Association of Delayed Surgery With Oncologic Long-term Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Not Responding to Preoperative Chemoradiation

Future direction of total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

Despite therapeutic advancements, disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer have not improved in most trials as a result of distant metastases. For treatment decision-making, both long-term oncologic outcomes and impact on quality-of-life indices should be considered (for example, bowel function). Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), comprised of chemotherapy and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, is now a standard treatment approach in patients with features of high-risk disease to prevent local recurrence and distant metastases. In selected patients who have a clinical complete response, subsequent surgery might be avoided through non-operative management, but patients who do not respond to TNT have a poor prognosis. Refined molecular characterization might help to predict which patients would benefit from TNT and non-operative management. Specifically, integrated analysis of spatiotemporal multi-omics using artificial intelligence and machine learning is promising. Three prospective trials of TNT and non-operative management in Japan, the USA and Germany are collaborating to better understand drivers of response to TNT. Here, we address the future direction for TNT.

Treatment-related adverse events, including fatal toxicities, in patients with solid tumours receiving neoadjuvant and adjuvant immune checkpoint blockade: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Incorporating immune checkpoint blockade into perioperative cancer therapy has improved clinical outcomes. However, the safety of immune checkpoint blockade needs better evaluation, given the chances of more prolonged disease-free survival. We aimed to assess how adding immune checkpoint blockade to perioperative therapy affects treatment-related adverse events.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from database inception until Aug 8, 2023, for randomised controlled trials that assessed the addition of immune checkpoint blockade to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy for cancer, reported treatment-related deaths, and had a design in which the experimental group assessed immune checkpoint blockade in combination with the therapy used in the control group. Meta-analysis was done to pool odds ratios (ORs) of treatment-related deaths, any grade and grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events, serious adverse events, and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation. The protocol is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022343741.

FINDINGS

28 randomised controlled trials with 16 976 patients were included. The addition of immune checkpoint blockade was not significantly associated with increased treatment-related deaths (OR 1·76, 95% CI 0·95-3·25; p=0·073), consistent across immune checkpoint blockade subtype (I2=0%). 40 fatal toxicities were identified across 9864 patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade, with pneumonitis being the most common (six [15·0%]); 13 fatal toxicities occurred among 7112 patients who were not treated with immune checkpoint blockade. The addition of immune checkpoint blockade increased the incidence of grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (OR 2·73, 95% CI 1·98-3·76; p<0·0001), adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (3·67, 2·45-5·51; p<0·0001), and treatment-related adverse events of any grade (2·60 [1·88-3·61], p<0·0001). The immune checkpoint blockade versus placebo design primarily used as adjuvant therapy was associated with increased incidence of treatment-related deaths (4·02, 1·04-15·63; p=0·044) and grade 3-4 adverse events (5·31, 3·08-9·15; p<0·0001), whereas the addition of immune checkpoint blockade in the neoadjuvant setting was not associated with increased incidence of treatment-related death (1·11, 95% CI 0·38-3·29; p=0·84) or grade 3-4 adverse events (1·17, 0·90-1·51; p=0·23).

INTERPRETATION

The addition of immune checkpoint blockade to perioperative therapy was associated with an increase in grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation. These findings provide safety insights for further clinical trials assessing neoadjuvant or adjuvant immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Clinicians should closely monitor patients for treatment-related adverse events to prevent treatment discontinuations and morbidity from these therapies in earlier-stage settings.

FUNDING

None.

Total neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: the evidence and expectations

Current management of locally advanced rectal cancer achieves high cure rates, distant metastatic spread being the main cause of patients' death. Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) employs (chemo)radiotherapy and combined chemotherapy prior to surgery to improve the treatment outcomes. TNT has been shown to reduce significantly distant metastases, increase disease-free survival by 5 - 10% in 3 years, and finally also overall survival (≈ 5% in 7 years). It proved to double the rate of pathologic complete responses, making it an attractive strategy for non-operative management to avoid permanent colostomy in patients with distal tumors. In addition, it endorses adherence to the therapy due to better tolerance and, potentially, shortens its overall duration. A number of questions related to TNT remain currently unresolved including the indications, preferred radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens, their sequence, timing of surgery, and role of adjuvant therapy. A stratified approach may be the optimal way to go.

