Toxicity associated with adjuvant postoperative therapy for adenocarcinoma of the rectum

The use of molecular markers as a method to predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy for advanced stage rectal adenocarcinoma

AIM

The response to combined neoadjuvant therapy for advanced stage rectal adenocarcinoma is predictive of outcome. In addition to both clinical and pathological features, the expression of a variety of molecules may provide another method of identifying tumour responsiveness to pre-operative therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate several markers in the apoptotic pathway as well as expression of Cox-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to determine their ability to predict response to neoadjuvant therapy.

METHOD

In total, 152 patients with advanced rectal adenocarcinoma were treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by resection. Paraffin-embedded sections obtained before and after therapy were assessed by immunohistochemical staining for Cox-2, VEGF, p53, p21, p27, Bax, BCL-2 and apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 (APAF-1). These stains were correlated with tumour regression grade, complete pathological response and T-downstaging of the surgical specimen. Clinical and pathological data were also collected. Data were analysed using the χ2 and Spearman's correlation tests.

RESULTS

Pathological complete response was seen in 24.5% of patients. Amongst the apoptosis-associated markers, only APAF-1 expression was found to be significantly associated with tumour regression grade (P<0.001), complete pathological response (P<0.031) and T-downstaging (P<0.004). On multivariate analysis, APAF-1 expression was found to be independently associated with good tumour regression grade. In contrast, overexpression of Cox-2 and VEGF in pretreatment biopsies was related to less tumour regression (P<0.003) and less likelihood of T-downstaging (P<0.03).

CONCLUSION

Immunohistochemical evaluation of initial biopsy specimens of rectal cancer with APAF-1, Cox-2 and VEGF may predict tumour response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. Those with an expected limited response may be considered for other investigational neoadjuvant protocols.

Postoperative low pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy for stage II and III rectal cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether postoperative low pelvic radiotherapy (RT) combined with chemotherapy is an appropriate treatment for stage II and III rectal cancer.

METHODS

Between November 1997 and May 2006, 104 patients with stage II and III rectal cancer underwent surgery as the primary treatment followed by postoperative RT combined with chemotherapy in our institute and were reviewed retrospectively. Sixty-nine patients received low pelvic RT only (upper margin at 1 cm above the low end of the sacroiliac joint; median dose 54 Gy) (low pelvic RT group) and the other 35 patients received whole pelvic RT (upper margin at the mid L5; median dose 43.2 Gy) and subsequently received a boost to the low pelvis (total median dose 54 Gy) (whole pelvic RT group).

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate, local control rate, and distant metastasis-free rate were 72% versus 63%, 86% versus 84%, and 66% versus 62% for low pelvic versus whole pelvic RT group. There were no statistical differences in these 2 groups. Two patients (2.9%) of the low pelvic RT group and 2 patients (5.7%) of the whole pelvic RT group developed upper pelvis relapse, which was out of the low pelvic field. The incidence of Grade 3 to 5 small bowel late complications of the low pelvic RT group was significantly less than that of the whole pelvic RT group (4.3% vs. 20%) (P=0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Low pelvic RT significantly reduces small bowel late complications and does not compromise the overall survival rate, local control rate, and distant metastasis-free rate.

Helical Tomotherapy Significantly Reduces Dose to Normal Tissues When Compared to 3D-CRT for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Combined modality treatment (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery) for locally advanced rectal cancer requires special attention to various organs at risk (OAR). As a result, the use of conformal dose delivery methods has become more common in this disease setting. Helical tomotherapy is an image-guided intensity modulated delivery system that delivers dose in a fan-beam manner at 7 degree intervals around the patient and can potentially limit normal tissue from high dose radiation while adequately treating targets. In this study we dosimetrically compare helical tomotherapy to 3D-CRT for stage T3 rectal cancer. The helical tomotherapy plans were optimized in the TomoPlan system to achieve an equivalent uniform dose of 45 Gy for 10 patients with T3N0M0 disease that was at least 5cm from the anal verge. The GTV included the rectal thickening and mass evident on colonoscopy and CT scan as well as with the help of a colorectal surgeon. The CTV included the internal iliac, obturator, and pre-sacral lymphatic chains. The OAR that were outlined included the small bowel, pelvic bone marrow, femoral heads, and bladder. Anatom-e system was used to assist in delineating GTV, CTV and OAR. These 10 plans were then duplicated and optimized into 3-field 3D-CRT plans within the Pinnacle planning system. The V[45], V[40], V[30], V[20], V[10], and mean dose to the OAR were compared between the helical tomotherapy and 3D-CRT plans. Statistically significant differences were achieved in the doses to all OAR, including all volumes and means except for V[10] for the small bowel and the femoral heads. Adequate dosimetric coverage of targets were achieved with both helical tomotherapy and 3D-CRT. Helical tomotherapy reduces the volume of normal tissue receiving high-dose RT when compared to 3D-CRT treatment. Both modalities adequately dose the tumor. Clinical studies addressing the dosimetric benefits are on-going.

Patient assessment of bowel function during and after pelvic radiotherapy: results of a prospective phase III North Central Cancer Treatment Group clinical trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate patient assessment of long-term effect of pelvic radiotherapy on bowel function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

As part of a prospective randomized trial evaluating the impact of sucralfate on bowel function in patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy, patient-assessed bowel function data were collected during radiotherapy and again at 4 weeks and 1 year after completion of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The number of bowel movements per day increased up to week 4 and then slowly decreased. At 1 year, the mean number of bowel movements per day had increased from 1.75 to 2.09 and the median from 1 to 2. All measures of adverse bowel function worsened during radiotherapy. Frequency of bowel movements and symptoms of frequency, nocturnal bowel movements, cramping, and bleeding returned close to baseline values by 1 year. Symptoms of urgency, clustering, and measures of incontinence were all persistent at 1 year. The mean increase in bowel function score at 1 year was 0.74 (range, -5 to 7).

