOC375010, ADH1B, HRASLS2, LOC284232, GCNT3 and ALDH1A2 were significantly differentially lower in both groups when compared with the non-responders. Using miRNA microarray, we found that 7 and 16 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the responders and non-responders in the S-1 and UFT groups, respectively. miR-223 was significantly higher in the responders in the S-1 group and tended to be higher in the responders in the UFT group. The present study identified several genes likely to be useful for establishing individualized therapies for patients with rectal cancer.

microRNA expression is able to predict response to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

Although global microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns of several embryologic, physiological and oncogenic processes have been thoroughly studied, no studies are available on the role of miRNAs in pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in rectal cancer. This study aimed to delineate the expression pattern of miRNAs for the prediction of response to CRT in rectal cancer. Rectal cancer patients (n=43), who underwent pre-operative CRT (40 Gy radiotherapy combined with S-1), were studied. RNA harvested from rectal cancer biopsy specimens prior to pre-operative CRT was hybridized to miRNA microarrays (821 genes). The response to CRT was evaluated by histopathological examination of surgically resected specimens, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and downstaging. The data of miRNA microarray were evaluated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two miRNAs (miR-142-3p, 223) with an increased expression that correctly differentiated responders from non-responders to CRT were identified by histopathological examination. One gene (miR-223) showed a higher, while 8 genes (miR-20b, miR-92a, let-7a*, miR-20a, miR-17*, miR-106a, miR-17 and miR-20a*) a lower expression in responders compared to nonresponders, with regard to RECIST. The 3 genes (miR-223, miR-630 and miR-126*) had a higher expression in responders compared to non-responders, with regard to downstaging. The real-time RT-PCR evaluation analysis detected a higher miR-223 level in responders compared to non-responders. Consequently, candidate miR-223 may be a new biomarker for the prediction of response to CRT and may be useful when establishing tailor-made therapies for rectal cancer.

Short-term results of laparoscopic surgery after preoperative chemoradiation for clinically staged T3 and T4 rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for clinically staged T3 and T4 rectal cancer has not been clearly defined specifically in cases following preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery after preoperative CRT for clinically staged T3 and T4 rectal cancer. METHODS: Between May 2003 and June 2009, 57 patients (T3: n = 50, T4: n = 7) who underwent preoperative CRT for rectal cancer were identified. Forty-three patients with laparoscopic surgery (Lap group) were compared with 14 patients who underwent open surgery (Open group). Perioperative data including postoperative morbidity were assessed between the two groups. RESULTS: All patients underwent complete laparoscopic operations, and none was converted to laparotomy. Operating time was longer in the Open group (331 vs 375 min, P < 0.01). Blood loss was lower in the Lap group (160 vs 316 mL, P < 0.01). Lymph node harvest and morbidity rate were similar in both groups. The distal tumor margin was negative in all patients. No patients had perioperative mortality associated with surgery after CRT. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery after preoperative CRT is a feasible and a safe option for T3 and T4 rectal cancer compared to conventional open surgery.