Pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer with synchronous multiple liver metastases: a report of an unusual case

Cancer histology in metastatic lymph node predicts prognosis in patients with node-positive stage IV colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Appropriate prognostic indicators are required for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Lymph node metastasis mainly involves four histological types of CRC. Some metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) showing cribriform carcinoma are associated with distant metastasis in patients with node-positive CRC and are correlated with recurrence and survival in stage III disease. However, the significance of mLN histology in the prognosis of patients with node-positive stage IV disease remains unclear.

METHODS

We enrolled 449 consecutive patients with CRC who underwent primary tumor resection with lymph node dissection between January 2011 and November 2018. This study included 88 patients with node-positive stage IV CRC and synchronous or metachronous distant metastases. We retrospectively investigated the association between cancer histology in the mLNs based on our classification and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with node-positive stage IV CRC.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that CSS was better in patients with CRC and all the mLNs showing tubular-type carcinoma. In contrast, patients with at least some mLNs showing poorly differentiated-type carcinoma had poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that "all mLNs showing tubular-type carcinoma" was an independent good prognostic factor for CSS in patients with node-positive stage IV CRC. In addition, "at least some mLNs showing poorly differentiated-type carcinoma" was an independent poor prognostic factor for CSS in patients with node-positive stage IV disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The histological type of the mLN may indicate a better or poor prognosis for patients with stage IV CRC.

The Pathologic Complete Response Ratio of Liver Metastases Represents a Valuable Prognostic Indicator

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the pathologic complete response ratio of liver metastases (PCRRLM) in predicting the prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods: A total of 305 CRLM patients who underwent preoperative chemotherapy followed by hepatectomy were included. PCRRLM was defined as the number of liver metastases exhibiting pathologic complete response (PCR) divided by the number of total resected liver metastases. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate survival, and differences were examined by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictors of PCRRLM, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results: Among the 305 included patients, 44 (14.4%) achieved a PCRRLM ≥0.50 (including PCRRLM = 1), and 261 (85.6%) achieved a PCRRLM <0.50 (including PCRRLM = 0). Patients of an older age (≥55 years old) and those with higher carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (≥5 ng/ml) were less likely to achieve a PCRRLM ≥0.50. In the multivariate analysis, PCRRLM≥ 0.50 (vs. < 0.50, HR [95% CI]: 0.67 [0.46–0.99], p = 0.043) was associated with better RFS. Positive lymph node status (vs. negative, HR [95% CI]: 1.46 [1.04–2.05], p = 0.028) and TBS ≥5 (vs. < 5, HR [95% CI]: 1.44 [1.02–2.04], p = 0.038) were associated with worse RFS.

Conclusion: PCRRLM was significantly associated with long-term RFS after preoperative chemotherapy and CRLM resection. Thus, it may be a valuable indicator of recurrence in CRLM patients.

Laparoscopic radical resection combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in treatment of colorectal cancer: clinical efficacy and postoperative complications

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic radical resection combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in the treatment of colorectal cancer and its influence on postoperative complications.

METHODS

The clinical data of 90 patients with colorectal cancer admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, patients were divided into a control group (laparoscopic radical resection) and a study group (combined NACT before radical resection), with 45 cases in each group. The efficacy and complications were compared between the two groups after treatment.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the early oral feeding, anal exhaust time, and hospitalization time of the patients in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). The study group had significantly lower cancer metastasis rate, recurrence rate, infection rate, and smaller tumor diameters than the control group (P<0.05). The levels of tumor markers (CEA, CA242, CA199, and CA724) were reduced significantly in both groups after treatment, with lower results observed in the study group (P<0.05). The average survival time of patients in the study group was significantly longer than that of the control group (16.04±3.64 vs 11.88±2.53 months; t=6.295, P<0.001). The two groups showed no significant differences in the incidence of complications (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer combined with NACT is a preferred technique for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It effectively facilitates the postoperative recovery, reduces the levels of tumor markers, boosts the short-term curative effect, and prolongs the average survival time, without obvious complications.

The characteristics and long-term survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases with pathological complete response after chemotherapy

Purpose: Preoperative chemotherapy is widely used for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). Pathological complete response (PCR) after chemotherapy indicates complete tumor regression and an extremely favorable prognosis. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and long-term survival of CRLM patients with pCR, who underwent surgery after preoperative chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 494 CRLM patients who underwent hepatectomy after preoperative chemotherapy between January 2006 and January 2019. pCR was defined as the absence of any cancer cells on pathological examination.

Results: Thirty (6.07%) patients achieved pCR after preoperative chemotherapy; 70% patients who achieved pCR did not experience recurrence and were cured after hepatectomy. The long-term prognosis of patients with pCR was extremely favorable, with 10-year overall and disease-free survivals of 85.2% and 73.7%, respectively; these were significantly better than those of patients without pCR (31.3% and 15.2%, respectively). Liver metastases <3 cm, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level ≤20 ng/mL, primary T stage 1-2, and right-sided primary tumors were independent predictors for pCR.

Conclusion: pCR occurred in 6% of patients with CRLM after preoperative chemotherapy. Patients with a smaller tumor burden are more likely to benefit from chemotherapy and achieve pCR.

Impact of Genetics on Neoadjuvant Therapy with Complete Pathological Response in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Treatment of colorectal metastatic cancer is still challenging, despite recent improvements in chemotherapy. A genetic cancer profile, such as the KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma) gene status, plays a key role in individualized tailored therapy. Molecular targeted therapy added to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy can achieve a better pathological response and prolong survival. Pathological complete response of colorectal cancer stage IV is rare. A 47-year-old female patient presented with rectal adenocarcinoma and three liver metastases (cT3d/4, N2, Ml). After seven cycles of Bevacizumab and CAPOX in neoadjuvant setting, we noted more than 70.0% regression of metastases and complete regression of the primary tumor. We performed low anterior resection of rectum and synchronous subsegmental resection of S3, because the other two lesions were not detectable. Pathology revealed complete response of the primary and also secondary tumors. After 8 months, diagnostic tests did not show any sign of recurrence and the remaining liver lesions disappeared. Colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease and it is necessary to identify patients who are at-risk of recurrence and suitable for neoadjuvant therapy. Genetic biomarkers play an important role in metastatic colorectal cancer treatment. Because of the mutated KRAS gene, Bevacizumab was added to cytotoxic therapy achieving a complete pathological response of primary tumor and metastasis. This case is unique because all reported cases with similar results, described staged surgery and one of reverse staged surgery, but with similar results. This neoadjuvant therapy has extraordinary results for colorectal cancer stage IV and can help disease-free and long-term survival.