CONCLUSION

Pelvic radiotherapy is associated with a slight increase in bowel movement frequency and decrease in several patient-reported measures of adverse bowel function. Several measures of adverse function persisted at 1 year.

Analysis of Early Postoperative Morbidity Among Patients with Rectal Cancer Treated with and without Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The impact of neoadjuvant treatment and their subsequent early complications in the treatment of rectal cancer has not been adequately assessed. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate early postoperative morbidity and mortality among patients with rectal cancer treated with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery, compared with patients treated with surgery alone. We also identified independent risk factors associated with early major complications.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2004, 273 consecutive patients underwent treatment for rectal cancer. A total of 170 patients (group A) received preoperative radiotherapy with a total of 45-50.4 Gy (180 cGy per day) and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, followed by surgery; 103 patients (group B) were treated with surgery alone. Dependent variables related to patients, treatment, radiotherapy, and tumor were analyzed.

RESULTS

Both groups were similar with regard to age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and tumor location but not for ileostomy (27% in group A vs. 6.8% in group B). The number of complications was similar in both groups (43.1% in group A vs. 44.6% in group B). No differences in wound infection (8.2% vs. 7.8%), intra-abdominal abscess (4.7% vs. 4.9%), anastomotic dehiscence (4.2% vs. 3.8%), postoperative hemorrhage (3.5% vs. 3.9%), urinary complications (6.5% vs. 4.9%), paralytic ileus (8.9% vs. 9.7%), or general complications (7.1% vs. 9.6%) were found. The global mortality in the first 30 days after surgery was .7%. An ASA score of III-IV and surgery duration longer than 3 hours were identified as independent prognostic factors for early complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative chemoradiation in patients with rectal cancer treated with surgery is not associated with a higher incidence of early postoperative complications. The patient's preoperative clinical condition and lengthy surgery time are prognostic factors for early complications.

Advances in chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Gastroenterologists have a primary role in the management of colorectal cancer patients in that they frequently establish the diagnosis, direct or perform tumor staging evaluations, and initiate referrals for oncologic treatment. Several important advances have been made in the adjuvant treatment of colon and rectal cancers and in therapy of metastatic disease. These advances include the development of more effective combination chemotherapy regimens and molecularly targeted antibodies. These antibodies are directed against regulators of angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor) and tumor cell growth (epidermal growth factor receptor) and have been shown to enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy. In the treatment of localized rectal cancer, the integration of chemotherapy and radiation with surgery has resulted in neoadjuvant approaches that achieve improved tumor control, sphincter preservation, and reduce treatment-related toxicities. This review presents an update of the current approach to colon and rectal cancer treatment, highlighting recent chemotherapeutic advances in the management of these highly prevalent malignancies.

New concepts for phase I trials: evaluating new drugs combined with radiation therapy

The rationale for delivering concomitant chemoradiation is not only to increase tumor cell kill but also to achieve a synergistic effect of chemotherapy and radiation. Combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has yielded encouraging results in patients with locally advanced diseases. Our increased knowledge of cancer at the molecular level has transformed our understanding of tumor radiation resistance. Preclinical models have shown that several biologic agents designed to target specifically these molecular processes are radiosensitizing agents. Many of these agents are in the process of clinical evaluation with radiotherapy. The translation of these findings into the clinical setting will be feasible only if early phase I trials demonstrate their safety when combined with ionizing radiation. The combination of new drugs and radiation might not necessarily be equivalent to the toxicity of the new drug plus the usual toxicity of radiation. The doses and schedule to be explored for the new drug might vary from those assessed for the new drug alone. Inappropriate evaluation of a combination regimen can result in unjustified abandonment of a combination, or adoption of a regimen at toxic dose levels because of poor toxicity monitoring. Beside the 'in field' radiation dose-dependent symptoms, 'outside the field' symptoms that are not dose dependent might be identified. Specific and long-term clinical evaluation will be required to identify potentially harmful interactions. It will be necessary to rethink phase I strategies, toxicity endpoints, and trial designs and concepts in order to fully optimize these regimens.

Four Decades of Continuing Innovation With Fluorouracil: Current and Future Approaches to Fluorouracil Chemoradiation Therapy

Purpose

Chemoradiotherapy, the combination of external radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy, has been the basis for the oncologic management of many patients since its development in the 1960s. Fluorouracil (FU) chemoradiotherapy has demonstrated success in several organ sites with multiple dosing schedules that now guide the selection of oral analogs of FU to provide new chemoradiotherapy options.

Methods

This article reviews the metabolism and pharmacology of FU and the advantages of administration of FU by continuous infusion or bolus. The potential role and impact of the oral fluorouracil prodrugs UFT, S-1, BOF-A2, and capecitabine as replacements for intravenous administration are discussed. The results of recent chemoradiotherapy studies with FU from 2000 to 2003 are summarized in rectal, head and neck, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, biliary, anal, and cervical cancers.

Results

Chemoradiotherapy with FU has the potential to widen the therapeutic window by minimizing normal tissue toxicity while maintaining effective tumor toxicity. Overall, FU chemoradiotherapy maximizes local control and, for some tumor sites (such as head and neck, pancreatic, biliary, cervical, esophageal, and gastric cancers), improves survival rates. Moreover, FU chemoradiotherapy results in improved organ preservation with excellent functional outcome in several anatomic sites including head and neck cancer, anal, and rectal cancer, with improved sphincter preservation.

Conclusion

FU chemoradiotherapy continues to play an important role in the management of many cancer sites. During the last four decades, optimal dosing schedules have produced a therapeutic gain. The introduction of oral prodrug analogs will likely further improve the results of FU therapy in several organ systems, such as the rectum, head and neck, and esophagus.

