Intraoperative electron and external beam irradiation with or without 5-fluorouracil and maximum surgical resection for previously unirradiated, locally recurrent colorectal cancer

Novel and Innovative Surgical Strategies for Recurrent Rectal Cancer: Uncommon Resections, Local Interventions for Pelvic Reoccurrence, and Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

The frequency of recurrent rectal cancer has dropped significantly with improved surgical approaches and adjunctive therapies. These recurrences have proven challenging to obtain R0 resection with salvage operations. Meticulous planning, clear understanding of anatomy with imaging, and multispecialty support have become essential in local control and long-term survival with pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer. Technical considerations and prognosis indicators along with role of intraoperative radiation or boost radiation are discussed within.

Radical Extirpation With Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Locally Recurrent Gynecologic Cancer: An Institutional Review

Objective

To report survival outcomes in patients with locally recurrent gynecologic cancers managed with curative-intent radical extirpation, perioperative external beam radiotherapy, and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT).

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 44 patients with locally recurrent gynecologic cancer treated at a single tertiary-care center (Mayo Clinic in Arizona) over a 15-year period (January 1, 2004, to July 31, 2019). This cohort included patients with uterine (n=21, 47.7%), ovarian (n=3, 6.8%), cervical (n=11, 25.0%), vaginal (n=2, 4.5%), vulvar (n=1, 2.3%), and unknown primary (n=6, 13.6%) cancer. Curative-intent radical extirpation included pelvic exenteration (n=13, 29.5%), laterally extended endopelvic resection (n=22, 50.0%), excision of para-aortic lymph node metastasis (n=8, 18.2%), and radical vaginectomy (n=1, 2.3%). Of the 44 patients in our cohort, 37 (84.1%) received IORT and 7 (15.9%) had intended to receive IORT but did not receive it.

Results

The median follow-up for the 44 patients was 12 months (range, 1 to 161 months). For patients who received IORT, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 13 and 21 months, respectively, and the 3-year cumulative incidence of central, locoregional, and distant recurrence was 27.0% (10 of 37), 40.5% (15 of 37), and 37.8% (14 of 37), respectively. Surgical margins were classified as negative (28 of 44, 63.6%), microscopic (11 of 44, 25.0%), or macroscopic (5 of 44, 11.4%). Negative, microscopic, and macroscopic surgical margins resulted in 3-year PFS of 51.8%, 20.5%, and 0%, respectively (P=.01) and 3-year OS of 62.9%, 20.0%, and 0%, respectively (P=.035). Progression-free survival (P=.69) and OS (P=.88) were not different between patients with negative surgical margins who received (n=21) and did not receive (n=7) IORT. Ten of 37 patients (27.0%) had development of grade 3 or higher toxicities, with 1 death due to sepsis.

Conclusion

Complete tumor resection at the time of curative-intent radical extirpation achieved higher rates of PFS and OS regardless of IORT administration.

The role of intraoperative radiotherapy in advanced rectal cancer: a meta-analysis

AIM

Patients with locally advanced and locally recurrent rectal cancer (LARC/LRRC) experience higher rates of local recurrence (LR) and poorer overall survival than patients with primary rectal cancer restricted to the mesorectum despite improved neoadjuvant treatment regimens and radical surgical procedures. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has been suggested as an adjunctive tool in the surgical management of these challenging cases. However, clear evidence regarding the oncological benefit of IORT is sparse. The aim of this review was to update this evidence in the era of standardized neoadjuvant radiotherapy administration.

METHOD

A systematic review of patients who received IORT as part of multimodal treatment for advanced rectal cancer from 2000 to 2020 and an analysis of IORT and surgery/external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) groups was performed. The primary endpoint was the rate of LR between the two groups.

RESULTS

Seven papers met the predefined criteria. LR was reduced by the addition of IORT when compared with the surgery/EBRT alone group (14.7% vs. 21.4%; OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.27-1.14; p = 0.11). There was no increase in reported genitourinary morbidity, wound issues, pelvic collections or anastomotic leak in those patients who received IORT. Notably, there was no survival difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The addition of IORT to current treatment strategies in the management of patients with LARC/LRRC is associated with a lower rate of locoregional recurrence without increased morbidity. However, this marks a highly selective group of patients, with heterogeneity regarding indications, prior neoadjuvant treatments and/or IORT dosing.

Results of a pooled analysis of IOERT containing multimodality treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer: Results of 565 patients of two major treatment centres

OBJECTIVE

Aim of this study is analysing the pooled results of Intra-Operative Electron beam Radiotherapy (IOERT) containing multimodality treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) of two major treatment centres.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Five hundred sixty five patients with LRRC who underwent multimodality-treatment up to 2010 were studied. The preferred treatment was preoperative chemo-radiotherapy, surgery and IOERT. In uni- and multivariate analyses risk factors for local re-recurrence, distant metastasis free survival, relapse free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival were studied.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty one patients (44%) underwent a radical (R0) resection. In patients who had no preoperative treatment the R0 resection rate was 26%, and this was 43% and 50% for patients who respectively received preoperative re-(chemo)-irradiation or full-course radiotherapy (p < 0.0001). After uni- and multivariate analysis it was found that all oncologic parameters were influenced by preoperative treatment and radicality of the resection. Patients who were re-irradiated had a similar outcome compared to patients, who were radiotherapy naive and could undergo full-course treatment, except the chance of local re-recurrence was higher for re-irradiated patients. Waiting-time between preoperative radiotherapy and IOERT was inversely correlated with the chance of local re-recurrence, and positively correlated with the chance of a R0 resection.

CONCLUSIONS

R0 resection is the most important factor influencing oncologic parameters in treatment of LRRC. Preoperative (chemo)-radiotherapy increases the chance of achieving radical resections and improves oncologic outcomes. Short waiting-times between preoperative treatment and IOERT improves the effectiveness of IOERT to reduce the chance of a local re-recurrence.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) reirradiation for pelvic recurrence from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

When surgery is not adequate or feasible, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) reirradiation has been used for recurrent cancers. We report the outcomes of a series of patients with pelvic recurrences from colorectal cancer reirradiated with SBRT.

METHODS

The Cyberknife(TM) Robotic Stereotactic Radiosurgery system with fiducial based real time tracking was used. Patients were followed with imaging of the pelvis.