Analysis of prognostic factors in different grades of histologic differentiation in colorectal cancer patients receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and establishment of prognostic nomograms for moderately differentiated grade

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze the differences in independent prognostic factors of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with different grades of histologic differentiation of colorectal cancer (CRC) who received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and to establish a nomogram for predicting postoperative survival based on moderately differentiated CRC.

METHODS

We analyzed CRC patients from the SEER database who received NAC before operation between 2010 and 2015. The Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn to describe the differences in CSS and OS of CRC patients with different histologic grades of differentiation. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent prognostic factors. Nomograms were established to predict CSS and OS at 3 and 5 years by integrating independent prognostic factors. The calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and C-index were used to verify nomograms.

RESULTS

A total of 6481 patients with CRC who received preoperative NAC were included in this study. Patients with different grades of histologic differentiation had significant differences in CSS and OS (P < 0.001), and the independent prognostic factors of different grades of histologic differentiation showed heterogeneity. In patients with moderately differentiated grade CRC, the independent prognostic factors for CSS and OS were age, race, marital status, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level before treatment, site of primary tumor, histologic type, pT stage, pN stage, liver metastasis, and lung metastasis. Nomograms were established based on the independent prognostic factors of moderately differentiated grade CRC, and its calibration curves, area under the curve (AUC), and C-index showed good prediction accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

The independent prognostic factors of CSS and OS are different in patients with different grades of histologic differentiation of CRC who received NAC before the operation. Nomograms can be used to predict the survival of patients with moderately differentiated grade CRC who received preoperative NAC and to assist clinicians in making clinical decisions.

Size and depth of residual tumor after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer - implications for the development of new imaging modalities for response assessment

With the shift towards organ preserving treatment strategies in rectal cancer it has become increasingly important to accurately discriminate between a complete and good clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Standard of care imaging techniques such as CT and MRI are well equipped for initial staging of rectal tumors, but discrimination between a good clinical and complete response remains difficult due to their limited ability to detect small residual vital tumor fragments. To identify new promising imaging techniques that could fill this gap, it is crucial to know the size and invasion depth of residual vital tumor tissue since this determines the requirements with regard to the resolution and imaging depth of potential new optical imaging techniques. We analyzed 198 pathology slides from 30 rectal cancer patients with a Mandard tumor regression grade 2 or 3 after CRT that underwent surgery. For each patient we determined response pattern, size of the largest vital tumor fragment or bulk and the shortest distance from the vital tumor to the luminal surface. The response pattern was shrinkage in 14 patients and fragmentation in 16 patients. For both groups combined, the largest vital tumor fragment per patient was smaller than 1mm for 38% of patients, below 0.2mm for 12% of patients and for one patient as small as 0.06mm. For 29% of patients the vital tumor remnant was present within the first 0.01mm from the luminal surface and for 87% within 0.5mm. Our results explain why it is difficult to differentiate between a good clinical and complete response in rectal cancer patients using endoscopy and MRI, since in many patients submillimeter tumor fragments remain below the luminal surface. To detect residual vital tumor tissue in all patients included in this study a technique with a spatial resolution of 0.06mm and an imaging depth of 8.9mm would have been required. Optical imaging techniques offer the possibility of detecting majority of these cases due to the potential of both high-resolution imaging and enhanced contrast between tissue types. These techniques could thus serve as a complimentary tool to conventional methods for rectal cancer response assessment.

Delays to surgery following chemoradiotherapy lead to poorer oncologic outcomes in patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

although neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and surgery are accepted as treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), some authors have highlighted the risks of delaying surgery. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of prolonging the time interval between NCRT and surgery (NCRT-TTS) in PDAC.

METHODS

patients treated with NCRT and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) were identified. Clinical, histopathological variables were analyzed about whether NCRT-TTS was greater or less than 50 days. Five- and ten-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed depending on whether the delay was greater than 50 days or not.