How Safe is Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer?

Over the last three decades, a series of clinical trials have led to the use of adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy in high-risk (T3-4 or N1) rectal cancer. There is a need to improve patient selection in order to identify the group most at risk for recurrent disease. The toxicity of adjuvant therapy should be factored into this consideration. The optimal sequencing of adjuvant therapy before or after surgery, the use of short- or long-course radiotherapy, and the utility of concurrent chemotherapy is currently being examined in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The aim of this report was to review the morbidity and mortality in all RCTs of adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

Acute diarrhea during adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: a detailed analysis from a randomized intergroup trial

PURPOSE

During adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer, patients receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by protracted venous infusion have a higher risk of diarrhea than have patients receiving bolus 5-FU. Toxicity from a previously reported randomized clinical trial was analyzed to quantify the difference in this risk. Additionally, the persistence of diarrhea after RT was analyzed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 656 patients were eligible. Patients with T3-4 N0-2 M0 or T1-2 N1-2 M0 resected, high-risk rectal cancer were randomly allocated to receive 5-FU by either protracted venous infusion or bolus during RT (50.4-54.0 Gy). Two cycles of bolus 5-FU were given before and after RT. One-half of the first 445 patients were also randomly allocated to receive lomustine in conjunction with the bolus 5-FU. The incidence and severity of diarrhea in relation to patient and treatment characteristics were evaluated.

RESULTS

The rate of diarrhea was significantly greater in patients receiving 5-FU by protracted venous infusion than in patients receiving bolus 5-FU; the difference was most pronounced for Grade 3 (severe) diarrhea (21% versus 13%, p = 0.007). The incidence and magnitude of diarrhea before and after RT were similar. Patients treated with an anterior resection had a higher rate of severe or life-threatening diarrhea than did patients treated with an abdominoperineal resection (31% vs. 12%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

During pelvic RT, patients who receive 5-FU by protracted venous infusion rather than by bolus have a higher risk of severe or life-threatening diarrhea during RT. This risk does not appear to persist during chemotherapy after completion of pelvic RT.

Adjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: analysis of stage, sex, and local control--final report of intergroup 0114

PURPOSE

The gastrointestinal Intergroup studied postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with T3/4 and N+ rectal cancer after potentially curative surgery to try to improve chemotherapy and to determine the risk of systemic and local failure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients had a potentially curative surgical resection and were treated with two cycles of chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation therapy and two additional cycles of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens were bolus fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-FU and leucovorin, 5-FU and levamisole, and 5-FU, leucovorin, and levamisole. Pelvic irradiation was given to a dose of 45 Gy to the whole pelvis and a boost to 50.4 to 54 Gy.

RESULTS

One thousand six hundred ninety-five patients were entered and fully assessable, with a median follow-up of 7.4 years. There was no difference in overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) by drug regimen. DFS and OS decreased between years 5 and 7 (from 54% to 50% and 64% to 56%, respectively), although recurrence-free rates had only a small decrease. The local recurrence rate was 14% (9% in low-risk [T1 to N2+] and 18% in high-risk patients [T3N+, T4N]). Overall, 7-year survival rates were 70% and 45% for the low-risk and high-risk groups, respectively. Males had a poorer overall survival rate than females.

CONCLUSION

There is no advantage to leucovorin- or levamisole-containing regimens over bolus 5-FU alone in the adjuvant treatment of rectal cancer when combined with irradiation. Local and distant recurrence rates are still high, especially in T3N+ and T4 patients, even with full adjuvant chemoradiation therapy.

A comprehensive study on the blockage of thyroid and gastric uptakes of 188Re-perrhenate in endovascular irradiation using liquid-filled balloon to prevent restenosis

188Re-perrhenate has been reported effective in preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. However, if the balloon ruptures, 188Re-perrhenate is released into the circulation, causing high radiation dosing to the thyroid and stomach. In this study, we evaluated the effects of perchlorate or iodide given at different times and in different ways for blocking the uptake of 188Re-perrhenate in the thyroid glands and the stomach to find the best method to apply clinically to reduce the radiation dose in case of balloon rupture. Sodium perchlorate, sodium iodide, or potassium iodide was given orally or intravenously to rats before, during, and after the injection of 188Re-perrhenate. The rats were sacrificed and we calculated the concentration of 188Re-perrhenate in various organs to evaluate the preblocking, mixed formula, and postblocking effects of perchlorate or iodide. Our data showed that the preblocking method effectively reduced the uptake of 188Re-perrhenate in both the thyroid and the stomach. The mixed formula method also demonstrated good blocking effect. The postblocking method showed obvious depression of thyroid uptake of perrhenate but its blocking effect on the stomach was not satisfactory.

Preoperative combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for middle and lower rectal cancer: preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer is still controversial. This study reports on overall survival and disease-free survival, toxicity, downstaging, and surgical morbidity in rectal cancer patients who received combined chemoradiation therapy followed by curative surgery.

METHODS

Between 1993 and 1998, 51 patients (31 males and 20 females; median age, 60 years; range, 33-73 years) underwent chemoradiation therapy followed by radical surgery for middle and lower rectal adenocarcinoma. Criteria for giving preoperative radiotherapy (total 45 Gy in 25 fractions of 1.8 Gy/day for 5 weeks) and chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil 350 mg/m2/day and leucovorin 10 mg/m2/day, bolus on days 1-5 and 29-33) were an age younger than 75 years; an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 to 2; and clinical preoperative stage II-III. Forty-three low anterior and eight abdominoperineal resections were performed. Median follow-up time was 29 (range, 3-63) months.

