Surgical Resection of Stage IV Colorectal Cancer and Prognosis

Predictive factors for respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality after surgery for spinal metastasis

PURPOSE

Spinal metastasis surgeries carry substantial risk of complications. PRF is among complications that significantly increase mortality rate and length of hospital stay. The risk factor of PRF after spinal metastasis surgery has not been investigated. This study aims to identify the predictors of postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) and in-hospital death after spinal metastasis surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with spinal metastasis surgically treated between 2008 and 2018. PRF was defined as mechanical ventilator dependence > 48 h postoperatively (MVD) or unplanned postoperative intubation (UPI). Collected data include demographics, laboratory data, radiographic and operative data, and postoperative complications. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors independently associated with PRFs and in-hospital death.

RESULTS

This study included 236 patients (average age 57 ± 14 years, 126 males). MVD and UPI occurred in 13 (5.5%) patients and 13 (5.5%) patients, respectively. During admission, 14 (5.9%) patients had died postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed significant predictors of MVD included intraoperative blood loss > 2000 mL (odds ratio [OR] 12.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.88-52.36), surgery involving cervical spine (OR 9.58, 95% CI 1.94-47.25), and ASA classification ≥ 4 (OR 6.59, 95% CI 1.85-23.42). The predictive factors of UPI included postoperative sepsis (OR 20.48, 95% CI 3.47-120.86), central nervous system (CNS) metastasis (OR 10.21, 95% CI 1.42-73.18), lung metastasis (OR 7.18, 95% CI 1.09-47.4), and postoperative pulmonary complications (OR 6.85, 95% CI 1.44-32.52). The predictive factors of in-hospital death included postoperative sepsis (OR 13.15, 95% CI 2.92-59.26), CNS metastasis (OR 10.55, 95% CI 1.54-72.05), and postoperative pulmonary complications (OR 9.87, 95% CI 2.35-41.45).

CONCLUSION

PRFs and in-hospital death are not uncommon after spinal metastasis surgery. Predictive factors for PRFs included preoperative comorbidities, intraoperative massive blood loss, and postoperative complications. Identification of risk factors may help guide therapeutic decision-making and patient counseling.

Evaluation of open and minimally invasive spinal surgery for the treatment of thoracolumbar metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is a debilitating sequela of cancer that results in pain, disability, and neurologic deficits. Surgical techniques have included open surgical (OS) techniques with anterior and/or posterior decompression and fusion procedures. Further technical evolution has led to minimally invasive spinal (MIS) decompression and fusion. The objective of this study is to compare MIS to OS techniques in the treatment of thoracolumbar MESCC.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed using PubMed database. Inclusion criteria included patients 18 years or older, thoracolumbar MESCC, and surgeries with instrumented fusion. A total of 451 articles met the inclusion criteria and further analysis narrowed them down to 81 articles. Variables collected included blood loss, length of stay, operative time, pre- and postoperative Frankel grade, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 5726 papers were collected, with a total of 81 papers meeting final inclusion criteria: 26 papers with MIS technique and 55 with OS. A total of 2267 patients were evaluated. They were split into three surgical subtypes of MIS and OS: posterior decompression and fusion, partial corpectomy, and complete corpectomy. Overall, MIS had lower operative time, blood loss, and complications compared to OS. A timeline analysis showed reduction of complication rates in MIS surgery between papers published over a 28-year period.

CONCLUSION

MESCC carries significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical approaches for palliative treatment should account for this fact. We conclude that MIS techniques offer a viable alternative to traditional OS approaches with lower overall morbidity and complications.

Hypoalbuminemia as an Independent Risk Factor for Perioperative Complications Following Surgical Decompression of Spinal Metastases

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

Malnutrition has been shown to be a risk factor for poor perioperative outcomes in multiple surgical subspecialties, but few studies have specifically investigated the effect of hypoalbuminemia in patients undergoing operative treatment of metastatic spinal tumors. The aim of this study was to assess the role of hypoalbuminemia as an independent risk factor for 30-day perioperative mortality and morbidity after surgical decompression of metastatic spinal tumors using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2011 to 2014.

METHODS

We identified 1498 adult patients in the ACS-NSQIP database who underwent laminectomy and excision of metastatic extradural spinal tumors. Patients were categorized into normoalbuminemic and hypoalbuminemic (ie, albumin level <3.5 g/dL) groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the association between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and 30-day perioperative mortality and morbidity. Subgroup analysis was performed in the hypoalbuminemic group to assess the dose-dependent effect of albumin depletion.

RESULTS

Hypoalbuminemia was associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality, any complication, sepsis, intra- or postoperative transfusion, prolonged hospitalization, and non-home discharge. However, albumin depletion was also associated with decreased risk of readmission. There was an albumin level-dependent effect of increasing mortality and complication rates with worsening albumin depletion.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor for perioperative mortality and morbidity following surgical decompression of metastatic spinal tumors with a dose-dependent effect on mortality and complication rates. Therefore, it is important to address malnutrition and optimize nutritional status prior to surgery.

High Serum CA19-9 Concentration Predicts Poor Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The optimal treatment strategy for elderly patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial due to limited research data. The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment results and to clarify the prognostic factors, especially poor prognosis factors, in elderly patients with stage IV CRC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 82 elderly patients (aged ≥75 years) with stage IV CRC who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between April 2001 and March 2017. Factors that affected prognosis and the ability to undergo treatment were analyzed via multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The median overall survival (OS) in the patients with high pretreatment serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) concentration (> 370 U/mL) was significantly worse than in those with lower serum CA19-9 concentration (0-370 U/mL) (8.5 vs. 19.2 months, p = 0.0059). In univariate analysis, age (≥80 years) (p = 0.014), performance status of 1-3 (p = 0.028), and high pretreatment serum CA19-9 concentration (p = 0.014) were significant prognostic factors for poor OS. By contrast, resection of the primary tumor (p = 0.024), chemotherapy (p < 0.0001), and resection of distant metastasis (p = 0.0005) were significant prognostic factors for favorable OS. Multivariate analysis showed that a high pretreatment serum CA19-9 concentration was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS (p = 0.01). Meanwhile, resection of the primary tumor (p = 0.033), chemotherapy (p < 0.0001), and resection of distant metastasis (p = 0.0008) were prognostic factors for favorable OS.

