Local excision of T2 and T3 rectal cancers after downstaging chemoradiation

The "Watch and Wait" Method After Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer Requiring Abdominoperineal Resection

The present study examined the therapeutic effects of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) and predictive factors for complete clinical remission, compared the prognosis and costs of abdominoperineal resection (APR) and the "watch and wait" method (WW), and evaluated the usefulness of WW. In our department, patients with stage II-III lower rectal cancer requiring APR receive NACRT. NACRT was performed as a preoperative treatment (52 Gy + S-1: 80-120 mg/day × 25 days). Eight weeks after the completion of NACRT, rectal examination, endoscopic, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were evaluated to assess its therapeutic effects. APR was indicated for patients in whom endoscopic findings suggested a residual tumor in which a deep ulcer or marginal swelling remained or lymph node metastasis. However, WW was selected for patients who refused APR after informed consent was obtained. In the APR and WW groups, 5- and 20-year treatment costs after CRT were calculated using the Medical Fee Points of Japan in 2020. No significant differences were observed in 3-year disease-free survival rates for either parameter between the two groups. Regarding expenses, treatment costs were lower in the WW group than in the APR group. Organ preservation using active surveillance with CRT for rectal cancer requiring APR is feasible with the achievement of endoluminal complete remission.

A Longitudinal MRI-Based Artificial Intelligence System to Predict Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Therapy in Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Validation Study

BACKGROUND

Accurate prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is critical for subsequent treatment decisions for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a deep learning model based on the comparison of paired MRI before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to predict pathological complete response.

DESIGN

By capturing the changes from MRI before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 638 patients, we trained a multitask deep learning model for response prediction (DeepRP-RC) that also allowed simultaneous segmentation. Its performance was independently tested in an internal and 3 external validation sets, and its prognostic value was also evaluated.

SETTINGS

Multicenter study.

PATIENTS

We retrospectively enrolled 1201 patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy before total mesorectal excision. Patients had been treated at 1 of 4 hospitals in China between January 2013 and December 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome was the accuracy of predicting pathological complete response, measured as the area under receiver operating curve for the training and validation data sets.

RESULTS

DeepRP-RC achieved high performance in predicting pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, with area under the curve values of 0.969 (0.942-0.996), 0.946 (0.915-0.977), 0.943 (0.888-0.998), and 0.919 (0.840-0.997) for the internal and 3 external validation sets, respectively. DeepRP-RC performed similarly well in the subgroups defined by receipt of radiotherapy, tumor location, T/N stages before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and age. Compared with experienced radiologists, the model showed substantially higher performance in pathological complete response prediction. The model was also highly accurate in identifying the patients with poor response. Furthermore, the model was significantly associated with disease-free survival independent of clinicopathological variables.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective design and absence of multiethnic data.

CONCLUSIONS

DeepRP-RC could be an accurate preoperative tool for pathological complete response prediction in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

UN SISTEMA DE IA BASADO EN RESONANCIA MAGNTICA LONGITUDINAL PARA PREDECIR LA RESPUESTA PATOLGICA COMPLETA DESPUS DE LA TERAPIA NEOADYUVANTE EN EL CNCER DE RECTO UN ESTUDIO DE VALIDACIN MULTICNTRICO

ANTECEDENTES:La predicción precisa de la respuesta a la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante es fundamental para las decisiones de tratamiento posteriores para los pacientes con cáncer de recto localmente avanzado.OBJETIVO:Desarrollar y validar un modelo de aprendizaje profundo basado en la comparación de resonancias magnéticas pareadas antes y después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante para predecir la respuesta patológica completa.DISEÑO:Al capturar los cambios de las imágenes de resonancia magnética antes y después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante en 638 pacientes, entrenamos un modelo de aprendizaje profundo multitarea para la predicción de respuesta (DeepRP-RC) que también permitió la segmentación simultánea. Su rendimiento se probó de forma independiente en un conjunto de validación interna y tres externas, y también se evaluó su valor pronóstico.ESCENARIO:Estudio multicéntrico.PACIENTES:Volvimos a incluir retrospectivamente a 1201 pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de recto localmente avanzado y sometidos a quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante antes de la escisión total del mesorrecto. Eran de cuatro hospitales en China en el período entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2020.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los principales resultados fueron la precisión de la predicción de la respuesta patológica completa, medida como el área bajo la curva operativa del receptor para los conjuntos de datos de entrenamiento y validación.RESULTADOS:DeepRP-RC logró un alto rendimiento en la predicción de la respuesta patológica completa después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante, con valores de área bajo la curva de 0,969 (0,942-0,996), 0,946 (0,915-0,977), 0,943 (0,888-0,998), y 0,919 (0,840-0,997) para los conjuntos de validación interna y las tres externas, respectivamente. DeepRP-RC se desempeñó de manera similar en los subgrupos definidos por la recepción de radioterapia, la ubicación del tumor, los estadios T/N antes y después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante y la edad. En comparación con los radiólogos experimentados, el modelo mostró un rendimiento sustancialmente mayor en la predicción de la respuesta patológica completa. El modelo también fue muy preciso en la identificación de los pacientes con mala respuesta. Además, el modelo se asoció significativamente con la supervivencia libre de enfermedad independientemente de las variables clinicopatológicas.LIMITACIONES:Este estudio estuvo limitado por el diseño retrospectivo y la ausencia de datos multiétnicos.CONCLUSIONES:DeepRP-RC podría servir como una herramienta preoperatoria precisa para la predicción de la respuesta patológica completa en el cáncer de recto después de la quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante. (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio ).

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 ).

Role of PET/CT in the follow-up of postoperative and/or post-therapy cancer rectum: comparison with pelvic MRI

Background

In locally advanced rectal cancer, many imaging modalities are used, for example 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and MRI. The aim of our study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 18 F-FDG-PET/CT & pelvic MRI; as well as to investigate the possible added value of using combined pelvic MRI and PET-CT for assessment of tumor response.

Results

Regarding the presence of local tumor, both PET CT and MRI showed perfect agreement with 97.1% overall accuracy, while in N category, PET CT showed higher specificity but lower sensitivity than MRI. MRI was superior to PET/CT in detecting extension to nearby organs; owing to the more anatomical details of MRI regarding the involvement of mesorectal fascia and EMVI. Almost total agreement of both MRI and PET/CT was noticed in evaluating post-therapy and postoperative complications.

Conclusion

For locally advanced rectal cancer (pT3–4 N0 M0 or any T N1 M0), a multimodality strategy has been shown to be the best option to evaluate local disease process, using the diagnostic criteria that were based on morphology, as well as glucose uptake, instead of the SUV alone for reassessment of post-therapy or postoperative changes.