RESULTS

Four women and 14 men with 22 lesions were included. The mean dose was 25 Gy in median of five fractions. The mean prescription isodose was 77%, with a median maximum dose of 32.87 Gy. There were two local failures, with a crude local control rate of 89%. The median overall survival was 43 months. One patient had small bowel perforation and required surgery (Grade IV), two patients had symptomatic neuropathy (1 Grade III) and one patient developed hydronephrosis from ureteric fibrosis requiring a stent (Grade III).

CONCLUSIONS

Local recurrence in the pelvis after modern combined modality treatment for colorectal cancer is rare. However it presents a therapeutic dilemma when it occurs; often symptomatic and eventually life threatening. SBRT can be a useful non-surgical modality to control pelvic recurrences after prior radiation for colorectal cancer.

Long-Term Survival After High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced or Recurrent Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

We evaluated outcomes of intraoperative radiotherapy delivered with focal high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy [intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT)] in the management of locally recurrent (LR) and locally advanced (LA) primary T4 colorectal carcinoma (CRC). LR CRC or LA primary disease is a clinical challenge due to the difficulty in obtaining negative margins after radical surgery and the high risk of subsequent recurrence. Few data exist on long-term outcomes of patients treated with surgery and HDR-IORT for LR or LA primary CRC.

METHODS

Three hundred CRC patients underwent HDR-IORT to the pelvis with gross surgical resection during November 1992-December 2007. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 53 (range 5-216) months. Eighty-eight patients (29 %) were treated for LA primary and 212 (71 %) LR disease. HDR-IORT was delivered using an iridium-192 remote afterloader and a Harrison-Anderson-Mick applicator. Median IORT dose was 1,500 (range 1,000-2,000) cGy.

RESULTS

Five-year overall survival probability was 49 %. Positive margin status was associated with inferior overall survival and disease-free survival. Competing-risks analysis for time to local failure and distant metastases identified a 5-year cumulative incidence of local failure and distant metastases of 33 and 47 %, respectively. Five-year cumulative incidence of local failure was 22 % for the LA group and 38 % in the LR group. Five-year probability of disease-free survival was 48 and 31 % for LA and LR patients, respectively, and 5-year probability of overall survival was 56 and 45 % for LA and LR patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HDR-IORT combined with resection results in encouraging local control rates with acceptable toxicity for patients with locally aggressive CRC.

Extended sacropelvic resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer: can it be done safely and with good oncologic outcomes?

BACKGROUND

A multimodality approach to patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer that includes surgery is associated with a significant survival advantage when tumor-free margins are achieved. Patients with advanced tumors will require extended sacropelvic resection to optimize oncologic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and oncologic outcomes of extended sacropelvic resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer at our institution.

DESIGN

A retrospective review identified 406 patients who had surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer between 1997 and 2007. From this group, all patients who underwent a curative-intent sacropelvic resection were analyzed.

SETTINGS

This investigation was conducted at an academic tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Thirty patients (24 male) were identified. Median age was 59 years (range, 25-84). Operations were performed for a first local recurrence (n = 24), a second recurrence (n = 5) and for a third recurrence (n = 1).

INTERVENTIONS

Twenty-six patients underwent neoadjuvant radiation, and 20 received intraoperative radiation therapy. All patients underwent extended sacropelvic resection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were early (<30 days) and late (>30 days) surgical complications. Overall and disease-free survivals were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier technique.

RESULTS

Margin-negative resection was achieved in 93%. The most proximal level of spinal transection was the fourth lumbar space, and 4 patients underwent lower extremity amputation. There was no mortality, and early morbidity was seen in 76%. Median follow-up was 2.7 years (range, 2 months to 10.8 years). Overall survival at 2 and 5 years was 86% and 46%. Disease-free survival at 2 and 5 years was 79% and 43%.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective nature and the limited number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We found extended sacropelvic resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer to be feasible and safe with overall and disease-free survival rates in comparison with survival rates seen in patients undergoing nonsacropelvic resections for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Prognostic factors associated with locally recurrent rectal cancer following primary surgery (Review)

Locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) is defined as an intrapelvic recurrence following a primary rectal cancer resection, with or without distal metastasis. The treatment of LRRC remains a clinical challenge. LRRC has been regarded as an incurable disease state leading to a poor quality of life and a limited survival time. However, curative reoperations have proved beneficial for treating LRRC. A complete resection of recurrent tumors (R0 resection) allows the treatment to be curative rather than palliative, which is a milestone in medicine. In LRRC cases, the difficulty of achieving an R0 resection is associated with the post-operative prognosis and is affected by several clinical factors, including the staging of the local recurrence (LR), accompanying symptoms, patterns of tumors and combined therapy. The risk factors following primary surgery that lead to an increased rate of LR are summarized in this study, including the surgical, pathological and therapeutic factors.

Intentionally curative treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of outcome data beyond local recurrence rates after primary treatment in rectal cancer, despite more information being necessary for clinical decision-making. We sought to determine patient selection, therapeutic modalities and outcomes of locally recurrent rectal cancer treated with curative intent.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (1990-2010) using the medical subject headings "rectal neoplasms" and "neoplasm recurrence, local." Selection of cohort studies was based on the primary intention of treatment and availability of at least 1 outcome variable.

RESULTS

We included 55 cohort studies comprising 3767 patients; 8 studies provided data on the rate of intentionally curative treatment from an unselected consecutive cohort of patients (481 of 1188 patients; 40%). Patients were symptomatic with pain in 50% (796 of 1607) of cases. Overall, 3088 of 3767 patients underwent resection. The R0 resection rate was 56% (1484 of 2637 patients). The rate of external beam radiotherapy was 100% in 9 studies, 0% in 5 studies, and ranged from 12% to 97% in 37 studies. Overall postoperative mortality was 2.2% (57 of 2515 patients). Five-year survival was at least 25%, with an upper limit of 41% in 11 of 18 studies including at least 50 resections. We found a significant increase in reported survival rates over time (r2 = 0.214, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

More uniformity in treatment protocols and reporting on outcomes for locally recurrent rectal cancer is warranted. The observed improvement of reported survival rates in time is probably related to better patient selection and optimized multimodality treatment in specialized centres.

Intraoperative Electron Beam Radiotherapy (IOERT) in the management of locally advanced or recurrent cervical cancer

Background

To report outcomes in women with locally recurrent or advanced cervical cancer who received intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) as a component of therapy.