CONCLUSIONS

A high pretreatment serum CA19-9 concentration (> 370 U/mL) was a reliable predictive factor for poor prognosis, and aggressive treatments should be performed carefully in these patients. Moreover, various treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, might improve OS in elderly patients with stage IV CRC.

Significance of lymph node metastasis in the survival of stage IV colorectal cancer by hematogenous metastasis

Purpose

Although lymph node (LN) metastasis is an important prognostic marker of colorectal cancer (CRC), the effect of LN metastasis on the survival of stage IV CRC is debated yet.

Methods

LN status and survivals as well as clinicopathological features of synchronous stage IV CRC patients, operated for 8 years, were analyzed. Patients with hematogenous metastases were included only but those with peritoneal seeding or preoperative adjuvant therapy were not included.

Results

Total 850 patients were enrolled and 77 (9.1%) were without LN metastases (N0M1). N0M1 patients were older and have favorable pathological features including lower CEA than patients with LN metastasis (N + M1). The pathologically poor features accumulated with N stage progression within N + M1. N0M1 had better 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival than N + M1. And 5-year OS's within N + M1 group were stratified and different according to N stage progression, although the effect of N stage progression is different according to curative resection or not. When compared with stage III, 5-year OS of N0M1 with curative resection was comparable to that of anyTN2aM0 and was better than anyTN2bM1.

Conclusion

LN metastasis is a significant prognostic factor in stage IV by hematogenous metastasis, too. N stage progression accumulates pathologically poor prognostic factors. However, the effect on survival of each N stage progression differs depending on curative resection or not of the hematogenous metastases.

The Impact of Metastatic Spinal Tumor Location on 30-Day Perioperative Mortality and Morbidity After Surgical Decompression

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study from 2011 to 2014 was performed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of tumor location in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbosacral spine on 30-day perioperative mortality and morbidity after surgical decompression of metastatic extradural spinal tumors.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Operative treatment of metastatic spinal tumors involves extensive procedures that are associated with significant complication rates and healthcare costs. Past studies have examined various risk factors for poor clinical outcomes after surgical decompression procedures for spinal tumors, but few studies have specifically investigated the impact of tumor location on perioperative mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

We identified 2238 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who underwent laminectomy for excision of metastatic extradural tumors in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbosacral spine. Baseline patient characteristics were collected from the database. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the association between spinal tumor location and 30-day perioperative mortality and morbidity.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, cervical spinal tumors were associated with the highest rate of pulmonary complications. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that cervical spinal tumors had the highest odds of multiple perioperative complications. However, thoracic spinal tumors were associated with the highest risk of intra- or postoperative blood transfusion. In contrast, patients with metastatic tumors in the lumbosacral spine had lower odds of perioperative mortality, pulmonary complications, and sepsis.

CONCLUSION

Tumor location is an independent risk factor for perioperative mortality and morbidity after surgical decompression of metastatic spinal tumors. The addition of tumor location to existing prognostic scoring systems may help to improve their predictive accuracy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Prognostic value of circulating endothelial cells in metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

There is urgent need for improved staging in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in comparison with circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with mCRC amenable for potentially curative surgery.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients were enrolled prospectively. CTC and CEC were measured with the CellSearch System (Veridex, NJ, USA). Cut-off values were determined using ROC analyses. Prognostic factors were identified by Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

ROC analyses revealed ≥ 21 CEC as cut-off levels for detection, which was present in 68 (49%). CEC detection was associated with female gender (p = 0.03) only, whereas CTC detection was associated with presence of the primary tumor (p = 0.007), metastasis size (p < 0.001), bilobar liver metastases (p = 0.02), CEA (p < 0.001) and CA 19-9 levels (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis only CEC detection (HR 1.81; p = 0.03) and preoperative CA19-9 levels (HR 2.28, p = 0.005) were revealed as independent predictors of poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

CEC are of stronger prognostic value than CTC. Further studies are required to validate these results and to evaluate CEC as predictive biomarker for systemic therapy alone as well as in combination with other markers such as CA19-9.

Comparison of Total Tumor Volume, Size and Number of Colorectal Liver Metastases in Prediction of Survival in Patients after Liver Resection

Liver is the most common location of the colorectal cancer metastases occurrence. Liver resection is the only curative method of treatment. Unfortunately it is feasible only in 25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases, often because of the extensiveness of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of total tumor volume, size and number of colorectal liver metastases in patients treated with right hemihepatectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in a group of 135 patients with colorectal liver metastases, who were treated with right hemihepatectomy. Total tumor volume was estimated based on the formula (4/3)πr³. Moreover, the study included an analysis of data on the number and size of tumors, radicality of the resection, time between primary tumor resection and liver resection, pre-operative blood serum concentration of carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA) and carcinoma antigen Ca 19-9. The predictive value of the factors was evaluated by applying a Cox proportional hazards model and the area under the ROC curve.