RESULTS

Although grade 3 to 4 toxicity occurred in 14 cases (27.4%), all patients completed the planned adjuvant therapy. At pathology, a complete response was found in eight (15.7%) cases. Of the remaining 43 cases, 22 were stage I, 12 were stage II, and 9 were stage III. Five-year actuarial disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 86.4% and 85.5%, respectively. Whereas no local recurrences were found, 4 patients had distant metastases. Three patients died (1 of cancer-related causes), 45 are alive and disease free, and 3 are alive with disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined preoperative chemoradiation approach used by us seems to improve the disease-free survival and overall survival of selected patients with rectal cancer. However, a longer follow-up time is required to confirm these preliminary results.

Influence of patient positioning on dose-volume histogram and normal tissue complication probability for small bowel and bladder in patients receiving pelvic irradiation: a prospective study using a 3D planning system and a radiobiological model

PURPOSE

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of patient positioning (prone position using a belly board vs. supine position) on the dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of organs of risk, and to analyze its possible clinical relevance using radiobiological models.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From November 1996 to August 1997 a computed tomography (CT) scan was done in the prone position using a belly board and in supine position in 20 consecutive patients receiving postoperative pelvic irradiation because of rectal cancer. Using a three-dimensional (3D) planning system (Helax, TMS) the DVH for small bowel, bladder, a standard planning target volume (PTV) of postoperative irradiation of rectal cancer, the intersection of volume of PTV and small bowel (PTV intersection V(SB), respectively, of PTV and bladder (PTV intersection V(B)) were defined in each axial CT slice. The normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) was determined by the radiobiological model of Lyman and Kutcher using the tolerance data of Emami. For evaluation of late toxicity alpha/beta ratio was 2.5; for evaluation of acute toxicity, it was 10. Total dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) (ICRU 50).

RESULTS

Using the prone position compared to the supine position, the median volume of PTV intersection V(B) was reduced by 18.5 cm3 (62%). Median dose (related to the reference dose) to the bladder was 44.5% (22.4 Gy) in prone and 66.05% (33.3 Gy) in supine position (p<0.001). Median V(B) within the 90% (45.4 Gy), 80% (40.3 Gy), 60% (30.2 Gy), and 40% (20.2 Gy) isodose was significantly lower in the prone position when compared to the supine position. Using the radiobiological models, however, there was no difference of NTCP between prone position or supine position. In the prone position, median volume of PTV intersection V(SB) was reduced by 32.5 cm3 (54%). The median dose to small bowel was 30.85% (15.4 Gy) in the prone position and 47.35% (23.9Gy) in the supine position (p<0.001). Significant differences between prone and supine position were found for median V(SB) within the 90% (45.4 Gy), 80% (40.3 Gy), 60% (30.2 Gy), and 40% (20.2 Gy) isodose. According to the method of Lyman, median NTCP of small bowel was significant lower in prone than in supine position.

CONCLUSION

The prone position with a standard belly board should be the standard positioning technique for patients receiving adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following surgery of rectal cancer. Both irradiated volume and total dose to the organs of risk can be reduced significantly. As a consequence of this, radiation induced toxicity will be minimized.

Rhenium-188-Labeled DTPA: a new radiopharmaceutical for intravascular radiation therapy

Balloon angioplasty is a standard treatment for artherosclerotic coronary artery disease. However, its clinical value is reduced by a high restenosis rate. A new concept in preventing restenosis is the use of a liquid-filled balloon containing a beta-emitting radioisotope. In this study, we performed biodistribution studies of Re-188 perrhenate and Re-188 diethylenetriaminopentaacetate (DTPA) to assess the resulting organ dose values in the event of balloon rupture if these agents are used for the clinical inhibition of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). After injecting Re-188 preparations intravenously, rats were killed at 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 2 h, and 6 h (n = 5 per group). Tissue concentrations were calculated and expressed as percent injected dose per gram or per milliliter (%ID/g or %ID/mL). In addition, urine excretion and thyroid gland uptake were evaluated in rats (n = 5 per group) with a gamma camera after administration of 37 MBq (1 mCi) of each agent. Our data showed that both agents were excreted primarily via urine. However, the excretion of Re-188 DTPA was much faster than that of Re-188 perrhenate via the urinary system. The biodistribution data revealed that radioactivity levels in the stomach and the thyroid gland were high in the perrhenate group but low in the Re-188 DTPA group. The concentration levels in other tissues including lung, liver, testis, muscle, and blood were low throughout this study for both agents. The thyroid radiation value in the Re-188 perrhenate group was 0.163 mGy/MBq, which was much higher than that of the Re-188 DTPA group (0.0167 mGy/MBq). The stomach radiation value was as high as 0.127 mGy/MBq for Re-188 perrhenate, compared with 0.013 mGy/MBq for Re-188 DTPA. In conclusion, in the event of balloon rupture, the release of Re-188 DTPA results in lower radiation doses than Re-188 perrhenate, especially to the thyroid gland and the stomach. Our data suggest that Re-188 DTPA is a useful radiopharmaceutical for endovascular irradiation.

Preoperative combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for rectal cancer does not affect early postoperative morbidity and mortality in low anterior resection

PURPOSE

It is not yet known whether preoperative combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for rectal cancer affects postoperative mortality and morbidity. We therefore evaluated early postoperative complications in patients given adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery for middle and lower rectal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Between 1994 and 1998, 41 patients underwent combined preoperative pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy at our institution. Most of the patients had 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/day/25 fractions) during five weeks plus 5-fluorouracil (350 mg/m2/day) and low-dose leucovorin (10 mg/m2/day) bolus on Days 1 to 5 and 29 to 33. Surgery was performed four to six weeks after completion of adjuvant therapy. The 41 patients (Group A) were retrospectively compared with 30 patients (Group B) who, in the same period, underwent surgery without preoperative adjuvant therapy. The groups were homogeneous for age, gender, preoperative risk factors, operating surgeon, and pathologic stage. Mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was shorter in Group A patients (P = 0.031).

