Impact of surgical and pathologic variables in rectal cancer: a United States community and cooperative group report

A retrospective study analyzing if lymph node ratio carbon nanoparticles predict stage III rectal cancer recurrence

Background

Lymph node ratio has garnered increasing attention as a prognostic marker for rectal cancer; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between lymph node ratio and rectal cancer recurrence. Additionally, Carbon Nanoparticle tracking is a safe and effective strategy for locating tumors and tracking lymph nodes. However, no studies have reported the relationship between Carbon Nanoparticles and rectal cancer recurrence.

Methods

Patients with stage III rectal cancer who underwent radical resection between January 2016 and 2020 were analyzed. The primary outcome was tumor recurrence. 269 patients with stage III rectal cancer were included in this study. The effects of lymph node ratio, Carbon Nanoparticles, and other clinicopathological factors on rectal cancer recurrence were assessed using univariate, multivariate analyses and the t-test.

Results

Univariate analysis determined tumor recurrence using cytokeratin 19 fragment, CA-199, CEA, N-stage, positive lymph nodes, total lymph nodes, and lymph node ratio(positive/total); with the lymph node ratio being the most relevant. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined lymph node ratio =0.38 as the optimal cutoff value. The analysis of lymph node ratio ≥0.38 and <0.38 showed statistical differences in three indicators: tumor recurrence, CEA, and use of Carbon Nanoparticles.

Conclusion

Lymph node ratio is a strong predictor of stage III rectal cancer recurrence and may be considered for inclusion in future tumor-node-metastasis staging and stage III rectal cancer stratification. In addition, we found that Carbon Nanoparticles use significantly increased total lymph nodes and decreased lymph node ratio.

Minimally Invasive Pancreatectomy: Robotic and Laparoscopic Developments

Minimally invasive pancreatectomy is increasingly used. Although offering potential advantages over open approaches, minimally invasive pancreatectomy has many challenges to maintain high-quality of oncologic resection. Multiple patient and surgical factors should be considered in planning laparoscopic or robotic resection, including the learning curve required to produce proficiency. For pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and other pancreatic resections, a safe, margin-negative resection remains the goal. National and societal guidelines for the adoption of minimally invasive pancreatectomy are ongoing and will continue to be important as these techniques are further adopted.

The Impact of Narrow and Infiltrated Distal Margin After Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer on Patients' Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Rectal cancer is a common tumor within a difficult anatomic constraint. Total mesorectal excision with longitudinal and circumferential free margins is considered imperative for good prognosis. In this article, the authors systematically reviewed all published literature with specific Mesh terms until the end of year 2019. Thereafter, retrieved articles were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and meta-analysis was conducted comparing local recurrence among 1-cm, 5-mm, and narrow (< 1-mm)/infiltrated margins. Thirty-nine articles were included in the study. Macroscopic distal margin < 1 cm carried a higher incidence of recurrence for those who did not receive neoadjuvant radiation, without affecting neither estimated overall nor disease-free survival. Less than 5-mm margin after radiation therapy is accepted oncologically. Infiltrated margins and narrow margins (< 1 mm) microscopically are associated with higher incidence of local recurrence and shorter overall and disease-free survival. Surgeons should aim at 1-cm safety margin in radiotherapy-naïve patients and microscopic free margin > 1 mm for those who received neoadjuvant therapy. The cost/benefit of reoperation for patients with infiltrated margins is still inadequately studied.

Effectiveness of radiotherapy for local control in T3N0 rectal cancer managed with total mesorectal excision: a meta-analysis

Introduction: The total mesorectal excision (TME) significantly improved rectal cancer outcomes. Radiotherapy’s benefit in T3N0 rectal cancer patients managed with TME has not been clearly demonstrated. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine whether radiotherapy altered the risk of locoregional recurrence (LR) in T3N0 rectal cancer patients managed with a TME.

Materials and Methods: Studies indexed on PubMed or Embase were systematically searched from inception to October 18, 2020. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were observed for the literature search, study screening, and data extraction; the Newcastle Ottawa Scale evaluated bias; Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group system evaluated certainty; and all were performed independently by at least two investigators. Studies that reported LR data specific to T3N0 rectal cancer patients managed with TME, treated with and without radiotherapy, were included. Data was pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-analyses of the relative risk of local recurrence were conducted.

Results: Five retrospective cohort studies involving 932 unique patients reported LR outcomes; no prospective studies met eligibility criteria. Median follow-up ranged from 38.4–78 months. Adjuvant radiotherapy was provided in 3 studies. Chemotherapy was delivered and reported in 4 studies, providing both concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy. A non-significant LR reduction with radiotherapy alongside TME was estimated, mean relative risk (RR) 0.63 (95% Confidence Interval 0.31–1.29; I² = 41.8%).

Conclusions: A non-significant LR benefit with radiotherapy’s addition was estimated. Meta-analysis of exclusively retrospective cohort studies was concerning for biased results. Adequately powered randomized trials are warranted.

Is a Distal Resection Margin of ≤ 1 cm Safe in Patients with Intermediate- to Low-Lying Rectal Cancer? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

It is generally accepted that the distal resection margin of intermediate- to low-lying rectal cancer should be greater than 2 cm and at least 1 cm in special cases. This study intends to investigate whether a distal resection margin ≤ 1 cm affects tumor outcomes for patients with intermediate- to low-lying rectal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Sixteen studies included data for distal resection margins ≤ 1 cm (1684 cases) and > 1 cm (5877 cases), and 5 studies included survival data. Meta-analysis was used to compare the local recurrence rate and long-term survival of patients with distal resection margins > or ≤ 1 cm.

RESULTS

The local recurrence rate in the ≤ 1-cm margin group (9.5%) was 2.3% higher than that in the > 1-cm margin group (7.2%) according to a fixed-effects model (RR [95% CI] 1.42 [1.18, 1.70], P < 0.001). The overall survival results of the five 1-cm margin studies showed an HR (95% CI) of 0.96 (0.75, 1.24) (P = 0.78). Subgroup analysis showed that the local recurrence rate in the subgroup with perioperative treatment was 1.2% lower in the ≤ 1-cm margin group (8.3%) than in the > 1-cm margin group (9.5%) (RR [95% CI] 0.97 [0.63, 1.49], P = 0.90). In the surgery alone subgroup, the local recurrence rate was 4.7% higher in the ≤ 1-cm margin group (12.4%) than in the > 1-cm group (7.7%) (RR [95% CI] 1.76 [1.09, 2.83], P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with intermediate- to low-lying rectal cancer undergoing surgery alone, a distal resection margin ≤ 1 cm may be not safe.