Clinical prediction model of pathological response following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Patients with pathologic complete response (pCR) achievement can consider local excision or "watch and wait" strategy instead of a radical surgery. This study analyzed the predictive factors of pCR in rectal cancer patients who underwent radical operation after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). This study also analyzed the recurrence patterns in patients who achieved pCR and the oncologic outcomes and prognostic factors by ypStage. Between 2000 and 2013, 1,089 consecutive rectal cancer patients who underwent radical resection after nCRT were analyzed. These patients were classified into two groups according to pCR. The clinicopathologic and oncologic outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted on factors related to pCR. The proportion of patients achieving pCR was 18.2% (n = 198). The pCR group demonstrated earlier clinical T and N stages, smaller tumor size, better differentiation, and a lower percentage of circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement than did the non-pCR group. The prognostic factors associated with poorer disease-free survival were high preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, non-pCR, poor histology, lymphatic/perineural invasion, and involvement of CRM. Multivariate analysis revealed that clinical node negativity, tumor size < 4 cm, and well differentiation were significant independent clinical predictors for achieving pCR. Patients with pCR displayed better long-term outcomes than those with non-pCR. The pCR-prediction model, based on predictive factors, is potentially useful for prognosis and for prescribing a treatment strategy in patients with advanced rectal cancer who need nCRT.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic instruments of the rectum: A review

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was first described in 2010 as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). The TAMIS technique can be access to the proximal and mid-rectum for resection of benign and early-stage malignant rectal lesions and also used for noncurative intent surgery of more advanced lesions in patients who are not candidates for radical surgery. TAMIS has a shorter learning curve, reduced device setup time, flexibility in instrument use, and versatility in application than TEM. Also, TAMIS shows similar results in a view of the operation time, conversion rate, reoperation rate, and complication to TEM. For these reasons, TAMIS is an easily accessible, technically feasible, and cost-effective alternative to TEM. Overall, TAMIS has enabled the performance of high-quality local excision of rectal lesions by many colorectal surgeons. As TAMIS becomes more broadly utilized such as pelvic abscess drainage, rectal stenosis, and treatment of anastomotic dehiscence, the acquisition of appropriate training must be ensured, and the continued assessment and assurance of outcome must be maintained.

Predictive value of changes in the level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

AIM

The aim of this work was to explore the predictive value of changes in the level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and after surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

METHOD

Patients with LARC who underwent nCRT and radical surgery (between 2011 and 2016) were divided into three groups according to pre-nCRT and post-nCRT CA19-9 levels as follows: normal pre-nCRT CA19-9 (normal CA19-9 group), elevated pre-nCRT and normal post-nCRT CA19-9 (normalized group) and elevated pre-nCRT and elevated post-nCRT CA19-9 (nonnormalized group). The pathological nCRT response criteria included ypCR and downstaging (ypStages 0-I). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 721 patients were identified. The normal CA19-9 group was significantly associated with ypCR (n = 159) and downstaging (n = 347) (P < 0.05). The normalized group (n = 76) had worse RFS and OS than the normal CA19-9 group (n = 622) and better RFS and OS than the nonnormalized group (n = 23) (5-year RFS 47.0% vs 66.9% vs 81.5%, P < 0.001; 5-year OS 47.0% vs 75.4% vs 85.0%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, CA19-9 group and ypTNM stage were independent predictors of RFS and OS. Moreover, for the 23 patients with elevated post-nCRT CA19-9 levels, the RFS and OS of patients with normalized postoperative CA19-9 levels were significantly better than those of patients with elevated postoperative CA19-9 levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Following nCRT, changes in the CA19-9 level are a strong prognostic marker for long-term survival, and they may be helpful in the selection of patients who prefer more conservative surgery after chemoradiotherapy.

Local excision after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus total mesorectal excision: a case-matched study in 110 selected high-risk patients with rectal cancer

AIM

The aim of this comparative study was to report a 10-year experience of an organ preservation strategy by local excision (LE) in selected high-risk patients (aged patients and/or patients with severe comorbidity and/or indication for abdominoperineal excision) versus total mesorectal excision (TME) after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) for patients with locally advanced (T3-T4 and/or N+) low and mid rectal cancer with suspicion of complete tumour response (CTR) or near-CTR.

METHOD

Thirty-nine patients with rectal cancer who underwent LE after RCT for suspicion of CTR were matched to 71 patients who underwent TME according to body mass index, gender, tumour location and ypTNM stage. Operative, oncological and functional results were compared between groups.

RESULTS

In the LE group, ypT0, ypTis or ypT1N0R0 were noted in 28/39 (72%). Overall morbidity was observed in 10/39 (26%) in LE vs 46/71 in the TME group (65%) (P = 0.001). Severe morbidity (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) was noted in 1/39 patients from the LE group (3%) vs 3/71 (4%) from the TME group (P = 1.000). After a mean follow-up of 63 ± 4 months (range 56-70 months), local recurrence was noted in 2/39 (5%) from the LE group vs 2/71 (3%) from the TME group (P = 0.601). Definitive stoma was noted in 2/39 (6%) from the LE group vs 8/71 (12%) from the TME group (P = 0.489). Major low anterior resection syndrome was noted in 5/23 (22%) from LE group vs 11/33 (33%) from the TME group (P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of response prediction after RCT was 72% after LE. In high-risk patients, LE represents a safe alternative to TME with better functional results and the same long-term oncological outcome.

Improved Outcomes for Rectal Cancer in the Era of Preoperative Chemoradiation and Tailored Mesorectal Excision: A Series of 338 Consecutive Cases

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), tailored mesorectal excision, and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) have become the leading measures for rectal cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate early and long-term results of a multimodal treatment model for rectal cancer followed by curative surgery. Prospectively collected hospital records of 338 patients surgically treated for rectal cancer between January 1998 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with high rectum level cancers and those with middle and low rectum cancers with clinical stage T1 to T2 underwent surgery, whereas those with T3 to T4 and N1 disease at the middle and low rectum received neoadjuvant CRT in 96.2 per cent of cases. Short-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy was not considered for neoadjuvant treatment. Postoperative major complications and mortality rates were 12.7 and 2.3 per cent, respectively. Overall 5-year disease-specific and disease-free survival were 80 and 73.1 per cent, respectively, whereas local recurrence rate was 6.1 per cent. At multivariate analysis, nodal status and circumferential margin status were independently associated with poor survival; local recurrence rates were independently affected by nodal and marginal status and tumor stage. The extent of mesorectal excision should be tailored depending on tumor location and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, combined with IORT in advanced middle and low rectal cancer, leading to remarkable tumor downstaging with excellent prognosis in responding patients.

Radiomics-Based Preoperative Prediction of Lymph Node Status Following Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Background and Purpose: Lymph node status is a key factor for the recommendation of organ preservation for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) following neoadjuvant therapy but generally confirmed post-operation. This study aimed to preoperatively predict the lymph node status following neoadjuvant therapy using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomic signature.

Materials and Methods: A total of 391 patients with LARC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and TME were included, of which 261 and 130 patients were allocated to the primary cohort and the validation cohort, respectively. The tumor area, as determined by preoperative MRI, underwent radiomics analysis to build a radiomic signature related to lymph node status. Two radiologists reassessed the lymph node status on MRI. The radiomic signature and restaging results were included in a multivariate analysis to build a combined model for predicting the lymph node status. Stratified analyses were performed to test the predictive ability of the combined model in patients with post-therapeutic MRI T1-2 or T3-4 tumors, respectively.

Results: The combined model was built in the primary cohort, and predicted lymph node metastasis (LNM+) with an area under the curve of 0.818 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93.7% were considered in the validation cohort. Stratified analyses indicated that the combined model could predict LNM+ with a NPV of 100 and 87.8% in the post-therapeutic MRI T1-2 and T3-4 subgroups, respectively.

Conclusion: This study reveals the potential of radiomics as a predictor of lymph node status for patients with LARC following neoadjuvant therapy, especially for those with post-therapeutic MRI T1-2 tumors.

Organ-saving surgery for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: Analysis of failures and long-term results

BACKGROUND

To analyze long-term results and risk of relapse in the clinical TNM stages II and III, mid-low rectal cancer patients (RC pts), treated with transanal local excision (LE) after major response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (n-CRT).

