Lymphatic spread patterns in young versus elderly patients with stage III colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: The anatomical pattern of lymph nodes spread differs between young (aged 45 years or younger) and elderly (aged 80 years or older) patients with stage III colon cancer and is poorly investigated. METHODS: Two groups of patients (young and elderly) with stage III colon cancer who underwent upfront extensive (D3) lymphadenectomy at eight Japanese centres between 1998 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of positive central lymph nodes. The lymph nodes spreading pattern and its prognostic impact on recurrence-free survival and overall survival in the two groups were also compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten young patients and 348 elderly patients were identified and compared. The total number of lymph nodes harvested and the total number of invaded lymph nodes were significantly higher in younger patients compared with elderly patients (median of 31.5 (3-151) versus 21 (3-116), P < 0.001 and median of 3 (1-21) versus 2 (1-25), P < 0.001 respectively). The proportion of positive central lymph nodes were higher in younger patients than in elderly patients (9.52% (95% c.i. 6.24 to 14.2%) versus 4.59% (95% c.i. 2.84 to 7.31%), P = 0.012). In multivariate models for recurrence-free survival, central lymph nodes invasion were identified as a poor prognostic factor in younger patients (HR 5.21 (95% c.i. 1.76 to 15.39)) but not in elderly patients (HR 1.73 (95% c.i. 0.80 to 3.76)). CONCLUSION: Young patients with stage III colon cancer have a higher risk of central lymph nodes invasion, suggesting a more aggressive disease biology. The presence of central lymph nodes invasion are associated with a worse outcome in young patients.

Plasma Angiogenic Factors as Predictors of the Efficacy of Second-line Chemotherapy Combined with Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results From the GI-SCREEN CRC-Ukit Study.

BACKGROUND: The significance of angiogenic factors as predictors of second-line (2L) chemotherapy efficacy when combined with angiogenesis inhibitors for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains unestablished. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter prospective observational study, 17 angiogenic factors were analyzed in plasma samples collected at pretreatment and progression stages using a Luminex multiplex assay. Patients who received chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (BEV group), FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab (RAM group), or FOLFIRI plus aflibercept (AFL group) as the 2L treatment were included. Interactions between pretreatment and treatment groups for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and response rate (RR) were assessed using the propensity-score weighted Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: From February 2018 to September 2020, 283 patients were analyzed in the 2L cohort. A strong interaction was observed for PFS between BEV and RAM with HGF, sNeuropilin-1, sVEGFR-1, and sVEGFR-3. Interactions for RR between the BEV and RAM groups were observed for sNeuropilin-1 and sVEGFR-1. Contrarily, OS, PlGF, sVEGFR-1, and sVEGFR-3 differentiated the treatment effect between BEV and AFL. Plasma samples were evaluable for dynamic analysis in 203 patients. At progression, VEGF-A levels significantly decreased in the BEV group and increased in the RAM and AFL groups. CONCLUSION: The pretreatment plasma sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-3 levels could be predictive biomarkers for distinguishing BEV and RAM when combined with chemotherapy in 2L mCRC treatment. Based on the VEGF-A dynamics at progression, selecting RAM or AFL for patients with significantly elevated VEGF-A levels may be a 2L treatment strategy, with BEV considered for the third-line treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: UMIN000028616.

Comparison of Oncological and Perioperative Outcomes Between Self-Expanding Metal Stents and Decompression Tubes for Stages II and III Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: A bridge to surgery (BTS) using self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) is becoming the primary treatment for obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC). In Japan, intestinal decompression was usually performed using decompression tubes (DTs). However, few reports have compared the outcomes of SEMS and DTs as BTS. Therefore, we compared the treatment outcomes of SEMS and DTs for OCRC. METHODS: Data of 80 patients who underwent radical resection after endoscopic decompression for stage II or III OCRC between 2007 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received SEMS (n = 53) or DTs (n = 27). RESULTS: The clinical success rate of decompression was 96.2% and 88.9% in the SEMS and DT groups, respectively. Additionally, 96.2% of patients who received SEMS were able to resume their routine diet without stricture symptoms. The rate of stoma construction and incidence of postoperative complications were lower in the SEMS group (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively). The 3-year relapse-free survival rates were 71.9% and 51.2% in the SEMS and DT groups, respectively, which were not significantly different (p = 0.10). CONCLUSION: BTS using SEMS might be an adequate treatment for stage II or III OCRC regardless of tumor location owing to the comparable oncological outcomes with DT and low perioperative complication rate.