RESULTS

There were seven major postoperative complications in each group. No significant differences were found between the groups for morbidity and mortality rates. Considering all patients, more postoperative complications were found in patients scored as American Society of Anesthesiologists 3, in those with a preoperative hemoglobin value < 10 g/dl, and in those without a diverting stoma (P = 0.0048, P = 0.0453, and P = 0.0033, respectively). At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of major complications were American Society of Anesthesiologists score (relative risk, 343; P = 0.022), diverting stoma (relative risk, 159; P = 0.010), type of surgical procedure (relative risk, 38.9; P = 0.048), preoperative hemoglobin value (relative risk, 9.72; P = 0.061), and intraoperative blood loss (relative risk, 1; P = 0.027). In Group A patients, the absence of diverting stomas was associated with major postoperative complications (P = 0.0307), and independent predictors of major complications were American Society of Anesthesiologists score (relative risk, 56; P = 0.111) and absence of a diverting stoma (relative risk, 22.42; P = 0.222).

CONCLUSION

Early postoperative complications after resection for middle and lower rectal adenocarcinoma are affected by intraoperative and preoperative risk factors and absence diverting stomas, but not by preoperative adjuvant therapy.

Morbidities of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for resectable rectal cancer: an overview

PURPOSE

Although adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may improve outcomes after surgery for high-risk rectal cancer, its toxicities are not well documented. This is a review of complications associated with adjuvant therapy in randomized, controlled trials.

METHODS

A MEDLINE and literature search was performed for randomized, controlled trials of adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. Modalities of adjuvant therapy evaluated included preoperative radiotherapy, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemoradiotherapy. All documented complications were analyzed, including any effect on pelvic floor function and quality of life.

RESULTS

Short-term (acute) complications of preoperative radiotherapy include lethargy, nausea, diarrhea, and skin erythema or desquamation. These acute effects develop to some degree in most patients during treatment but are usually self-limiting. With preoperative radiotherapy the incidence of perineal wound infection increases from 10 to 20 percent. The acute toxicities after postoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer occur in 4 to 48 percent of cases, and serious toxicities, requiring hospitalization or surgical intervention, occur in 3 to 10 percent of cases. Postoperative radiotherapy is associated with more complications than preoperative radiotherapy. The main problems with postoperative radiotherapy are small-bowel obstruction (5-10 percent), delay in starting radiotherapy caused by delayed wound healing (6 percent) and postoperative fatigue (14 percent), and toxicities precluding completion of adjuvant therapy (49-97 percent). The morbidity and mortality of both preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy are higher in elderly patients and when two-portal rather than three-portal or four-portal radiation technique is used. Meticulous radiation technique is important, and multiple fields of irradiation are mandatory. After combined adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy acute hematologic and gastrointestinal toxic effects are frequent (5-50 percent). Delayed radiation toxicities include radiation enteritis (4 percent), small-bowel obstruction (5 percent), and rectal stricture (5 percent). Pelvic floor function and quality of life have not been well evaluated in randomized, controlled trials.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer has considerable adverse effects. Adverse effects on bowel and sphincter function and quality of life have not been defined.

Acute treatment-related diarrhea during postoperative adjuvant therapy for high-risk rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The combination of pelvic radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy is associated with an increase in acute gastrointestinal toxicity during rectal adjuvant therapy, most notably an increased incidence of diarrhea. Previous randomized, prospective studies have limited their analysis to presenting rates of severe and life-threatening diarrhea (Grade 3 or greater), and few data are available detailing the extent of mild to moderate diarrhea. To provide baseline data for future studies, we conducted a detailed analysis of diarrhea from a prior clinical trial of adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In a multiinstitutional clinical trial, 204 eligible patients with rectal carcinoma that either was deeply invasive (T3-T4) or involved regional lymph nodes were randomized to receive either postoperative pelvic radiotherapy alone (45 to 50.4 Gy) or pelvic radiotherapy and bolus 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Toxicity was assessed prospectively.

RESULTS

For the 99 eligible patients who received pelvic radiotherapy alone, rates of Grades 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 diarrhea during treatment were 59, 20, 17, 4, and 0%, respectively. For the 96 eligible patients who received radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil, the overall rates of grades 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 diarrhea were 21, 34, 23, 20, and 2%, respectively. The increased rates of diarrhea during adjuvant rectal therapy were manifested across all toxicity levels for patients receiving chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy. Of primary clinical importance is the substantial increase in severe or life-threatening diarrhea (Grade 3 or more) (22 vs. 4%,p = 0.001) Additionally, increased rates of any diarrhea and also severe or life-threatening diarrhea were observed in patients who had a low anterior resection compared with those who had an abdominoperineal resection (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These results will be of value as a baseline for investigators who want to use treatment toxicity as an end point in cancer control or cancer therapy trials utilizing similar treatment techniques. Patients receiving 5-fluorouracil and pelvic radiotherapy compared with patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy alone and patients with a prior history of a low anterior resection compared with patients who had a prior history of an abdominoperineal resection experienced increased rates of Grades 1 through 4 acute treatment-related diarrhea, and the most important increase occurred as Grade 3 toxicity.

Postoperative radiotherapy for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer: Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute experience

This retrospective study reviews the outcome of patients with Dukes' B and C rectal cancer treated with adjuvant post-operative pelvic radiotherapy at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute from 1981 to 1990. Sixty-one patients (22 Dukes' B, 36 Dukes' C and 3 unknown stage) received a median dose of 50 Gy of pelvic irradiation. Locoregional relapse occurred in 33% of patients. Estimated median progression-free survival was 1.7 years with 46% surviving without progression at 2 years and 30% at 5 years. There was no difference according to Dukes' stage. The estimated median survival was 2.6 years, with no difference according to disease stage. These results with postoperative radiotherapy alone are inferior to results achievable by combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy as adjuvant therapy which should now be considered standard therapy following surgical resection for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer.