Oncological results in rectal cancer patients with a subcentimetre distal margin after laparoscopic-assisted sphincter-preserving surgery

Background

Distal resection margin (DRM) is closely associated with sphincter‐preserving surgery and oncological safety for patients with mid‐low rectal cancers. However, the optimal DRM has not been determined.

Methods

Data of 378 rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic‐assisted sphincter‐preserving surgery from 2009 to 2015 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into two groups based on DRM: ≤1 cm (n = 74) and >1 cm (n = 304). To minimize the differences between the two groups, propensity‐score matching on baseline features was performed.

Results

Before propensity‐score matching, no significant differences in 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) (92.8% versus 81.3%, P = 0.128) and 5‐year overall survival (OS) (83.7% versus 82.2%, P = 0.892) were observed in patients with DRMs of ≤1 cm (n = 74) and >1 cm (n = 304), respectively. After propensity‐score matching (1:1), there were also no significant differences in DFS (88.1% versus 78.2%, P = 0.162) and OS (84.5% versus 84.9%, P = 0.420) between the DRM of ≤1 cm group (n = 65) and >1 cm group (n = 65), respectively. A total of 44 patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). In this cohort, the 5‐year local recurrence (LR) rates (P = 0.118) and the 5‐year DFS rates (P = 0.298) were not significantly different between the two groups. A total of 334 patients received surgery without neoadjuvant CRT. There were also no significant differences in the 5‐year LR rates (P = 0.150) and 5‐year DFS rates (P = 0.172) between the two groups.

Conclusions

When aiming to achieve at least a 1–2 cm distal clinical resection margin, a histological resection margin of <1 cm on the DRM gave equivalent clinical outcomes to a DRM of >1 cm.

Cost-conscious robotic restorative proctectomy has similar economic and oncologic outcomes to open restorative proctectomy: Results of a long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we hypothesised that the direct hospital costs of robotic restorative proctectomy (RP) would be similar to those of open RP when a cost-conscious approach was employed in rectal cancer patients.

METHODS

We included consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent RP between 12/2011 and 10/2014. A cost-conscious approach was employed in robotic surgery. We compared demographics, long-term oncologic outcomes, and direct hospital costs between the open and robotic groups.

RESULTS

There were 32 robotic and 68 open RP procedures performed. Compared to open RP, the robotic RP group had a longer operative time but less estimated blood loss, intraoperative transfusions, overall short-term morbidity, decreased length of stay. After the initial five robotic cases, overall hospital costs were comparable between the groups (1 ± 0.5 vs. 1 ± 0.4, open and robotic RP, respectively, p = 0.90).

CONCLUSION

Increasing surgeon experience and a cost-conscious approach may improve the value of care of robotic RP in patients with rectal cancer.

Predicting Risk of Recurrence After Colorectal Cancer Surgery in the United States: An Analysis of a Special Commission on Cancer National Study

BACKGROUND

Several factors can affect the risk of recurrence after curative resection of colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to develop a risk model for recurrence after definitive treatment of Stage I-III CRC using data from a nationally representative database and to develop an individualized web-based risk calculator.

METHODS

A random sample of patients who underwent resection for Stage I-III CRC between 2006 and 2007 at Commission on Cancer (CoC) accredited centers were included. Primary data regarding first recurrence was abstracted from medical records and merged with the National Cancer Database. Multivariable cox regression analysis was used to test for factors associated with cancer recurrence, stratified by stage. Model performance was tested by c statistic and calibration plots. Hazard Ratios were utilized to develop an individualized web-based recurrence prediction tool.

RESULTS

A total of 8249 patients from 1175 CoC centers were included. Of these, 1656 (20.1%) patients had a recurrence during 5 years of follow-up. Median time to recurrence was 16 months. The final predictive models displayed excellent discrimination and calibration with concordance indexes of 0.7. The online calculator included 12 variables, including tumor site, stage, time since surgery, and surveillance intensity. Output is displayed numerically and graphically with an icon array.

CONCLUSIONS

Using primarily abstracted recurrence data from a random sample of patients treated for CRC at CoC accredited centers across the United States, we successfully created an individualized CRC recurrence risk assessment tool. This web-based calculator can be used by physicians and patients in shared decision making to guide management discussions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT02217865.

Postoperative radio-chemotherapy for rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary referral hospital

Aim

To report results of postoperative radio-chemotherapy (RT-CHT) for rectal cancer (RC).

Background

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is an essential treatment method in rectal cancer (RC). Perioperative radiotherapy in locally advanced RC improves loco-regional free survival (LRFS). Preoperative radiotherapy is a preferred option; however, some patients are not referred for it. In case of the risk of loco-regional failure postoperative radio-chemotherapy (RT-CHT) is indicated.

Material and methods

Between 2004 and 2010, 182 patients with pathological stage II-III RC (TME performed - 41%, resection R0 - 88%, circumferential resection margin evaluated - 55.5% and was above 2 mm in 66% of them) received postoperative RT-CHT in our institution. Overall survival (OS) and LRFS were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to compare the impact of prognostic factors on survival.

Results

Five-year OS and LRFS rates were 63% and 85%, respectively. Loco-regional recurrence and isolated distant metastases rates were 11.5% and 19%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed stage (III vs. II), HR: 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.8), p = 0.0001; extent of resection (R1-2 vs. R0), HR: 2.14 (95%CI: 1.14-3.99), p = 0.017, and age (>65 vs. ≤65 years), HR: 1.66 (95%CI: 1.06-2.61), p = 0.027 as prognostic factors for OS. Extent of resection (R1-2 vs. R0), HR: 3.65 (95%CI: 1.41-9.43), p = 0.008 had significant impact on LRFS.

Conclusion

Despite a suboptimal quality of surgery and pathological reports, the outcome in our series is close to that reported in the literature. We confirm a strong impact of the extent of resection on patient's outcome, which confirms the pivotal role of surgery in the management of RC.