Long-term results of a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with molecularly targeted agents for locally advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Here, we report the results of a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional, prospective phase 2 study of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with molecularly targeted agents before undergoing total mesorectal excision. Six cycles of modified FOLFOX (mFOLFOX6) with bevacizumab were administered to KRAS-mutant patients, and mFOLFOX6 with cetuximab was administered to KRAS-wild-type patients. Here, we report the secondary end points of overall survival, relapse-free survival, and local recurrence rate. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled in this study. R0 resection was achieved in 98.3% (59/60) patients, and pathological complete response was achieved in 16.7% (10/60) patients. After a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the 5 year overall survival was 81.6%, the 5 year relapse-free survival was 71.7%, and the 5 year local recurrence rate was 12.6%. None of the patients who achieved pathological complete response developed recurrence within 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The use of molecularly targeted agents in the neoadjuvant setting for locally advanced rectal cancer has an acceptable prognosis.

[A Case of Surgically Treated Primary Anorectal Malignant Melanoma Detected by Colorectal Cancer Screening].

Anorectal malignant melanoma(AMM)is a relatively rare disease with an extremely poor prognosis. We experienced a case of this disease detected by colorectal cancer screening and report it here with a literature review. Our 67-year-old female patient was referred to the Department of Gastroenterology at our hospital for a thorough examination of the gastrointestinal tract after an abnormal fecal occult blood count(+/+ on 2 occasions)was noted during a colorectal cancer screening. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a small easily bleeding lesion near the anal verge for which endoscopic mucosal resection was performed. A histopathological examination revealed a primary malignant melanoma of the rectum, and the patient underwent abdominoperineal rectal amputation. According to the rules for the treatment of T1b (1,200 µm), N0, P0, H0, M(-), StageⅠ, Cur A colorectal cancer. A histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed no remnant tumor cells. About 2 years have passed since the surgery, and the patient is still alive without recurrence. Considering its characteristics, patients with AMM will require further careful follow-up. Here we summarize our experience diagnosing and treating a case of early-stage AMM.

Impact of postoperative complications after primary tumor resection on survival in patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: Primary tumor resection for patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer can prevent tumor-related complications but may cause postoperative complications. Postoperative complications delay the administration of chemotherapy and can lead to the spread of malignancy. However, the impact of postoperative complications after primary tumor resection on survival in patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how postoperative complications after primary tumor resection affect survival in this patient group. METHODS: We reviewed data on 966 patients with stage IV colorectal cancer who underwent palliative primary tumor resection between January 2006 and December 2007. We examined the association between major complications (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 grade 3 or more) and overall survival using Cox proportional hazard model and explored risk factors associated with major complications using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients (9.6%) had major complications. The 2-year overall survival rate was 32.7% in the group with major complications and 50.3% in the group with no major complications. Patients with major complications had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without major complications (hazard ratio: 1.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-2.18; P < .01). Male, rectal tumor, and open surgery were identified to be risk factors for major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications after primary tumor resection was associated with decreased long-term survival in patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer.

The impact of molecular profile on the lymphatic spread pattern in stage III colon cancer.

The anatomical spread of lymph node (LN) metastasis is of practical importance in the surgical management of colon cancer (CC). We examined the effect of KRAS, BRAF, and microsatellite instability (MSI) on LN count and anatomical spread pattern in stage III CC. We determined KRAS, BRAF, and MSI status from stage III CC patients. Biomarker status was correlated with LN count and anatomical spread pattern, which was classified as sequential or skipped. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method, and correlations were assessed using log-rank and Cox regression analyses. We analyzed 369 stage III CC patients. The proportion of KRAS mutant (mt), BRAF mt, and MSI-high (H) were 44.2% (163/344), 6.8% (25/344), and 6.8% (25/344), respectively. The mean number of metastatic LN was higher in microsatellite-stable (MSS) compared with MSI patients (3.5 vs. 2.7, P = .0406), although no differences were observed in accordance with KRAS or BRAF status. Interestingly, patients with BRAF mt and MSI-H were less likely to harbor skipped metastatic LN (9.3% vs 20% and 4% vs 10.5% compared with BRAF wild-type (wt) and MSS, respectively), but KRAS status did not predict anatomical spread pattern. Patients with KRAS wt and MSI-H showed superior RFS compared with KRAS mt and MSS patients, respectively, whereas BRAF status did not affect RFS. Differences exist in the anatomical pattern of invaded LN in accordance with the molecular status of stage III CC. Patients with MSI-H CC have less invaded and skipped LN, suggesting that a tailored surgical approach is possible.