Methods

From 1983 to 2010, 86 patients with locally recurrent (n = 73, 85%) or primary advanced (n = 13, 15%) cervical cancer received IOERT following surgery. Common surgeries included pelvic exenteration (n = 26; 30%) or sidewall resection (n = 22; 26%). The median IOERT dose was 15 Gy (range, 6.25-25 Gy). Sixty-one patients (71%) received perioperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT; median dose, 45 Gy). Forty-one patients (48%) received perioperative chemotherapy.

Results

Median follow-up was 2.7 years (range, 0.1-25.5 years). Resections were classified as R0 (n = 35, 41%), R1 (n = 30, 35%), or R2 (n = 21, 24%). Cumulative incidences of central (within the IOERT field) and locoregional relapse at 3 years were 23 and 38%, respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of distant relapse was 43%. Median survival was 15 months, and 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of cause-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were 31 and 25%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, pelvic exenteration (p = 0.02) and perioperative EBRT (p = 0.009) were associated with improved central control in patients with recurrent disease. Recurrence within 6 months of initial therapy was associated with reduced CSS (p = 0.001). Common IOERT-related toxicities included peripheral neuropathy (n = 16), ureteral stenosis (n = 4), and bowel fistula/perforation (n = 4). Eleven of 16 patients with neuropathy required long-term pain medication.

Conclusions

Long-term survival is possible with combined modality therapy including IOERT for advanced cervical cancer. Distant relapse is common, yet a significant number of patients experienced local progression in spite of aggressive treatment. In addition to consideration of disease- and treatment-related morbidity, other factors to be considered when selecting patients for this approach include the time interval from initial therapy to recurrence and whether the patient is able to receive perioperative EBRT and pelvic exenteration in addition to IOERT.

Integration of radiation oncology with surgery as combined-modality treatment

Integration of surgery and radiation (external beam, EBRT; intraoperative, IORT) has become more routine for patients with locally advanced primary cancers and those with local-regional relapse. This article discusses patient selection and treatment from a more general perspective, followed by a discussion of patient selection and treatment factors in select disease sites (pancreas cancer, colorectal cancer, retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcomas). Outcomes with combined modality treatment (surgery, EBRT alone or with concurrent chemotherapy, IORT) are discussed. The ultimate in contemporary integration of radiation and surgery is found in patients who are candidates for surgery plus both EBRT and IORT.

Is curative resection and long-term survival possible for locally re-recurrent colorectal cancer in the pelvis?

BACKGROUND

A multimodality approach for locally recurrent colorectal cancer in the pelvis provides a significant survival advantage when negative margins are achieved. However, outcomes of surgical resection in patients who have locally re-recurrent disease in the pelvis are not well studied. Our aim was to assess the safety, feasibility of a negative margin resection, and survival outcomes in patients with pelvic locally re-recurrent colorectal cancer.

DESIGN

A retrospective review identified 406 patients who underwent surgery for locally recurrent colorectal cancer between 1997 and 2007. Patients who had locally re-recurrent disease in the pelvis who underwent curative-intent resection were identified.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (31 male) were identified. Median age was 57 years (range, 30-84 years). Median time to re-recurrence was 2.4 years (range, 0.5-5.6 years). Margin status following re-resection was R0 60%, R1 32%, and R2 8%. Nonbowel organs were resected en bloc in 81%, including 7 sacral resections. Intraoperative radiation was given to 77%. Morbidity occurred in 42%, with 6% requiring reoperation for complications. Thirty-day mortality was nil. Overall survival at 2 and 5 years was 83% and 33%. Disease-free survival at 2 and 5 years was 55% and 27%. Five-year survival for patients who had R0 and R1 resections was 37% and 42%, whereas no patients having an R2 resection survived beyond 2 years (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In highly selected patients with re-recurrent colorectal cancer in the pelvis, we found that surgery could be performed safely and that a curative (R0) resection was possible in more than 50%. Two- and 5-year survival rates are comparable to results seen when surgery is done for first-time recurrences.

Intraoperative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) in the management of locally recurrent rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

To evaluate disease control, overall survival and prognostic factors in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer after IOERT-containing multimodal therapy.

METHODS

Between 1991 and 2006, 97 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer have been treated with surgery and IOERT. IOERT was preceded or followed by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in 54 previously untreated patients (median dose 41.4 Gy) usually combined with 5-Fluouracil-based chemotherapy (89%). IOERT was delivered via cylindric cones with doses of 10-20 Gy. Adjuvant CHT was given only in a minority of patients (34%). Median follow-up was 51 months.

RESULTS

Margin status was R0 in 37%, R1 in 33% and R2 in 30% of the patients. Neoadjuvant EBRT resulted in significantly increased rates of free margins (52% vs. 24%). Median overall survival was 39 months. Estimated 5-year rates for central control (inside the IOERT area), local control (inside the pelvis), distant control and overall survival were 54%, 41%, 40% and 30%. Resection margin was the strongest prognostic factor for overall survival (3-year OS of 80% (R0), 37% (R1), 35% (R2)) and LC (3-year LC 82% (R0), 41% (R1), 18% (R2)) in the multivariate model. OS was further significantly affected by clinical stage at first diagnosis and achievement of local control after treatment in the univariate model. Distant failures were found in 46 patients, predominantly in the lung. 90-day postoperative mortality was 3.1%.

CONCLUSION

Long term OS and LC can be achieved in a substantial proportion of patients with recurrent rectal cancer using a multimodality IOERT-containing approach, especially in case of clear margins. LC and OS remain limited in patients with incomplete resection. Preoperative re-irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy may be considered to improve outcome.

Phase I/II trial evaluating carbon ion radiotherapy for the treatment of recurrent rectal cancer: the PANDORA-01 trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment standard for patients with rectal cancer depends on the initial staging and includes surgical resection, radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy. For stage II and III tumors, radiochemotherapy should be performed in addition to surgery, preferentially as preoperative radiochemotherapy or as short-course hypofractionated radiation. Advances in surgical approaches, especially the establishment of the total mesorectal excision (TME) in combination with sophisticated radiation and chemotherapy have reduced local recurrence rates to only few percent. However, due to the high incidence of rectal cancer, still a high absolute number of patients present with recurrent rectal carcinomas, and effective treatment is therefore needed.Carbon ions offer physical and biological advantages. Due to their inverted dose profile and the high local dose deposition within the Bragg peak precise dose application and sparing of normal tissue is possible. Moreover, in comparison to photons, carbon ions offer an increase relative biological effectiveness (RBE), which can be calculated between 2 and 5 depending on the cell line as well as the endpoint analyzed.Japanese data on the treatment of patients with recurrent rectal cancer previously not treated with radiation therapy have shown local control rates of carbon ion treatment superior to those of surgery. Therefore, this treatment concept should also be evaluated for recurrences after radiotherapy, when dose application using conventional photons is limited. Moreover, these patients are likely to benefit from the enhanced biological efficacy of carbon ions.