RESULTS

one hundred (8.3 %) of 120 eligible patients underwent PD (61 male, median age of 63.7 years). In 71 (71 %) patients, the median NCRT-TTS was 39 (24-50) days and in 29 (29 %) 61 days. There were no differences between the two groups except for carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels, the incidence of cholangitis, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, intraoperative blood transfusions and degree of histopathologic response (all p < 0.001). Median DFS when the NCRT-TTS was less than 50 days was higher than when the interval exceeded 50 days (51.0 months [95 % CI: 20.3-81.6] vs 17.0 months [95 %: CI 10.9-23.0]; HR [95 % CI 1.08-3.46], p = 0.026). Five-year DFS was higher in the subgroup with NCRT-TTS of less than 50 days compared to the group with an interval of more than 50 days (43.5 % vs 23.65 % [HR 1.812, 95 % CI: 1.001-3.280], p = 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

an increase in the NCRT-TTS > 50 days is associated with poorer OS and DFS in patients with localized PDAC treated with NCRT and PD.

Limits of Clinical Restaging in Detecting Responders After Neoadjuvant Therapies for Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Accurate clinical restaging is required to select patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer and who may benefit from an organ preservation strategy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the clinical restaging of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy to assess its accuracy in detecting major and pathological complete response to treatment.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

This study was conducted at 2 high-volume Italian centers for Colorectal Surgery.

PATIENTS

Data were included from all consecutive patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer from January 2012 to July 2020. Criteria to define clinical response were no palpable mass, a superficial ulcer <2 cm (major response), or no mucosal abnormality (complete response) at endoscopy and no metastatic nodes at MRI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of clinical restaging in detecting pathological complete response (ypT0) or major pathological response (ypT0-1) after neoadjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 333 patients were included; 81 (24.3%) had a complete response whereas 115 (34.5%) had a pathological major response. Accuracy for clinical complete response was 80.8% and for major clinical response was 72.9%. Sensitivity was low for both clinical complete response (37.5%) in detecting ypT0 and clinical major response (59.3%) in detecting ypT0-1. Positive predictive value was 68.2% for ypT0 and 60.4% for ypT0-1.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitation of the study its retrospective nature.

CONCLUSION

Accuracy of actual clinical criteria to define pathological complete response or pathological major response is poor. Failure to achieve good sensitivity and precision is a major limiting factor in the clinical setting. Current clinical assessments need to be revised to account for indications for rectal preservation after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C63 .

LMITES DE LA REESTADIFICACIN CLNICA EN LA DETECCIN DE RESPONDEDORES DESPUS DE TERAPIAS NEOADYUVANTES PARA EL CNCER DE RECTO

ANTECEDENTES:Se requiere una nueva reestadificación clínica precisa para seleccionar pacientes que respondan a la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante para el cáncer de recto localmente avanzado y que puedan beneficiarse de una estrategia de preservación de órganos.OBJETIVO:El propósito de este estudio fue revisar nuestra experiencia con la reestadificación clínica del cáncer de recto después de la terapia neoadyuvante para evaluar su precisión en la detección de una respuesta patológica importante y completa al tratamiento.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.AJUSTE:Este estudio se realizó en dos centros italianos de alto volumen para cirugía colorrectal.PACIENTES:Incluimos datos de todos los pacientes consecutivos que se sometieron a terapia neoadyuvante y cirugía por cáncer de recto localmente avanzado desde enero de 2012 hasta julio de 2020. Los criterios para definir la respuesta clínica fueron ausencia de masa palpable, úlcera superficial <2 cm (respuesta mayor) o ausencia de anomalías en la mucosa. (respuesta completa) en la endoscopia, y sin ganglios metastásicos en la resonancia magnética.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Exploramos la sensibilidad, la especificidad, los valores predictivos positivos y negativos de la reestadificación clínica para detectar una respuesta patológica completa (ypT0) o mayor (ypT0-1) después de la terapia neoadyuvante.RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron 333 pacientes; 81 (24,3%) tuvieron una respuesta completa mientras que 115 (34,5%) tuvieron una respuesta patológica mayor. La precisión de la respuesta clínica completa y la respuesta clínica importante fue del 80,8 % y el 72,9 %, respectivamente. La sensibilidad fue baja tanto para la respuesta clínica completa (37,5 %) en la detección de ypT0 como para la respuesta clínica mayor (59,3 %) en la detección de ypT0-1. El valor predictivo positivo fue del 68,2 % para ypT0 y del 60,4 % para ypT0-1.LIMITACIONES:Nuestro estudio tiene como principal limitación su carácter retrospectivo.CONCLUSIÓNES:La precisión de los criterios clínicos reales para definir una respuesta patológica completa o mayor es pobre. El hecho de no lograr una buena sensibilidad y precisión es un factor limitante importante en el entorno clínico. La indicación para la preservación rectal después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante necesita una mejora de la evaluación clínica actual. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/C63 . (Traducción-Dr. Mauricio Santamaria ).