Changes in the sexual function of male patients with rectal cancer over a 2-year period from diagnosis to 24-month follow-up: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to identify long-term changes in sexual function of men with rectal cancer from point of diagnosis to 24 months postoperatively. METHODS: Male patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were prospectively enrolled. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire scores were collected at diagnosis; first follow-up; and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Missing values were managed via multiple imputations using the propensity score method. Paired t tests were applied to examine changes in IIEF scores over time. RESULTS: This study analyzed 115 patients. For erectile function, there were no significant changes in scores from the point of diagnosis to first treatment (9.4 vs. 9.8 as mean scores; p = .227). Scores deteriorated postoperatively and recovered until 12 months post-surgery, but did not improve significantly from 12 months to 24 months post-surgery (8.7 vs. 8.2 as mean scores; p = .440). This pattern of change was observed in all other domains: orgasmic function, sexual desire, orgasmic satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual function was not influenced by a rectal cancer diagnosis. Sexual function deteriorated following surgery and recovered until 12 months post-surgery; however, it did not significantly improve from 12 months to 24 months postoperatively.

A new monitoring tool CLIP test for progression of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: A multicenter prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a common adverse events that can limit a patient's quality of life during/after chemotherapy. However, no appropriate methods have been established yet for monitoring the risk of progression of OIPN. METHODS: A simple assessment tool using gem clips, the CLIP test, was established and its performance in predicting the risk of progression to ≥grade 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy (CTCAE ver. 4.0) was investigated in patients receiving chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. RESULTS: Among 101 patients included in this study, 71 patients developed CTCAE ≥grade 1 peripheral neuropathy (grade 1, n = 67; grade 2, n = 4) at a median of 63 (range, 14-259) days after the start of treatment. Of the 67 patients with grade 1 peripheral neuropathy, 17 showed progression to ≥grade 2 neuropathy after a median interval of 84 (range, 21-246) days. Of these patients, 27 showed a positive result of the CLIP test at a median of 91 (range, 14-224) days, excluding one patient who already showed a positive result of the test at the baseline. Therefore, the risk ratio for the development of CTCAE ≥grade 2 peripheral neuropathy was 8.3 in the patients who showed a positive result on the CLIP test. Multivariate analysis confirmed that a positive results on the CLIP test was significantly correlated with the risk of future development of CTCAE ≥grade 2 peripheral neuropathy (odds ratio, 9.37; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: A positive result on the CLIP test predict is predictive of the risk of progression of OIPN during chemotherapy with oxaliplatin.

Conversion to complete resection with mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab or cetuximab based on K-RAS status for unresectable colorectal liver metastasis (BECK study): Long-term results of survival.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term outcome and entire treatment course of patients with technically unresectable CRLM who underwent conversion hepatectomy and to examine factors associated with conversion to hepatectomy. METHODS: Recurrence and survival data with long-term follow-up were analyzed in the cohort of a multi-institutional phase II trial for technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases (the BECK study). RESULTS: A total of 22/12 patients with K-RAS wild-type/mutant tumors were treated with mFOLFOX6 + cetuximab/bevacizumab. The conversion R0/1 hepatectomy rate was significantly higher in left-sided primary tumors than in right-sided tumors (75.0% vs 30.0%, P = .022). The median follow-up was 72.6 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in the entire cohort was 48.1%. In patients who underwent R0/1 hepatectomy (n = 21), the 5-year RFS rate and OS rate were 19.1% and 66.3%, respectively. At the final follow-up, seven patients had no evidence of disease, five were alive with disease, and 20 had died from their original cancer. All 16 patients who achieved 5-year survival underwent conversion hepatectomy, and 11 of them underwent further resection for other recurrences (median: 2, range: 1-4). CONCLUSIONS: Conversion hepatectomy achieved a similar long-term survival to the results of previous studies in initially resectable patients, although many of them experienced several post-hepatectomy recurrences. Left-sided primary was found to be the predictor for conversion hepatectomy.

Evaluation of FOLFOX or CAPOX reintroduction with or without bevacizumab in relapsed colorectal cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin as adjuvant chemotherapy (REACT study).