RESULTS

The univariate analysis has shown the predictive value of size of the largest tumor (p=0.033; HR=1.065 per each cm) on the overall survival, however no predictive value of number of tumors (p=0.997; HR=1.000) and total tumor volume (p=0.212; HR=1.002) was observed. The multivariate analysis did not confirm the predictive value of the size of the largest tumor (p=0.141; HR=1.056). In the analysis of ROC curves, AUROC for the total tumor volume, the size of the largest tumor and the number of tumors were 0.629, 0.608, 0.520, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Total tumor volume, size and number of liver metastases are not independent risk factors for the worse overall survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with liver resection, therefore increased values of these factors should not be a contraindication for surgical treatment.

Perioperative blood transfusion: does it influence survival and cancer progression in metastatic spine tumor surgery?

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in surgical techniques for spinal metastases, there is often substantial blood loss, resulting in patients requiring blood transfusion during the perioperative period. Allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) has been the main replenishment method for lost blood. However, the impact of ABT on cancer-related outcomes has been controversial in various studies. We aimed to evaluate the influence of perioperative ABT on disease progression and survival in patients undergoing metastatic spinal tumor surgery (MSTS).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study that included 247 patients who underwent MSTS at a single tertiary institution between 2005 and 2014. The impact of using perioperative ABT (either exposure to or quantities of transfusion) on disease progression and survival was assessed using Cox regression analyses while adjusting for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

Of 247 patients, 133 (54%) received ABT. The overall median number of blood units transfused was 2 (range, 0-10 units). Neither blood transfusion exposure nor quantities of transfusion were associated with overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15 [p = 0.35] and 1.10 [p = 0.11], respectively) and progression-free survival (HR, 0.87 [p = 0.18] and 0.98 [p = 0.11], respectively). The factors that influenced overall survival were primary tumor type and preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, whereas primary tumor type was the only factor that had an impact on progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study providing evidence that disease progression and survival in patients who undergo MSTS are less likely to be influenced by perioperative ABT. The worst oncologic outcomes are more likely to be caused by the clinical circumstances necessitating blood transfusion, but not transfusion itself. However, because ABT can have a propensity toward developing postoperative infections, including surgical site infection, the use of patient blood management interventions would be worthwhile rather than relying solely on ABTs for these patients, if and whenever possible.

Are allogeneic blood transfusions associated with decreased survival after surgical treatment for spinal metastases?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions have been associated with decreased survival after surgical resection of primary and metastatic cancer. Studies investigating this association for patients undergoing resection of bone metastases are scarce and controversial.

PURPOSE

We assessed (1) whether exposure to perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions was associated with decreased survival after surgery for spinal metastases and (2) if there was a dose-response relationship per unit of blood transfused. Additionally, we explored the risk factors associated with survival after surgery for spinal metastases.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a retrospective cohort study from two university medical centers.

PATIENT SAMPLE

There were 649 patients who had operative treatment for metastatic disease of the spine between 2002 and 2014. Patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma were also included. We excluded patients with a revision procedure, kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, and radiosurgery alone.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcome measure was survival after surgery. The date of death was obtained from the Social Security Death Index and medical charts.

METHODS

Blood transfusions within 7 days before and 7 days after surgery were considered perioperative. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the relationship between allogeneic blood transfusion as exposure versus non-exposure, and subsequently as continuous value; we accounted for clinical, laboratory, and treatment factors.

RESULTS

Four hundred fifty-three (70%) patients received perioperative blood transfusions, and the median number of units transfused was 3 (interquartile range: 2-6). Exposure to perioperative blood transfusion was not associated with decreased survival after accounting for all explanatory variables (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-1.31; p=.841). Neither did we find a dose-response relationship (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.98-1.04; p=.420). Other factors associated with worse survival were older age, more severe comorbidity status, lower preoperativehemoglobin level, higher white blood cell count, higher calcium level, primary tumor type, previous systemic therapy, poor performance status, presence of lung, liver, or brain metastasis, and surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions were not associated with decreased survival after surgery for spinal metastases. More liberal transfusion policies might be warranted for patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis, although careful consideration is needed as other complications may occur.

Prognostic impact of carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in stage IV colorectal cancer patients after R0 resection

BACKGROUND

Although preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (pre-CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (pre-CA 19-9) are reportedly prognostic indicators for colorectal cancer (CRC), the prognostic roles of postoperative CEA (post-CEA) and CA 19-9 (post-CA 19-9) shortly after surgery have not been clarified in patients with curatively resected stage IV CRC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive abilities of post-CEA and post-CA 19-9.

METHODS

A total of 129 consecutive patients who had stage IV CRC and underwent R0 resection were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-CEA and post-CEA and CA 19-9 levels were measured within 1 mo before and 3 mo after surgery, respectively. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Pre-CEA was elevated (≥5.0 ng/mL) in 73.6% of the patients and remained elevated after surgery in 32.7% of the patients. Elevated post-CA 19-9 (≥50 U/mL) was observed in 9.5% of the patients. Neither elevated pre-CEA nor elevated pre-CA 19-9 was significantly associated with RFS but both elevated post-CEA and elevated post-CA 19-9 were associated with markedly reduced RFS (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0004, respectively). When considered in combination, post-CEA and post-CA 19-9 significantly stratified RFS and was an independent predictive factor for recurrence (P = 0.0035), as was lymphatic invasion (P = 0.0015). Post-CA 19-9 was the only evident independent predictive factor for overall survival (P = 0.0336).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stage IV CRC who underwent curative resection, the combination of post-CEA and post-CA 19-9 at 3 mo after surgery was a potent prognostic indicator for recurrence.

