Local Excision for ypT2 Rectal Cancer—Much Ado About Something

Background The role of local excision for pT2 distal rectal cancer has been challenged because of the observation of high rates of lymph node metastases and local failure. However, neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) has led to increased local disease control and significant tumor downstaging, possibly decreasing rates of lymph node metastases. In this setting, a possible role for local excision of ypT2 has been suggested. Methods A total of 401 patients with distal rectal cancer underwent neoadjuvant CRT. Tumor response assessment was performed after at least 8 weeks from CRT completion. One hundred and twelve patients with complete clinical response were not immediately operated on and were excluded from the study, and 289 patients with incomplete clinical response were managed by radical surgery. Patients with final pathological stage ypT2 were analyzed to determine the risk of unfavorable pathological features that could represent unacceptable risk for local failure after local excision. Results Eighty-eight (30%) patients had ypT2 rectal cancer. Final ypT status was not associated with pretreatment radiological staging (p = 0.62). ypT status was significantly associated with the risk of lymph node metastases, risk of perineural and vascular invasion, and recurrence (p = 0.001). Lymph node metastases were present in 19% of patients with ypT2 rectal cancer. The risk of lymph node metastases in ypT2 was associated with the presence of perineural invasion (47% vs 4%; p = <0.001), vascular invasion (59% vs 6%; p < 0.001), and decreased mean interval CRT surgery (12 vs 18 weeks; p < 0.001), but not with mean tumor size (3.2 vs 3.1 cm; p = 0.8). Disease-free and overall survival rates were significantly better for patients with ypT2N0 (p = 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). Fifty-five (63%) patients with ypT2 had at least one unfavorable pathological feature for local excision (lymph node metastases, vascular or perineural invasion, mucinous type or tumor size >3 cm). Conclusion Lymph node metastases were present in 19% of patients with ypT2 and were significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival rates. The risk of lymph node metastases could not be predicted by radiological staging or tumor size. Radical surgery should be considered the standard treatment option for ypT2 rectal cancer after CRT. Presented at the Plenary Session of the 48th Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, D.C., May 19–23, 2007.     

Progress report about the 1st Workshop on Local Excision of Rectal Cancer

To determine the significance of local excision (LE) of rectal cancer and discuss oncologic results, a 1st Workshop on LE of rectal cancer was held at the Department of General und Abdominal Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany. The option of broadening the indication for local excision after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (nRCT) of rectal cancer was to be assessed. Local excision of "low risk" T 1 carcinomas was rated as oncologically adequate therapy with good functional results and low complication rates. Transanal endoscopic microsurgical (TEM) resection was the preferrred technique. Pre-requisite for the achievement of low recurrence rates (5 %) is an R0 resection with a safety margin of at least 1 mm (R < or = 1 mm) without tumor fragmentation, because otherwise possible tumor cell displacement and RX resection may not allow an assessment of the resection margin. "high risk" tumors or T 2 carcinomas were not considered an indication for local excision. To identify additional histological risk factors for the oncological outcome (sm-level, tumor budding, mucinous component, perineural infiltration, etc.) the initiation of a multi-center register study (LERC = local excision of rectal cancer) was suggested and is now in preparation. If the finding after TEM resection is not a "low risk" T 1 carcinoma, but a "high risk" situation or a T 2 tumor, immediate reoperation is advised resulting in similar outcomes as compared to primary conventional surgery. A literature analysis of LE after neoadjuvant RCT of T 2/3 rectal cancers showed a local recurrence rate of 0 % for ypT 0 and of 5 % for ypT 1 findings (studies with small patient collectives and short follow-up periods). The lymph node status of T 2 / 3 carcinomas after nRCT is unclear. More advanced/primary not resectable tumors (T 3 / 4) showed lymph node metastases in 5 % for ypT 0 and in 12 % for ypT 1 findings after nRCT, suggesting that for earlier T categories lower rates can be expected. On the basis of these favourable results a prospective multi-center study will be initiated. A study protocol will be established during the 2nd Workshop on LE of rectal cancer in Mainz.     

Location of Rectal Cancer Within the Circumference of the Rectum Does Not Influence Lymph Node Status

Background Patients with rectal cancer are treated in multimodal concepts on the basis of their tumor stage. In the context of local excision, it is of major importance to assess the risk of lymph node metastases in patients with T1 or T2 tumors. To identify patients with an increased risk of lymph node metastases, the influence of the location of the tumor within the rectum (anterior, posterior, lateral) and of other variables on lymph node status was investigated. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection for primary rectal cancer between October 2001 and September 2003 were included. A multivariate analysis was performed focussing on tumor location and other variables as potential predictive factors for lymph node metastases. Results Of 148 included patients, 135 (91%) had an anterior and 13 (9%) an abdominoperineal resection. All patients routinely underwent total mesorectal excision. A statistically significant correlation with positive lymph node status was found for patients with lymphatic invasion (P < .0001), higher T stage (P < .0001), presence of distant metastases (M1) (P = .0003), and circular growth of the tumor (P = .003), but not for tumor location. Multivariate analysis confirmed that patients without lymphatic invasion (odds ratio, .1; 95% confidence interval, .02–.48; P = .006) and with a low T stage (odds ratio, .07; 95% confidence interval, .002–.9; P = .004) have a significantly lower risk for positive lymph nodes. Conclusions Location of rectal cancer (anterior, posterior, lateral) is not a good predictor for lymph node metastases.     