The response of the urinary bladder, urethra, and ureter to radiation and chemotherapy

A comprehensive review of the physiological and clinical response of the urinary bladder, ureter, and urethra to radiation and chemotherapy is presented. The clinical syndromes that follow therapy for cancer of the bladder, prostate, and cervix are reviewed in detail. Methods of assessing, scoring, and managing toxicity are discussed.

Late complications of postoperative radiation therapy for cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid

PURPOSE

We retrospectively examined the surgical, medical, radiotherapeutic and technical factors associated with late small bowel and nonsmall bowel morbidity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The medical records of 224 patients with cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid treated mainly with abdominoperineal resection or anterior resection and postoperative radiotherapy at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1973 to 1990 were reviewed. The median dose was 54 Gy (range 34-66 Gy) at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction using various techniques (23 had extended fields to L1 or L2; pelvic fields were treated with anterior-posterior in 85, 83 had a 3-field plan and 33 had a 4-field "box"). A positioning technique that treats patients on an open table-top device was used in 78 patients to move the small intestine out of the pelvis. Bladder distension was used in eight. Forty-seven patients received concomitant 5-fluorouracil. Small bowel series were performed in 122 patients to assess the volume of small bowel inside the pelvis below the conjugate line.

RESULTS

In 29 patients, the median time to the development of small bowel obstruction was 7 months (range 0-69 months); 18 patients required reoperations. The small bowel obstruction rate was 30% in patients treated with daily extended field radiotherapy, 21% in those with a single pelvic field and 9% with multiple pelvic fields. Small bowel obstruction was positively correlated with postsurgical adhesions prior to radiotherapy and absence of reperitonealization at the time of initial surgery (p < 0.05). There was no correlation of small bowel obstruction with a history of hypertension, diabetes, prior surgery, history of abdominal infections, postoperative infections, wound healing, pathologic tumor stage, types of surgical procedures, sites of primary tumor, age, or sex. Patients developing small bowel obstruction had larger amounts of small bowel assessed radiologically below the conjugate line than those without complications. With the open table-top device, the small bowel obstruction rate was 3%. In 47 patients treated with radiation and chemotherapy on the open table-top device, the small bowel obstruction rate was 15%, but these patients had more small bowel inside the pelvis than those without the complication. The median time to the development of nonsmall bowel obstruction in 29 patients was 8 months (range 0-85 months), and the nonsmall bowel obstruction complications were significantly correlated with postoperative infection. Most nonsmall bowel obstruction complications were in the genitourinary tract and occurred in patients who had abdominoperineal resection.

CONCLUSION

The open table-top device, by moving the small bowel out of the treatment field, reduces small bowel obstruction in patients treated with radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid. This technique is facile, reproducible, and does not require patient compliance.

Rolling review: gastrointestinal malignancy

The chemotherapy of gastrointestinal malignancies remain mostly investigational, although several adjuvant protocols in colorectal cancer and anal cancer are beginning to be accepted as standards against which newer regimens are to be compared. Chemotherapy regimens are best understood and appreciated with a basic understanding of cancer biology, tumour cell kinetics, and drug toxicities. An appreciation of chemotherapy-induced toxicity and an awareness of their management will help the gastroenterologist be an active participant in the multidisciplinary team caring for the patient with gastrointestinal malignancies.

Postoperative local radiotherapy in rectal cancer: treatment results with limited radiation fields

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to determine the treatment results and complication rates of postoperative local radiotherapy, with doses per fraction of 2.25 to 2.50 Gy, in patients with rectal carcinoma who have received macroscopically radical surgery.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective analysis was done of the records of all consecutive patients (N = 147) with rectal carcinoma Dukes' Stage B or C who have received postoperative local radiotherapy in our institution in the years 1981 through 1989. All patients have been treated on a limited target area covered by only local radiation fields. Locoregional fields covering the whole iliac node chains have not been given. In our treatment protocol doses per fraction were from 2.25 to 2.50 Gy and total doses from 50 to 55 Gy. The minimum follow-up was 24 months; eight patients have been lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

The overall 5-year survival rate for the whole group of patients was 39%. The actuarial 2- and 5-year pelvic recurrence rates were 14% and 22% respectively for Dukes' B patients and 30% and 38% respectively for Dukes' C patients. The difference between the pelvic recurrence rates of Stage B and Stage C patients was statistically significant (p = 0.009). No other factors with prognostic significance for pelvic recurrence were found. The interval between surgery and radiotherapy especially had no influence on pelvic recurrence rates. The 35 pelvic recurrences were classified as follows: 17 in-field, 5 marginal, 1 out-of-field, and 9 peritoneal seeding; in three patients there was not enough information for classification. Of the 32 classified pelvic recurrences, the five marginal recurrences were probably geographical misses, only the one out-of-field recurrences, the five marginal recurrences were probably geographical misses; only the one out-of-field recurrence might have been prevented with locoregional radiotherapy. Serious complications caused by the radiotherapy have occurred in 3% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the results of postoperative local radiotherapy alone are comparable with the published results of locoregional radiation. Even when relatively high doses per fraction are given low complication rates are seen.