METHODS

Thirty-two out of 345 extraperitoneal cT3-4 or N+ RC pts (9.3%) underwent LE.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

extraperitoneal RC, adenocarcinoma, ECOG Performance Status ≤2. Pts with distant metastases were excluded.

RESULTS

All pts showed histologically clear margins of resection and 81.2% were restaged ypT0/mic/1. Nine out of 32 (28.1%) pts relapsed: 7 (21.8%) showed a local recurrence, of which 5 (15.6%) at the endorectal suture, 1 (3.1%) pelvic and 1 (3.1%) mesorectal. Two pts (6.2%) relapsed distantly. Among the pT0/1, 11.5% relapsed vs 100% of the pT2 and pT4 ones. The six pts relapsing locally or in the mesorectal fat underwent a salvage total mesorectal excision surgery. The old patient with pelvic recurrence relapsed after 108 months and underwent a re-irradiation; the two pts with distant metastases were treated with chemotherapy followed by radical surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Presently combined approach seems a valid option in major responders, confirming its potential curative impact in the ypT0/mic/1 pts. A strict selection of pts is basic to obtain favourable results.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor as a predictor of complete response for preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer

Biomarkers that predict tumor response before surgical treatment are necessary to help select patients for preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. However, no definite predictive biomarker has been established. This study explored programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), and death-domain associated protein as predictive biomarkers with regard to preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cancer tissues from pretreatment biopsies from 31 patients who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy were studied. The biomarkers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.PD-L1 positivity was found in 22.6% of 31 patients and complete response (CR) showed 33.3% and non-CR showed 18.2%. EGFR positivity was found in 71.0% of 31 patients and CR showed 88.9% and non-CR showed 73.6%. VEGF positivity was found in 83.9% of 31 patients and CR showed 88.9% and non-CR showed 81.8%. p-STAT3 positivity was found in 80.6% of 31 patients and CR showed 88.9% and non-CR showed 77.3%. On multiple logistic regression analysis, only VEGF expression was found to be a significant predictive factor for CR (P = .001). VEGF expression in pretreatment biopsies might be a predictive marker for CR after preoperative chemoradiation in rectal cancer.Although there is a restriction of small sample size, our finding suggested that this study can be foundation for a larger further study for biomarkers which can predict neoadjuvant therapy response of specimens obtained for diagnosis before surgery.

Non-operative treatment outcome for rectal cancer patient with clinical complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Among rectal cancer patients, some of good responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) are considered for non-operative treatments to avoid postoperative morbidities and permanent stoma. However, oncologic feasibility of non-operative treatment has not been fully understood.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2017, we retrospectively reviewed patient's records who had lower or mid rectal cancer and diagnosed to clinical complete response by magnetic resonance imaging after nCRT. Clinical differences and oncologic outcomes were compared among Radical surgery (RS), Local excision (LE) and Wait-and-see (WS) group.

RESULTS

Number of 129, 25, 15 patients included to RS, LE, WS groups. Local recurrence was frequent type of recurrence in both of LE and WS group (RS; 31.3%, LE; 80%, WS; 66.7%), and many patients in WS group omitted salvage treatment (RS; 75%, LE; 100%, WS; 33.3%). 5-years local-recurrence/disease-free survival rate (LRFS, DFS) between RS and LE were similar between each group, but WS showed significantly inferior outcomes than that of RS (LRFS; p = 0.001, DFS; p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, WS protocol (OR; 7.163, 95% CI; 1.995-25.715) and cT4 stage (OR; 8.206, 95% CI; 1.596-42.198) were independent factors for LRFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Wait-and-see group showed high rate of rejection of salvage treatments for recurrence, and poor oncologic outcomes. However, recent low-level evidences reported favorable outcome of WS protocol when salvage treatment was followed after recurrence. It seems that the application of WS protocol should be postponed until the results of randomized-controlled trials are available. Local excision seems to be good alternative option to radical surgery when salvage treatment is followed.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of pT2 rectal cancer spread and recurrence pattern: Implications for target design in radiation therapy for organ preservation

BACKGROUND

There are no guidelines on clinical target volume (CTV) delineation for cT2 rectal cancer treated with organ preservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the extent of distal mesorectal (DMS) and distal intramural spread (DIS), the risk of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastases in pT2 tumours, and regional recurrence pattern after organ preservation.

RESULTS

The rate of DMS > 1 cm was 1.9% (95% CI: 0.4-5.4%), maximum extent: 1.3 cm. The rate of DIS > 0.5 cm was 4.7% (95% CI: 1.3-11.5%), maximum extent: 0.8 cm. The rate of LLN metastases was 8.2% (95% CI: 6.7-9.9%) for tumours below or at peritoneal reflexion and 0% for higher tumours. Regional nodal recurrences alone were recorded in 1.0% (95% CI: 0.5-1.7%) of patients after watch-and-wait and in 2.1% (95% CI: 1.2-3.4%) after preoperative radiotherapy and local excision. Thus, the following rules for CTV delineation are proposed: caudal border 1.5 cm from the tumour to account for DMS or 1 cm to account for DIS, whichever is more caudal; cranial border at S2/S3 interspace; inclusion of LLN for tumours at or below peritoneal reflexion. A planning study was performed in eight patients to compare dose-volume parameters obtained using these rules to that obtained using current guidelines for advanced cancers. The proposed rules led to a mean 18% relative reduction of planning target volume, which resulted in better sparing of organs-at-risk.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests a smaller CTV for cT2 tumours than the current guidelines designed for advanced cancers.

Decision-Making Strategy for Rectal Cancer Management Using Radiation Therapy for Elderly or Comorbid Patients

Rectal cancer predominantly affects patients older than 70 years, with peak incidence at age 80 to 85 years. However, the standard treatment paradigm for rectal cancer oftentimes cannot be feasibly applied to these patients owing to frailty or comorbid conditions. There are currently little information and no treatment guidelines to help direct therapy for patients who are elderly and/or have significant comorbidities, because most are not included or specifically studied in clinical trials. More recently various alternative treatment options have been brought to light that may potentially be utilized in this group of patients. This critical review examines the available literature on alternative therapies for rectal cancer and proposes a treatment algorithm to help guide clinicians in treatment decision making for elderly and comorbid patients.

Total Mesorectal Excision Versus Local Excision After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer With Lymph Node Metastasis: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

PURPOSE

To determine whether local excision (LE) outcomes were comparable to total mesorectal excision (TME) outcomes in node-positive (cN+) rectal cancer patients who were good responders.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This retrospective study included clinical T2-3 and cN+ low rectal cancer patient who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) followed by TME or LE. Clinical stage T1 or T4 tumors, upper-to-middle rectal tumors (>7 cm from anal verge), and synchronous distant metastases were excluded. Lymph nodes ≥5 mm in size were defined as tumor-positive, and patients with metastatic lymph nodes >20 mm in size were excluded. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy comprised radiation (50-50.4 Gy/25-28 fractions over 5 weeks) with 2 cycles of 5-fluorouracil or oral capecitabine. Propensity scores were computed from tumor and patient variables and used for 1-to-1 matched analysis. Local recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival were compared between the 2 matched groups.

RESULTS

Between January 2007 and December 2013, 563 and 55 patients underwent TME and LE, respectively. The median follow-up period was 54 months. In propensity score-matched analysis, 48 patients were included in each group. No statistical differences were observed in 3-year local recurrence-free survival (97.9% vs 97.9%, P = .994), 3-year disease-free survival (91.5% vs 91.4%, P = .968), or 3-year OS (93.7% vs 97.9%, P = .809) between the TME and LE groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical N+ rectal cancer patients, oncologic outcomes of PCRT followed by LE were comparable to those of TME; this finding might be applicable only to those patients with good response in the primary tumor and small lymph node metastases.