Selection of a high-level physician may help improve outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To assess the relationship between the level of clinical radiation oncologist and the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To our knowledge, no previous study has explicitly assessed the relationship with cancer prognosis and clinical radiation oncologists level. The effect of physicians on the prognosis has been entirely ignored.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected for 1140 patients with newly diagnosed NPC. Based on the 3-year overall survival, the treating physicians were classified into 3 grades: high-level group, medium-level group, and low-level group. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the independent significance of different prognostic factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize the influence of confounders so that difference in outcomes provides an unbiased estimate of the influence of physician. Interactive Risk Attributable Program (IRAP) was used to calculate the attribution risk of individual risk factors or a combination of multiple factors.

RESULTS

The 3-year OS in the high-level, medium-level, and low-level groups was 92.9%, 87.7%, and 83.5%, respectively (p = 0.003). After propensity score matching, the 3-year OS was 92.4%, 87.4%, and 82.9%, respectively (p = 0.004). IRAP was used to calculate the attribution risk of mortality risk. After multivariable adjustment, patient-related factors including tumor accounted for 90.02% [95% confidence interval (CI), 73.43-96.84%) and physician factors accounted for 17.66% (95% CI, 5.39-44.65%) of the mortalityrisk. All related factors, including patient-related factors and physician factors accounted for 92.02% (95% CI, 77.83-97.43%).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated obvious differences in the prognosis of patients treated by various clinical radiation oncologists. The largest share of prognosis risk was found to be at the patient level, while variation in prognosis was, in part, attributable to differences among physicians.

The Prognostic Impact of the Metastatic Lymph Nodes Ratio in Colorectal Cancer

Background: This study was designed to validate the prognostic significance of the ratio of positive to examined lymph nodes (LNR) in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: 218,314 patients from the SEER database and 1,811 patients from the three independent multicenter were included in this study. The patients were divided into 5 groups on a basis of previous published LNR: LNR0, patients with no metastatic lymph nodes; LNR1, patients with the LNR between 0.1 and 0.17; LNR2, patients with the LNR between 0.18 and 0.41; LNR3, patients with the LNR between 0.42 and 0.69; LNR4, patients with the LNR >0.7. The 5-year OS and CSS rate were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and the survival difference was tested using log-rank test. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to further assess the influence of the LNR on patients' outcome. Results: The 5-year OS rate of patients within LNR0 to LNR4 group was 71.2, 55.8, 39.3, 22.6, and 14.6%, respectively (p < 0.001) in the SEER database. While the 5-year OS rate of those with LNR0 to LNR4 was 75.2, 66.1, 48.0, 34.0, and 17.7%, respectively (p < 0.001) in the international multicenter cohort. In the multivariate analysis, LNR was demonstrated to be a strong prognostic factor in patients with < 12 and ≥12 metastatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, the LNR had a similar impact on the patients' prognosis in colon cancer and rectal cancer. Conclusion: The LNR allowed better prognostic stratification than the positive node (pN) in patients with colorectal cancer and the cut-off values were well validated.

Pathologic Evaluation of Surgical Margins in Pancreatic Cancer Specimens Using Color Coding With Tissue Marking Dyes

OBJECTIVES

Processing of pancreatoduodenectomy specimens is not standardized; the clinical impact of pathologic surgical margins remains controversial. We used the color-coding method using tissue-marking dyes to evaluate margin status of resected specimens to assess its association with postoperative recurrence.

METHODS

We developed a unified processing approach to assess pancreatoduodenectomy specimens. Five surgical margins of resected pancreatic specimens were marked with 5 colors. Microscopic resection margin distance (RMD) from margin closest to the tumor was evaluated for each surgical margin. Forty patients assessed using nonunified protocols, and 98 patients assessed using unified protocols were included.

RESULTS

The frequency of tumors with RMD of 1 mm or less in posterior margin was significantly lower and that in portal vein/superior mesenteric vein margin was significantly higher in unified protocol group than in nonunified protocol group (P < 0.001). In unified protocol group, tumors with RMD of 1 mm or less correlated with locoregional recurrence (P = 0.025) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.030). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size and lymph node metastasis were independent indicators for disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection margin distance of 1 mm or less was a predictor for disease recurrence, particularly for locoregional recurrence. Early detection of small-sized tumors without lymph node metastasis is necessary for improved clinical outcomes in pancreas cancers.

Incidence, Patterns, and Predictors of Locoregional Recurrence in Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND

Locoregional recurrence (LR) in colon cancer is uncommon but often incurable, while the factors associated with it are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify patterns and predictors of LR after curative resection for colon cancer.

METHODS

All patients who underwent colon cancer resection with curative intent between 1994 and 2008 at a tertiary referral center were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. The association of LR with clinicopathologic and treatment characteristics was determined using univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 1397 patients were included with a median follow-up of 7.8 years; 635 (45%) were female, and the median age was 69 years. LR was detected in 61 (4.4%) patients. Median time to LR was 21 months. On multivariable analysis, the independent predictors of LR were disease stage [hazard ratio (HR) for Stage II 4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-19.9, HR for Stage III 10.8, 95% CI 2.6-45.8], bowel obstruction (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.4), margin involvement (HR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-8.6), lymphovascular invasion (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.06-3.5), and local tumor invasion (fixation to another structure, perforation, or presence of associated fistula, HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5). Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with reduced LR in patients with either Stage II or Stage III tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to oncologic surgical principles in colon cancer resection results in low rates of LR, which is associated with tumor-dependent factors. Recognition of these factors can help to determine appropriate postoperative surveillance.

Lymph Node Ratio and Liver Metachronous Metastases in Colorectal Cancer

The authors seek to assess whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) could predict the risk of metachronous liver metastases. Using the goal of sampling 12 lymph nodes for a proper staging of colorectal cancer is often “uncommon,” and the LNR is what allows for a better prognosis selection of patients. A homogeneous group of 280 patients, followed up for at least 5 years, was evaluated. To highlight the groups with the highest risk of metachronous liver metastases, patients were divided into 4 quartiles groups in relation to the LNR. The number of lymph nodes sampled in group “Stage I” was significantly lower. Even if statistical significance between the global LNR and the development of liver metastases has not been reached, the subdivision into quartiles has made it possible to highlight that in the more advanced ratio groups, a higher incidence of metachronous liver metastases (P &lt; 0.028) was registered and was a different distribution of patients with or without liver metastasis in function of quartiles (P = 0.01). The LNR has enabled us to prognosticate patients who are at greater risk of developing metachronous liver metastases. The lower lymph node sampling in the patients with less advanced staging (I) and in patients with node-negative cancer (I + II) who developed liver metastases, leads us to believe that some patients have been understaged. We believe that the LNR, especially in cases of adequate lymph node sampling, is a useful gauge to better substratify “node-positive” patients.

