Prognostic factors after surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer: an overview

Changing patterns of recurrence after treatment for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The management of patients with colorectal cancer has changed appreciably over the last 16 years. The aims of this study were to compare the rates and patterns of disease recurrence over the last 10 years with a historical control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was obtained from a prospective database that had recorded all patients presenting with colorectal cancer from 1996 to 2006. This data was compared with a retrospective data set that included all patients treated with colorectal cancer at the same institution from 1989 to 1995. The Kaplan-Meier technique was used to calculate the 5 year recurrence and local recurrence rates for the two groups.

RESULTS

There were 710 patients in the study group and 475 patients in the control group. There were more patients with rectal cancer and stage I cancer in the study group. When comparing the study group vs the control group, there was an increase in the time to recurrence (2.1 vs 1.6 years, n.s.) and a decrease in the 5 year recurrence rate for patients undergoing curative resections (17% [95% CI 12%-20%] vs 42% [95% CI 36%-49%], p < 0.001). These changes were noted for both colon (16% vs 34%, p < 0.001) and rectal cancers (18% vs 50%, p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in local recurrence in patients with rectal cancer (8.8% [95% CI 4.5%-13.1%] vs 33.6% [95% CI 23.6%-43.6%], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Within this institution, there has been a significant trend during the last 16 years towards reduced disease recurrence, both local and metastatic, and a prolongation in the time to develop recurrence.

Prognostic and predictive factors after surgical treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer: a single institute experience

OBJECTIVE

Resection of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after curative resection represents a difficult problem and a surgical challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of resecting the local recurrence of rectal cancer and to analyze factors that might predict curative resection and those that affect survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed in 50 patients who underwent surgical exploration with intent to cure LRRC between April 1998 and April 2005. All of the patients had previously undergone resection of primary rectal adenocarcinoma. Of these patients' charts, operation and pathology reports were reviewed. Primary tumor and treatment details, hospital of initial treatment and TNM stage were registered. The following data were collected concerning the detection of the local recurrence; date of recurrence, symptoms at the time of presentation and diagnostic work-up. Perioperative complication and date of discharge were also gathered. The recurrent tumors were classified as not fixed (F0), fixed at one site (F1) and fixed to two or more sites (F2) according to the preoperative and peroperative findings. Microscopic involvement of surgical margins and localization of recurrence were noted based on pathology reports.

RESULTS

The median time interval between resection of primary tumor and surgery for locally recurrent disease was 24 (4-113) months. In a statistical analysis, initial surgery, complaints of patients, increasing number of sites of the recurrent tumor fixation in the pelvis, location of the recurrent tumor were associated with curative surgery. Curative, negative resection margins were obtained in 24 (48%) of patients; in these patients a median survival of 28 months was achieved, compared to 12 months (p=0.01) in patients with either microscopic or gross residual disease. Primary operation and CEA level at recurrence were also found to be important factors associated with improved survival. There was no operative mortality and, the complication rate was 24%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that many patients with LRRC can be resected with negative margins. The type of primary surgery, symptoms, location, and fixity of recurrent tumor are associated with the increased possibility of carrying out curative resection. Previous surgery and curative surgery are significant predictors of both disease-specific survival and overall survival.

A population-based study on the management and outcome in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Although outcome in patients with rectal cancer has improved with preoperative radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision, local recurrence still remains a problem. The condition is difficult to cure and little is known on whether the prognosis for patients with locally recurrent tumours has changed over time. Few population-based studies have been performed.

METHOD

Two thousand three hundred and eighteen patients in Stockholm, Sweden had a potentially curative resection for rectal cancer between 1995 and 2003. Until 2005, 141 (6%) developed a local recurrence. Management and outcome for these patients were studied and compared to a previously analysed cohort of 156 patients with local recurrence, treated 1980-1991.

RESULTS

Of the 141 patients, 57 (40%) had surgery with a curative intent, 48 (34%) radio- and/or chemotherapy and 36 (26%) symptomatic palliation only. The total 5-year survival was 9%. Twenty-five patients had a potentially curative resection, with a 5-year survival of 57%. The corresponding figures for the 156 patients in the earlier cohort were 4 and 42%.

CONCLUSION

Although outcome for patients with local recurrence of rectal cancer is dismal, the prognosis has improved slightly over time. A radical resection is a prerequisite for cure and the proportion having a potentially curative resection has increased. Multidisciplinary management, including optimised preoperative staging and patient selection for surgery, radical surgical approach and more effective adjuvant treatments are necessary to further improve the prognosis.

[Results of resection of locally recurrent rectal cancer]

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) remains a difficult and controversial issue. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the results of an univocal attitude associating resection of a priori resectable lesions using visceral excisions as required, without sacral excision, but including intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1989 and 1999, 32 patients underwent resection for LRRC. Twelve had previously undergone abdomino-perineal excision and 22 had received radiotherapy. Twenty-three patients underwent pelvic exenteration (total in 17, with rectus myocutaneous flap in 18). Twenty-five patients underwent IORT.

RESULTS

Three patients (9.3%) died in the early postoperative period and 11 experienced complications (37%). Resections were considered R0 in 6 patients, R1 in 21 patients and R2 in 5 patients. Five-year survival rates, overall and without disability, were respectively 12%, 12% and 5%. Median survivals, overall and without disability, were respectively 22 and 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Resection of LRRC remains a surgical challenge. It may achieve an average of one-year survival without disability, and hope for a few cures. Improvement of oncologic results might come from a more accurate patient selection.