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy in relapsed colorectal cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin as adjuvant chemotherapy is under debate. REACT study aimed to investigate the efficacy of reintroducing modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) or CAPOX with or without bevacizumab in recurrent colorectal cancer patients after oxaliplatin adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients that participated in this trial had a medical history of adjuvant chemotherapy, including oxaliplatin with a cumulative dose greater than 400 mg/m2, and recurrence that was diagnosed more six months post adjuvant chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR), while key secondary endpoints were time to treatment failure (TTF), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were enrolled between October 2012 and October 2016. Of the 29 eligible patients, 7 received mFOLFOX6 and 22 received CAPOX. The RR was 62.1% (95% confidence interval 42.3-79.3) and the DCR was 82.8% (95% confidence interval 64.2-94.2). The RR for oxaliplatin-free interval was 100.0% in months 6-12 and 56.0% after 12 months. Median TTF, PFS, and OS were 6.3, 10.8, and 28.7 months, respectively. Grade 3 or worse peripheral sensory neuropathy developed in 6.5%. Allergic reactions occurred in 12.9% of the patients, with one (3.2%) grade 3 episode. There were no other severe treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Reintroduction of oxaliplatin was feasible and achieved high RR or DCR in patients after more than 6 months post oxaliplatin adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Retroperitoneal Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma with Metaplastic Bone Formation : A Case Report and Review of the Literature].

A 69-year-old female was introduced to our department for a retroperitoneal mass, 25 mm in diameter, in the right perirenal space indicated by computed tomography (CT). On the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma was suspected. Because she rejected surgical treatment, we continued imaging surveillance. Subsequently, the mass grew larger, but her intention did not change. At 21 months after initial consultation, CT revealed further increase of the above mass and a new lesion with calcification. Ultimately, she underwent mass resection with concomitant resection of the right kidney. Histological examination showed dedifferentiated liposarcoma with metaplastic bone formation and positive surgical margin, but she refused adjuvant chemotherapy. She has survived 7 months since the operation with no evidence of recurrence.

A Multicenter Clinical Phase II Study of FOLFOXIRI Plus Bevacizumab as First-line Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: QUATTRO Study.

BACKGROUND: FOLFOXIRI (Fluorouracil, folinate, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), compared with FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, folinate, and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab, but significantly increased the incidences of adverse events. The efficacy and safety profiles of FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab in ethnic Asian patients have not been established yet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was an open-label, single-arm, multi-centered phase II prospective clinical trial in patients with mCRC who received FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab. The primary endpoint was the PFS rate at 10 months. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate, and safety. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients received FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab as induction therapy and were assessed for efficacy and safety. The PFS rate at 10 months was 75.2% and the median PFS was 13.3 months. Complete response and partial response were achieved in 2 (2.9%) and 47 patients (69.1%), respectively. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events with incidence rates exceeding 20% were neutropenia (72.5%), hypertension (34.8%), leucopenia (33.3%), and febrile neutropenia (21.7%). Significantly more patients with grade 4 neutropenia had single-heterozygous UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 (46.2%) than UGT1A1 wild-type genotype (*1/*1) (13.3%) (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab is considered an effective first-line regimen that improves the outcome of patients with mCRC regardless of ethnicity. In Asian patients, utmost attention should be paid to the possible onset of severe neutropenia or febrile neutropenia attributed to different types of UGT1A1*6 and *28 polymorphism, when FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab is administered.

A Multicenter Phase 2 Study on the Feasibility and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Without Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This prospective multicenter phase 2 study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) without radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). METHODS: Patients with LARC (cStage II and III) were included in the study. Those with cT4b tumor were excluded. Six cycles of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) plus either bevacizumab or cetuximab, depending on KRAS status, were administered before surgery. The primary end point of the study was the R0 resection rate. The secondary end points were adverse effect, rate of NAC completion, postoperative complications, and pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. RESULTS: The study enrolled 60 patients from eight institutions. For the study, mFOLFOX6 was administered with cetuximab to 40 patients who had wild-type KRAS and with bevacizumab to 20 patients who had KRAS mutations. The completion rate for NAC was 88.4%. Sphincter-preserving surgery was performed for 43 patients and abdominoperineal resection for 17 patients. The median operation time was 335 min, and the median blood loss was 40 g. The R0 resection rate was 98.3%, and the pCR rate was 16.7%. The overall postoperative complication rate (≥grade 2) was 21.7%. The complications included anastomotic leakage (11.6%), surgical-site infection (6.7%), and urinary dysfunction (3.3%). The patients with wild-type KRAS did not differ significantly from those with KRAS mutations in terms of response rate, postoperative complication rate, and pCR rate. CONCLUSION: The findings show that NAC is a feasible and promising treatment option for LARC (This study is registered with UMIN-CTR, UMIN000005654).