The importance of surgical margins in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with a grim prognosis. Surgical resection offers the best chance for long-term survival, yet recurrence rates are high and outcomes are poor. The influence of margin status in PDAC is controversial, as conflicting data have been plagued by a lack of standardization in margin definitions, pathologic analysis, and reporting. Despite recent efforts, international consensus is still needed for this disease.

Pathologic Assessment of Rectal Carcinoma after Neoadjuvant Radio(chemo)therapy: Prognostic Implications

Neoadjuvant radio(chemo)therapy is increasingly used in rectal cancer and induces a number of morphologic changes that affect prognostication after curative surgery, thereby creating new challenges for surgical pathologists, particularly in evaluating morphologic changes and tumour response to preoperative treatment. Surgical pathologists play an important role in determining the many facets of rectal carcinoma patient care after neoadjuvant treatment. These range from proper handling of macroscopic specimens to accurate microscopic evaluation of pathological features associated with patients' prognosis. This review presents the well-established pathological prognostic indicators and discusses challenging features in order to provide both surgical pathologists and treating physicians with a checklist that is useful in a neoadjuvant setting.

Preoperative serum markers for individual patient prognosis in stage I-III colon cancer

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remains the only recommended biomarker for follow-up care of colorectal cancer (CRC), but besides CEA, several other serological parameters have been proposed as prognostic markers for CRC. The present retrospective analysis investigates a comprehensive set of serum markers with regard to cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A total of 472 patients with colon cancer underwent surgery for curative intent between January 1988 and June 2007. Preoperative serum was analyzed for the following parameters: albumin, alkaline phosphatase (aP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG), bilirubin, cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), CA 72-4, CEA, C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokeratin-19 soluble fragment (CYFRA 21-1), ferritin, gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), hemoglobin, haptoglobin, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum amyloid A (SAA), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. After a median follow-up period of 5.9 years, the overall 3- and 5-year CSS was 91.7 and 84.9 % and DFS rates were 82.7 % (3 years) and 77.6 % (5 years). Multivariate analyses confirmed preoperative CEA as an independent prognostic factor with regard to CSS and DFS. CA 19-9 and γGT also provided prognostic value for CSS and DFS, respectively. Younger age was negatively associated with DFS. According to UICC stage, CEA provided significant prognostic value with regard to CSS and DFS, while CA 19-9 was only prognostic for CSS. Combined analysis is able to identify patients with favorable prognosis. In addition to tumor baseline parameters, preoperative CEA could be confirmed as prognostic marker in colon cancer. CA 19-9 and γGT also provide additional prognostic value with regard to survival and recurrence in stage III and stage I disease, respectively. The combined use of CEA together with CA 19-9 and γGT improve risk-adapted post-op surveillance.

Is there more than one approach to evaluating the variability of surgeons' performance?

INTRODUCTION

To demonstrate that the variability found to be significant between surgeons' performances within a small group does not necessarily mean that this significance applies to the entire field of that specific type of surgery. It is common for inferences and recommendations for an entire field to be based on the variability within a small group of surgeons. The variability between groups usually remains unknown.

METHODS

An analysis of variance was used to assess the statistical significance of the variability among surgeons' performances of a specific type of surgery within the studied sample. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to investigate how large a segment of this variability can be explained by a surgeon-related factor for the entire surgeon population of a specific field. The topic was illustrated using data obtained from a group of seven surgeons who operated on the penetrating rotator cuff tears of 742 patients.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences between seven surgeons in the improvement of pain and the range of shoulder joint motion. However, only a small (≤2%) and statistically non-significant part of this variability could be explained by a difference between surgeons when the results were interpolated across the entire population of shoulder surgeons.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Variability in performance within a group of surgeons performing a specific type of surgery cannot be generalized to include the performance of all surgeons doing the same type of surgery without additional statistical analyses.

CorRECTreatment: a web-based decision support tool for rectal cancer treatment that uses the analytic hierarchy process and decision tree

BACKGROUND

The selection of appropriate rectal cancer treatment is a complex multi-criteria decision making process, in which clinical decision support systems might be used to assist and enrich physicians' decision making.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to develop a web-based clinical decision support tool for physicians in the selection of potentially beneficial treatment options for patients with rectal cancer.

METHODS

The updated decision model contained 8 and 10 criteria in the first and second steps respectively. The decision support model, developed in our previous study by combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method which determines the priority of criteria and decision tree that formed using these priorities, was updated and applied to 388 patients data collected retrospectively. Later, a web-based decision support tool named corRECTreatment was developed. The compatibility of the treatment recommendations by the expert opinion and the decision support tool was examined for its consistency. Two surgeons were requested to recommend a treatment and an overall survival value for the treatment among 20 different cases that we selected and turned into a scenario among the most common and rare treatment options in the patient data set.

RESULTS

In the AHP analyses of the criteria, it was found that the matrices, generated for both decision steps, were consistent (consistency ratio<0.1). Depending on the decisions of experts, the consistency value for the most frequent cases was found to be 80% for the first decision step and 100% for the second decision step. Similarly, for rare cases consistency was 50% for the first decision step and 80% for the second decision step.

CONCLUSIONS

The decision model and corRECTreatment, developed by applying these on real patient data, are expected to provide potential users with decision support in rectal cancer treatment processes and facilitate them in making projections about treatment options.

Evaluation of preoperative serum markers for individual patient prognosis in stage I-III rectal cancer

Several independent serum biomarkers have been proposed as prognostic and/or predictive markers for colorectal cancer (CRC). To this date, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remains the only recommended serological CRC biomarker. The present retrospective analysis investigates the prognostic value of several serum markers. A total of 256 patients with rectal cancer underwent surgery for curative intent in a university cancer center between January 1988 and June 2007. Preoperative serum was retrospectively analyzed for albumin, alkaline phosphatase (aP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, bilirubin, CA 125, cancer antigen 19-9, cancer antigen 72-4 (CA 72-4), CEA, CRP, CYFRA 21-1, ferritin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glutamate oxaloacetate transanunase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, hemoglobin, haptoglobin, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, creatinine, lactate-dehydrogenase, serum amyloid A (SAA), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated. Median follow-up time was 8.4 years. Overall 3- and 5-year CSS was 88.6 and 78.9 %, respectively. DFS rates were 72.8 % (3 years) and 67.5 % (5 years). Univariate analysis of CSS indicated aP, CA 72-4, CEA, and SAA as prognostic factors, while aP, CEA, and SAA were also prognostic with regard to DFS. Multivariate analysis confirmed SAA together with T and N stage as prognostic factors. According to UICC stage, CEA and SAA add prognostic value in stages II and III with regard to DFS and CSS, respectively. The combined use of CEA and SAA is able to identify patients with favorable and poor prognosis. In addition to tumor baseline parameters, routine analysis of SAA together with CEA provided markedly improved prognostic value on CSS and DFS in resected rectal cancer.