Pretreatment identification of patients likely to have pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

PURPOSE

In selected patients, a wait-and-see strategy after chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer might be feasible provided that the probability of pathologic complete response (pCR) is high. This study aimed to identify clinical parameters associated with pCR. Furthermore, we attempted to identify subgroups with increased probability of pCR that might aid in clinical decision making.

METHODS

A total of 6444 patients that underwent surgical resection of a single primary carcinoma of the rectum after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) between January 2009 and December 2016 in the Netherlands were included in the study. Data on the outcome variable, pCR, and potential covariates were retrieved from a nationwide database. The variables included in the analysis were selected based on previous studies and were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

pCR was observed in 1010 patients (15.7%). Pretreatment clinical tumor stage and signs of obstruction were independently associated with pCR. Nodal stage and presence of metastatic disease decreased chances of pCR significantly. The best response rate was observed in patients diagnosed with a non-obstructive, well-/moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum with no clinical apparent nodal or distant metastatic disease (pCR ratio 18.8%). The percentage of patients demonstrating pCR decreased in case of symptoms of pretreatment obstruction or poorly differentiated tumors (pCR ratio of 11.8 and 6.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This nationwide study confirms several of the previously reported clinical predictors of pCR.

Long-term outcomes in patients with ypT0 rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative resection

Objective

For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT), significant pathological response of the primary tumor has been proposed to identify candidates for organ preservation. However, this does not address metastatic lymph nodes in the mesorectum. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of lymph node metastases in ypT0 patients treated with NCRT and curative resection and to explore risk factors associated with survival.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients with ypT0 rectal cancer after NCRT and curative resection at a tertiary care center in China from 2005 to 2014.

Results

A total of 60 (18.6%) patients who underwent surgery after NCRT and achieved ypT0 were enrolled in this study; one patient was excluded owing to lack of follow-up. Of these 59 patients, lymph node metastases were found in the mesorectum (ypT0N+) in eight (13.6%) patients. After a median follow-up of 52 months, 5-year recurrence-free survival (82.7% vs. 62.5%, P=0.014) and overall survival (OS) (90.9% vs. 70.0%, P=0.032) were much higher in ypN0 than ypN+ patients. Multivariate analyses showed that ypN+ status (P=0.009) and perioperative blood transfusion (BT) (P=0.001) were significantly independent risk factors associated with recurrence; however, no factor was correlated with 5-year OS.

Conclusions

Patients with ypT0N0 rectal cancer can achieve excellent long-term outcomes; however, positive lymph nodes or tumor deposits can still be found in 13.6% of ypT0 patients. Nodal positivity in the mesorectum and perioperative BT are independent risk factors for recurrence.

Robotic Assisted Transanal Polypectomies: Is There Any Indication?

OBJECTIVES

Robotic assisted transanal polipectomy may have advantages compared with the conventional transanal minimally invasive surgery technique. We evaluate the safety, feasibility and advantages of this technique.

METHODS

Between February 2014 and October 2015, 9patients underwent robotic transanal polypectomy. We performed a retrospective study in which we analyse prospectively collected data regarding patient and tumor characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pathological report, morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 5 male and 4 female patients underwent robotic TAMIS. Lesions were 6,22cm from the anal verge. Mean size was 15,8cm². All procedures were performed in the lithotomy position. Closure of the defect was performed in all cases. Mean blood loss was 39,8ml. Mean operative time was 71,9min. No severe postoperative complications or readmissions occured. Median hospital stay was 2,5 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic TAMIS is useful to treat complex rectal lesions. Our transanal platform allowed a wider range of movements of the robotic arms and to perform all procedures in the lithotomy position.

Local Excision of Rectal Cancer

Local excision (LE) of early-stage rectal cancer avoids the morbidity associated with radical surgery but has historically been associated with inferior oncologic outcomes. Newer techniques, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), have been developed to improve the quality of LE and extend the benefits of LE to tumors in the more proximal rectum. This article provides an overview of conventional LE, TEM, and TAMIS techniques, including indications for their use and pertinent literature on their associated outcomes for rectal cancer.

Local Excision Techniques for Rectal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy: What Are We Doing?

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence shows that the majority of rectal cancers demonstrate occult tumor scatter after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy that can extend for several centimeters under adjacent normal-appearing mucosa beside the residual mucosal abnormality or scar.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to determine all of the published selection criteria and technical descriptions for local excision to date with regard to this phenomenon.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched using the following key words: rectal cancer, local excision, radiotherapy, and neoadjuvant.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies that assessed local excision of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were included. Duplicate series were excluded from final analysis.

INTERVENTION

All of the data points were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Criteria for patient selection, surgical technique, clinical restaging, pathologic assessment, and indications for completion surgery were analyzed.

RESULTS

After exclusions, data from 25 studies that in total evaluated local excision in 1001 patients were included. Compared with the single accepted technique of total mesorectal excision, described techniques for local excision after neoadjuvant therapy demonstrate significant variability in many critical technical issues, such as marking/tattooing original tumor margins before neoadjuvant therapy, using pretreatment tumor size/stage as exclusion criteria, and specifically stating lateral excision margins. Where detailed, the majority of local recurrences occurred in patients with clear pathological margins, yet significant variation existed for pathological assessment and reporting, with few studies detailing R status and some not reporting margin status at all. Significant variability also existed for adverse tumor features that mandated completion surgery, and, importantly, many series describe patients refusing completion surgery where indicated.

LIMITATIONS

We were unable to perform meta-analysis because studies lacked sufficient methodologic homogeneity to synthesize.

CONCLUSIONS

The observations from this study prompt additional study, standardization of technique, and cautious use of local excision of rectal cancer in the setting of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

A Systematic Review of Local Excision After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Are ypT0 Tumors the Limit?

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy reduces local recurrence after radical surgery for rectal cancer with complete pathological response in 15% to 25% of patients. Radical surgery is associated with significant morbidity that may be avoided by local excision in selected cases.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to determine the oncological outcomes and morbidity of local excision after neoadjuvant therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases.

STUDY SELECTION

A systematic search of the databases using validated terms for rectal cancer, neoadjuvant therapy, and local excision was conducted.

INTERVENTIONS

Neoadjuvant therapy and local excision were the included interventions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pooled local recurrence, median survival, and pooled morbidity were measured.

RESULTS

Twenty unique studies were included (14 cohort, 5 comparative cohort, and 1 randomized controlled trial), describing 1068 patients. Patient choice, prohibitive comorbidity, good clinical response, and early stage disease were the most frequent indications for local excision. Pretreatment T2 and T3 tumors accounted for 46.4% and 30.7% of cases. Long-course treatment was administered in all of the studies, except to a cohort of 64 patients who received short-course radiotherapy. Pooled complete clinical response was 45.8% (95% CI, 31.4%-60.5%), and pooled complete pathological response was 44.2% (95% CI, 36.4%-52.0%). Median follow-up was 54 months (range, 12-81 months). ypT0 tumors had a pooled local recurrence rate of 4.0% (95% CI, 1.9%-6.9%) and a median disease-free survival rate of 95.0% (95% CI, 87.4%-100%). Pooled local recurrence and median disease-free survival rates for ypT1 tumors or higher were 21.9% (95% CI, 15.9%-28.5%) and 68.0% (58.3%-69.0%). Pooled incidence of complications was 23.2% (95% CI, 15.7%-31.7%), with suture-line dehiscence reported in 9.9% (95% CI, 4.8%-16.7%).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations included study quality, high risk of selection bias and detection bias in study designs, and limited sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Local excision after neoadjuvant therapy should only be considered a curative treatment if complete pathological response is obtained. Given the high rate of local recurrence among incomplete responders, future studies should focus on predicting patients who will achieve complete pathological response.

