Elective palliative resection of incurable stage IV colorectal cancer: who really benefits from it. Surg Today. 2011;41:222-229. [PMID: 21264758 DOI: 10.1007/s00595-009-4253-9]

Prognostic Impact of Tumor Status, Nodal Status and Tumor Sidedness in Metastatic Colon Cancer

Background Locally advanced primary tumors have been associated with poor overall survival (OS) in non-metastatic colon cancer. However, their impact on metastatic colon cancer (mCC) is not fully defined. The association between primary tumor location and prognosis in mCC is also evolving. Methods Using National Cancer Data Base, we identified a cohort of 25,377 patients diagnosed with mCC from 2004-2009. Chi-square test was used for descriptive analyses, while all potential prognostic factors were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results The five-year OS for the entire study cohort was 12.3%. Factors associated with significant survival impact in multivariate analysis included age, gender, race, comorbidity index, academic level of treating institution, insurance status, income, year of diagnosis, primary tumor site, histologic differentiation, pathologic tumor stage (pT), pathologic nodal stage (pN), and modality of chemotherapy. pT1 lesions demonstrated poor prognosis in stage IV colon cancers, not statistically different when compared to survival outcomes observed in cases with pT4 lesions. Regional nodal involvement demonstrated poor OS in full cohort analysis and subgroup analysis independent of primary tumor location. Both right-sided and transverse colon tumors had similarly worse OS compared to left-sided tumors (right-sided: HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.17-1.25; transverse: HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.27). Conclusions T1 lesions arising from right-side or transverse colon portend a poor prognosis in mCC, while regional lymph node involvement by itself is an independent poor prognostic factor. Right-sided tumors are associated with poor outcomes than left-sided tumors, suggesting the role of underlying molecular or biologic variants.

Survival outcome of palliative primary tumor resection for colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver and/or lung metastases: A retrospective cohort study in the SEER database by propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a great matter of controversies whether some of these synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer patients can benefit from palliative primary tumor resection (pPTR) and there is still no reported randomized control trial to address this issue.

METHODS

Patients with microscopically proven metastatic colorectal cancer were identified within the SEER database (2010-2016). Patients were propensity matched 1:1 into pPTR and non-surgery groups and among the matched cohort, the univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to identify predictors of survival. Median survival was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Of 21,405 colorectal cancer patients diagnosed with synchronous liver and/or lung metastases, 7386 were identified in the matched cohort. The median overall survival was 12.0 months, 22.0 months in the non-surgery, surgery groups, respectively (p < 0.001) and the corresponding median cancer-specific survival was 13.0 months, 22.0 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that surgery was independently associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.531) as well as cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 0.516). In stratified analyses by primary site and patterns of distant metastases, those patients with pPTR had better prognosis. In addition, stratified analysis revealed that trimodality therapy was linked with the greatest therapeutic effect followed by addition of chemotherapy to pPTR.

CONCLUSIONS

pPTR may offer some therapeutic benefits among carefully selected patients, and surgery-based multimodality therapy was associated with better survival.

A systematic analysis highlighting deficiencies in reported outcomes for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer undergoing palliative resection of the primary tumour

BACKGROUND

Management of the primary tumour in the presence of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is controversial. The role of primary tumour resection (PTR) has been investigated by a number of retrospective cohort studies, with a number on going randomised controlled trials. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and patient-reported outcomes currently reported in studies that evaluate the role of PTR in mCRC.

METHODS

Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE (via OvidSP) (1966-June 2017), EMBASE (via OvidSP) and the Cochrane Library using terms related to colorectal cancer and primary tumour resection. All studies documenting outcomes following palliative PTR were included. Eligible articles were assessed using the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomised Studies of Intervention (ROBINS-I) tool.

RESULTS

Of 11,209 studies screened, 59 non-randomised studies reporting outcomes on 331,157 patients were included. Patient characteristics regarding performance status and co-morbidity were recorded in 26 (44.1%) and 17 (28.8%) studies. The chemotherapy regime used was reported in 27 (45.8%) studies. The operative setting and the operative approach was reported in 42 (71%) and 14 (23.7%) studies. Post-operative mortality and morbidity were reported in 33 (55.9%) and 35 (59.3%) studies. Overall survival was reported in 49 (83.1%) studies, with 5 different definitions identified. Quality of life was only reported in 1 (1.7%) study.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates significant heterogeneity in the selection and definition of outcomes reported following PTR in mCRC. There is significant heterogeneity with a significant under-reporting of important outcomes such as treatment related adverse events and patient reported outcomes.

