Comparison of multivisceral resection and standard operation for locally advanced colorectal cancer: analysis of prognostic factors for short-term and long-term outcome

En Bloc Resection of the Duodenum for Locally Advanced Right Colon Adenocarcinoma

Direct invasion of colorectal adenocarcinoma into adjacent structures occurs frequently, but only rarely is the duodenum involved. This study was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy of en bloc resection of locally advanced right colon carcinoma invading the duodenum. A retrospective review of 49 patients with locally advanced colon cancer, surgically managed between 2000 and 2005, was performed. Forty-six patients underwent en bloc resection of colon and adjacent organs not involving the duodenum. Three patients with duodenal invasion underwent en bloc partial duodenectomy. The mean operative blood loss, length of stay, postoperative morbidity, and mortality compare favorably between these two groups of patients. Of the 46 patients with en bloc resection of other organs, 27 are alive at 12 to 60 months follow up. Two patients with duodenal invasion are alive without recurrence at 15 and 20 months follow up. En bloc resection of colon cancer invading the duodenum can be performed safely because morbidity and mortality rates are comparable to those attending extended resections of other locally advanced colon carcinomas. Overall survival in patients who underwent surgery with curative intent justifies en bloc duodenal resection in selected patients.

The Effect of Stress-Reducing, Low-Dose Ethanol Infusion on Frequency of Bleeding Complications in Long-Term Alcoholic Patients Undergoing Major Surgery

Perioperative low-dose ethanol infusion is a feasible option for stress reduction and prophylaxis of alcoholism-associated complications. Because alcohol has inhibitory effects on hemostasis, our study focused on the effect of perioperative low-dose ethanol infusion on bleeding complications, defined as transfused blood units and reoperations, in alcoholic patients undergoing major surgery. We included 44 long-term alcoholic patients scheduled for tumor resection of the aerodigestive and gastrointestinal tract. Patients were randomly assigned to the ethanol or control group. Ethanol infusion (0.5 g ethanol/kg body weight/24 hours) started before surgery and was continued until the postoperative Day 3. Regarding all patients, there was no statistically significant difference in the amount of transfused blood between the ethanol and control groups. However, the effect of ethanol infusion on bleeding complications depended on the site of surgery. Ethanol infusion resulted in an increased number of transfused blood units in gastrointestinal patients and a decreased number of transfused units in patients undergoing tumor resection of the aero-digestive tract. In conclusion, perioperative ethanol infusion in long-term alcoholic patients with tumor resections of the aerodigestive tract is an option for stress reduction without increased risk for blood transfusion. In contrast, ethanol infusion in patients with tumor resections in the gastrointestinal tract could increase the risk for bleeding complications.

Improved operative and survival outcomes of surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to assess whether an aggressive surgical approach in the management of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was associated with improved operative and survival outcomes.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated between 1989 and 1998 (period 1), and 60 patients treated between 1999 and 2004 (period 2), were evaluated. Modifications to management in period 2 primarily included percutaneous biliary drainage instead of endoscopic drainage for relief of obstructive jaundice, preoperative right portal vein embolization before right-sided hepatectomy, routine total caudate lobectomy and radical lymphadenectomy during surgical resection of the tumour.

RESULTS

The surgical resection rate was significantly higher in period 2 than in period 1 (45 versus 16 per cent; P < 0.001). All patients in period 2 underwent major hepatectomy with concomitant caudate lobectomy. The operative morbidity and hospital mortality rates decreased significantly in period 2 compared with period 1, with significantly better survival outcomes. In multivariate analysis, resection of the tumour in period 2 and operative blood loss of 1.5 litres or less were the significant independent factors associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSION

An aggressive surgical approach was associated with improved operative and survival outcomes for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Outcome of surgical management of the bladder in advanced colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

To evaluate morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival in patients undergoing partial or total cystectomy during en bloc resection for locally advanced colorectal cancer.