Lymph node ratio as a novel and simple prognostic factor in advanced gastric cancer

TNM staging is no doubt the most critical prognostic factors, representing tumor (T)/lymph node metastasis (N)/distant metastasis (M) in gastric cancer. Lymph node ratio-based N system (Nr) has been repeatedly reported to be of prognostic relevance in advanced gastric cancer independent of stage in the multivariate analysis world-wide, and proposed as more sophisticated than N with regard to predicting accurate prognosis. As a result, proposed TNrM system may predict survival more accurately than the present TNM staging system for patients undergoing limited lymph node analysis. It could adjust stage migration when the lymph node number was used as staging factor. Although correlation of the number of metastatic lymph nodes and lymph node ratio is obvious, biological characteristics other than that could also have been reflected on. It may indicate how successful the operation of lymph node dissection was, or it may be revealing the potential of the patient's lymph node immune-reaction. Recently, high lymph node ratio is closely associated with EGFR expression in advanced gastric cancer. When efficiency of applying lymph node ratio as a biomarker is verified and confirmed in an expansive research, and when cancer causing molecules are identified, as well as the competence as a treatment target is studied, the new biomarker, namely, lymph node ratio, could find itself in a limelight in gastric cancer treatment in the future.

Are Allogeneic Blood Transfusions Associated With Decreased Survival After Surgery for Long-bone Metastatic Fractures?

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that perioperative blood transfusion increases cancer recurrence and decreases patient survival after resection of primary malignancies. The question arises whether this association also exists in patients with already disseminated disease undergoing surgery for metastatic long-bone fractures.

PURPOSES

We sought to determine whether perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with decreased survival after operative treatment of long-bone metastatic fractures after accounting for clinical, laboratory, and treatment factors. Secondarily, we aimed to identify potential factors that are associated with decreased survival.

METHODS

We included 789 patients in our retrospective study who underwent surgery at two institutions for a pathologic or impending metastatic long-bone fracture. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis to assess the relationship of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion with survival, and accounted for patient age, sex, comorbidities, BMI, tumor type, fracture type and location, presence of other bone and visceral metastases, previous radiotherapy and systemic therapy, preoperative embolization, preoperative hemoglobin level, treatment type, anesthesia time, blood loss, duration of hospital admission, year of surgery, and hospital.

RESULTS

Considering transfusion as an "exposure," and comparing patients who received transfusions with those who did not, we found that blood transfusion was not associated with decreased survival after accounting for all explanatory variables (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06; 95% CI, 0.87-1.30; p = 0.57). Evaluating transfusion in terms of dose-response, we found that patients who received more transfusions had lower survival compared with those who had fewer transfusions after accounting for all explanatory variables (HR per unit of blood transfused, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12; p = 0.005). We found that age (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001), comorbidity status (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10; p = 0.014), duration of hospital stay (HR, 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.03; p = 0.021), tumor type (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.44-2.03; p < 0.001), and visceral metastases (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.34-1.88; p < 0.001) were independently associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

We found that exposure to perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion does not decrease survival, with the numbers available. However, our sample size might have been insufficient to reveal a small but potentially relevant effect. Our results do suggest a dose-response relationship; patients who received more transfusions had lower survival compared with those with fewer transfusions. Risk of death increased by 7% per unit of blood transfused.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic study.

Low nutritional prognostic index correlates with poor survival in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer following palliative resection of the primary tumor

BACKGROUND

We retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of various clinicopathological factors and preoperative nutritional status to select patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) who will have a poor prognosis after palliative resection of the primary tumor.

METHODS

A total of 100 stage IV CRC patients who underwent palliative resection were enrolled. Various clinicopathological factors and Onodera's prognostic nutritional index (OPNI) were evaluated to identify any possible relationship with the prognosis.

RESULTS

At the time of the analysis, 83 patients had died, and the median survival time was 21 months. Of the 100 patients, 24 had primary tumor-related symptoms such as obstruction or bleeding. No significant correlation was noted between the OPNI and various clinicopathological factors. The multivariate analysis of patients without primary tumor-related symptoms revealed that the OPNI was an independent prognostic factor. The overall survival of the low-OPNI group was significantly worse than that of the high-OPNI group.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study suggested that patients with a low OPNI may not be candidates for palliative resection, because it provides no survival benefit to these patients.

Detection of methylated CDO1 in plasma of colorectal cancer; a PCR study

Background

Cysteine biology is important for the chemosensitivity of cancer cells. Our research has focused on the epigenetic silencing of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1) in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we describe detection of CDO1 methylation in the plasma of CRC patients using methylation specific PCR (Q-MSP) and extensive analysis of the PCR reaction.

Methods

DNA was extracted from plasma, and analysed for methylation of the CDO1 gene using Q-MSP. The detection rate of CDO1 gene methylation was calculated and compared with that of diluted DNA extracted from “positive control” DLD1 cells. CDO1 gene methylation in the plasma of 40 CRC patients that were clinicopathologically analysed was then determined.

Results

(1) The cloned sequence analysis detected 93.3% methylation of the promoter CpG islands of the CDO1 gene of positive control DLD1 cells and 4.7% methylation of the negative control HepG2 CDO1 gene. (2) DLD1 CDO1 DNA could not be detected in this assay if the extracted DNA was diluted ∼1000 fold. The more DNA that was used for the PCR reaction, the more effectively it was amplified in Q-MSP. (3) By increasing the amount of DNA used, methylated CDO1 could be clearly detected in the plasma of 8 (20%) of the CRC patients. However, the percentage of CRC patients detected by methylated CDO1 in plasma was lower than that detected by CEA (35.9%) or CA19-9 (23.1%) in preoperative serum. Combination of CEA/CA19-9 plus plasma methylated CDO1 could increase the rate of detection of curable CRC patients (39.3%) as compared to CEA/CA19-9 (25%).

Conclusion

We have described detection of CDO1 methylation in the plasma of CRC patients. Although CDO1 methylation was not detected as frequently as conventional tumor markers, analysis of plasma CDO1 methylation in combination with CEA/CA19-9 levels increases the detection rate of curable CRC patients.