Long-Term Outcome of Rectal Cancer With Clinically (EUS/MRI) Metastatic Mesorectal Lymph Nodes Treated by Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: Role of Organ Preservation Strategies in Relation to Pathologic Response

BACKGROUND

Organ preservation strategies are under investigation for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who achieve a complete pathologic response in the primary tumor (ypT0) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). This study explored the value of this approach for cN+ patients.

METHODS

Data were retrieved from our institutional prospective rectal cancer database. Tumors with mesorectal lymph nodes larger than 5 mm shown on endorectal ultrasonography, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, or both were staged as cN+.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 226 patients (142 men and 84 women; median age, 64 years) with LARC who underwent CRT followed by surgery including total mesorectal excision (TME) (n = 179) and full-thickness local excision (LE) (n = 47) between 1996 and 2013. At staging, 123 patients (54.4 %) were cN+. In 65 cases (28.7 %), ypCR was observed. Metastatic mesorectal lymph nodes (ypN+) were detected in 41.6 % of the cN+ patients and in 2.8 % of the cN0 patients (P < 0.01). Among the cN+ patients, 16 % of the ypT0 cases were ypN+ compared with 51.8 % of the no-ypT0 cases (P < 0.01). Among the cN+ patients who underwent TME, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were respectively 100 and 91.6 % for the ypT0 patients compared with 71.2 and 58.0 % for the no-ypT0 patients (P = 0.01). Among the ypN+ patients, the 5-year DSS and DFS rates were both 100 % for the ypT0 cases compared with 59.1 and 43.3 % for the no-ypT0 patients. Among the cN+ and ypT0 patients, the 5-year DSS and DFS were respectively 100 and 85.7 % for the TME patients compared with 100 and 91.6 % for the LE patients. In the multivariate analysis, ypT0 was the only independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Protocols aimed at organ preservation in LARC that achieve ypT0 after CRT can be offered also to cN+ patients.

A Nomogram to Predict Lymph Node Positivity Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer typically receive neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by total mesorectal excision. Other treatment approaches, including transanal techniques and close surveillance, are becoming increasingly common following positive responses to chemoradiation. Lack of pathologic lymph node staging is one major disadvantage of these novel strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to determine clinicopathologic factors associated with positive lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer and to create a nomogram using these factors to predict rates of lymph node positivity.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort analysis.

SETTINGS

This study used the National Cancer Database.

PATIENTS

Patients aged 18 to 90 with clinical stage T3/T4, N0, M0 or Tany, N1-2, M0 adenocarcinoma of the rectum who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation before total mesorectal excision from 2010 to 2012 were identified.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was lymph node positivity after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the associations of clinicopathologic variables with lymph node positivity.

RESULTS

Eight thousand nine hundred eighty-four patients were included. Young age, lower Charlson score, mucinous histology, poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumors, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, elevated CEA level, and clinical lymph node positivity were significantly predictive of pathologic lymph node positivity following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram is 70.9%, with a c index of 0.71. There was minimal deviation between the predicted and observed outcomes.

LIMITATIONS

This study is retrospective, and it cannot be determined when in the course of treatment the data were collected.

CONCLUSIONS

We created a nomogram to predict lymph node positivity following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer that can serve as a valuable complement to imaging to aid clinicians and patients in determining the best treatment strategy.

Prediction of tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer using (18)fluorine-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography and serum carcinoembryonic antigen: a prospective study

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between (18)fluorine-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) parameters, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and tumor response in patients with rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients with T3-4 and/or node-positive rectal cancer receiving nCRT followed by surgery were prospectively studied. PET/CT was performed before, and in 28 patients, both before and after nCRT. The pre-/post-nCRT maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) values, differences between pre-/post-nCRT SUVmax (∆SUVmax), response index of SUVmax (RI-SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and CEA were measured. The ability of PET/CT parameters and CEA to predict Mandard's tumor regression grade (TRG) and pathological complete remission (pCR) were evaluated.

RESULTS

31 patients were identified as responders (TRG 1-2), and 19 exhibited pCR. For responders, significant differences were found for ΔSUVmax (24.88 vs. 15.39 g/ml, p = 0.037), RI-SUVmax (0.76 vs. 0.63, p = 0.025), ΔSUVmean (14.43 vs. 8.65 g/ml, p = 0.029), RI-SUVmean (0.77 vs. 0.63, p = 0.011), CEA-pre (6.30 vs. 27.86 μg/L, p < 0.001), CEA-post (2.22 vs. 5.49 μg/L, p = 0.002), ΔCEA (4.08 vs. 23.13 μg/L, p < 0.001), and RI-CEA (0.25 vs. 0.55, p = 0.002). Differences between pCR and non-pCR patients were noted as RI-SUVmean (0.77 vs. 0.65, p = 0.043), MTV-pre (9.87 vs. 14.62 cm(3), p = 0.045), CEA-pre (5.62 vs. 22.27 μg/L, p = 0.002), CEA-post (1.95 vs. 4.72 μg/L, p = 0.001), and ΔCEA (3.68 vs. 17.99 μg/L, p = 0.013). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that RI-SUVmean exhibited the greatest accuracy in predicting responders, whereas CEA-post and ΔCEA exhibited the greatest accuracy in predicting pCR.

CONCLUSIONS

(18)F-FDG PET/CT parameters and CEA are accurate tools for predicting tumor response to nCRT in rectal cancer.

Good and complete responding locally advanced rectal tumors after chemoradiotherapy: where are the residual positive nodes located on restaging MRI?

PURPOSE

Aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of persistent mesorectal lymph node metastases on restaging MRI in patients with a good or complete response of their primary tumor (ypT0-2) after CRT for locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty eight locally advanced rectal cancer patients underwent CRT, which resulted in a good response (downstaging to yT0-2) in 144 patients. Forty-nine patients were excluded (no surgery/insufficient follow-up or lacking lesion-by-lesion histology results). This resulted in a final study group of 95 yT0-2 patients. For the patients with a yN(+)-status, a detailed lesion-by-lesion comparison between restaging MRI and histology was performed to evaluate the characteristics and distribution of the individual N(+)-nodes.

RESULTS

7/95 patients (7%) had a yT0-2N(+) status (11/880 (1%) N(+) nodes): no N(+) were found below the tumor level, 55% of the N(+) nodes were located at the level of the tumor, and 45% proximal to the tumor (at a median distance of 1.4 cm above the tumor level). In axial plane, 82% of the nodes were located at the ipsilateral circumference of the tumor, at a median distance of 0.9 cm from the tumor/rectal wall.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of persistent metastatic mesorectal nodes after CRT in patients with a good tumor response after CRT is very low. No N(+) nodes are found below the tumor level. All N(+) nodes are located at the level of or proximal to the primary tumor, of which the majority very close to the tumor/lumen.