Local control of sphincter-preserving procedures and abdominoperineal resection for locally advanced low rectal cancer: Propensity score matched analysis.

Sphincter-preserving procedures (SPPs) for surgical treatment of low-lying rectal tumors have advanced considerably. However, their oncological safety for locally advanced low rectal cancer compared with abdominoperineal resection (APR) is contentious. We retrospectively analyzed cohort data of 1500 consecutive patients who underwent elective resection for stage II-III rectal cancer between 2010 and 2011. Patients with tumors 2-5 cm from the anal verge and clinical stage T3-4 were eligible. Primary outcome was 3-year local recurrence rate, and confounding effects were minimized by propensity score matching. The study involved 794 patients (456 SPPs and 338 APR). Before matching, candidates for APR were more likely to have lower and advanced lesions, whereas SPPs were carried out more often following preoperative treatment, by laparoscopic approach, and at institutions with higher case volume. After matching, 398 patients (199 each for SPPs and APR) were included in the analysis sample. Postoperative morbidity was similar between the SPPs and APR groups (38% vs 39%; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.27). Margin involvement was present in eight patients in the SPPs group (one and seven at the distal and radial margins, respectively) and in 12 patients in the APR group. No difference in 3-year local recurrence rate was noted between the two groups (11% vs 14%; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.42-1.41). In this observational study, comparability was ensured by adjusting for possible confounding factors. Our results suggest that SPPs and APR for locally advanced low rectal cancer have demonstrably equivalent oncological local control.

Short- and long-term outcomes following laparoscopic palliative resection for patients with incurable, asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer: A multicenter study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective multicenter study compared short- and long-term results between Japanese patients with asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer who underwent palliative laparoscopic surgery (LS) versus those who underwent conventional open surgery (OS). METHODS: Among 968 patients treated for stage IV colorectal cancer from January 2006 to December 2007 in 41 surgical units that were participating in the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery group, we studied 398 patients who received palliative resection of their asymptomatic primary colorectal tumor. RESULTS: We analyzed data from patients undergoing LS (LS group, n=106) and OS (OS group, n=292). Fourteen (13.2%) LS group patients were converted to OS. Although the differences between groups for postoperative complications were not significant, the mean time to solid food intake and postoperative length of hospital stay for the LS group were significantly shorter than those for the OS group (2 vs. 3 days, p<0.0001; 13 vs. 16 days, p<0.0001, respectively). The LS group patients experienced a longer median survival time than that of the OS group (24.5 vs. 23.9 months, p=0.0357). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic palliative resection (LS) offers advantages for short-term outcomes and no disadvantages for long-term outcomes. The use of laparoscopic procedures to treat asymptomatic, incurable stage IV colorectal cancer appears to be acceptable.

Influence of previous abdominal surgery on surgical outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgery in elderly patients with colorectal cancer: subanalysis of a large multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the technical and oncological feasibility of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) in elderly patients with a history of abdominal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a propensity score-matched case-control study of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients aged ≥80 years that were treated at 41 hospitals between 2003 and 2007. We included 601 patients who had a history of abdominal surgery and underwent curative and elective surgery for stage 0 to III CRC. After the matching procedure, 153 patients were included in each cohort. The surgical outcomes of LAP and open surgery (OS) were compared. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: LAP resulted in a significantly longer surgical time (220 vs. 170 min, p < 0.001), but significantly less intraoperative blood loss (39 vs. 100 ml, p < 0.001). A number of postoperative recovery-related parameters, including the length of the hospitalization period (12 vs. 14 days, p = 0.002), and the days to the resumption of fluid (2 vs. 3 days, p < 0.001) and solid food intake (4 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001), were significantly better in the LAP group. Moreover, the overall morbidity rate (43 vs. 66 %, p = 0.009) and the frequency of postoperative ileus (7 vs. 19 %, p = 0.023) were significantly lower in the LAP group, while the frequencies of other morbidities did not differ significantly between the groups. In the survival analyses, overall survival and disease-free survival did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, LAP can be performed safely in elderly CRC patients with a history of abdominal surgery, and LAP resulted in a lower postoperative morbidity rate than OS.