Prognostic significance of lymph node status in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with lymphadenectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To test prognostic significance of lymph node status in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

METHODS

Four hundred ninety six patients diagnosed with synchronous mCRC and treated with lymphadenectomy between 1995 and 2008 were identified and divided into groups pN0, pN1, and pN2 (140 (28.2%) in pN0, 223 (45.0%) in pN1, and 133 (26.8%) in pN2 group) according to their lymph node status. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to test associations and independent predictor status of lymph node involvement.

RESULTS

The Cox proportional hazards regression showed pN as significantly associated with disease-specific survival (DSS) both in univariate (HR = 1.609, 95% CI 1.411 to 1.835, P < 0.001) and multivariate (HR = 1.630, 95% CI 1.422 to 1.868, P < 0.001) analyses. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with pN2 and pN1 had a significantly worse DSS compared with patients with pN0 tumors (respectively, 17.273 ± 1.020 and 27.145 ± 1.715 vs. 34.992 ± 2.143 months; P < 0.001). In accuracy analyses based on AUC values, nodal status demonstrated the highest accuracy (65.1%) out of all the variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that optimal TNM staging for mCRC should incorporate lymph node status to provide a more effective and predictive model.

Surgery in asymptomatic patients with colorectal cancer and unresectable liver metastases: the authors' experience

PURPOSE

In asymptomatic patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer, the debate continues over the efficacy of primary resection compared to chemotherapy alone. The aim of this study was to define the optimal management for asymptomatic patients with colorectal cancer and unresectable liver metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients receiving elective surgery (n = 17) were compared to patients receiving chemotherapy only (n = 31). Data concerning patients' demographics, location of primary tumor, comorbidities, performance status, Child-Pugh score, extension of liver metastases, size of primary, and other secondary locations were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mortality after chemotherapy was lower than that after surgical resection (19.3% versus 29.4%; not significant). In patients with >75% hepatic involvement, mortality at 1 month was higher after receiving surgical treatment than after chemotherapy alone (50% versus 25%). In patients with <75% hepatic involvement, 30-day mortality was similar in both groups (not significant). Thirty-day mortality in patients with Stage T3 was lower in those receiving chemotherapy (16.7% versus 30%; not significant). Overall survival was similar in both groups. The risk of all-cause death after elective surgery (2.1) was significantly higher than in patients receiving chemotherapy only (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that in palliative treatment of asymptomatic unresectable Stage IV colorectal cancer, the overall risk of death was significantly higher after elective surgery compared to patients receiving chemotherapy alone. However, in the literature, there is no substantial difference between these treatments. New studies are required to better evaluate outcomes.

Identification of patients likely to benefit from metastasectomy in stage IV colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to determine selection criteria for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) who were likely to show survival benefits of metastasectomy.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data of 119 patients with stage IV CRC who underwent primary CRC resection were retrospectively reviewed. The prognostic factors were analyzed according to the disease resectability status, and patients likely to show survival benefits of metastasectomy were identified.

RESULTS

Metastasectomy was performed in 63 patients. Among these patients, R0 resection was reported in 55 patients, who comprised the curable group. The other 64 patients comprised the noncurable group. For the noncurable group, postoperative chemotherapy was identified as the only significant prognostic factor. In the curable group, T stage, histological type, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and the presence of extra hepatic disease were identified as independent prognostic factors. Patients within the curable group were further classified into a low-risk group (zero to two prognostic factors) and a high-risk group (three or more prognostic factors). The overall survival (OS) of the high risk patients in the curable group was as poor as that of the patients in the noncurable group.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage IV CRC patients consisted of heterogeneous populations who had different prognostic factors, stratified by the disease resectability status. No prognostic benefit of metastasectomy was observed in high-risk patients undergoing curative metastasectomy. These results suggested that patients showing survival benefits of metastasectomy can be identified by considering the prognostic factors in patients undergoing curative metastasectomy.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: a pooled analysis

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to determine outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy for colorectal liver metastases in a pooled patient cohort.

METHODS

Patients with colorectal liver metastases from 3 institutions were included if they had 1 to 4 lesions, received 1 to 6 fractions of stereotactic body radiotherapy, and had radiologic imaging ≥ 3 months post-treatment. Sixty-five patients with 102 lesions treated from August 2003 to May 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. A tumor control probability (TCP) model was used to estimate the 3-fraction dose required for > 90% local control after converting the schedule into biologically equivalent dose (BED), single-fraction equivalent dose, or linear quadratic model-based single-fraction dose.

RESULTS

Forty-seven (72%) patients had ≥ 1 chemotherapy regimen before stereotactic body radiotherapy, and 27 (42%) patients had ≥ 2 regimens. The median follow-up was 1.2 years (range, 0.3-5.2 years). The median dose was 42 gray (Gy; range, 22-60 Gy). When evaluated separately by multivariate analysis, total dose (P = .0015), dose/fraction (P = .003), and BED (P = .004) all correlated with local control by lesion. On multivariate analysis, nonactive extrahepatic disease was associated with overall survival (OS; P = .046), and sustained local control was closely correlated (P = .06). By using single-fraction equivalent dose, BED, or linear quadratic model-based single-fraction dose in the TCP model, the estimated dose range needed for 1-year local control > 90% is 46 to 52 Gy in 3 fractions.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver stereotactic body radiotherapy is well tolerated and effective for colorectal liver metastases. The strong correlation between local control and OS supports controlling hepatic disease even for heavily pretreated patients. For a 3-fraction regimen of stereotactic body radiotherapy, a prescription dose of ≥ 48 Gy should be considered, if normal tissue constraints allow.