Meta-analysis of outcomes following resection of the primary tumour in patients presenting with metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

It is not clear whether resection of the primary tumour (when there are metastases) alters survival and/or whether resection is associated with increased morbidity. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prognostic value of primary tumour resection in patients presenting with metastatic colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic review of MEDLINE/PubMed was performed on 12 March 2016, with no language or date restrictions, for studies comparing primary tumour resection versus conservative treatment without primary tumour resection for metastatic colorectal cancer. The quality of the studies was assessed using the MINORS and STROBE criteria. Differences in survival, morbidity and mortality between groups were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of 37 412 initially screened articles, 56 retrospective studies with 148 151 patients met the inclusion criteria. Primary tumour resection led to an improvement in overall survival of 7·76 (95 per cent c.i. 5·96 to 9·56) months (risk ratio (RR) for overall survival 0·50, 95 per cent c.i. 0·47 to 0·53), but did not significantly reduce the risk of obstruction (RR 0·50, 95 per cent c.i. 0·16 to 1·53) or bleeding (RR 1·19, 0·48 to 2·97). Neither was the morbidity risk altered (RR 1·14, 0·77 to 1·68). Heterogeneity between the studies was high, with a calculated I² of more than 50 per cent for most outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Primary tumour resection may provide a modest survival advantage in patients presenting with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colon cancer with unresectable synchronous metastases: the AAAP scoring system for predicting the outcome after primary tumour resection

AIM

The aim of this study was to develop a prognostic scoring system to predict the outcome of patients with unresectable metastatic colon cancer who received primary colon tumour resection.

METHOD

Patients with confirmed metastatic colon cancer treated at the Peking University Cancer Hospital between 2003 and 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The correlation of clinicopathological factors with overall survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards regression model and were then combined to form a prognostic scoring system.

RESULTS

A total of 110 eligible patients were included in the study. The median survival time was 10.4 months and the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 21.8%. Age over 70 years, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level over 160 IU/l, ascites, a platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) above 162 and no postoperative therapy were independently associated with a shorter OS in multivariate analysis. Age, ALP, ascites and PLR were subsequently combined to form the so-called AAAP scoring system. Patients were classified into high, medium and low risk groups according to the score obtained. There were significant differences in OS between each group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Age, ALP, ascites, PLR and postoperative therapy were independent prognostic factors for survival of patients with metastatic colonic cancer who underwent primary tumour resection. The AAAP scoring system may be a useful tool for surgical decision making.

A scoring model for predicting survival following primary tumour resection in stage IV colorectal cancer patients with unresectable metastasis

BACKGROUND

Stage IV colorectal cancer patients with unresectable metastasis who undergo elective primary tumour resection experience heterogeneous post-operative survival. We aimed to develop a scoring model for predicting post-operative survival using pre-operative variables to identify patients who are least likely to experience extended survival following the procedure.

METHODS

Survival data were collected from stage IV colorectal cancer patients who had undergone elective primary tumour resection between January 1999 and December 2007. Coefficients of significant covariates from the multivariate Cox regression model were used to compute individual survival scores to classify patients into three prognostic groups. A survival function was derived for each group via Kaplan-Meier estimation. Internal validation was performed.

RESULTS

Advanced age (hazard ratio, HR 1.43 (1.16-1.78)); poorly differentiated tumour (HR 2.72 (1.49-5.04)); metastasis to liver (HR 1.76 (1.33-2.33)), lung (HR 1.37 (1.10-1.71)) and bone (HR 2.08 ((1.16-3.71)); carcinomatosis (HR 1.68 (1.30-2.16)); hypoalbuminaemia (HR 1.30 (1.04-1.61) and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels (HR 1.89 (1.49-2.39)) significantly shorten post-operative survival. The scoring model separated patients into three prognostic groups with distinct median survival lengths of 4.8, 12.4 and 18.6 months (p < 0.0001). Internal validation revealed a concordance probability estimate of 0.65 and a time-dependent area under receiver operating curve of 0.75 at 6 months. Temporal split-sample validation implied good local generalizability to future patient populations (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Predicting survival following elective primary tumour resection using pre-operative variables has been demonstrated with the scoring model developed. Model-based survival prognostication can support clinical decisions on elective primary tumour resection eligibility.

GRECCAR 8: impact on survival of the primary tumor resection in rectal cancer with unresectable synchronous metastasis: a randomized multicentre study

Background

A majority of patients with rectal cancer and metastasis are not eligible to curative treatment because of an extensive and unresectable metastatic disease. Primary tumor resection is still debated in this situation. Rectal surgery treats or prevents the symptoms and avoids the risk of acute complications related to the primary tumor. Several studies on colorectal cancers seem to show interesting results in terms of survival in favor to the resection of the primary tumor. To date, no randomized trial or even a prospective study has assessed the impact of primary tumor resection on overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable metastasis. All published studies were retrospective and included colon and rectal cancers. Rectal cancer is associated with specific problems related to the rectal surgery. Surgery is more complex, and may be source of more morbidity and postoperative functional dysfunctions (stoma, digestive, sexual, urinary) than colic surgery. On the other hand, symptoms related to the progression of rectal tumor are often very disabling: pain, rectal syndrome.

