Oncologic impact of colonic stents for obstructive left-sided colon cancer

Unexpected peritoneal metastases diagnosed at the time of primary colon cancer resection: controversies regarding options for management

Peritoneal metastases synchronously occurring in the patient with primary colon cancer causes that patient to be at high risk for subsequent disease progression within the abdomen and pelvis. If peritoneal metastases are preoperatively diagnosed, patients are likely to be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without biological therapy prior to cytoreductive surgery (CRS). However, if one only considers patients with peritoneal metastases unexpectedly identified at the time of primary colon cancer resection, the optimal management strategy is neither standardized nor evidence based. These authors present an opinion regarding treatment options in unexpectedly (incidentally) detected peritoneal metastases. The primary colon cancer may be asymptomatic (elective list) or may present as an emergency with obstruction or with perforation. The fitness of the patient, the condition of the colon, availability of a colonic stent, consent of the patient and capabilities of the institution for management of peritoneal metastases by CRS and intraperitoneal chemotherapy cannot be ignored and must all be considered. These patients with known peritoneal metastases should not be allowed to return for further treatment with advanced disease after multiple regimens of systemic chemotherapy. Delay in definitive management will cause peritoneal metastases to be unresectable and not amenable to cure. It is time to debate optimal management strategies for unexpectedly detected peritoneal metastases. The authors find the data compelling that the modifications presented in the management of unexpected peritoneal metastases documented at the time of colon cancer resection changes a palliative approach to treatment to a plan that has curative intent.

Relief of Obstruction in Left-Sided Obstructive Colon Cancer: Nationwide Analysis of Applied Treatment in the Palliative Setting

BACKGROUND

For relief of bowel obstruction in left-sided obstructive colon cancer (LSOCC), a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) or decompressing stoma (DS) can be placed. In a curative setting, these two strategies have been extensively studied as a bridge to elective resection. Guidelines recommend SEMS as the preferred option in the palliative setting, but adherence in daily practice is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to gain more insight into patients with LSOCC who received palliative treatment with SEMS or DS at a national level.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted in the Netherlands. Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) on all patients with LSOCC treated with DS or SEMS not followed by resection of the primary tumour between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, were analysed. Type of treatment (DS or SEMS) for different clinical scenarios, was the main outcome of this study, and was also evaluated over the years (2015-2019).

RESULTS

Palliative treatment with SEMS or DS for LSOCC was performed in 1077 patients, of whom 79.2% had metastatic disease (M1). Patients without metastatic disease (M0) were older (≥ 80 years M0 67.4%, M1 25.3%, P < 0.001), had a worse clinical condition (ASA III 51.4% versus 36.37%, ASA IV-V 13.3% versus 4.0% P < 0.001) and presented with higher tumour stage (cT4 55.4% versus 33.5%, % P < 0.001). DS was performed in 91.5% of the patients and SEMS in 8.5%. The proportion of DS did not significantly differ between patients with M1 and M0 (91.8% vs. 90.2% respectively, P = 0.525). No increase in SEMS application was observed over the years, with a stable overall proportion of DS of 91-92% per year. In the multivariable analyses, ninety-day mortality and overall survival were not significantly different between SEMS and DS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that DS was the primary treatment modality for palliative management of LSOCC in the Netherlands between 2015 and 2019, while the guidelines recommended SEMS as preferred treatment. For patients with LSOCC eligible for stenting in the palliative setting, SEMS placement should become more available and accessible as the preferred treatment option, to avoid a stoma in the terminal phase of life.