What are the preoperative predictors of a futile pelvic exenteration in rectal cancers?

Oligometastatic Disease Is Not an Absolute Contraindication to Pelvic Exenteration in Selected Patients With Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

The treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer has evolved dramatically in recent decades. As the boundaries of exenterative surgery continue to be pushed, one of the unanswered and controversial questions is the role of radical salvage surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer in the setting of oligometastatic disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of synchronous or previously treated distant metastases on survival after pelvic exenteration for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database.

SETTINGS

A high-volume specialist exenteration center.

PATIENTS

Consecutive adult patients undergoing pelvic exenteration with curative intent for locally recurrent rectal cancer between 1994 and 2023.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Overall survival from time of pelvic exenteration.

RESULTS

Of the 300 patients included, 193 (64%) were men, and the median age at the time of pelvic exenteration was 62 years (range, 29-86). The median time from primary rectal cancer surgery to pelvic exenteration was 35 months (range, 4-191). In total, 56 patients (19%) had a history of metastatic disease, of whom 42 (14%) had previously treated metastases and 18 patients (6%) had synchronous metastatic disease (including 4 patients with both synchronous and previously treated metastases). Five-year overall survival rate and median overall survival was 41% and 45 months, respectively. There was a trend toward poorer 5-year overall survival in patients with a history of metastatic disease compared to those without (25% vs 45%); however, this did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.110), possibly due to a lack of statistical power. Five-year overall survival was 27%, 25%, and 45% for patients with synchronous metastases, previously treated metastases, and no history of metastases, respectively ( p = 0.260).

LIMITATIONS

Findings may not be applicable beyond highly selected patients treated at specialized exenteration centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival is achievable in highly selected patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer and synchronous or previously treated distant metastases. Therefore, oligometastatic disease should not be considered an absolute contraindication to exenterative surgery. See Video Abstract .

LA ENFERMEDAD OLIGOMETASTSICA NO ES UNA CONTRAINDICACIN ABSOLUTA PARA LA EXENTERACIN PLVICA EN PACIENTES SELECCIONADOS CON CNCER RECTAL LOCALMENTE RECURRENTE

ANTECEDENTES:El tratamiento del cáncer rectal localmente recurrente ha evolucionado drásticamente en las últimas décadas. A medida que se siguen ampliando los límites de la cirugía exenterativa, una de las preguntas sin respuesta y controvertidas es el papel de la cirugía radical de rescate para el cáncer rectal localmente recurrente en el contexto de la enfermedad oligometastásica.OBJETIVO:Investigar el impacto de las metástasis distantes sincrónicas o tratadas previamente en la supervivencia después de la exenteración pélvica para el cáncer rectal localmente recurrente.DISEÑO:Análisis retrospectivo de una base de datos mantenida prospectivamente.ESTABLECIMIENTO:Un centro de exenteración especializado de alto volumen.PACIENTES:Pacientes adultos consecutivos sometidos a exenteración pélvica con intención curativa para cáncer rectal localmente recurrente entre 1994 y 2023.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADOS:Supervivencia general desde el momento de la exenteración pélvica.RESULTADOS:De los 300 pacientes incluidos, 193 (64%) eran varones y la edad media fue de 62 años (rango 29-86). La mediana de tiempo desde la cirugía del cáncer rectal primario hasta la exenteración pélvica fue de 35 meses (rango 4-191). En total, 56 pacientes (19%) tenían antecedentes de enfermedad metastásica; de los cuales 42 (14%) habían sido tratados por metástasis previamente y 18 pacientes (6%) tenían enfermedad metastásica sincrónica (incluidos 4 pacientes con metástasis tanto sincrónicas como tratadas previamente). La supervivencia global a 5 años y la mediana de supervivencia global fueron del 41% y 45 meses, respectivamente. Hubo una tendencia hacia una peor supervivencia global a 5 años en pacientes con antecedentes de enfermedad metastásica en comparación con los que no la tenían (25% frente a 45%); sin embargo, esto no alcanzó la significación estadística ( p = 0,110), posiblemente debido a la falta de poder estadístico. La supervivencia global a los 5 años fue del 27%, 25% y 45% para los pacientes con metástasis sincrónicas, metástasis tratadas previamente y sin antecedentes de metástasis, respectivamente ( p = 0,260).LIMITACIONES:Los hallazgos pueden no ser aplicables más allá de pacientes altamente seleccionados tratados en centros de exenteración especializados.CONCLUSIONES:La supervivencia a largo plazo es alcanzable en pacientes altamente seleccionados con cáncer rectal localmente recurrente y metástasis distantes sincrónicas o tratadas previamente. Por lo tanto, la enfermedad oligometastásica no debe considerarse una contraindicación absoluta para la cirugía de exenteración. (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio ).