METHODS AND DESIGN

In the current Phase I/II-PANDORA-01-Study the recommended dose of carbon ion radiotherapy for recurrent rectal cancer will be determined in the Phase I part, and feasibilty and progression-free survival will be assessed in the Phase II part of the study.Within the Phase I part, increasing doses from 12 × 3 Gy E to 18 × 3 Gy E will be applied.The primary endpoint in the Phase I part is toxicity, the primary endpoint in the Phase II part is progression-free survival.

DISCUSSION

With conventional photon irradiation treatment of recurrent rectal cancer is limited, and the clinical effect is only moderate. With carbon ions, an improved outcome can be expected due to the physical and biological characteristics of the carbon ion beam. However, the optimal dose applicable in this clincial situation as re-irradiation still has to be determined. This, as well as efficacy, is to be evaluated in the present Phase I/II trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01528683.

Long-term outcomes after maximal surgical resection and intraoperative electron radiotherapy for locoregionally recurrent or locoregionally advanced primary renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To report outcomes of a multimodality therapy combining maximal surgical resection and intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) for patients with locoregionally (LR) recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after radical nephrectomy or LR advanced primary RCC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 1989 through 2005, a total of 22 patients with LR recurrent (n = 19) or LR advanced primary (n = 3) RCC were treated with this multimodality approach. The median patient age was 63 years (range 46-78). Twenty-one patients (95%) received perioperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with a median dose of 4,500 cGy (range, 4,140-5,500). Surgical resection was R0 (negative margins) in 5 patients (23%) and R1 (residual microscopic disease) in 17 patients (77%). The median IOERT dose delivered was 1,250 cGy (range, 1,000-2,000). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and relapse patterns were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for surviving patients was 9.9 years (range, 3.6-20 years). The OS and DFS at 1, 5, and 10 years were 91%, 40%, and 35% and 64%, 31%, and 31%, respectively. Central recurrence (within the IOERT field), LR relapse (tumor bed or regional lymph nodes), and distant metastases at 5 years were 9%, 27%, and 64%, respectively. Mortality within 30 days of surgery and IOERT was 0%. Five patients (23%) experienced acute or late National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTCAE) Version 4 Grade 3 to 5 toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with LR recurrent or LR advanced primary RCC, a multimodality approach of perioperative EBRT, maximal surgical resection, and IOERT yielded encouraging results. This regimen warrants further investigation.

Surgical management of locally advanced and locally recurrent colon cancer

Locally advanced and locally recurrent colon cancers pose a surgical challenge with tumors extending into surrounding structures and organs. Anticipation of the need for an extended surgical resection, often with multivisceral en bloc organ removal, is critical for surgical planning. For both primary and recurrent tumors, postsurgical long-term survival is achievable but only after complete resection. The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy continues to be redefined in this era of biologic chemotherapeutics, and multimodality therapy holds promise in aiding resection and improving postsalvage survival.

Combined modality therapy including intraoperative electron irradiation for locally recurrent colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate survival, relapse patterns, and prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer relapse treated with curative-intent therapy, including intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From April 1981 through January 2008, 607 patients with recurrent colorectal cancer received IOERT as a component of treatment. IOERT was preceded or followed by external radiation (median dose, 45.5 Gy) in 583 patients (96%). Resection was classified as R0 in 227 (37%), R1 in 224 (37%), and R2 in 156 (26%). The median IOERT dose was 15 Gy (range, 7.5-30 Gy).

RESULTS

Median overall survival was 36 months. Five- and 10-year survival rates were 30% and 16%, respectively. Survival estimates at 5 years were 46%, 27%, and 16% for R0, R1, and R2 resection, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that R0 resection, no prior chemotherapy, and more recent treatment (in the second half of the series) were associated with improved survival. The 3-year cumulative incidence of central, local, and distant relapse was 12%, 23%, and 49%, respectively. Central and local relapse were more common in previously irradiated patients and in those with subtotal resection. Toxicity Grade 3 or higher partially attributable to IOERT was observed in 66 patients (11%). Neuropathy was observed in 94 patients (15%) and was more common with IOERT doses exceeding 12.5 Gy.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival and disease control was achievable in patients with locally recurrent colorectal cancer. Continued evaluation of curative-intent, combined-modality therapy that includes IOERT is warranted in this high-risk population.

[Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal tumors]

We investigated the response rate and side effects of simultaneous, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) in locally advanced rectal cancer. Between 2005 and 2007, we treated 112 patients in stage II-III rectal carcinoma at the Institute of Oncotherapy, University of Pécs. For staging abdomino-pelvic CT (112) and transrectal US (49) or pelvic MR (10), or PET-CT (1) was performed. Radiation therapy was delivered with 3D CRT-based technique using belly-board with 18 MV photon energy, while patients in prone position. A total dose of 45 Gy (single dose 1.8 Gy) was delivered to the tumor and the pelvic lymph nodes. 5-FU and Ca-folinate was administered concomitantly in the 1st and 5th week of radiotherapy. Four weeks after delivering neoadjuvant RCT the patients' control CT was evaluated according to RECIST criteria. RCT was followed by surgery in 6-9 weeks. We graded the histology using the Mandard regression score system. Side effects were registered using CTCAE v 3.0. Grade 1, 2 or 3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 12%, grade 3 hematological toxicity in 9.5% of the patients. The response rate determined by using control CT was 64.85%. According to the Mandard regression score, TRG1 occurred in 15%, TRG2 in 30.4%, TRG3 in 28%, TRG4 in 24% and TRG5 in 2.6% of the cases. Radical surgery was performed in 89 cases, 72 with R0 resection. By assessing the histological samples we found downstaging in 46% of the T and 34.5% of the N stage. We have no information on increased postoperative complications. We followed 86 patients after neoadjuvant therapy. Until March 2009 there was no progression in 48 of our patients. In 13 cases local relapse occurred, and in 25 cases the disease progressed because of distant metastasis, although local control was maintained. 10 patients had local relapse and distant metastases. 17 patients passed away. As a conclusion, neoadjuvant RCT of Stage II-III patients is an effective and well tolerated treatment, allowing for high R0 resection rate and bearing no higher risk for postoperative morbidity.