Expandable metal stents for malignant colorectal strictures

The surgical management of malignant colorectal obstruction is still controversial and has higher associated mortality and complication rates compared with elective surgery. Placement of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) has been proposed as an alternative therapeutic approach for colonic decompression of patients with acute malignant obstruction. SEMS placement may be used both as a bridge to surgery in patients who are good candidates for curative resection and for palliation of those patients presenting with advanced stage disease or with severe comorbid medical illnesses.

Systematic review of prognostic factors related to overall survival in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and unresectable metastases

BACKGROUND

With the improvements in newer chemotherapeutic agents, the role of primary tumour resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer is controversial. In many cases primary tumour resection is still favoured as first-line management. However, a detailed understanding of independent prognostic factors related to survival is necessary before making this decision.

METHOD

A literature search was conducted using Medline and Embase. Studies that performed multivariate analysis on overall survival of patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer were included in this review.

RESULTS

Fourteen retrospective studies involving 3209 patients were included. Clinical variables analysed to consistently have independent prognostic significance for long-term survival included the patients' performance status (<2), volume of liver metastases (<50%), nodal stage (N0), disease-free resection margins, and treatment with chemotherapy and/or primary tumour resection. Cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, low albumin, elevated ALP levels, apical lymph node involvement, presence of ascites, and postoperative transfusion were each assessed by only one study and found to be independently associated with survival. Factors inconsistently reported to have independent prognostic significance were age, ASA score, preoperative CEA levels, primary tumour location, tumour size and differentiation, peritoneal dissemination, and extrahepatic metastases.

CONCLUSION

Each patient should be reviewed individually on the basis of the above independent prognostic factors before deciding to resect the primary tumour. Patients with a poor performance status, extensive hepatic metastases, and extensive nodal disease detected preoperatively are less likely to have a survival benefit. Nonsurgical approaches to manage these patients should be given careful consideration.

Predictors of postoperative mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival after palliative resection in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Limited information is available on predictors of postoperative mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify independent predictors of postoperative mortality and morbidity as well as independent predictors of long-term survival.

DESIGN

This study was planned as a retrospective single-institution review.

SETTING

This study took place at the Department of Surgery, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Australia, between 1984 and 2004.

PARTICIPANTS

Prospectively collected data were extracted from the records of 1867 patients undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. The outcomes for 379 patients undergoing surgical resection of their primary colon or rectal tumor in the presence of unresectable synchronous metastases were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Independent predictive factors for postoperative mortality and morbidity as well as long-term survival were assessed by use of logistic regression and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-five (9.2%) patients died in the postoperative period and morbidity was 48.3%. Median survival was 11 months. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was independently associated with medical complications (P < .001), emergency operations (P = .001), female sex (P = .002), and age (≥ 70; P = .007) on regression analysis. Elderly (≥ 70) patients with either advanced local disease or extrahepatic metastases were at a particularly high risk. Preoperative predictors of surgical morbidity included male sex (P = .028) and advanced local disease (P = .036). Preoperative predictors of medical complications included repeat operations (P < .001), elevated urea levels (P = .017), and emergency operations (P = .003). Independent factors associated with poor overall survival included medical complications (P < .001), nodal stage (N2) (P = .004), poor tumor differentiation (P = .006), and apical lymph node involvement (P = .042). A subgroup of patients with advanced nodal disease (N2) and a poor tumor differentiation had a significantly poorer prognosis.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective nature.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients with advanced local disease or extrahepatic metastases are at high risk of 30-day postoperative mortality. Significant nodal disease and poor tumor differentiation are important predictors of long-term survival.

Outcomes in the management of obstructive unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer

AIM

To analyze short term results and to report survival rates in a series of patients after palliative emergency treatment for obstructive left sided colorectal cancer (CRC) with unresectable synchronous metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2004 to 2008, 55 patients were included. Palliative management consisted of stenting to recover bowel patency and starting chemotherapy. Indications for surgery were perforation or failure of stenting. Early failure occurred when decompression after insertion was unsuccessful and late failure when obstruction occurred after successful decompression. Morbidity and mortality were analyzed for stenting and surgery and survival for resected and non-resected patients.

RESULTS

Stenting was scheduled in 49 patients.Morbidity and mortality occurred in 5 and 3 patients respectively. Early failure occurred in 4 patients and late failure in 11 patients. Surgery was indicated in 6 patients for peritonitis at diagnosis and in 11 patients for complications (1 case) or stenting failure (10 cases). Of the 17 operated patients, 12 cases were resected and 5 cases were not. Mortality occurred in 1 case. Resected patients received first-line (12 cases) and second-line (5 cases) systemic chemotherapy based on FOLFIRI or FOLFOX while stented and non-resected patients were similarly treated in 37 cases and 12 cases respectively. Overall survival at 2 years was 39.3% in resected patients and 1% in stented and non-resected patients (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Stenting in palliative stage IV obstructive CRC patients may be less successful as previously thought. Prospective studies are needed to define the role of palliative resection.

Immunomodulation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells through ligation of tumor-produced mucins to Siglec-9

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an essential role in the induction and maintenance of an effective immune response and express multiple siglecs. In the present study, we investigated whether or not the ligation of tumor-produced mucins with Siglec-9 expressed on immature DCs is related to escape from immunosurveillance in the tumor-bearing state. Expression of Siglec-9 was up-regulated on the development of monocytes into immature DCs and was decreased in mature DCs. Binding of various mucins and artificial glycopolymers carrying poly (NeuAc α2,6 LacNAc) or poly (NeuAc α2,3 LacNAc) to Siglec-9 was demonstrated by means of a plate assay. These mucins also bound to the surface of immature DCs. When immature DCs were treated with LPS in the presence of these mucins or artificial glycopolymers, the production of IL-12 was significantly reduced, but that of IL-10 was not. Furthermore, IL-12 production was decreased to a similar level on treatment with anti-Siglec-9 mAb. Mucins prepared from serum of cancer patients actually could bind to Siglec-9. These results suggest that Siglec-9 expressed on DCs is involved in immunoregulation through ligation with mucins in an epithelial cancer patient.