Methods/Design

GRECCAR 8 is a multicentre randomized open-label controlled trial aimed to evaluate the impact on survival of the primary tumor resection in rectal cancer with unresectable synchronous metastasis. Patients must undergo upfront systemic chemotherapy for at least 4 courses before inclusion. Patients with progressive metastatic disease during upfront chemotherapy will be excluded from the study. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to Arm A: primary tumor resection followed by systemic chemotherapy versus Arm B: systemic chemotherapy alone. Primary endpoint will be overall survival measured from the date of randomization to the date of death or to the end of follow-up (2 years). Secondary endpoints will include progression-free survival, quality of life, toxicity of chemotherapy, response of the primary tumor and metastatic disease to chemotherapy, postoperative morbidity and mortality, rate of patient not eligible for postoperative chemotherapy (arm A), primary tumor related complications and rate of emergency surgery (arm B). The number of patients needed is 290.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02314182

Palliative care and end-stage colorectal cancer management: The surgeon meets the oncologist

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common neoplasia in the Western countries, with considerable morbidity and mortality. Every fifth patient with CRC presents with metastatic disease, which is not curable with radical intent in roughly 80% of cases. Traditionally approached surgically, by resection of the primitive tumor or stoma, the management to incurable stage IV CRC patients has significantly changed over the last three decades and is nowadays multidisciplinary, with a pivotal role played by chemotherapy (CHT). This latter have allowed for a dramatic increase in survival, whereas the role of colonic and liver surgery is nowadays matter of debate. Although any generalization is difficult, two main situations are considered, asymptomatic (or minimally symptomatic) and severely symptomatic patients needing aggressive management, including emergency cases. In asymptomatic patients, new CHT regimens allow today long survival in selected patients, also exceeding two years. The role of colonic resection in this group has been challenged in recent years, as it is not clear whether the resection of primary CRC may imply a further increase in survival, thus justifying surgery-related morbidity/mortality in such a class of short-living patients. Secondary surgery of liver metastasis is gaining acceptance since, under new generation CHT regimens, an increasing amount of patients with distant metastasis initially considered non resectable become resectable, with a significant increase in long term survival. The management of CRC emergency patients still represents a major issue in Western countries, and is associated to high morbidity/mortality. Obstruction is traditionally approached surgically by colonic resection, stoma or internal by-pass, although nowadays CRC stenting is a feasible option. Nevertheless, CRC stent has peculiar contraindications and complications, and its long-term cost-effectiveness is questionable, especially in the light of recently increased survival. Perforation is associated with the highest mortality and remains mostly matter for surgeons, by abdominal lavage/drainage, colonic resection and/or stoma. Bleeding and other CRC-related symptoms (pain, tenesmus, etc.) may be managed by several mini-invasive approaches, including radiotherapy, laser therapy and other transanal procedures.

Primary tumor resection in colorectal cancer with unresectable synchronous metastases: A review

At the time of diagnosis, 25% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) present with synchronous metastases, which are unresectable in the majority of patients. Whether primary tumor resection (PTR) followed by chemotherapy or immediate chemotherapy without PTR is the best therapeutic option in patients with asymptomatic CRC and unresectable metastases is a major issue, although unanswered to date. The aim of this study was to review all published data on whether PTR should be performed in patients with CRC and unresectable synchronous metastases. All aspects of the management of CRC were taken into account, especially prognostic factors in patients with CRC and unresectable metastases. The impact of PTR on survival and quality of life were reviewed, in addition to the characteristics of patients that could benefit from PTR and the possible underlying mechanisms. The risks of both approaches are reported. As no randomized study has been performed to date, we finally discussed how a therapeutic strategy's trial should be designed to provide answer to this issue.

Is primary tumor resection associated with a longer survival in colon cancer and unresectable synchronous metastases? A 4-year multicentre experience

AIM

To explore the survival impact of primary tumor resection (PTR) in patients with metastatic colon cancer (mCC) and unresectable metastases.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied a multicenter cohort of consecutive mCC patients with unresectable metastases receiving first-line chemotherapy. A weighted Cox proportional regression model was used to balance for clinical variables associated with the probability of undergoing PTR, using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on a propensity score.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients were included. PTR was performed in 69 (72%). The rates of secondary resection of metastases (p = 0.02) and bevacizumab administration (p = 0.02) were higher in the PTR group. Raw median overall survival (OS) was 23.1 months (95%CI[14.6-27.8]) in the PTR group and 22.1 months (95%CI[12.3-23.7]) in the non-PTR group (p = 0.11). After adjustment on IPTW, OS was 23.1 months (95%CI[17.0-28.7]) in the PTR group and 17.2 months (95%CI[13.5-22.2]) in the non-PTR group (HR 0.68; 95%CI[0.50-0.93]; p = 0.016). This result remained significant on multivariate analysis (HR 0.71; 95%CI[0.50-1.00]; p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In mCC patients with unresectable metastases receiving chemotherapy, up-front PTR was independently associated with prolonged OS. Patients eligible for secondary metastases resection and/or bevacizumab may benefit the most from PTR. Randomized controlled trials are mandatory.