Management of recurrent rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Here we present a concise review on the evaluation and management of locally recurrent rectal cancer, which despite marked reductions in the rate of recurrent rectal cancer remains an important problem.

METHODS

This educational review discusses the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of recurrent rectal cancer.

RESULTS

Despite improvements in both the neoadjuvant and surgical management of rectal cancer, local recurrence is still an important problem, with documented recurrence rates of 4% to 8%. The local management of recurrence requires a team of specialist. Accurate detection and diagnosis followed by chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection may result in 5-year survival rates of up to 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

We discuss the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of locally recurrent rectal cancer. Locally recurrent rectal cancer can be successfully managed with multimodal therapy leading to successful palliation and often cure.

The role of intraoperative radiotherapy in solid tumors

BACKGROUND

Combined multimodality therapy is becoming standard treatment for many solid tumors, but the role of intraoperative radiotherapy in the management of solid tumors remains uncertain. The aim is to review the indication, application, and outcomes of intraoperative radiotherapy in the management of nongynecological solid tumors.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane database for studies between 1965 and 2008 assessing intraoperative radiotherapy, using the keywords "intraoperative radiotherapy," "colorectal cancer," "breast cancer," "gastric cancer," "pancreatic cancer," "soft tissue tumor," and "surgery." Only publications in English with available abstracts and regarding adult humans were included, and the evidence was critically evaluated.

RESULTS

Our search retrieved 864 publications. After exclusion of nonclinical papers, duplicated papers and exclusion of brachytherapy papers, 77 papers were suitable to assess the current role of intraoperative radiotherapy. The clinical application and evidence base of intraoperative radiotherapy for each cancer is presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Current studies in all common cancers show an additional benefit in local recurrence rates when intraoperative radiotherapy is included in the multimodal treatment. However, intraoperative radiotherapy may not improve overall survival and has significant morbidity depending on the site of the tumor. Intraoperative radiotherapy does have a role in the multidisciplinary management of solid tumors, but further studies are required to more precisely determine the extent of benefit.

Unresectable colorectal cancer can be cured with multimodality therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine in what manner aggressive external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), chemotherapy, surgical resection, and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) impact relapse and survival in patients with locally unresectable primary colorectal cancer.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Patients with colorectal cancer fixed to critical structures (eg, IVC and pelvic sidewall) are considered locally "unresectable" for cure and treated with palliative therapy.

METHODS

One hundred forty-six patients (65% males) with locally unresectable colon (40) and rectal (106) cancer were treated with EBRT, chemotherapy, surgical resection, and IORT. Final surgical margins were close, but negative in 100 patients (68%), microscopically positive in 28 (19%), and grossly positive in 18 (13%). Kaplan-Meier method was used to visualize survival and relapse curves; groups were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Median overall survival was 3.7 years. Median overall survival (years) favored patients with age <58 (7.6 vs. 3.6; P = 0.0012), those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (9.4 versus 3.9; P = 0.0019), and those with negative or microscopic margins (6.3 vs. 1.9; P = 0.0006). There were no perioperative deaths. Fifteen complications occurred in 12 patients (8%) within 30 days of surgery/IORT. One hundred nineteen long-term complications occurred in 77 patients (53%), most commonly peripheral neuropathy (19%), bowel obstruction (14%), and ureteral obstruction (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive multimodality therapy for locally unresectable primary colorectal cancer results in excellent local disease control and a 5-year disease-free and overall survival rate of 43% and 52% respectively with no operative mortality and acceptable perioperative morbidities.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with pelvic recurrence from rectal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical applications of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using the CyberKnife system for pelvic recurrence from rectal cancer with a focus on survival and toxicity.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2006, 23 patients with recurrent rectal cancer were treated with SBRT at our institution. The median follow-up was 31 months. Sites of recurrence were pre-sacral in seven patients and the pelvic wall in 16. SBRT doses ranged from 30 to 51 Gy (median 39 Gy) and were delivered in three fractions. Response to treatment was assessed by computed tomography. Overall and local progression-free survival and toxicities were recorded.

RESULTS

Four-year overall survival and local control rates were 24.9 and 74.3%, respectively. No prognostic factor was found to affect patient survival or local progression. One patient developed a severe radiation-related toxicity, but recovered completely after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT for pelvic recurrence was found to be comparable with other modalities with respect to overall survival and complication rates. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Clinical results of intraoperative radiation therapy for patients with locally recurrent and advanced tumors having colorectal involvement

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) may be useful in the treatment of patients who have a locally advanced primary and recurrent abdominopelvic neoplasm with colorectal involvement.

METHODS

A retrospective review of colorectal cancer patients treated since 1999 with IORT using the Mobetron device.

RESULTS

Forty patients underwent colectomy or proctectomy with IORT. All patients had evidence of local extension to contiguous structures and based on preoperative staging were deemed by the operating surgeon as being likely to have incomplete resection. IORT was selected as an alternative to sacrectomy or exenteration for an expected close margin in 10 patients. Mean survival was 35 +/- 26 months, and 1 patient had local recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of IORT has allowed a selective treatment approach to locally advanced primary and recurrent neoplasms, which traditionally would have been deemed unresectable. Using IORT, extended resections may be avoided in selected high-risk patients with low risk of local recurrence and minimal morbidity.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer and Clinical Significance of Hemoglobin

PURPOSE

To investigate potential prognostic factors, including hemoglobin levels before and during radiotherapy, for associations with survival and local control in patients with unirradiated locally recurrent rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten potential prognostic factors were investigated in 94 patients receiving radiotherapy for recurrent rectal cancer: age (<or=68 vs. >or=69 years), gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0-1 vs. 2-3), American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage (<or=II vs. III vs. IV), grading (G1-2 vs. G3), surgery, administration of chemotherapy, radiation dose (equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions: <or=50 vs. >50 Gy), and hemoglobin levels before (<12 vs. >or=12 g/dL) and during (majority of levels: <12 vs. >or=12 g/dL) radiotherapy. Multivariate analyses were performed, including hemoglobin levels, either before or during radiotherapy (not both) because these are confounding variables.