Transanal Approach to Rectal Polyps and Cancer

A transanal approach to rectal polyp and cancer excision is often an appropriate alternative to conventional rectal resection, and has a lower associated morbidity. There has been a steady evolution in the techniques of transanal surgery over the past 30 years. It started with traditional transanal excision and was revolutionized by introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early 1980s. Introduction of transanal minimally invasive surgery made it more accessible to surgeons around the world. Now robotic platforms are being tried in certain institutions. Concerns have been raised about recurrence rates of cancers with transanal approach and success of subsequent salvage operations.

Risk of complications and long-term functional alterations after local excision of rectal tumors with transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)

INTRODUCTION

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a consolidated technique for the excision of rectal tumors. However, many aspects relating to its morbidity, risk of functional alterations, and therapeutic outcomes are still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of morbidity and fecal incontinence after TEM, and to identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

We prospectively recorded the clinical data of 157 patients who underwent TEM from 1996 to 2013. Among these, 89 patients answered a questionnaire for the assessment of fecal continence at a median follow-up time of 40 months.

RESULTS

Intraoperative and postoperative TEM complication rates were 3.8 and 20.4%. The mortality rate was 0.6%. A distance from the anal verge of more than 6 cm correlated with a higher risk of perforation, while patients with cancer were more likely to have postoperative bleeding. Incontinence was reported by 32 (36%) patients, of which 7 (8%) experienced transitory symptoms only, while 25 (28%) reported persistent symptoms. We found a correlation between patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and the development of fecal incontinence. The recurrence rate was 3% (1/32) in pT1, 80% (4/5) in pT2, and 100% (1/1) in pT3. After radiotherapy, 7% (1/9) showed a good response (pT0-1), and 18% (2/7) showed no response (pT2-3).

CONCLUSIONS

TEM is associated with low morbidity but the risk of developing functional alterations is not negligible and should be discussed with the patient before the operation. Good oncological outcomes are possible for early invasive cancers and for selected advanced cancers following a good response to preoperative RT.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was first described in 2010 as a crossover between single-incision laparoscopic surgery and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) to allow access to the proximal and mid-rectum for resection of benign and early-stage malignant rectal lesions. The TAMIS technique can also be used for noncurative intent surgery of more advanced lesions in patients who are not candidates for radical surgery. Proper workup and staging should be done before surgical decision-making. In addition to the TAMIS port, instrumentation and set up include readily available equipment found in most operating suites. TAMIS has proven its usefulness in a wide range of applications outside of local excision, including repair of rectourethral fistula, removal of rectal foreign body, control of rectal hemorrhage, and as an adjunct in total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. TAMIS is an easily accessible, technically feasible, and cost-effective alternative to TEM.

Organ preservation for clinical T2N0 distal rectal cancer using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and local excision (ACOSOG Z6041): results of an open-label, single-arm, multi-institutional, phase 2 trial

Background

Local excision is an organ-preserving treatment alternative for patients with stage I rectal cancer. However, local excision alone is associated with a high risk of local recurrence and inferior survival compared to transabdominal rectal resection. Here we investigate the oncologic and functional outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and local excision for T2N0 rectal cancer.

Methods

This was a prospective, multi-institutional, single arm phase 2 trial for patients with clinically-staged T2N0 distal rectal cancer, treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy consisting of capecitabine (original dose 825mg/m², twice daily, on days 1-14 and 22-35) , oxaliplatin (50mg/m² weeks 1, 2, 4, 5), and radiation (5 days/week at 1.8 Gy/day for 5 weeks to a dose of 45 Gy, then a boost, for a total dose of 54 Gy) followed by local excision. Due to adverse events during chemoradiotherapy, the dose of capecitabine was reduced to 725 mg /m², twice daily, 5 days/week, for 5 weeks, and the total dose of radiation to 50.4 Gy. Patients were followed at scheduled intervals and evaluated for recurrence and survival. Anorectal function (ARF) and quality of life (QOL) were assessed at baseline and one year after surgery, using validated instruments. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival for all eligible patients and for patients who completed chemotherapy and radiation, and had ypT0, ypT1, or ypT2 tumors, and negative resection margins. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00114231.

Findings

Seventy-nine eligible patients were accrued to the trial, and started nCRT. Three patients did not complete nCRT or LE per-protocol. Four additional patients completed protocol treatment, but one had a positive margin and three had ypT3 tumours. Median follow-up was 56 months. Of the 79 patients, five (6%) developed distant recurrence, and three (4%) recurred locally. All but two underwent salvage surgery. Three-year disease-free survival and overall survival for the entire group were 88% (0.88 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.96) and 95% (95% CI: 0.90, 1.00), respectively. Overall 14 (29%) of 79 patients had grade 3-4 gastrointestinal adverse events, 12 (16%) of 79 patients had grade 3-4 pain as an adverse event, 12 (16%) of 79 patients had grade 3-4 hematological adverse events, and 9 (11%) of 79 patients had grade 3 dermatologic adverse events during chemoradiation. Six (8%) of the 77 patients who had surgery had grade 3 pain, 3(4%) of 77 patients had grade 3-4 hemorrhage, 3 (4%) of 77 patients had gastrointestinal adverse events, 2 (3%) of 77 patients had infectious/febrile neutropenia, 2 (3%) of 77 patients had hematological adverse events, and one (1%) had neurological adverse events. The rectum was preserved in 72 of the 79 (91%) patients. ARF and QOL were unchanged one year after surgery compared to baseline.

Interpretation

Most patients with T2N0 rectal cancer treated with nCRT and LE achieved organ preservation without deterioration of their quality of life. The estimated 3-year DFS rate was within the defined margin of efficacy. Our data suggest that nCRT followed by LE may be considered as an organ-preserving alternative in carefully selected patients with clinically-staged T2N0 tumours who refuse, or are not candidates for, transabdominal resection.

Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) was developed by Professor Gerhard Buess 30 years ago at the dawn of minimally invasive surgery. TEM utilizes a closed proctoscopic system whereby endoluminal surgery is accomplished with high-definition magnification, constant CO2 insufflation, and long-shafted instruments. The end result is a more precise excision and closure compared to conventional instrumentation. Virtually any benign lesion can be addressed with this technology; however, proper patient selection is paramount when using it for cancer.

Treatment of colorectal cancer in the elderly

Colorectal cancer has a high incidence, and approximately 60% of colorectal cancer patients are older than 70, with this incidence likely increasing in the near future. Elderly patients (> 70-75 years of age) are a very heterogeneous group, ranging from the very fit to the very frail. Traditionally, these patients have often been under-treated and recruited less frequently to clinical trials than younger patients, and thus are under-represented in publications about cancer treatment. Recent studies suggest that fit elderly patients can be treated in the same way as their younger counterparts, but the treatment of frail patients with comorbidities is still a matter of controversy. Many factors should be taken into account, including fitness for treatment, the wishes of the patient and family, and quality of life. This review will focus on the existing evidence for surgical, oncologic, and palliative treatment in patients over 70 years old with colorectal cancer. Careful patient assessment is necessary in order to individualize treatment approach, and this should rely on a multidisciplinary process. More well-designed controlled trials are needed in this patient population.