Is Total Mesorectal Excision Always Necessary for T1–T2 Lower Rectal Cancer?

Background

The goal of this multicenter study was to clarify the determinants of local excision for patients with T1–T2 lower rectal cancer.

Methods

Data from 567 consecutive patients who underwent radical resection for T1–T2 lower rectal cancer at 12 institutions between 1991 and 1998 were reviewed. Rates of lymph node metastasis were investigated using a tree analysis, which was hierarchized using independent risk factors for nodal involvement.

Results

The independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were female gender, depth of tumor invasion, histology other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and lymphatic invasion. According to the first three parameters that can be obtained preoperatively, only 0.99% of the patients without risk factors had lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, even if the lower rectal cancer was at stage T1, women with histological types other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma had an approximately 30% probability of having lymph node metastasis. Lymphatic invasion was most useful to predict nodal involvement among patients with T2 lower rectal cancer. The rates of lymph node metastasis in T2 patients with and without lymphatic invasion were 32.9% and 9.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Gender is one of the most important predictors for lymph node metastasis in patients with early distal rectal cancer. Three parameters, including depth of tumor invasion, histology, and gender, are useful determinants for local excision. Additional studies are required to establish the minimum optimal treatment for T2 lower rectal cancer.     

Chemoradiation instead of surgery to treat mid and low rectal tumors: Is it safe?

Background The main treatment for rectal carcinoma is surgery. Preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) is advocated to reduce local recurrence and improve resection of mid and low tethered rectal tumors. Methods Fifty-two patients with mid or low rectal tumors underwent CRT (external beam radiation plus 5-fluorouracil plus folinic acid). Patients who had low rectal tumors with complete response (CR) were not submitted to surgical treatment. All other patients were submitted to surgery, independently of the response. Mean follow-up was 32.1 months. Results Five-year overall survival was 60.5%. Clinical evaluation after CRT showed CR in 10 cases (19.2%), all low tumors; incomplete response (>50%) in 21 (40.4%); and no response to 8.8 months. Two patients were not submitted to surgery and are still alive without cancer after 37 and 58 months. Thirty-nine patients had radical surgery. Seven had local recurrences after CRT plus surgery (17.9%). Overall survival was negatively affected by lymph node metastases (P=.017) and perineural invasion (P=.026). Conclusions Exclusive CRT approach is not safe to treat patients with low infiltrative rectal carcinoma.     

Histopathologic Criteria for Local Excision of Colorectal Cancer: Multivariate Analysis

Background: Local treatment of colorectal cancer, including endoscopic removal of colonic polyps and transanal resection of rectal tumors, has become widely accepted. However, risk factors predicting the presence of lymph node metastasis have not been fully investigated. To determine the criteria for local excision of colorectal cancer, histopathologic factors independently predicting the lymph node metastasis were investigated.Methods: We performed a retrospective histopathologic study on 335 patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer and dissection of regional lymph nodes between 1982 and 1996. Features of node-positive tumors (n = 150) were compared with those of node-negative tumors (n = 185), with special reference to the histopathologic findings of the resected tumor. Multivariate analysis was done using the stepwise logistic regression test.Results: Node-positive tumors, when compared with node-negative tumors, were characterized by tumor larger than 6 cm (42% vs. 22%), serosal invasion (88% vs. 56%), lymphatic invasion (32% vs. 5%), venous invasion (9% vs. 2%), and histology other than well-differentiated (66% vs. 29%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with lymph node metastasis were serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, and histologic type. When these three risk factors were negative, lymph node metastasis was rare (5%). When one, two, or three factors were positive, the frequency of lymph node metastasis was 38%, 66%, and 85%, respectively.Conclusions: In colorectal cancer, factors independently associated with lymph node metastasis are serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, and histologic type. When these three parameters are favorable, local treatment of colorectal cancer does not require additional lymph node dissection.     

Incidence and prognostic significance of lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with advanced low rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Lateral lymph node metastases occur in some patients with low rectal cancer and may cause local recurrence after total mesorectal excision. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for lateral node metastases in patients with pathological tumour (pT) stage 3 or pT4 low rectal adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of lateral node metastases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the outcome of 237 patients with pT3 or pT4 low rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent R0 resection with systematic lateral node dissection. RESULTS: Lateral lymph node metastases were found in 41 patients (17.3 per cent). Increased risk of lateral lymph node metastases was associated with a distal tumour margin close to the anal margin, histological type other than well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastases. Patients with lateral node metastases had a significantly shorter postoperative survival (5-year survival rate 42 versus 71.6 per cent; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of local recurrence (44 versus 11.7 per cent; P < 0.001) compared with those without lateral node metastases. CONCLUSION: Tumour site, histological type and the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastasis are factors predicting the risk of lateral node metastasis. The poor prognosis of patients with lateral lymph node metastases after systematic lateral dissection suggests the need for adjuvant therapy.     