RESULTS

Improved survival was associated with better performance status (p<0.001), lower AJCC stage (p=0.023), surgery (p=0.011), chemotherapy (p=0.003), and hemoglobin levels>or=12 g/dL both before (p=0.031) and during (p<0.001) radiotherapy. On multivariate analyses, performance status, AJCC stage, and hemoglobin levels during radiotherapy maintained significance. Improved local control was associated with better performance status (p=0.040), lower AJCC stage (p=0.010), lower grading (p=0.012), surgery (p<0.001), chemotherapy (p<0.001), and hemoglobin levels>or=12 g/dL before (p<0.001) and during (p<0.001) radiotherapy. On multivariate analyses, chemotherapy, grading, and hemoglobin levels before and during radiotherapy remained significant. Subgroup analyses of the patients having surgery demonstrated the extent of resection to be significantly associated with local control (p=0.011) but not with survival (p=0.45).

CONCLUSION

Predictors for outcome in patients who received radiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer were performance status, AJCC stage, chemotherapy, surgery, extent of resection, histologic grading, and hemoglobin levels both before and during radiotherapy.

Preoperative irradiation and surgery for local recurrence of rectal and rectosigmoid cancer. Prognostic factors with regard to survival and further local recurrence

OBJECTIVE

Local recurrence after rectal cancer surgery is an important clinical problem.

METHOD

150 patients with local recurrence after rectal/rectosigmoid cancer, stage M0, underwent surgery after preoperative irradiation (46-50 Gy).

RESULTS

The overall 5-year survival was 27% (44% R0, 38% R1 and 17% R2-stage). Corresponding survival/local recurrence rates were 52%/27% for R0- and 14%/63% for R1-stage. No R2-resected survived 4 years. A normal pretreatment CEA level was significantly associated with increased survival but normalization following preoperative therapy was not associated with an improvement in prognosis. Survival and local recurrence were also significantly influenced by the type of primary operation. Several factors were significant for the prediction of an R0-resection in univariate analysis, but only CEA and symptoms at the time of recurrence predicted an R0-resection in multivariate analysis. A long latency time to recurrence did not significantly influence prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative irradiation and surgery can result in an R0-resection and a long survival in patients with recurrence after initial treatment for rectal or rectosigmoid cancer. Also patients with an R1-resection can benefit from surgery since a substantial number will die without further local recurrence. An R0-resection is the main prognostic factor followed by CEA level, sex and type of primary operation. Normalization of CEA after preoperative treatment is not of prognostic significance. The value of the Norwegian follow-up regimen is questioned.

Intraoperative radiation therapy

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is the delivery of irradiation at the time of an operation. This is performed by different techniques including intraoperative electron beam techniques and high-dose rate brachytherapy. IORT is usually given in combination with external-beam radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy and surgical resection. IORT excludes part or all dose-limiting sensitive structures, thereby increasing the effective dose to the tumor bed (and therefore local control) without significantly increasing normal tissue morbidity. Despite best contemporary therapy, high rates of local failure occur in patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer, retroperitoneal sarcoma, select gynecologic cancers, and other malignancies. The addition of IORT to conventional treatment methods has improved local control as well as survival in many disease sites in both the primary and locally recurrent disease settings. More recently, there has been interest in the use of IORT as a technique of partial breast irradiation for women with early breast cancer. Given newer and lower cost treatment devices, the use of IORT in clinical practice will likely grow, with increasing integration into the treatment of nonconventional malignancies. Optimally, phase III randomized trials will be carried out to prove its efficacy in these disease sites.

Intraoperative radiotherapy for treatment of locally advanced and recurrent esophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) allows delivery of radiotherapy doses in excess of those typically deliverable with conventional external beam radiotherapy. IORT has potential utility in clinical situations, such as treatment of esophageal and gastric malignancies, in which the radiation tolerance of normal organs limits the dose that can be given with conventional radiotherapy techniques. We reviewed the records of 50 patients who received IORT for locally advanced primary or recurrent gastric or esophageal adenocarcinomas deemed unresectable for cure. IORT was given as a single fraction of electron beam radiotherapy (10-25 Gy) after maximal tumor resection: R0 in 42%, R1 in 46%, and R2 in 12%. Forty-eight patients also received external beam radiotherapy (8-55 Gy), 46 received radiosensitizing chemotherapy, and nine received systemic chemotherapy after radiotherapy. Outcomes were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Median survival was 1.6 years. Overall survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 70%, 40%, and 27%. Of 42 patients who died, 37 died from cancer progression and three from multifactorial treatment toxicity. Median survival for patients with recurrent disease versus primary disease was 3.0 years versus 1.3 years (P < 0.05), with a delay of metastatic failure in patients with recurrent tumors (P = 0.06). At 3 years, distant metastatic failure was 79%, local failure was 10%, and regional failure was 15%. IORT for locally advanced primary or recurrent gastric malignancies effectively decreases the risk of local failure. For patients with isolated local recurrences, IORT may be effective salvage therapy. However, more effective systemic therapy is needed as a component of treatment.

Preliminary results of phase I trial of oral uracil/tegafur (UFT), leucovorin plus irinotecan and radiation therapy for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical attempts for locally recurrent rectal cancer often fail due to local re-recurrence and distant metastasis. Preoperative chemoradiation may enhance better local control and survival. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of oral uracil and tegafur (UFT) plus leucovorin (LV), and irinotecan combined with radiation and determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of the triple drug regimen.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer received escalating doses of irinotecan on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 (starting at 30 mg/m2, with 10 mg increments between consecutive cohorts) and fixed doses of UFT (300 mg/m2) plus LV (75 mg/day) on days 3 to 7, 10 to 14, 17 to 21, and 24 to 28. Radiation was given 5 days per week totaling 40 to 50 Gy (2Gy/day).

RESULTS

Six patients were treated at the starting dose, and 2 received the full scheduled chemoradiotherapy. The other 4 patients had grade 3 diarrhea and diarrhea was the DLT. One patient had partial response and he had subsequently radical surgical resection. Median progression free survival for local recurrence was 320 days.

CONCLUSION

Irinotecan plus UFT/LV with concomitant radiotherapy in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer was not feasible due to diarrhea in this setting. Modification of the treatment is needed.

Surgery for local recurrence of rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Despite improvement in management of primary rectal cancer, 2.6-32% of patients develop local recurrence. A proportion of these patients can be amenable to salvage surgery. The present article reviews the evidence for and against the surgical management for local recurrence of rectal cancer, the role of adjuvant and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), and evaluates short and long-term outcomes.