Clinical competence in the surgery of rectal cancer: the Italian Consensus Conference

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The literature continues to emphasize the advantages of treating patients in "high volume" units by "expert" surgeons, but there is no agreed definition of what is meant by either term. In September 2012, a Consensus Conference on Clinical Competence was organized in Rome as part of the meeting of the National Congress of Italian Surgery (I Congresso Nazionale della Chirurgia Italiana: Unità e valore della chirurgia italiana). The aims were to provide a definition of "expert surgeon" and "high-volume facility" in rectal cancer surgery and to assess their influence on patient outcome.

METHOD

An Organizing Committee (OC), a Scientific Committee (SC), a Group of Experts (E) and a Panel/Jury (P) were set up for the conduct of the Consensus Conference. Review of the literature focused on three main questions including training, "measuring" of quality and to what extent hospital and surgeon volume affects sphincter-preserving procedures, local recurrence, 30-day morbidity and mortality, survival, function, choice of laparoscopic approach and the choice of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The difficulties encountered in defining competence in rectal surgery arise from the great heterogeneity of the parameters described in the literature to quantify it. Acquisition of data is difficult as many articles were published many years ago. Even with a focus on surgeon and hospital volume, it is difficult to define their role owing to the variability and the quality of the relevant studies.

Reconciliation of international administrative coding systems for comparison of colorectal surgery outcome

AIM

Significant variation in colorectal surgery outcomes exists between different countries. Better understanding of the sources of variable outcomes using administrative data requires alignment of differing clinical coding systems. We aimed to map similar diagnoses and procedures across administrative coding systems used in different countries.

METHOD

Administrative data were collected in a central database as part of the Global Comparators (GC) Project. In order to unify these data, a systematic translation of diagnostic and procedural codes was undertaken. Codes for colorectal diagnoses, resections, operative complications and reoperative interventions were mapped across the respective national healthcare administrative coding systems. Discharge data from January 2006 to June 2011 for patients who had undergone colorectal surgical resections were analysed to generate risk-adjusted models for mortality, length of stay, readmissions and reoperations.

RESULTS

In all, 52 544 case records were collated from 31 institutions in five countries. Mapping of all the coding systems was achieved so that diagnosis and procedures from the participant countries could be compared. Using the aligned coding systems to develop risk-adjusted models, the 30-day mortality rate for colorectal surgery was 3.95% (95% CI 0.86-7.54), the 30-day readmission rate was 11.05% (5.67-17.61), the 28-day reoperation rate was 6.13% (3.68-9.66) and the mean length of stay was 14 (7.65-46.76) days.

CONCLUSION

The linkage of international hospital administrative data that we developed enabled comparison of documented surgical outcomes between countries. This methodology may facilitate international benchmarking.

Development and implementation of a synoptic MRI report for preoperative staging of rectal cancer on a population-based level

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer physician champions across the province of Ontario, Canada, reported significant concern about appropriate selection of patients for preoperative chemoradiotherapy because of perceived variation in the completeness and consistency of MRI reports.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this work was to develop, pilot test, and implement a synoptic MRI report for preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

DESIGN

This was an integrated knowledge translation project.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted in Ontario, Canada.

PATIENTS

Surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists treating patients with rectal cancer were included in this study.

INTERVENTIONS

A multifaceted knowledge translation strategy was used to develop, pilot test, and implement a synoptic MRI report. This strategy included physician champions, audit and feedback, assessment of barriers, and tailoring to the local context. A radiology webinar was conducted to pilot test the synoptic MRI report.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Seventy-three (66%) of 111 Ontario radiologists participated in the radiology webinar and evaluated the synoptic MRI report.

RESULTS

A total of 78% and 90% radiologists expressed that the synoptic MRI report was easy to use and included all of the appropriate items; 82% noted that the synoptic MRI report improved the overall quality of their information, and 83% indicated they would consider using this report in their clinical practice. An MRI report audit after implementation of the synoptic MRI report showed a 39% improvement in the completeness of MRI reports and a 37% uptake of the synoptic MRI report format across the province.

LIMITATIONS

Radiologists evaluating the synoptic MRI report and participating in the radiology webinar may not be representative of gastroenterologic radiologists in other geographic jurisdictions. The evaluation of completeness and uptake of the synoptic MRI reports is limited because of unmeasured differences that may occur before and after the MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

A synoptic MRI report for preoperative staging of rectal cancer was successfully developed and pilot tested in the province of Ontario, Canada.

The role of caseload in determining outcome following laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection: an observational study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate using national data the role of surgeon laparoscopic caseload in determining outcome following elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.

METHODS

All patients who underwent an elective laparoscopic primary colorectal cancer resection between 2002 and 2008 were included from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Surgeon teams were divided into tertiles according to the mean laparoscopic caseload per year. High volume corresponded to more than 12 laparoscopic procedures per year and low volume corresponded to seven or fewer procedures per year. Outcome measures were 30-day in-hospital mortality, return to theatre (RTT), 30-day medical morbidity, 365-day medical morbidity, length of stay (LOS), and unplanned 28-day readmission.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the number of surgeons selecting patients for the laparoscopic approach between 2002-2003 and 2007-2008. In 2002-2003, a total of 41 surgeon teams performed laparoscopic resections whereas in 2007-2008 there were 398 surgeon teams. The patients of high-volume surgeon teams had a shorter LOS [OR 0.88 (0.85-0.91), p < 0.0001]. Patients of medium-volume surgeon teams had the highest medical morbidity rates [30-day medical morbidity: OR 1.24 (1.04-1.48), p = 0.015; 365-day medical morbidity: OR 1.22 (1.04-1.45), p = 0.018]. There were no differences between the high- and low-volume groups in terms of mortality, morbidity, RTT, or readmission.