Oncologic Outcomes according to the Treatment Strategy in Radiologic Complete Responders after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Rectal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the oncologic outcomes between treatment strategies for rectal cancer [radical surgery, local excision (LE), and the wait-and-see approach] in radiologic complete responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed rectal cancer patients and included 52 radiologic complete responders after nCRT defined as no residual tumor or residual fibrosis and no suspicious metastatic lymph nodes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinicopathologic features and oncologic outcomes were compared according to the treatment strategies.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 41 months (range, 6-80). Twenty-eight patients underwent radical surgery, whereas 16 underwent LE, and 8 were closely monitored without initial surgery. The pathologic complete response rate was 40.9%. Patients who underwent radical surgery showed better prognosis compared to those who underwent LE or wait-and-see (3-year disease-free survival: radical surgery 85.0% vs. LE 62.5%, wait-and-see 75.0%, p = 0.019; 3-year local recurrence-free survival: radical surgery 96.4% vs. LE 67.0%, wait-and-see 75.0%, p = 0.009). After recurrence, patients who underwent salvage surgery showed a relatively good oncologic outcome.

CONCLUSION

Pursuing LE or the wait-and-see approach instead of radical surgery in rectal cancer patients undergoing nCRT may bring about a detrimental oncologic outcome if clinical complete response is solely determined by MRI.

Nonoperative management of rectal cancer after chemoradiation opposed to resection after complete clinical response. A comparative study

INTRODUCTION

Surgery is the standard treatment of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Some authors advocate a nonoperative management (NOM) after complete clinical response (cCR) following chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We compare our results with NOM to standard resection in a retrospective analysis.

METHODS

Rectal adenocarcinomas submitted to NOM after CRT between September 2002 and December 2013 were compared to surgical patients that had pathological complete response (pCR) during the same period. Endpoints were Overall Survival (OS), Disease Free Survival (DFS), Local Relapse (LR) and Distant Relapse (DR).

RESULTS

Forty-two NOM patients compared to 69 pCR patients operated after a median interval of 35 weeks after CRT. NOM tumors were distal (83.3% vs 59.4%, p = 0.011), less obstructive (26.2% vs 54.4%, p = 0.005) and had a lower digital rectal score (p = 0.024). Twelve (28.0%) recurrences in NOM group and eight (11.5%) in the surgical group occurred after a follow-up of 47.7 and 46.7 months respectively. Isolated LR occurred in five (11%) NOM patients and one (1.4%) in the surgical group. Four (80%) LR were surgically salvaged in NOM group. No difference in OS was found (71.6% vs 89.9%, p = 0.316) but there was a higher DFS favoring surgical group (60.9% vs 82.8%, p = 0.011). Distal tumors had worse OS compared to proximal tumors in surgical group (5-year OS of 85.5% vs 96.2%, p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

The NOM achieved OS comparable to surgical treatment and spared patients from surgical morbidity but it resulted in more recurrences. This approach cannot be advocated routinely and controlled trials are warranted.

Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Radical rectal resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer is accompanied by relatively high morbidity. Local excision of rectal cancer may be more appropriate for some frail patients with severe comorbidities. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), consisting of local excision of selected rectal cancers, has been associated with low rates of postoperative complications. Because neoadjuvant CRT for rectal cancer may be associated with increased complications, the suitability of TEM following CRT is still unclear. In this study we aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TEM following neoadjuvant CRT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed all patients undergoing TEM for malignant rectal tumor in our institution between 2004 and 2010. They were divided into those who received CRT (CRT group) and those without CRT (non-CRT group). Demographics and clinical data were compared.

RESULTS

Forty-four of 97 patients who underwent TEM were included: 13 CRT and 31 non-CRT. Age, comorbidities, and the duration of the procedure were similar for both groups. There were no significant group differences in tumor diameter (2.1 cm [range, 0.5-3.5 cm] and 2.9 cm [range, 0.5-4.2 cm], respectively; P=.125) or distance of the lower part of the tumor from the anal verge (6.7 cm [range, 5-10 cm] and 7.7 cm [range, 5-15 cm], respectively; P=.285). Two non-CRT patients had peritoneal entry, and 1 of them underwent protective ileostomy because of insecure rectal defect closure. One non-CRT patient underwent a re-operation for postoperative bleeding. The other perioperative complications were minor and included urinary retention requiring catheter placement (2 patients in each group), pulmonary edema (1 non-CRT patient), and pneumonia (1 non-CRT patient). All complications were managed conservatively. There was no wound disruption, major complication, or mortality in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

With proper patient selection, TEM can be performed safely following CRT, without major complication or increased postoperative morbidity.

Multimodal Assessments Are Needed for Restaging after Neoadjunvant Chemoradiation Therapy in Rectal Cancer Patients

PURPOSE

Restaging after neoadjuvant treatment is done for planning the surgical approach and, increasingly, to determine whether additional therapy or resection can be avoided for selected patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Local restaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) was performed in 270 patients with locally advanced (cT3or4 or N+) rectal cancer. Abdomen and pelvic computed tomography (APCT) was used in all 270 patients, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in 121 patients, and rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 65 patients. Findings according to imaging modalities were correlated with pathologic stage using Cohen's kappa (κ) to test agreement and intra-class correlation coefficient α to test reliability.

RESULTS

Accuracy for prediction of ypT stage according to three imaging modalities was 45.2% (κ=0.136, α=0.380) in APCT, 49.2% (κ=0.259, α=0.514) in rectal MRI, and 57.9% (κ=0.266, α=0.520) in TRUS. Accuracy for prediction of ypN stage was 66.0% (κ=0.274, α=0.441) in APCT, 71.8% (κ=0.401, α=0.549) in rectal MRI, and 66.1% (κ=0.147, α=0.272) in TRUS. Of 270 patients, 37 (13.7%) were diagnosed as pathologic complete responder after nCRT. Rectal MRI for restaging did not predict complete response. On the other hand, TRUS did predict three complete responders (κ=0.238, α=0.401).

CONCLUSION

APCT, rectal MRI, and TRUS are unreliable in restaging rectal cancer after nCRT. We think that multimodal assessment with rectal MRI and TRUS may be the best option for local restaging of locally advanced rectal cancer after nCRT.

Organ preservation in rectal cancer: current status and future perspectives

With the introduction of population screening initiatives, more patients may be amenable to local, transanal excision (LE) of early-stage rectal cancer. The most important drawback of LE is the risk of understaging node-positive disease. The most powerful predictors of node-positive disease are lymphatic invasion, submucosal invasion depth and width, tumor budding and poor differentiation. Therefore, LE should be reserved for low-risk T1 tumors in those reluctant or unable to undergo major surgery. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by LE for T2 tumors allows adequate local control, and is currently being compared with anterior resection alone in randomized trials. A mere watchful waiting approach has been proposed in clinical complete responders to chemoradiation. However, given the very poor accuracy of current imaging modalities to predict a true pathological complete response, this strategy should not be offered outside of well-controlled trials.

Chemoradiation therapy for rectal cancer in the distal rectum followed by organ-sparing transanal endoscopic microsurgery (CARTS study)

BACKGROUND

This prospective multicentre study was performed to quantify the number of patients with minimal residual disease (ypT0-1) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

Patients with clinically staged T1-3 N0 distal rectal cancer were treated with long-course chemoradiotherapy. Clinical response was evaluated 6-8 weeks later and TEM performed. Total mesorectal excision was advocated in patients with residual disease (ypT2 or more).

RESULTS

The clinical stage was cT1 N0 in ten patients, cT2 N0 in 29 and cT3 N0 in 16 patients. Chemoradiotherapy-related complications of at least grade 3 occurred in 23 of 55 patients, with two deaths from toxicity, and two patients did not have TEM or major surgery. Among 47 patients who had TEM, ypT0-1 disease was found in 30, ypT0 N1 in one, ypT2 in 15 and ypT3 in one. Local recurrence developed in three of the nine patients with ypT2 tumours who declined further surgery. Postoperative complications grade I-IIIb occurred in 13 of 47 patients after TEM and in five of 12 after (completion) surgery. After a median follow-up of 17 months, four local recurrences had developed overall, three in patients with ypT2 and one with ypT1 disease.