METHODS

This study retrospectively evaluated the outcome of combined bladder resection for colorectal cancer in our department.

RESULTS

Patients (n=33) with colorectal tumors adherent to the bladder were followed. Overall morbidity was 11/33 (33.3%). Histological staging demonstrated inflammatory adhesion in 54.5% (18/33) and invasion in 45.6% (15/33). Morbidity was significantly higher in those that had undergone total cystectomy than in those that had undergone partial cystectomy (4/5 vs 7/28, P=0.033). The local recurrence has no difference the between total cystectomy group and the partial cystectomy group (1/5 vs 8/28, P=1.000). Overall 5-year survival rate was 39.4% (13/33). Mean survival time was 46.6875 month. There was no difference in 5-year survival between patients with inflammatory adhesion vs those with tumorous infiltration between colorectal tumor and bladder (P=0.7389).

CONCLUSION

Survival after surgery for colorectal cancer is not influenced by the need to excise part or all of the urinary bladder in case it is contiguous to a colorectal tumor. Experienced surgeons in urology and colon and rectal surgery should be left to decide on the surgical options to be employed.

Total pelvic exenteration for primary locally advanced and locally recurrent rectal cancer

AIMS

To report the role of total pelvic exenteration in a series of locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancers.

METHODS

In the period 1994-2004, TPE was performed in 35 of 296 patients with primary locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer treated in the Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center; 23 of 176 with primary locally advanced and 12 of 120 with recurrent rectal cancer. All but one patient received pre-operative External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT). After 1997, Intra Operative Radiotherapy (IORT) was performed in case of a resection margin less than 2 mm.

RESULTS

Overall major complication rates were not significantly different between patients with primary and recurrent rectal cancer (26% vs. 50%, p=0.94). The hospital mortality rate was 3%. The 5-year local control and overall survival of patients with primary locally advanced rectal cancer were 88% and 52%, respectively. In patients with recurrent rectal cancer 3-year local control and survival rates were 60% and 32%, respectively. An incomplete resection, preoperative pain and advanced Wanebo stage for recurrent cancer were negative prognostic factors for both local control and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

TPE in primary locally advanced rectal cancer enables good local control and acceptable overall survival, thereby justifying the use of the procedure. Patients with recurrent rectal cancer showed a high rate of major complications, a high distant metastasis rate, and a poor overall survival.

Population-based assessment of the surgical management of locally advanced colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based guidelines recommend multivisceral resection for patients with locally advanced adherent colorectal cancer because it reduces local recurrence and improves survival. However, this procedure can increase morbidity compared with standard resection and may not be practiced uniformly. We performed a population-based study to examine surgical practice and outcomes among patients with locally advanced adherent colorectal cancer in the United States.

METHODS

Patients who were 18 years or older and who had surgical resection for nonmetastatic, locally advanced adherent colorectal cancer from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2002, were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Logistic regression was used to examine patient, tumor, and geographic factors associated with multivisceral resection. Cumulative early mortality (i.e., at 1 and 6 months after diagnosis) and 5-year survival were obtained from Kaplan-Meier estimates; adjusted risks of death were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

We identified 8380 patients who underwent surgical resection for locally advanced adherent colorectal cancer, of whom 33.3% were managed with multivisceral resection. Among colon cancer patients, younger age at diagnosis, female sex, SEER region, node negativity, and left-sided tumors were independently associated with having had a multivisceral resection. Among rectal cancer patients, younger age at diagnosis and female sex were positively and statistically significantly associated with multivisceral resection, whereas receipt of neoadjuvant radiation was inversely and statistically significantly associated with multivisceral resection. Compared with standard resection, multivisceral resection was associated with improved overall survival for patients with colon (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83 to 0.96) and rectal (HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.70 to 0.94) cancer, with no associated increase in early mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer did not receive a multivisceral resection. The geographic variation in the application of this procedure in patients with colon cancer suggests that local organizational structures and processes of care may play an important role in patient treatment and, therefore, prognosis.