CONCLUSION

Although there has been a significant increase in the number of surgeon teams offering the minimal access approach, this study has not found a consistent relationship between surgeon laparoscopic cancer surgery caseload and outcome.

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS MANUSCRIPT

This is the first national study to explore the role of surgical volume in determining outcome following laparoscopic surgery. This study questions the impact of surgeon caseload on laparoscopic surgical outcome.

Prognostic impact of the metastatic lymph node ratio on survival in rectal cancer

Purpose

Lymph-node metastasis is the most important predictor of survival in stage III rectal cancer. The number of metastatic lymph nodes may vary depending on the level of specimen dissection and the total number of lymph nodes harvested. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a prognostic parameter for patients with rectal cancer.

Methods

A retrospective review of a database of rectal cancer patients was performed to determine the effect of the LNR on the disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival. Of the total 228 patients with rectal cancer, 55 patients with stage III cancer were eligible for analysis. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analyses, after adjustments for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the relationship between the LNR and survival.

Results

According to the cutoff point 0.15 (15%), the 2-year DFS was 95.2% among patients with a LNR < 0.15 compared with 67.6% for those with LNR ≥ 0.15 (P = 0.02). In stratified and multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, histology and tumor status, a higher LNR was independently associated with worse DFS.

Conclusion

This study showed the prognostic significance of ratio-based staging for rectal cancer and may help in developing better staging systems. LNR 0.15 (15%) was shown to be a cutoff point for determining survival and prognosis in rectal cancer cases.

Altering the therapeutic paradigm towards a distal bowel margin of < 1 cm in patients with low-lying rectal cancer: a systematic review and commentary

AIM

The 1-cm rule of distal bowel clearance in patients with low-lying rectal cancer undergoing anterior resection is based mainly on pathological data showing distal intramural spread. Because clinical data are contradictory, a review that includes only cancers located ≤ 5 or ≤ 6 cm from the anal verge was carried out.

METHOD

A systematic review of the literature identified seven studies that presented results in relation to a margin of ≤ 1 cm (n = 293) vs > 1 cm (n = 315). In six studies, pre- or postoperative radiotherapy was implemented, and in one study patients were treated with surgery alone. Three studies, all implementing radiotherapy, reported results related to a margin of ≤ 5 mm (n = 51) vs > 5 mm (n = 125).

RESULTS

In none of the studies were the differences in local recurrence rate between the small and large margin groups statistically significant. The pooled analysis of six studies, in which patients received perioperative radiotherapy, showed a 1.2% [95% confidence interval (Cl) -4.5-7.0%] higher local recurrence rate in the ≤ 1 cm margin group compared with the > 1 cm margin group (P = 0.6). The corresponding figures for the ≤ 5 mm cut-off point were 0.5% (95% CI -7.6-8.7%, P = 0.9). The 5-year local recurrence rate in the only study in which radiotherapy had not been used was 8.6% higher in the ≤ 1 cm margin group compared with the > 1 cm margin group (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Clinical evidence does not support the 1-cm rule in patients with low-lying rectal cancer undergoing pre- or postoperative radiotherapy.

Optimizing adjuvant treatment decisions for stage t2 rectal cancer based on mesorectal node size: a decision analysis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to optimize treatment decisions for patients with suspected stage T2 rectal cancer on the basis of mesorectal lymph node size at magnetic resonance imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A decision-analytic model was developed to predict outcomes for patients with stage T2 rectal cancer at magnetic resonance imaging. Node-positive patients were assumed to benefit from chemoradiation prior to surgery. Imperfect magnetic resonance imaging performance for primary cancer and mesorectal nodal staging was incorporated. Five triage strategies were considered for administering preoperative chemoradiation: treat all patients; treat for any mesorectal node >3, >5, and >7 mm in size; and treat no patients. If nodal metastases or unsuspected stage T3 disease went untreated preoperatively, postoperative chemoradiation was needed, resulting in poorer outcomes. For each strategy, rates of acute and long-term chemoradiation toxicity and of 5-year local recurrence were computed. Effects of input parameter uncertainty were evaluated in sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

The optimal strategy depended on the outcome prioritized. Acute and long-term chemoradiation toxicity rates were minimized by triaging only patients with nodes >7 mm to preoperative chemoradiation (18.9% and 10.8%, respectively). A treat-all strategy minimized the 5-year local recurrence rate (5.6%). A 7-mm nodal triage threshold increased the 5-year local recurrence rate to 8.0%; when no patients were treated preoperatively, the local recurrence rate was 10.1%. With improved primary tumor staging, all outcomes could be further optimized.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesorectal nodal size thresholds for preoperative chemoradiation should depend on the outcome prioritized: higher size thresholds reduce chemoradiation toxicity but increase recurrence rates. Improvements in nodal staging will have greater impact if primary tumor staging can be improved.

Evaluation of lymph nodes in patients with colon cancer undergoing colon resection: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Though lymph node status may predict long-term outcome of patients with non-metastatic colon cancer, discordant findings exist among various expressions of lymph node status. The present study was designed to assess the prognostic value among these lymph node evaluations.

METHODS

The analysis was based on surgical patients with newly diagnosed colon adenocarcinoma registered in the Taiwan Cancer Database from 2003 to 2005. Exclusion criteria included those patients who had stage IV disease, those whose survival period was <1 month, or those whose lymph node information was unavailable. Studied variables included total number of lymph nodes (LNT), number of positive lymph nodes (LNP), number of negative lymph nodes (LNN), ratio of positive lymph nodes (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS).

RESULTS

Of 16,790 newly diagnosed colon cancer patients, there were 9,644 (65.4 ± 13.5 years; male 54.9 %) patients with non-metastatic disease who met the criteria. Correlation analyses for patients with stage III disease showed that LNR and LODDS were highly correlated, as were LNT and LNN. By the Cox proportional hazard model, LNT was prognostic of long-term survival in patients with stage II disease, while LNR and LNP were the most powerful prognosticators for patients with stage III disease (p < 0.001). Both the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and area under the curve indicated that LNR had the best discriminating capability to predict 5-year survival (0.704, 0.700, and 0.709 for overall, disease-free, and disease-specific survival, respectively), followed by LODDS.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing resection for colon cancer, LNR, LODDS, and LNP are better prognostic factors for those with stage III disease than LNT is for patients with stage III disease.