[Surgical treatment of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer with simultaneous liver resection]

Metastatic liver disease is a challenging and life-threatening situation often with dismal prognosis. Nearly half of the patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastasis during the course of their diseases. Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice in patients with colorectal liver metastasis. This study was conducted to compare the results of patients undergoing simultaneous liver and colorectal resection for synchronous liver metastasis and of those for whom a colorectal and liver resection was made separately. A retrospective analysis was performed on 1597 patients who underwent surgery because of colorectal cancer between January 1999 and December 2008. The results of the treatment were separately evaluated in case of the 152 patients who had liver metastasis. The proportion of the liver metastasis was 9.52%. The metastases arose in 40.8% from the rectum and in 31.8% from the sigmoid colon. It proved to be inoperable in 109 (71.7%) of the 152 patients who had liver metastasis. Simultaneous liver resection was performed because of synchronous metastasis in 14 (32.6%) cases (Group 1) and two step resection in 29 (67.4%) cases (Group 2). In case of synchronous operations only minor liver surgery was done. The mean size of the metastasis was 2.6 cm in diameter in Group 1 and 4.6 cm in Group 2 (p<0.005). The transfused blood volume was 0.3 U/patient. Only minor complications could be observed in Group 1. The hospitalization was 13.1 days in Group 1 and 11.7 days in Group 2. The mean survival time was 37.3 and 47.9 months (p<0.005). Simultaneous liver resection seems to be a safe procedure on those patients who develop small metastases with a limited number. However, the optimal timing of the liver resection and the identification of patients who will have the greatest benefit in survival still remain obscure.

First alert for recurrence during follow-up after potentially curative resection for colorectal carcinoma: CA 19-9 should be included in surveillance programs

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of each examination included in the postoperative surveillance program, especially that of serum tumor markers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma (CRC) from January 2000 to December 2006 were enrolled. The postoperative surveillance program in our department includes tumor marker (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] and carbohydrate antigen [CA] 19-9) measurement every 3 months for 5 years, chest radiograph or chest computed tomography (CT) every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months until 5 years, and abdominal CT every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months until 5 years. The first examination that revealed abnormality in patients who developed recurrence was analyzed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 105 recurrences were diagnosed. There were 45 hepatic recurrences, 23 local recurrences, 20 pulmonary recurrences, 16 lymph node recurrences, and 10 peritoneal recurrences. Computed tomography, CEA, and CA 19-9 were the first abnormal examination(s) in 77, 23, and 26 patients, respectively. Tumor markers detected the recurrence earlier than did CT in 27% of patients. CEA and CA 19-9 equally contributed to detection with respect to the number of patients, while the sites of detected recurrences differed.

CONCLUSION

For early detection of occult recurrence of CRC, CT was the most reliable modality. On the other hand, tumor markers were also relevant. Given the recent advances in multimodal approaches for advanced CRC, the combination of CT, CEA, and CA 19-9, which is currently not included in guidelines, should be routinely performed.

Retroperitoneal abscess complicated with necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh in a patient with sigmoid colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh due to the colon cancer, especially during chemotherepy, has not been previously reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old man admitted to the hospital was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer that had spread to the left psoas muscle. Multiple hepatic metastases were also found, and combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and S-1 was administered. Four months after the initiation of chemotherapy, the patient developed gait disturbance and high fever and was therefore admitted to the emergency department of our hospital. Blood examination revealed generalized inflammation with a high C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed gas and fluid collection in the retroperitoneum adjacent to the sigmoid colon cancer. The abscess was locally drained under computed tomographic guidance; however, the infection continued to spread and necrotizing fasciitis developed. Consequently, emergent debridement was performed. The patient recovered well, and the primary tumor was resected after remission of the local inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh due to the spread of sigmoid colon cancer is unusual, but this fatal complication should be considered during chemotherapy for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer.

Colorectal carcinoma with extremely low CA19-9

Aim. The aim of this study is to determine the significance of postoperative sequential measurements of serum CA19-9 in patients with extremely low serum level. Patients and Methods. Serum level of CA19-9 of 1096 patients who underwent surgery was measured preoperatively and every three months after surgery for 5 years. Patients with CA19-9 level of less than 2 U/mL at the time of diagnosis were defined as Extremely Low CA19-9 (ELCA). Results. One hundred and seven patients (9.8%) were ELCA. Of these, 86 underwent surgery with curative intent. Serum levels of CA19-9 in patients who did not undergo curative resection (N = 12) and who developed recurrence (N = 10) were less than 2.0 U/mL in all occasions during followup. In all patients without recurrence, serum level of CA19-9 also remained less than 2.0 U/mL. Conclusion. In patients with extremely low CA19-9, who consist of 9.8% of colorectal carcinoma cases, postoperative sequential measurement of serum level of CA19-9 contributed neither to assessment of curability of surgical resection nor to detection of recurrence.

Prognostic significance of peritoneal tumour cells identified at surgery for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of intraperitoneal tumour cells (IPCs) in colorectal cancer is not clear. This study aimed to determine whether detection of IPCs could be used a prognostic marker for selecting patients at high risk of recurrence.

METHODS

The study included 226 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent elective resection. Clinical variables, including the presence of IPCs, were analysed for their prognostic significance.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients (14.6 per cent) were positive for IPCs. Univariable analysis indicated that the presence of IPCs was a significant prognostic factor in patients with stage III colorectal cancer; the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 14 per cent in IPC-positive patients versus 79 per cent in those without IPCs (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that IPC positivity was the most robust prognostic factor in stage III disease (hazard ratio 2.2; P = 0.003), whereas nodal category (N1 or N2) showed no significant association with prognosis. In addition, IPCs were associated with haematogenous recurrence (P = 0.004) rather than peritoneal or local recurrence (P = 0.077) in patients with stage III disease.