Should noncurative resection of the primary tumour be performed in patients with stage iv colorectal cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Surgical resection of the primary tumour in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (crc) remains controversial. This review compares survival in patients with advanced crc who underwent surgical resection of the primary tumour with that in patients not undergoing resection, and determines rates of post-operative mortality and nonfatal complications, the primary tumour complication rate, the non-resection surgical procedures rate, and quality of life (qol).

METHODS

Reports in the central, medline, and embase databases were searched for relevant studies, which were selected using pre-specified eligibility criteria. The search was also restricted to publication dates from 1980 onward, the English language, and studies involving human subjects. Screening, evaluation of relevant articles, and data abstraction were performed in duplicate, and agreement between the abstractors was assessed. Articles that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were collected and synthesized per protocol.

RESULTS

From among the 3379 reports located, fifteen retrospective observational studies were selected. Of the 12,416 patients in the selected studies, 8620 (69%) underwent surgery. Median survival was 15.2 months (range: 10-30.7 months) in the resection group and 11.4 months (range: 3-22 months) in the non-resection group. Hazard ratio for survival was 0.69 [95% confidence interval (ci): 0.61 to 0.79] favouring surgical resection. Mean rates of postoperative mortality and nonfatal complications were 4.9% (95% ci: 0% to 9.7%) and 25.9% (95%ci: 20.1% to 31.6%) respectively. The mean primary tumour complication rate was 29.7% (95% ci: 18.5% to 41.0%), and the non-resection surgical procedures rate in the non-resection group was 27.6% (95 ci: 15.4% to 39.9%). No study provided qol data.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this review supports primary tumour resection in advanced crc, the results have significant biases. Randomized trials are warranted to confirm the findings.

Non-resection versus resection for an asymptomatic primary tumour in patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In a majority of patients with stage IV colorectal cancer, the metastatic disease is not resectable and the focus of management is on how best to palliate the patient. How to manage the primary tumour is an important part of palliation. A small proportion of these patients present with either obstructing or perforating cancers and require urgent surgical care. However, a majority are relatively asymptomatic from their primary cancer. Chemotherapy has been shown to prolong survival in this group of patients, and a majority of patients would be treated this way. Nonetheless, A recent meta-analysis (Stillwell 2010) suggests an improved overall survival and reduced requirement for emergency surgery in those patients who undergo primary tumour resection. This review was also able to quantify the mortality and morbidity associated with surgery to remove the primary.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if there is an improvement in overall survival following resection of the primary cancer in patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer and an asymptomatic primary who are treated with chemo/radiotherapy.

SEARCH METHODS

In January 2012 we searched for published randomised and non-randomised controlled clinical trials without language restrictions using the following electronic databases: CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library (latest issue)), MEDLINE (1966 to date), EMBASE (1980 to date), Science Citation Index (1981 to date), ISI Proceedings (1990 to date), Current Controlled Trials MetaRegister (latest issue), Zetoc (latest issue) and CINAHL (1982 to date).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled studies evaluating the influence on overall survival of primary tumour resection versus no resection in asymptomatic patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer who are treated with palliative chemo/radiotherapy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We conducted the review according to the recommendations of The Cochrane Collaboration and the Cochrane Colorectal Group. "Review Manager 5" software was used.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 798 studies were identified following the initial search. No published or unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing primary tumour resection versus no resection in asymptomatic patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer who were treated with chemo/radiotherapy were identified. Seven non-randomised studies, potentially eligible for inclusion, were identified: 2 case-matched studies, 2 CCTs and 3 retrospective cohort studies. Overall, these trials included 1.086 patients (722 patients treated with primary tumour resection, and 364 patients managed first with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Resection of the primary tumour in asymptomatic patients with unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer who are managed with chemo/radiotherapy is not associated with a consistent improvement in overall survival. In addition, resection does not significantly reduce the risk of complications from the primary tumour (i.e.  obstruction, perforation or bleeding). Yet there is enough doubt with regard to the published literature to justify further clinical trials in this area. The results from an ongoing high quality randomised controlled trial will help to answer this question.