Increased use of multidisciplinary treatment modalities adds little to the outcome of rectal cancer treated by optimal total mesorectal excision

PURPOSE

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard surgical treatment for rectal cancer. The roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy have become more defined, accompanied by improvements in preoperative staging and histopathological assessment. We analyse our ongoing results in the light of changing patterns of treatment over consecutive time periods.

METHODS

In total, 151 consecutive patients underwent potentially curative rectal excision for cancer in a single institution. Management and outcomes were compared between 1993-1999 and 2000-2007 which corresponded with the restructuring of the regional oncological services.

RESULTS

We found an increase in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy after 1999 (20/89 vs 1/62, p < 0.001). There was an increase in the mean number of lymph nodes examined (11.9 vs 9.4, p = 0.037). The locoregional recurrence rate was 5.3%. The rates were not significantly different between the two study periods [4/89 (4.5%) 1999-2007 vs 4/62 (6.5%) 1993-1999, p = 0.597]. There was no statistical difference in overall or disease-free survival in the time periods examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing use of neoadjuvant therapy and concomitant improvement in lymph node assessment did not translate into a concurrent reduction in the local recurrence, disease-free and overall survival rates. Our results demonstrate the enduring benefit of specialist training in TME in the outcome of rectal cancer surgery. This observational study suggests that low local recurrence rates are surrogate markers for improved overall and disease-free survival. Multidisciplinary team practice should be examined and made cost effective according to the individual unit's local recurrence rate in the light of this and other reports.

Do all locally advanced rectal cancers require radiation? A review of literature in the modern era

Potentially curable rectal cancer is primarily treated with surgical resection. Adjuvant or neoadjuvant radiotherapy is often utilized for patients deemed to be at unacceptable risk for local recurrence. The purpose of this article is to review the pertinent literature and elucidate the role of radiotherapy in patients with an intermediate risk of local recurrence. The addition of chemoradiotherapy is recommended in the majority of patients with transmural or node positive rectal cancer. However, some patients with favorable characteristics may have only a small incremental benefit from the addition of radiotherapy. The decision to treat or not to treat should take into consideration the patient and physician tolerance of risk of recurrence and risk of treatment related toxicity. The primary factors identified for determining low risk patients are circumferential radial margin (CRM), location within the rectum, and nodal status. Patients at lowest risk have widely negative CRM (>2mm), proximal lesions (>10cm from the anal verge), and no nodal disease. Patients with all three low risk factors have an absolute reduction in local recurrence that is <5% and may be eligible to forego radiotherapy. Additional factors identified which may impact local recurrence risk are elevated serum CEA level, lymphovascular space invasion, pathologic grade, and extramural space invasion.

Multimodal treatment strategies for locally advanced rectal cancer

This review outlines the important multimodal treatment issues associated with locally advanced rectal cancer. Changes to chemotherapy and radiation schema, as well as modern surgical approaches, have led to a revolution in the management of this disease but the morbidity and mortality remains high. Adequate treatment is dependent on precise preoperative staging modalities. Advances in staging via endorectal ultrasound, computed tomography, MRI and PET have improved pretreatment triage and management. Important prognostic factors and their impact for this disease are under investigation. Here we discuss the different treatment options including modern tumor-related surgical approaches, neoadjuvant as well as adjuvant therapies. Further clinical progress will largely depend on the broader implementation of multidisciplinary treatment strategies following the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Sequential decision tree using the analytic hierarchy process for decision support in rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the most appropriate method for construction of a sequential decision tree in the management of rectal cancer, using various patient-specific criteria and treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

METHODS

An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the priorities of variables. Relevant criteria used in two decision steps and their relative priorities were established by a panel of five general surgeons. Data were collected via a web-based application and analyzed using the "Expert Choice" software specifically developed for the AHP. Consistency ratios in the AHP method were calculated for each set of judgments, and the priorities of sub-criteria were determined. A sequential decision tree was constructed for the best treatment decision process, using priorities determined by the AHP method.

RESULTS

Consistency ratios in the AHP method were calculated for each decision step, and the judgments were considered consistent. The tumor-related criterion "presence of perforation" (0.331) and the patient-surgeon-related criterion "surgeon's experience" (0.630) had the highest priority in the first decision step. In the second decision step, the tumor-related criterion "the stage of the disease" (0.230) and the patient-surgeon-related criterion "surgeon's experience" (0.281) were the paramount criteria. The results showed some variation in the ranking of criteria between the decision steps. In the second decision step, for instance, the tumor-related criterion "presence of perforation" was just the fifth.

CONCLUSION

The consistency of decision support systems largely depends on the quality of the underlying decision tree. When several choices and variables have to be considered in a decision, it is very important to determine priorities. The AHP method seems to be effective for this purpose. The decision algorithm developed by this method is more realistic and will improve the quality of the decision tree.

Failure patterns correlate with the tumor response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the patterns of failure are correlated with the degree of response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to evaluate outcomes after recurrence in rectal cancer patients who underwent CRT followed by resection.

METHODS

Response to CRT was evaluated according to tumor regression grade (TRG), with 581 patients categorized into two groups, a good response (GR, TRG 3/4, n = 224) and a poor response (PR, TRG 1/2, n = 357) group.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 61 months, the 5-year overall (88.2% vs. 71.3%, P < 0.001) and disease-free (86.7% vs. 63.6%, P < 0.001) survival rates were higher in the GR group. In patients with recurrence, time to recurrence was shorter (13.5 months vs. 18.7 months, P = 0.01), and the cumulative 2-year recurrence rates (92.9% vs. 73.4%, P = 0.024) was higher in the GR group. Rates of local (1.3% vs. 9.5% P < 0.001) and systemic (11.6% vs. 27.2%, P < 0.001) recurrence were significantly lower in the GR group, as were rates of pulmonary (3.6% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.001) and systemic lymph node (1.3% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.009) recurrences. The 5-year overall survival rates after recurrence were similar (GR: 23.7% vs. PR: 16.0%, P = 0.911).

CONCLUSIONS

More than one-third of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer showed good response to CRT, with improved local and systemic recurrence rates, especially low rates of pulmonary and systemic lymph node recurrence. Recurrence occurred earlier in the GR than the PR group, and oncologic outcomes after recurrence did not differ between the two groups.