Radiomics from Mesorectal Blood Vessels and Lymph Nodes: A Novel Prognostic Predictor for Rectal Cancer with Neoadjuvant Therapy

The objective of our study is to investigate the predictive value of various combinations of radiomic features from intratumoral and different peritumoral regions of interest (ROIs) for achieving a good pathological response (pGR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This retrospective study was conducted using data from LARC patients who underwent nCRT between 2013 and 2021. Patients were divided into training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 4:1. Intratumoral ROIs (ROI_ITU) were segmented on T2-weighted imaging, while peritumoral ROIs were segmented using two methods: ROI_{PTU_2mm}, ROI_{PTU_4mm}, and ROI_{PTU_6mm}, obtained by dilating the boundary of ROI_ITU by 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm, respectively; and ROI_{MR_F} and ROI_{MR_BVLN}, obtained by separating the fat and blood vessels + lymph nodes in the mesorectum. After feature extraction and selection, 12 logistic regression models were established using radiomics features derived from different ROIs or ROI combinations, and five-fold cross-validation was performed. The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the models. The study included 209 patients, consisting of 118 pGR and 91 non-pGR patients. The model that integrated ROI_ITU and ROI_{MR_BVLN} features demonstrated the highest predictive ability, with an AUC (95% confidence interval) of 0.936 (0.904-0.972) in the training cohort and 0.859 (0.745-0.974) in the validation cohort. This model outperformed models that utilized ROI_ITU alone (AUC = 0.779), ROI_{MR_BVLN} alone (AUC = 0.758), and other models. The radscore derived from the optimal model can predict the treatment response and prognosis after nCRT. Our findings validated that the integration of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomic features, especially those associated with mesorectal blood vessels and lymph nodes, serves as a potent predictor of pGR to nCRT in patients with LARC. Pending further corroboration in future research, these insights could provide novel imaging markers for refining therapeutic strategies.

Determining the optimal interval between neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and surgery in rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

In locally advanced rectal cancer, the optimal interval between completion of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RT-ChT) and surgical resection remains unclear due to contradictory data on the benefits of extending this interval. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to determine the impact of this interval on outcomes in patients treated for rectal cancer at our center.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 382 consecutive patients treated for stage II/III rectal cancer between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. We evaluated four different cut-off points (56, 63, 70, and 77 days) to determine which had the greatest impact on treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

The median time between completion of RT-ChT and surgery was 67.2 days (range, 28-294). Intervals > 8 weeks (56 days) were associated with worse therapeutic outcomes. Specifically, an interval ≥ 77 days was associated with a significant decrease in overall survival (OS; 84% vs. 70%; p = 0.004), which is why we selected this interval for the comparative analysis. Several outcome variables were significantly better in the short interval (< 77 days) group, including margin involvement (5.2% vs. 13.9%; p = 0.01), sphincter preservation (78% vs. 59.3%; p = 0.003), and distant dissemination (22.6% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.04). No significant between-group differences were found in complete/nearly complete response rates (19.2% vs. 24.4%; p = 0.3). Time to surgery was statistically significant on both the univariate and multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that surgery should not be delayed more than 8 weeks (56 days) after neoadjuvant treatment. An interval > 8 weeks should only be considered in patients who demonstrate a good response to neoadjuvant RT-ChT.