Preoperative or postoperative irradiation in adenocarcinoma of the rectum: final treatment results of a randomized trial and an evaluation of late secondary effects

From 1980 to 1985, 471 patients with resectable rectal and rectosigmoid cancer were randomly allocated to receive either preoperative short-term high-dose irradiation (25.5 Gy in one week) for all patients or prolonged postoperative radiotherapy (60 Gy in seven to eight weeks) only for patients with a Dukes B or C lesion. After a minimum follow-up of five years, the local recurrence rate was statistically significantly lower after preoperative than after postoperative radiotherapy (13 percent vs. 22 percent; P = 0.02). No difference in overall survival was noted (P = 0.5). To evaluate possible late side effects on the bowel, urinary bladder, or skin after surgery and additional preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy, all patients included in the randomized trial, together with 58 patients from a preceding pilot study with the same preoperative regimen, were studied in a prolonged follow-up program. The hospital files of all patients were re-examined. Of the patients who were carefully examined, 176 had a survival exceeding five years and 19 had a survival exceeding 10 years. Overall, 7 percent (33/464) either were operated upon or have had a radiologic diagnosis of small bowel obstruction: 14/255 (5 percent) after preoperative irradiation, 14/127 (11 percent) after postoperative irradiation, and 5/82 (6 percent) after surgery alone. The cumulative risk of developing a bowel obstruction was significantly increased after postoperative radiotherapy. Among the 98 patients alive after preoperative irradiation, significant morbidity from the bowel was noted in 11 patients, from the urinary bladder in two, and from the skin in six. In the postoperatively treated group of 34 patients, the bowel, urinary bladder, and skin morbidity were significant in five, two, and five patients, respectively. Corresponding morbidity in 44 nonirradiated patients was seen in five, one, and two patients, respectively. It is concluded that preoperative, short-term, high-dose radiotherapy decreases the local recurrence rate relative to postoperative radiotherapy, with no indications of increased late morbidity after a follow-up of 5 to 10 years.

Preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal carcinoma. A report of surgical morbidity

BACKGROUND

Complete surgical resection of locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer is often incomplete. Improved tumor downstaging may improve resection rates and local control if postoperative morbidity is not increased.

METHODS

The clinical and pathologic records of 119 patients with locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal carcinoma were reviewed to determine the effect of preoperative chemoradiation on postoperative morbidity compared with a control group treated with external beam radiation therapy alone. Group I (56 patients) was treated with 45 Gy of external beam radiation therapy. Group II (63 patients) received 45 Gy of external beam radiation therapy with continuous-infusion cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, or both.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (73.2%) in Group I and 48 in Group II (76.1%) underwent surgical resection. Anal-sparing procedures were performed more frequently in Group II (25%) than in Group I (5.3%, P < 0.05). The overall complication rate for Group I was 51% versus 44% for Group II (P < 0.05) or 1.17 complications per patient in Group I and 0.58 complications per patient in Group II. One patient in each group died of treatment-related septic complications.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that the addition of chemotherapy to radiation to treat rectal carcinoma does not result in an increased operative morbidity and may contribute to a higher proportion of patients being treated with anal-rectal-conserving surgical procedures.

Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in Astler-Coller stages B2 and C rectal cancer

Between 1979 and 1983, 127 patients with Stages B2 or C rectal cancer treated with surgery plus postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (RT group) and 122 patients treated with surgery alone (S group) were compared to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival and disease recurrence. Each group was stratified into subgroups according to stage and tumor differentiation as follows: Subgroups BW (Stage B2 and well-differentiated tumor), BM (Stage B2 and moderately differentiated tumor), CW (Stage C and well-differentiated tumor), CM (Stage C and moderately differentiated tumor), and P (poorly differentiated tumor). Ninety-five percent of the patients were followed until death or, if alive, to five years after surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a reduced five-year survival rate in Subgroup BW (67 vs. 87 percent; P = 0.02). In the remaining subgroups of the RT group, there was a statistically insignificant trend toward a worse survival rate (56 vs. 65 percent, 47 vs. 64 percent, 41 vs. 46 percent, and 50 vs. 36 percent for Subgroups BM, CW, CM, and P, respectively). The local failure rates for the S group and RT group were 10 vs. 23 percent (P = 0.15) in Subgroup BW, 32 vs. 21 percent (P = 0.4) in Subgroup BM, 24 vs. 25 percent (P = 0.6) in Subgroup CW, and 18 vs. 18 percent (P = 0.6) in Subgroup CM, respectively. Eight percent (9/127) had severe or life-threatening radiation-related complications. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy alone did not improve the survival of patients with Stages B2 or C rectal cancers. It may have led to worsened survival in the subgroup of patients with well-differentiated Stage B2 rectal cancer.

Decreasing gastrointestinal morbidity with the use of small bowel contrast during treatment planning for pelvic irradiation

Small bowel tolerance is a major dose-limiting factor in treating the pelvis with radiation therapy (RT). The use of small bowel contrast during RT simulation is one technique used to localize the bowel and identify the treatment plan that would exclude the greatest volume. To determine the influence of treatment planning with oral contrast on gastrointestinal injury, acute and chronic small bowel morbidity was analyzed in 115 patients with endometrial and rectal carcinoma who received postoperative radiation therapy at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Mean and median time of follow-up were 31 and 27 months, respectively. Acute diarrhea was seen in 82% of the patient population. Ten percent of patients experienced major complications requiring hospitalization. Ninety-three percent of patients simulated without contrast experienced side effects compared to 77% of patients simulated with contrast (p = .026). There was an increased incidence of chronic complications in patients who were not simulated with contrast dye (50% vs 23%, p = .014). Median duration of minor side effects was 4 months for patients planned without oral contrast and 1 month for patients who had contrast at the time of simulation (p = .036). The superior aspect of the treatment field was determined to be at a more inferior location in patients simulated with contrast, thereby excluding small bowel from treatment. Seventy-four percent of patients simulated without contrast had the upper border of the field placed at the superior aspect of the sacroiliac joint or above, compared to only 40% of patients planned with oral contrast (p = .002). This study has demonstrated decreased complications (both overall and chronic) as well as a change in the location of the treatment field with the use of small bowel contrast. Multivariate analysis revealed that both the use of oral contrast (p = .026) and a lower superior border of the treatment field (p = .007) were predictive for fewer sequelae to RT, indicating that planning with contrast leads to changes in the technical delivery of RT other than field placement (e.g., block placement). The reduced incidence and duration of small bowel morbidity may be in part caused by alterations of the treatment plan made when the small bowel is visualized at the time of simulation. It is therefore recommended that oral small bowel contrast be used during treatment planning for pelvic irradiation.