Lymph node ratio is an independent prognostic factor in patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative resection

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic effect of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with curative resection after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS

Between October 2001 and December 2007, 519 patients who had undergone curative resection of primary rectal cancer after preoperative CRT were enrolled. Of these, 154 patients were positive for lymph node (LN) metastasis and were divided into three groups according to the LNR (≤ 0.15 [n=80], 0.16-0.3 [n=44], >0.3 [n=30]) to evaluate the prognostic effect on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

LNR (≤ 0.15, 0.16-0.3, and >0.3) was significantly associated with 5-year OS (90.3%, 75.1%, and 45.1%; p<0.001) and DFS (66.7%, 55.8%, and 21.9%; p<0.001) rates. In a multivariate analysis, LNR (≤ 0.15, 0.16-0.3, and >0.3) was a significant independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratios [HRs], 1, 3.609, and 8.197; p<0.001) and DFS (HRs, 1, 1.699, and 3.960; p<0.001). LNR had a prognostic impact on OS and DFS in patients with <12 harvested LNs, as well as in those with ≥ 12 harvested LNs (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

LNR was a significant independent prognostic predictor for OS and DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with curative resection after preoperative CRT.

Workload and surgeon's specialty for outcome after colorectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

A large body of research has focused on investigating the effects of healthcare provider volume and specialization on patient outcomes including outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery. However there is conflicting evidence about the role of such healthcare provider characteristics in the management of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the available literature for the effects of hospital volume, surgeon caseload and specialization on the outcomes of colorectal, colon and rectal cancer surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and LILACS using free text search words (as well as MESH-terms). We also searched Medline (January 1990-September 2011), Embase (January 1990-September 2011) and registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Non-randomised and observational studies that compared outcomes for colorectal cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer surgery (overall 5-year survival, five year disease specific survival, operative mortality, 5-year local recurrence rate, anastomotic leak rate, permanent stoma rate and abdominoperineal excision of the rectum rate) between high volume/specialist hospitals and surgeons and low volume/specialist hospitals and surgeons.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias in included studies. Results were pooled using the random effects model in unadjusted and case-mix adjusted meta-analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Overall five year survival was significantly improved for patients with colorectal cancer treated in high-volume hospitals (HR=0.90, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.96), by high-volume surgeons (HR=0.88, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.93) and colorectal specialists (HR=0.81, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.94). Operative mortality was significantly better for high-volume surgeons (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.91) and specialists (OR=0.74, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.91), but there was no significant association with higher hospital caseload (OR=0.93, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.04) when only case-mix adjusted studies were included. There were differences in the effects of caseload depending on the level of case-mix adjustment and also whether the studies originated in the US or in other countries. For rectal cancer, there was a significant association between high-volume hospitals and improved 5-year survival (HR=0.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.93), but not with operative mortality (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.33); surgeon caseload had no significant association with either 5-year survival (HR=0.99, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.14) or operative mortality (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.19) when case-mix adjusted studies were reviewed. Higher hospital volume was associated with significantly lower rates of permanent stomas (OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.90) and APER (OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.72). High-volume surgeons and specialists also achieved lower rates of permanent stoma formation (0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88) and (0.70, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.94, respectively).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm clearly the presence of a volume-outcome relationship in colorectal cancer surgery, based on hospital and surgeon caseload, and specialisation. The volume-outcome relationship appears somewhat stronger for the individual surgeon than for the hospital; particularly for overall 5-year survival and operative mortality, there were differences between US and non-US data, suggesting provider variability at hospital level between different countries, making it imperative that every country or healthcare system must establish audit systems to guide changes in the service provision based on local data, and facilitate centralisation of services as required. Overall quality of the evidence was low as all included studies were observational by design. In addition there were discrepancies in the definitions of caseload and colorectal specialist. However ethical challenges associated with the conception of randomised controlled trials addressing the volume outcome relationship makes this the best available evidence.

Acceptance of a 5-mm distal bowel resection margin for rectal cancer: is it safe?

AIM

Acceptance of a short distal bowel margin results in a higher rate of anterior resection but may compromise oncological safety. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of a 5-mm distal margin.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was carried out of 412 consecutive patients with rectal cancer treated with anterior resection with a negative circumferential resection margin. Radiotherapy was given to 63% of patients with an advanced tumour. The median follow up was 75 months.

RESULTS

Fewer patients in the group with a distal margin of ≤ 5 mm had a tumour with an advanced pT stage compared to patients in the group with a distal margin of > 5 mm (P = 0.033). Two patients were converted to abdominoperineal resection because of a positive 'doughnut', leaving 410 patients, in whom 5.4% (95% CI, 0-11.3%) of the group with a distal margin of ≤ 5 mm had local recurrence at 5 years compared with 4.2% (95% CI, 2.1-6.3%) of the group with a distal margin of > 5 mm (P = 0.726). The corresponding figures for the 5-year overall survival were 82.4% (95% CI, 72.6-92.2%) vs 76.3% (95% CI, 71.8-80.8%) (P = 0.581). All four anastomotic recurrences occurred in the group with a distal margin of > 5 mm.

CONCLUSION

A distal margin of ≤ 5 mm did not compromise oncological safety in patients undergoing preoperative radiation for an advanced rectal cancer.

Estimating underreported N2 disease in rectal cancer patients with low lymph node counts

BACKGROUND

The variability in the number of lymph nodes examined needs to be taken into account for adequate staging. The definition of nodal staging was refined by quantifying the likelihood of N2 disease when the patient had fewer than four positive LN.

METHODS

In a retrospective study a total of 548 patients with node positive rectal cancer and curative surgery between 1990 and 2006 were identified. The misclassification of pN staging was estimated with a Bayesian computation. The prognostic value of the calculated probability, lymph node ratio (LNR), and nodal stage was assessed with Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

A probability of understaging of 40% or more indicated worse prognosis of cancer-specific survival (CSS) with hazard ratio 2.6 (95%CI: 1.8-3.9, P < 0.001). The concordance index of a multivariate model with probability of N2 disease as a prognostic factor for survival was 0.68 for all patients and 0.75 for patients with less than 10 lymph nodes examined.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing estimated probabilities of N2 disease improves our ability to predict survival, in particular in patients with low LN count. These probabilities allow for a simple rule in patient counseling and clinical decision making.