Restaging rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Correct tumour restaging is pivotal for identifying the most personalised surgical treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, and works to avoid both poor oncological outcome and overtreatment. Digital rectal examination, endoscopy, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging are the recommended modalities for local tumour restaging, while chest and abdominal computed tomography are utilised for the assessment of distant disease. The optimal length of time between neoadjuvant treatment and restaging, in terms of both oncological safety and clinical effectiveness of treatment, remains unclear, especially for patients receiving prolonged total neoadjuvant therapy. The timely identification of patients who are radioresistant and at risk of disease progression remains challenging.

Selecting a TNT Schedule in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Can We Predict Who Actually Benefits?

Many consider the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) to be preoperative chemoradiotherapy, radical surgery involving a total mesorectal excision, and post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy based on the pathology of the specimen. The poor impact on distant control is a major limitation of this strategy, with metastasis rates remaining in the 25-35% range and recovery after radical surgery leading to reluctance with prescription and inconsistent patient compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy. A second limitation is the low rate of pathologic complete response (pCR) (around 10-15%) despite multiple efforts to potentiate preoperative chemoradiation regimens, which in turn means it is less effective at achieving non-operative management (NOM). Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) is a pragmatic approach to solving these problems by introducing systemic chemotherapy at an early timepoint. Enthusiasm for delivering TNT for patients with LARC is increasing in light of the results of published randomized phase III trials, which show a doubling of the pCR rate and a significant reduction in the risk of subsequent metastases. However, there has been no demonstrated improvement in quality of life or overall survival. A plethora of potential chemotherapy schedules are available around the radiotherapy component, which include preoperative induction or consolidation with a range of options (FOLFOXIRI, FOLFOX, or CAPEOX,) and a varying duration of 6-18 weeks, prior to long course chemoradiation (LCCRT) or consolidation NACT following short-course preoperative radiation therapy (SCPRT) using 5 × 5 Gy or LCCRT using 45-60 Gy, respectively. The need to maintain optimal local control is a further important factor, and preliminary data appear to indicate that the RT schedule remains a crucial issue, especially in more advanced tumors, i.e., mesorectal fascia (MRF) invasion. Thus, there is no consensus as to the optimum combination, sequence, or duration of TNT. The selection of patients most likely to benefit is challenging, as clear-cut criteria to individuate patients benefiting from TNT are lacking. In this narrative review, we examine if there are any necessary or sufficient criteria for the use of TNT. We explore potential selection for the individual and their concerns with a generalized use of this strategy.

Watch and Wait Approach for Rectal Cancer

The administration of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by total mesorrectal excision (TME) and selective use of adjuvant chemotherapy can still be considered the standard of care in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, avoiding sequelae of TME and entering a narrow follow-up program of watch and wait (W&W), in select cases that achieve a comparable clinical complete response (cCR) to nCRT, is now very attractive to both patients and clinicians. Many advances based on well-designed studies and long-term data coming from big multicenter cohorts have drawn some important conclusions and warnings regarding this strategy. In order to safely implement W&W, it is important consider proper selection of cases, best treatment options, surveillance strategy and the attitudes towards near complete responses or even tumor regrowth. The present review offers a comprehensive overview of W&W strategy from its origins to the most current literature, from a practical point of view focused on daily clinical practice, without losing sight of the most important future prospects in this area.

Time to surgery does not affect oncologic outcomes in locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

Aim: The authors conducted a meta-analysis to determine the association between time-to-surgery (TTS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and patient outcomes in locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify potential studies, in which the authors compared patient outcomes between those with TTS within 4 (and 6) weeks of completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those after 4 (and 6) weeks. Results: Six studies, including 1238 patients, were eligible for inclusion. Pooled data showed no significant differences in rates of pathological complete response, major pathological response, ypN0, complications, R0 resection and operative time between groups of longer TTS and shorter TTS. Conclusion: There was no statistically advantageous impact of prolonged TTS on pathological and surgical outcomes. Large, population-based studies are warranted.