METHOD

A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, Ovid and Cochrane database for studies between 1980 and 2005 assessing surgical management of local recurrence of rectal cancer and the evidence was critically evaluated.

RESULTS

Nearly 50% of rectal cancer recurrences are local and are therefore potentially amenable to curative resection. Preoperative imaging is important for appropriate selection of patients for surgery and preoperative adjuvant therapy is essential. Five-year survival following resection ranges from 18% to 58% with 5-year survival following complete resection of over 35% though morbidity ranges from 21% to 82%. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is beneficial and IORT may have a contributory role in treatment. Aggressive surgical treatment favourably affects quality of life and is cost effective. Surgery for local recurrence can result in significant long-term survival with acceptable morbidity and improved quality of life in appropriately selected patients. Assessment in a specialist centre familiar with these techniques is essential.

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.

Radiation therapy for gastrointestinal cancer

This article has reviewed the current role of radiation in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies and discussed the data supporting its use. Radiation treatment in this setting continues to evolve with the increasing implementation of more conformal delivery techniques. Further scientific investigation is needed to establish the optimal role of radiation and to better define its integration with novel systemic and biologic modalities.

intraoperative radiation therapy part 2. Clinical results

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) has been used for over 30 years in Asia, Europe and America as a supplementary activity in the treatment of cancer patients with promising results. Modern IORT is carried out with electron beams (IOERT) produced by a linear accelerator generally used for external beam irradiation (EBRT) or a specialized mobile electron accelerator. HDR brachytherapy (HDR-IORT) has also been applied on selected locations. Retrospective analysis of clinical experiences in cancer sites such as operable pancreatic tumour, locally advanced/recurrent rectal cancer, head and neck carcinomas, sarcomas and cervical cancer are consistent with local tumour control promotion compared to similar clinical experiences without IORT. New emerging indications such as the treatment of breast cancer are presented. The IORT component of the therapeutical approach allows intensification of the total radiation dose without additional exposure of healthy tissues and improves dose-deposit homogeneity and precision. Results of the application of IORT on selected disease sites are presented with an analysis on future possibilities. To improve the methodology, clinical trials are required with multivariate analysis including patient, tumour and treatment characteristics, prospective evaluation of early and late toxicity, patterns of tumour recurrence and overall patient outcome.

Surgery and pre-operative irradiation for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer in patients over 75 years of age

OBJECTIVE

Reports of multimodal treatment regimens especially focusing on locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer in the elderly, aged>75 years, are unavailable. We have tried to identify and evaluate pre- and peri-operative risk factors for morbidity and mortality and outcome after irradiation/surgery regimens in such patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective registration of 86 consecutive patients aged>75 years undergoing elective surgery after irradiation 46-50 Gy for either primary locally advanced rectal cancer (n=51) or recurrent rectal cancer (n=35) from January 1991 to August 2003, 51 men and 35 women, median age 78 years (range 75-85 years) in a national cancer hospital.

RESULTS

Multivisceral resections were needed in 63% of patients and 70% R0 resections were obtained in locally advanced cases and 46% in recurrent ones. Both in-hospital- and 30-day-mortality was 3.5%. Sixty-two postoperative complications occurred in 38 patients, three of them fatal. Both operation times over 5 h and transfusion of more than 3 SAG were prognostic factors regarding infections. Estimated five-year survival in R0 patients was 46%. Estimated five-year survival for patients with nonmetastatic tumours with locally advanced primary cancer was 29% and for locally recurrent rectal cancer 32%. Old males had a higher mortality rate the first year after surgery than females with only 65% relative survival compared to a matched normal population. The estimated five-year local recurrence rates were 24% for R0 resections and 54% for R1 resections (P=0.434 ns) and 24% and 45% for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer (P=0.248 ns), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Thorough pre-operative evaluation and preparation and judicious surgery are important for achieving potentially curative treatment with acceptable morbidity in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer in patients over 75 years of age. We suggest that these patients should be evaluated and considered for treatment by multidisciplinary teams as younger patients.

Treatment Strategy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer

Despite radical surgery, up to 33% of patients with rectal cancer will develop locoregional relapse. The management of these patients is particularly challenging. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for those with a mobile recurrence. However, the majority of patients develop recurrence involving the pelvic wall. In these patients, multimodality therapy including radical surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy have been reported with 5-year survival of up to 31% and local control rates of 50-71%. The most important factor for obtaining long-term local control and survival is R0 resection. Extended surgery such as abdomino-sacral resection has not been popular because of 5-year survival rates of 16-31%, and significant postoperative morbidity. Re-recurrence following surgery occurs locally and in the lung, and remains a significant problem. In surgical treatment for local recurrence, surgeon-related factors are crucial. A staging system using degree of fixation and other prognostic factors should be developed so that appropriate treatment modalities are applied to each case.

Intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy and ureteral obstruction

PURPOSE

To quantify the risk of ureteral obstruction (UO) after intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy (IOERT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One hundred forty-six patients received IOERT of 7.5 to 30 Gy to 168 ureters; 132 patients received external radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Follow-up ranged from 0.01 to 19.1 years (median, 2.1 years). The rates of clinically apparent type 1 UO (UO from any cause) after IOERT at 2, 5, and 10 years were 47%, 63%, and 79%, respectively. The rates of clinically apparent type 2 UO (UO occurring at least 1 month after IOERT, excluding UO caused by tumor or abscess and patients with stents) at 2, 5, and 10 years were 27%, 47%, and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of UO before IOERT (p < 0.001) was associated with an increased risk of clinically apparent type 1 UO. Increasing IOERT dose (p < 0.04) was associated with an increased risk of clinically apparent type 2 UO. UO rates in ureters not receiving IOERT at 2, 5, and 10 years were 19%, 19%, and 51%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of UO after IOERT increases with dose. However, UO risk for ureters not receiving IOERT was also high, which suggests an underlying risk of ureteral injury from other causes.

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

PURPOSE

Local recurrence of rectal cancer occurs in a considerable group of patients who have undergone radical treatment for primary tumour. The treatment of choice is surgical resection but the prognosis remains poor, as a negative margin excision is possible in only a small subset of patients. A review of prognostic factors for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after surgery is presented.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed the literature for reports on prognostic factors after surgical excision of LRRC. These reports were identified through a review of the Medline database from 1982 to 2004.