Multi-institutional phase II study on the feasibility of liver resection following preoperative mFOLFOX6 therapy for resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancers.

BACKGROUND: Although liver resection combined with preoperative chemotherapy is expected to improve outcomes of patients with resectable colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), there is as yet insufficient clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of preoperative systemic chemotherapy. The aim of this phase II study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative FOLFOX systemic chemotherapy for patients with initially resectable CRLM. METHODS: A prospective multi-institutional phase II study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy for resectable CRLM (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number NCT00594529). Patients were scheduled to receive 6 cycles of mFOLFOX6 therapy before liver surgery. The primary endpoint was the macroscopic curative resection rate. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included in this study. Two patients who were diagnosed with hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma based on pathology were excluded from the analysis. More than half of the patients (57 %) had solitary liver metastasis. The completion rate of preoperative chemotherapy was 64.3 % and the response rate was 53.6 %. Two patients were unable to proceed to liver resections due to disease progression and severe postoperative complications following primary tumor resection. Macroscopic curative resection was obtained in 89.3 % of eligible patients. Postoperative mortality and severe complication (≥Gr. 3) rates were 0 and 11 %, respectively. The 3-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 81.9 and 47.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our phase II study demonstrated the feasibility of liver resection combined with preoperative mFOLFOX6 therapy in patients with initially resectable CRLM. Further study is warranted to address the oncological effects of preoperative chemotherapy.

Safety and usefulness of needle-guided resection of levator muscles in laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: During laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) for low rectal cancer, it is difficult to resect the levator muscles and remove a cylindrical specimen without venturing close to the rectal wall to ensure negative circumferential resection margins (CRM). To solve this problem, we developed a needle-guided, laparoscopic, abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) technique. AIM: To present the safety and superiority of our technique, "needle-guided LAPR". MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2015, we performed needle-guided LAPR in 5 patients. In brief, the procedure is performed as follows. After total mesorectum excision to the level of the levator muscles, a needle is inserted through the perineum from the dorsal side of the internal aspect of the anus toward the sacral tip. The levator muscles and fat tissue are resected laparoscopically by following the needle. After the levator muscles have been resected, the needle is followed in a similar manner to resect the specimen from the perineum, enabling easy access to the intra-abdominal space and removal of the specimen. No position change is required during the perineal operation or pelvic floor reconstruction. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years and 3 patients were male. There were no intraoperative complications or conversions to open surgery. The mean operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 319 min and 131 ml, respectively. All specimens were cylindrical in shape and had negative CRM. There were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Needle-guided LAPR was easily and safely performed to achieve accurate resection of the levator muscles. This technique could contribute to standardization of LAPR.

12-Gene Recurrence Score Assay Stratifies the Recurrence Risk in Stage II/III Colon Cancer With Surgery Alone: The SUNRISE Study.

PURPOSE: The 12-gene Recurrence Score assay has been validated in resected stage II colon cancer treated with or without chemotherapy and resected stage III disease treated with chemotherapy. This study evaluated the 12-gene Recurrence Score assay for stage II and III colon cancer without chemotherapy to reveal the natural course of recurrence risk in stage III disease. METHODS: A cohort-sampling design was used. From 1,487 consecutive patients with stage II to III disease who had surgery alone, 630 patients were sampled for inclusion with a 1:2 ratio of recurrence and nonrecurrence. Sampling was stratified by stage (II v III). The assay was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary cancer tissue. Association of the Recurrence Score result with recurrence-free interval (RFI) was assessed by using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Overall, 597 of 630 patients were analyzable-247 patients had stage II, and 350 had stage III colon cancer. The continuous Recurrence Score was significantly associated with RFI after adjustment for disease stage (hazard ratio for a 25-unit increase in Recurrence Score, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.47 to 2.86; P < .001). With respect to prespecified subgroups, as defined by low (< 30), intermediate (30 to 40), and high (≥ 41) Recurrence Score risk groups, patients with stage II disease in the high-risk group had a 5-year risk of recurrence similar to patients with stage IIIA to IIIB disease in the low-risk group (19% v 20%), whereas patients with stage IIIA to IIIB disease in the high-risk group had a recurrence risk similar to that of patients with stage IIIC disease in the low-risk group (approximately 38%). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study provides the first validation of the 12-gene Recurrence Score assay in stage III colon cancer without chemotherapy and showed the heterogeneity of recurrence risks in stage III as well as in stage II colon cancer.