CONCLUSION

TEM after chemoradiotherapy enabled organ preservation in one-half of the patients with rectal cancer.

Impact of technology on indications and limitations for transanal surgical removal of rectal neoplasms

Transanal surgery has and continues to be well accepted for local excision of benign rectal disease not amenable to endoscopic resection. More recently, there has been increasing interest in applying transanal surgery to local resection of early malignant disease. In addition, some groups have started utilizing a transanal route in order to accomplish total mesorectal excision (TME) for more advanced rectal malignancies. We aim to review the role of various transanal and endoscopic techniques in the local resection of benign and malignant rectal disease based on published trial data. Preliminary data on the use of transanal platforms to accomplish TME will also be highlighted. For endoscopically unresectable rectal adenomas, transanal surgery remains a widely accepted method with minimal morbidity that avoids the downsides of a major abdomino-pelvic operation. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and transanal minimally invasive surgery offer improved visualization and magnification, allowing for finer and more precise dissection of more proximal and larger rectal lesions without compromising patient outcome. Some studies have demonstrated efficacy in utilizing transanal platforms in the surgical management of early rectal malignancies in selected patients. There is an overall higher recurrence rate with transanal surgery with the concern that neither chemoradiation nor salvage surgery may compensate for previous approach and correct the inferior outcome. Application of transanal platforms to accomplish transanal TME in a natural orifice fashion are still in their infancy and currently should be considered experimental. The current data demonstrate that transanal surgery remains an excellent option in the surgical management of benign rectal disease. However, care should be used when selecting patients with malignant disease. The application of transanal platforms continues to evolve. While the new uses of transanal platforms in TME for more advanced rectal malignancy are exciting, it is important to remain cognizant and not sacrifice long term survival for short term decrease in morbidity and improved cosmesis.

Assessment of response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with F-18 FLT and F-18 FDG PET/CT in patients with rectal cancer

Objective

The comparison of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (F-18 FDG) and 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine (F-18 FLT) imaging in patients with rectal cancer before and after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) in relation to histopathology and immunohistochemistry obtained from surgery.

Methods

20 consecutive patients (15 m, 5 f), mean age of 65 ± 10 years were included into this prospective study with a mean follow-up of 4.1 ± 0.8 years.

Results

Among histopathological responders (n = 8 out of 20), posttreatment F-18 FLT and F-18 FDG scans were negative in 75 % (n = 6) and 38 % (n = 3), respectively. The mean response index (RI) was 61.0 % ± 14.0 % for F-18 FLT and 58.7 % ± 14.6 % for F-18 FDG imaging. Peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration (CD3 positive cells) was significantly related to posttreatment SUV_max in F-18 FDG but not F-18 FLT studies.

Conclusion

A significant decrease of SUV_max in F-18 FDG and F-18 FLT studies could be seen after RCT. Negative posttreatment F-18 FLT studies identified more histopathological responders.

Can We Predict Complete or Major Response after Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer by Noninvasive Methods? Results of a Prospective Study on 61 Patients

Rectal preservation has been proposed as an alternative to radical resection in patients with presumed complete or major response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital rectal examination (DRE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict major or complete rectal cancer response to CRT. Over 2 years, 61 patients underwent radical resection after CRT for rectal cancer. DRE and MRI were carried out before and 6 to 8 weeks after the end of CRT. Data from DRE and MRI post-CRT were compared with pathological examinations. At pathological examination, major/complete responses were recorded for tumors classified ypT1N0 and ypT0N0, respectively. DRE post-CRT showed major/complete response in 26 cases, of which 14 (54%) were confirmed by pathology. The positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of DRE to predict major/complete response were 54 and 88 per cent, respectively. MRI post-CRT showed major/complete response in 12 cases, of which nine (75%) were confirmed by pathology. The PPV and NPV of MRI to predict major/complete response were 75 and 82 per cent, respectively. Data from DRE and RMI post-CRT were concordant in 45 patients. The PPV and NPV of concordant DRE and MRI to predict major/complete response were 82 and 91 per cent, respectively. DRE and MRI do not appear to be sufficiently accurate for safe selection of patients appropriate for a rectum-sparing strategy because the risk of leaving an invasive tumor untreated is 18 per cent.

Multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer in 2014: Where are we going?

In the present review we discuss the recent developments and future directions in the multimodal treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer, with respect to staging and re-staging modalities, to the current role of neoadjuvant chemo-radiation and to the conservative and more limited surgical approaches based on tumour response after neoadjuvant combined therapy. When initial tumor staging is considered a high accuracy has been reported for T pre-treatment staging, while preoperative lymph node mapping is still suboptimal. With respect to tumour re-staging, all the current available modalities still present a limited accuracy, in particular in defining a complete response. The role of short vs long-course radiotherapy regimens as well as the optimal time of surgery are still unclear and under investigation by means of ongoing randomized trials. Observational management or local excision following tumour complete response are promising alternatives to total mesorectal excision, but need further evaluation, and their use outside of a clinical trial is not recommended. The preoperative selection of patients who will benefit from neoadjuvant radiotherapy or not, as well as the proper identification of a clinical complete tumour response after combined treatment modalities,will influence the future directions in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Overview of radiation therapy for treating rectal cancer

A major outcome of importance for rectal cancer is local control. Parallel to improvements in surgical technique, adjuvant therapy regimens have been tested in clinical trials in an effort to reduce the local recurrence rate. Nowadays, the local recurrence rate has been reduced because of both good surgical techniques and the addition of radiotherapy. Based on recent reports in the literature, preoperative chemoradiotherapy is now considered the standard of care for patients with stages II and III rectal cancer. Also, short-course radiotherapy appears to provide effective local control and the same overall survival as more long-course chemoradiotherapy schedules and, therefore, may be an appropriate choice in some situations. Capecitabine is an acceptable alternative to infusion fluorouracil in those patients who are able to manage the responsibilities inherent in self-administered, oral chemotherapy. However, concurrent administration of oxaliplatin and radiotherapy is not recommended at this time. Radiation therapy has long been considered an important adjunct in the treatment of rectal cancer. Although no prospective data exist for several issues, we hope that in the near future, patients with rectal cancer can be treated by using the best combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in near future.

Analysis of 116 cases of rectal cancer treated by transanal local excision

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and prognostic factors of transanal local excision (TAE) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 116 cases that underwent TAE for rectal cancer from 1995 to 2008. A Cox regression analysis was used to analyze prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The survival times for the patients were from 14 to 160.5 months (median time, 58.5 months). The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 72% and 53%, respectively. In all 16 cases experienced local recurrence (13.8%). Pathological type, recurrence or metastasis, and depth of infiltration (T stage) were the prognostic factors according to the univariate analysis, and the latter two were independent factors affecting patient prognosis. For patients with T1 stage who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, there was no local recurrence; for those in T2 stage, the local recurrence rate was 14.6%. In addition, there was no difference between the patients who received radiotherapy and those who did not (T1: P = 0.260, T2: P = 0.262 for survival rate and T1: P = 0.480, T2: P = 0.560 for recurrence).

CONCLUSIONS

The result of TAE for rectal cancer is satisfactory for T1 stage tumors, but it is not suitable for T2 stage tumors.