CONCLUSION

The presence of IPCs is a significant prognostic factor in patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Preoperative serum CA19-9 and dissected peripancreatic tissue margin as determiners of long-term survival in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer, a particularly deadly form of malignancy, has increased in the last decade worldwide. The purpose of this study is to identify markers for determining and identifying possible long-term survivors in cases of advanced pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

117 patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma, including 89 with invasive tubular adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, Japan Pancreas Society (JPS) stage III-IVb patients, who underwent tumor resection between 1986 and 2006.

RESULTS

Univariate prognostic analyses of the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) revealed that JPS stage (P < 0.0001), preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level (preCA19-9; P < 0.0001), dissected peripancreatic tissue margin (DPM; P < 0.0001), residual tumor (R factor; P = 0.0007), lymph node metastasis density over 10% (ND10; P = 0.006), volume of the stromal connective tissue (stroma factor; P = 0.008), growth pattern (P = 0.01), and histology (P = 0.03) were all significantly associated with poor outcome in advanced pancreatic cancer. Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that preCA19-9 [P = 0.0006, relative risk (RR) = 2.16] and DPM (P = 0.04, RR = 1.62) were prognostic factors that remained, independent of JPS stage (P = 0.001). The higher preCA19-9 was, the worse the prognosis was. Astonishingly, among JPS stage III cases, 76.9% of the patients with preCA19-9 below 37 U/ml survived more than 5 years. This, combined with an analysis of DPM, allowed us to identify those with the potentiality for long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal for the first time that it is possible with JPS stage III-IVb invasive tubular adenocarcinomas of the pancreas to differentiate prognostic groups and potential survival rates, like with other cancers.

Clinical significance of tumor markers and an emerging perspective on colorectal cancer

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9, a carbohydrate antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody NS19-9, are commonly used as classical tumor markers in colorectal cancer (CRC) clinics. The roles of tumor markers include: (1) diagnostic screening (diagnostic markers); (2) prediction of prognosis after treatment (prognostic markers); and (3) judgment tools for treatment effect (surveillance markers). Tumor markers can be evaluated in serum, stools, or even in tissues depending on the clinical purpose. The American Society for Clinical Oncology recommends that CEA is the only marker of choice for monitoring the response of metastatic disease to systemic therapy at present. In the present paper, we are the first to review the clinical significance of the classical tumor markers CEA and CA19-9 in serum, allowing for our original data, and present our view on the newly emerging biomarkers in CRC. Novel promising biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and surveillance purposes are reviewed and considered, some of which are anticipated for further validation. For diagnostic markers, urine or serum might replace fecal samples in the near future. On the other hand, prognostic or predictive markers for treatment sensitivity may be identified from the molecular profiles of primary cancer tissues. Selection of patients who are sensitive to chemotherapy will reduce the number of patients who undergo harmful chemotherapy with no effectiveness. The optimal tumor markers would be generalized, easy to assess, and accurate, and such markers are eagerly anticipated to enable personalized tailored therapy for CRC patients.

Perioperative blood transfusions for the recurrence of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The improvement of renal allograft survival by pre-transplantation transfusions alerted the medical community to the potential detrimental effect of transfusions in patients being treated for cancer.

OBJECTIVES

The present meta-analysis aims to evaluate the role of perioperative blood transfusions (PBT) on colorectal cancer recurrence. This is accomplished by validating the results of a previously published meta-analysis (Amato 1998); and by updating it to December 2004.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Published papers were retrieved using Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, controlled trials web-based registries, or the CCG Trial Database. The search strategy used was: {colon OR rectal OR colorectal} WITH {cancer OR tumor OR neoplasm} AND transfusion. The tendency not to publish negative trials was balanced by inspecting the proceedings of international congresses.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Patients undergoing curative resection of colorectal cancer (classified either as Dukes stages A-C, Astler-Coller stages A-C2, or TNM stages T1-3a/N0-1/M0) were included if they had received any amount of blood products within one month of surgery. Excluded were patients with distant metastases at surgery, and studies with short follow-up or with no data.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

A specific form was developed for data collection. Data extraction was cross-checked, using the most recent publication in case of repetitive ones. Papers' quality was ranked using the method by Evans and Pollock. Odds ratios (OR, with 95% confidence intervals) were computed for each study, and pooled estimates were generated by RevMan (version 4.2). When available, data were stratified for risk factors of cancer recurrence.

MAIN RESULTS

The findings of the 1998 meta-analysis were confirmed, with small variations in some estimates. Updating it through December 2004 led to the identification of 237 references. Two-hundred and one of them were excluded because they analyzed survival (n=22), were repetitive (n=26), letters/reviews (n=66) or had no data (n=87). Thirty-six studies on 12,127 patients were included: 23 showed a detrimental effect of PBT; 22 used also multivariable analyses, and 14 found PBT to be an independent prognostic factor. Pooled estimates of PBT effect on colorectal cancer recurrence yielded overall OR of 1.42 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.67) against transfused patients in randomized controlled studies. Stratified meta-analyses confirmed these findings, also when stratifying patients by site and stage of disease. The PBT effect was observed regardless of timing, type, and in a dose-related fashion, although heterogeneity was detected. Data on surgical techniques was not available for further analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis confirms the previous findings. All analyses support the hypothesis that PBT have a detrimental effect on the recurrence of curable colorectal cancers. However, since heterogeneity was detected and conclusions on the effect of surgical technique could not be drawn, a causal relationship cannot still be claimed. Carefully restricted indications for PBT seems necessary.