A radiologist's guide to the galaxy of complications post total pelvic exenteration for rectal cancers

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is a complicated morbid surgery with a patient having to cope with two permanent stomas lifelong. TPE is often the only option for potential cure that can be offered to patients with low/very low rectal cancers with multicompartment involvement. While the Clavien Dindo classification is used for clinically assessing the severity of complications, it does not guide making an imaging diagnosis (1). Radiologists are often unaware of the complications post-TPE surgery, what imaging modality to use, and how to diagnose these. The complications can be fatal if undiagnosed or misinterpreted and can be certainly managed with a good prognosis if promptly detected and treated (2). This article will focus on normal expected postoperative anatomy in the pelvis and perineum; with emphasis on recognition of signs that may aid in the diagnosis of complications in a bed of surgically altered anatomy. Systematic identification and evaluation of the various conduits and stomas; imaging appearances of normal and abnormal pelvic and perineal reconstruction techniques; and a patterned approach to the diagnosis of early and delayed complications post-TPE will be illustrated using a collection of cases.

Patient reported outcomes after multivisceral resection for advanced rectal cancers in female patients

INTRODUCTION

Multivisceral resections for rectal cancer can lead to long-term functional disturbances. This study aims to evaluate the quality-of-life outcomes in female patients who underwent multivisceral resection for rectal cancer, specifically focusing on urinary and sexual functions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on female patients who underwent multivisceral rectal resections. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-CR29.

RESULTS

Out of 198 female patients that underwent multivisceral resections, 69 were assessable for functional outcomes. The uterus was removed in 42 patients (61%), and the posterior vaginal wall in 34 (49%). A vaginal reconstructive procedure was carried out in 30% (21 patients). Patients reported the most troubles with urinary frequency (mean: 69.6; SD: 9.9), hair loss (mean: 64.7; SD: 13.9), pain during intercourse (mean: 44; SD: 40.7), and bowel frequency (mean: 36.9; SD: -10.7) in this order. Amongst the functional scales, anxiety about future health (mean: 42.5; SD: -018.9) and interest in sex (mean: 57.2; SD: 33.2) scored the lowest.

CONCLUSION

Multivisceral rectal resections in female patients are associated with physical and psychosocial changes resulting in urinary and bowel complaints, anxiety about future health, poor sexual health, and pain.

Pelvic exenterations combined with cytoreductions for T4 rectal cancers with peritoneal metastasis: a safety analysis

BACKGROUND

Pelvic exenterations and cytoreduction are individually morbid procedures with oncological validity. The combination of these simultaneously in patients with rectal cancers has not been evaluated. The present study aimed to assess the surgical and survival outcomes of the combined procedure.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-centre analysis of consecutive patients that underwent pelvic exenterations and cytoreductions for advanced or recurrent rectal cancers with peritoneal metastasis between 2013 and 2022. The primary outcome measure for safety was major complications (≥Grade IIIA). The threshold for considering the procedure unsafe was set at 50% for the upper confidence limit of major morbidity. Overall and recurrence-free survival were also assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients underwent the combined procedure that included 24 total pelvic and 15 posterior pelvic exenterations. The median age of the cohort was 35 years, 18 (46.2%) had signet ring cell cancers, and eight patients (21%) had extraperitoneal disease as well. The median PCI was 4 and CC-0 was achieved in 38 patients (97.4%). Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was delivered in 15 patients, and four had placement of an intraperitoneal chemo port. Major complications were experienced by 7 patients (18%; 95% confidence interval: 7.5%-33.5%). Median recurrence-free and overall survivals were 9 and 17 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combined pelvic exenterations and cytoreductions are safe operations in terms of morbidity. Survival, however, remains poor for this group of patients despite aggressive surgery.

Tata Memorial Centre Evidence Based Management of Colorectal cancer

This review article examines the evidence-based management of colorectal cancers, focusing on topics characterized by ongoing debates and evolving evidence. To contribute to the scientific discourse, we intentionally exclude subjects with established guidelines, concentrating instead on areas where the current understanding is dynamic. Our analysis encompasses a thorough exploration of critical themes, including the evidence surrounding complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy in colon cancers. Additionally, we delve into the evolving landscape of perioperative chemotherapy in both colon and rectal cancers, considering its nuanced role in the context of contemporary treatment strategies. Advancements in surgical techniques are a pivotal aspect of our discussion, with an emphasis on the utilization of minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery in both colon and rectal cancers, including advanced rectal cases. Moving beyond conventional radical procedures, we scrutinize the feasibility and implications of endoscopic resections for small tumors, explore the paradigm of organ preservation in locally advanced rectal cancers, and assess the utility of total neoadjuvant therapy in the current treatment landscape. Our final segment reviews pivotal trials that have significantly influenced the management of colorectal liver and peritoneal metastasis.