RESULTS

This review highlights the most important prognostic factors for LRRC patients treated with surgery. Data are grouped on the basis of the prognostic factors investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

R0 resection seems to be the only reliable prognostic factor; however, symptoms, pre-operative CEA doubling time, performance status and pre-operative radiotherapy can help patient selection before surgery. The results of this review provide the basis for improved outcome, aiming to assess patients who would benefit from reoperation.

Surgical resection and high dose rate intraoperative radiation therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer

For intra-pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer, surgical resection is technically difficult and must be aggressive to achieve a high rate of negative resection margins. Resection with clear margins can be curative, particularly for those patients with true anastomotic recurrence. HDR-IORT is a safe, feasible, versatile, logistically sound modality that is highly reliable in delivering radiation to at-risk surgical margins in the pelvis. Despite surgery and IORT, overall local failure rates in this population are 33 to 50 percent. The most important prognostic variable is the state of surgical resection margins. At our institution, in patients with negative and positive resection margins the 2-year actuarial local recurrence rates are 33 percent versus 73 percent and 5-year survival rates are 51 percent versus 16 percent, respectively. On subset analysis, the most favorable outcome was seen in patients with true anastomotic recurrences (78 percent 5-year survival).

Preoperative radiotherapy improves outcome in recurrent rectal cancer

PURPOSE

When local recurrent rectal cancer is diagnosed without signs of metastases, a potentially curative resection can be performed. This study was designed to compare the results of preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery with surgery only.

METHODS

Between 1985 and 2003, 117 patients with recurrent rectal cancer were prospectively entered in our database. Ninety-two patients were suitable for resection with curative intent. Preoperative radiation with a median dosage of 50 Gy was performed in 59 patients; 33 patients did not receive preoperative radiotherapy. The median age of the patients was respectively 66 and 62 years.

RESULTS

The median follow-up of patients alive for the total group was 16 (range, 4-156) months. Tumor characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Complete resections were performed in 64 percent of the patients who received preoperative radiation and 45 percent of the nonirradiated patients. A complete response after radiotherapy was found in 10 percent of the preoperative irradiated patients (n = 6). There were no differences in morbidity and reintervention rate between the two groups. Local control after preoperative radiotherapy was statistically significantly higher after three and five years (P = 0.036). Overall survival and metastases-free survival were not different in both groups. Complete response to preoperative radiotherapy was predictive for an improved survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative radiotherapy for recurrent rectal cancer results in a higher number of complete resections and an improved local control compared with patients treated without radiotherapy. Preoperative radiotherapy should be standard treatment for patients with recurrent rectal cancer.

Operative treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer

Few centres with varying regimens have published studies including more than 100 patients on the treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer. The results vary considerably. Thus there seems to be a need for more studies to establish the potential benefit of a more widespread treatment of these cancers. In total, 193 patients had surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancers after preoperative irradiation 46-50 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. The patients were followed up and the data prospectively entered in a database. In 88 patients with primary low anterior resection, 3% had lower end of tumour located more than 2 cm above the anastomosis, 5% more than 2 cm below the anastomosis; 13% had exploratory laparotomy, 8% low anterior resections, the rest equally frequent abdomino-perineal resections, Hartmann's operations, and tumour resections. Nearly half had resection of part of the pelvic wall. Hysterectomy was performed in 15% and cystoprostatectomy in 9%. Three patients had en bloc prostatectomy. R0 resections were achieved in 39%, R1 in 36%, and R2 or no resection in 25%. R0 stage was twice as often achieved after a primary low anterior resection as after abdomino-perineal resections. The 30-days postoperative mortality was 1%. Postoperative morbidity was 48%, most frequently pelvic abscesses. Estimated 5-year survival was 18% for the total group. There was a statistically significant difference in survival and local re-recurrences between R0 / R1 and R2 stages. The results are discussed relative to recent studies. Patients in whom R0 resections can be achieved will benefit from the treatment, and probably patients with R1 resections would also benefit. Such operations should possibly be performed in specialised centres as joint ventures between various surgical subspecialities.

A study of radiotherapy modalities combined with continuous 5-FU infusion for locally advanced gastrointestinal malignancies

AIM

We describe the feasibility of combining infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT).

METHODS

Patients with surgically resectable locally advanced gastrointestinal cancers were treated concurrently during surgery with IORT and a 72 h infusion of 5-FU. Patients without previous external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) were subsequently treated with EBRT (40-50Gy) concurrent with a 21-day continuous infusion of 5-FU. Pancreatic, gastric, duodenal, ampullary, recurrent colorectal, and recurrent anal cancer were included.

RESULTS

During IORT/5-FU, no chemotherapy-related grade III or IV hematologic or gastrointestinal toxicity was noted. Post-surgical recovery or wound healing was not affected. One of nine patients who received post-operative radiation required a treatment break. During follow-up, there were more complications in patients with pelvic tumours, especially those with previous radiation. Nine patients have had local and/or local regional recurrences, two of these in the IORT field.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with a combination of IORT and 5-FU followed by EBRT and 5-FU is feasible. However, long-term complications may be increased in previously irradiated recurrent pelvic tumours.

Pelvic reconstruction using vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps

Coverage of complex perineal wounds resulting from surgical and radiation therapy results in significant morbidity. Acute complications occur in 25% to 60% of patients. Serious complications occur in 25% to 46% of patients. Musculocutaneous or omental flaps are used as primary or salvage procedures for nonhealing perineal wounds. Vertical rectus abdominis flaps are ideally suited to bring nonirradiated tissue into defects associated with radical surgical extirpation procedures and irradiated fields.A retrospective review of 73 cases using a vertical rectus abdominis flap for perineal reconstruction is reported. Acute perineal wound complications occurred in 17.8%, while serious complications requiring reoperation occurred in only 3.5%. There was 1 complete flap failure. Primary healing occurred in 84.9% of patients, with 94.5% of patients obtaining a healed perineal wound within 30 days. These results support the use of the transpelvic vertical rectus flap in difficult perineal wound reconstruction.

Intraoperative radiotherapy in the multimodality approach to colorectal cancer

The addition of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) to the multimodality approach for the treatment of locally advanced and locally recurrent colorectal cancer seems to result in improvements in local control and long-term survival. Local control and survival are most likely in patients in whom a gross total resection is accomplished. Peripheral nerve is the dose-limiting structure for patients treated with IORT. Further improvements in local control require the addition of dose modifiers during external beam radiotherapy or IORT. Distant relapse remains problematic, and effective systemic therapy is necessary to significantly improve long-term survival.