Low-dose preoperative radiation postpones recurrences in operable rectal cancer. Results of a randomized multicenter trial in western Norway

A randomized, multicenter clinical trial was conducted in Western Norway to study the effectiveness of preoperative radiation therapy in operable rectal cancer, given at a dosage of 3150 cGy in 18 fractions, 2 to 3 weeks before radical surgery. Three hundred nine patients were entered into the trial between May 1976 and December 1985. After radiation no tumor was seen in 4.5% of the patients. There was no increased morbidity or mortality at surgery. The 5-year survival for evaluable patients was 57.5% in the control group and 56.7% in the radiotherapy group. For patients operated on for cure the 5-year survival was 60.9% and 64.2% in the control group and radiotherapy group, respectively. Radiation significantly delayed both local and distant recurrences in patients in the radiation group who had curative resection from 13.3 months in controls to 27.1 months. The local recurrence rate in the corresponding groups was 21.1% and 13.7%, respectively. We conclude that higher preoperative radiation doses should be used in new trials as a higher dosage may transform the observed positive effects into a survival benefit.

Increased resectability of locally advanced pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

A prospective neoadjuvant trial utilizing chemotherapy (CTX) and radiotherapy (XRT) prior to pancreatectomy was established to determine the feasibility of resection after aggressive pretreatment and its effect on survival. Fifteen patients with pancreatic cancer (14 head, 1 body) and 1 patient with duodenal cancer, (with paraaortic adenopathy), were subjected to combination treatment with infusional 5-FU, bolus injection of mitomycin-C, and XRT (4 patients were treated off the protocol). Patients were restaged 3 wk after XRT, and those deemed resectable underwent a pancreatic resection. Three patients did not undergo exploration after the neoadjuvant therapy, although two of these were deemed resectable by CT scan. The remaining 13 patients underwent exploration and 10 underwent resection. Three did not undergo resection because of extrapancreatic disease, although their primary tumors were resectable. One patient had no residual tumor in the specimen. The others had residual tumor with evidence of necrosis and hyalinization, but all margins were free of tumor. There were two perioperative deaths from sepsis. Of the remaining patients who underwent resection, one died of a myocardial infarction at 9 mo. One patient died with recurrent disease at 19 mo. The remaining patients are alive 40, 32, 11, 11, 10, and 4 mo since diagnosis and are currently free of disease. Aggressive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be performed safely, allows successful resection, and may yield long-term survival or curve.

Adjuvant multimodality treatment of rectal cancer

It has long been recognized that curative surgery as the sole treatment for rectal cancer yields disappointing results. There is now a growing body of evidence from prospective randomized clinical trials to support the role of adjuvant therapy for patients whose primary tumour has spread through the rectal wall or has associated lymph node involvement. Carefully planned radiation therapy with adequate doses and fields can reduce the risk of locoregional failure. Chemotherapeutic agents delivered either systemically or regionally may also contribute to better disease control and survival. A number of diagnostic and therapeutic issues still need to be addressed in order to use the available adjuvant treatment methods most appropriately. Efforts to refine patient selection, to enhance therapeutic effect and to minimize toxicity are likely to improve the outlook for patients with resectable rectal cancer.

Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in rectal carcinoma: a review of the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group experience

The Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG) protocol GI-7175 randomized 227 patients between 1975 and 1980 following complete surgical resection of stages B2 and C rectal adenocarcinoma to four treatment arms: (1) no adjuvant therapy, (2) chemotherapy only, (3) radiotherapy only, and (4) radiotherapy and chemotherapy (combined modality). The results of the study showed an advantage for combined modality treatment over no adjuvant therapy for time to recurrence (p = 0.005) and for survival (p = 0.01). Severe acute toxicity was frequent in the combined modality arm (61%) but late effects, including radiation enteritis, have been infrequent. We conclude that postoperative adjuvant therapy is indicated in certain stages of rectal carcinoma and that the present state of knowledge suggests combined modality therapy.

The current role of ultraradical surgery in the treatment of pelvic cancer

Based on the results of experience accumulated in the past 30 years, exenterative pelvic surgery should be a part of the armamentarium of specially prepared oncologic surgeons. It is most frequently indicated for radiation failures in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix, although it may be justified as primary treatment of selected cases of stage IV lesions without evidence of dissemination outside the pelvis. It is also justified for postirradiation radionecrosis causing sloughing and fistula, provided adequate relief cannot be offered by simple urinary and fecal diversion. For carcinoma of the rectum and pelvic colon, exenteration has a role in the advanced lesions that appear not to have become disseminated outside the pelvis but that involve contiguous viscera. Reoperation for recurrent carcinoma of the rectum is rarely successful, and this dreaded complication is best avoided by a well-planned and adequate standard first operation, or by the early recognition that a more extended operation is necessary. It is to be hoped that adjuvant radiation therapy, either preoperative or postoperative, or both, may be proved effective in preventing recurrence, especially for lesions below the peritoneal reflection, which is the most frequent site of recurrent disease. Finally, ultraradical pelvic surgery has reached its anatomical and pathologic limit. It only remains for the mortality and survival results to be further improved by continued refinements in the technicalities of the operation and in the judgment and selection of patients for it. Multimodal adjunctive therapy has an emerging role, as does selection of patients for functional preservation and reconstruction. The procedures should continue to be done in institutions where special studies are being conducted and where trained and experienced personnel are available with the necessary ancillary services.