The impact of delaying surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health care systems, leading many jurisdictions to reduce surgeries to create capacity (beds and staff) to care for the surge of patients with COVID-19; little is known about the impact of this on patients whose surgery was delayed. The objective of this study was to understand the patient and family/caregiver perspective of having a surgery delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Using an interpretative descriptive approach, we conducted interviews between Sept. 20 and Oct. 8, 2021. Adult patients who had their surgery delayed or cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada, and their family/caregivers were eligible to participate. Trained interviewers conducted semistructured interviews, which were iteratively analyzed by 2 independent reviewers using an inductive approach to thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

We conducted 16 interviews with 15 patients and 1 family member/caregiver, ranging from 27 to 75 years of age, with a variety of surgical procedures delayed. We identified 4 interconnected themes: individual-level impacts on physical and mental health, family and friends, work and quality of life; system-level factors related to health care resources, communication and perceived accountability within the system; unique issues related to COVID-19 (maintaining health and isolation); and uncertainty about health and timing of surgery.

INTERPRETATION

Although the decision to delay nonurgent surgeries was made to manage the strain on health care systems, our study illustrates the consequences of these decisions, which were diffuse and consequential. The findings of this study highlight the need to develop and adopt strategies to mitigate the burden of waiting for surgery during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A prognostic nomogram for stage II/III rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection

Background

The purpose of this study was to develop a large population-based nomogram incorporating the log odds of positive nodes (LODDS) for predicting the overall survival (OS) of stage II/III rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by surgical resection.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to collect information on patients diagnosed with stage II/III rectal cancer between 2010 and 2015 and treated with NCRT followed by surgical resection. The Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the independent prognostic factors. In this study, LODDS was employed instead of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th N stage to determine lymph node status. Then a nomogram integrating independent prognostic factors was developed to predict the 24-, 36-, and 60-month overall survival. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves were used to validate the nomogram. Furthermore, patients were stratified into three risk groups (high-, middle-, and low-risk) based on the total points obtained from the nomogram. And Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to compare the OS of the three groups.

Results

A total of 3829 patients were included in the study. Race, sex, age, marital status, T stage, tumor grade, tumor size, LODDS, CEA level, and postoperative chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors, based on which the prognostic nomogram was developed. The area under curve values of the nomogram for the 24-, 36-, and 60-month OS in the training cohort were 0.736, 0.720, and 0.688, respectively; and 0.691, 0.696, and 0.694 in the validation cohort, respectively. In both the validation and training cohorts, the calibration curves showed a high degree of consistency between actual and nomogram-predicted survival rates. The Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the three risk groups had significant differences in overall survival (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A large population-based nomogram incorporating LODDS was developed to assist in evaluating the prognosis of stage II/III rectal cancer patients treated with NCRT followed by surgical resection. The nomogram showed a satisfactorily discriminative and stable ability to predict the OS for those patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-022-01710-z.

Could Stoma Be Avoided after Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer? Experience with Transanal Tube in 195 Cases

Anastomotic leakage is the most-feared complication of rectal surgery. Transanal devices have been suggested for anastomotic protection as an alternative to defunctioning stoma, although evidence is conflicting, and no single device is widely used in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the safety and efficacy of a transanal tube for the prevention of leakage following laparoscopic rectal cancer resection. A transanal tube was used in the cases of total mesorectal excision with low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis, undamaged doughnuts, and negative intraoperative air-leak test. The transanal tube was kept in place until the seventh postoperative day. A total of 195 consecutive patients were retrieved from a prospective surgical database and included in the study. Of these, 71.8% received preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The perioperative mortality rate was 1.0%. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 19 patients, accounting for an incidence rate of 9.7%. Among these, 13 patients underwent re-laparoscopy and ileostomy, while 6 patients were managed conservatively. Overall, the stoma rate was 6.7%. The use of a transanal tube may be a suitable strategy for anastomotic protection following restorative rectal cancer resection. This approach could avoid the burden of a stoma in selected patients with low anastomoses.