Clinicopathological significance of microscopic abscess formation at the invasive margin of advanced low rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of microscopic abscess formation (MAF) at the invasive front of advanced low rectal cancer. METHODS: The clinicopathological features of 226 consecutive patients with low rectal cancer, who underwent curative resection between May 1997 and December 2002, were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven (25.2 per cent) of the 226 tumours had MAF and 169 (74.8 per cent) did not. Patients with tumours showing MAF were more likely to have extended surgery than those without MAF: 47 versus 31.4 per cent respectively underwent non-sphincter-preserving surgery (P=0.029) and 82 versus 60.9 per cent underwent lateral lymph node dissection (P=0.003). The incidence of lymph node metastases was lower in patients with MAF (30 versus 53.3 per cent; P=0.002). Univariable analysis of disease-free survival revealed that depth of invasion (P<0.001), lymph node status (P<0.001), histological type (P=0.035), lymphatic invasion (P<0.001), venous invasion (P<0.001), perineural invasion (P<0.001), focal dedifferentiation (P<0.001) and MAF (P<0.001) were significant prognostic factors. Multivariable analysis showed that lymph node status (P<0.001), perineural invasion (P=0.002), venous invasion (P=0.033) and MAF (P=0.012) remained independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: MAF may reflect indolent tumour behaviour and a more favourable outcome in patients with advanced low rectal cancer.     

Comparative outcome between chemoradiotherapy and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection following total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate comparative outcome between adjuvant postoperative chemoradiotherapy (postoperative CRT) and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLD) following total mesorectal excision (TME) in rectal cancer patients. BACKGROUND: Although TME results in lower rate of locoregional recurrence compared with conventional surgery, these 2 treatment modalities following TME have not adequately been appraised until the present trend of preoperative chemoradiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2000, patients with stage II and III rectal cancer underwent TME plus postoperative CRT (n = 309) or LPLD (n = 176). Patients in the postoperative CRT group received 8 cycles of 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin and 45 Gy pelvic radiotherapy. Patients in the LPLD group underwent lateral lymph node dissection outside the pelvic plexus. RESULTS: The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 78.3% and 67.3% in the postoperative CRT group, respectively, and 73.9% and 68.6% in the LPLD group, respectively, without significant differences between these groups. Patients in the LPLD group with stage III lower rectal cancer had a locoregional recurrence rate 2.2-fold greater than those in the postoperative CRT group (16.7% vs. 7.5%, P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that APR and advanced T-category (T4) were significantly associated with locoregional recurrence, whereas lymph node metastases, high preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen, and APR were significantly associated with shortening of disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative-CRT and LPLD following TME resulted in comparable survival rates, but the locoregional recurrence rate was higher in the LPLD group. These findings suggest that initial surgery is appropriate for rectal cancer patients who are candidates for low anterior resection without extensive local disease (T1-T3), regardless of lymph node status.     

Endoluminal ultrasound and computed tomography in the staging of rectal cancer

Pre-operative staging of rectal cancer might define patients with disease confined to the rectal wall without lymph node metastases, in whom local excision might be appropriate, or patients with extrarectal spread, who might benefit from pre-operative radiotherapy. With these objectives, 36 consecutive patients with rectal cancer were studied by endoluminal ultrasound: 17 of them also underwent computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis. The results were correlated with the findings at operation and subsequent pathological examination. Endoluminal ultrasound correctly predicted invasion of the tumour through the rectal wall in 86 per cent of patients, with a sensitivity of 96 per cent and specificity of 50 per cent, but correctly identified lymph node metastases in only 61 per cent of patients (sensitivity 57 per cent; specificity 64 per cent). CT correctly predicted invasion through the rectal wall in 94 per cent of cases, with a sensitivity of 100 per cent and specificity of 67 per cent and correctly identified lymph node metastases in 70 per cent of patients (sensitivity 25 per cent; specificity 85 per cent). These findings indicate that both endoluminal ultrasound and CT may be helpful in selecting patients for pre-operative radiotherapy. Neither technique, however, can reliably identify lymph node metastases and therefore cannot be used to select patients who would be suitable for local excision.     

Variables related to risk of recurrence in rectal cancer without lymph node metastasis

Background: There has been recent interest in the use of local excision for rectal cancer under consideration of patient's quality of life. However, local excision of the primary tumor does not remove the areas of lymphatic spread. Therefore, the decision to use this procedure must be considered carefully. Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 142 patients who underwent radical resection of rectal cancer without lymph node metastasis in order to define the risk factors for recurrence. The macroscopic and microscopic pathological characteristics, immunohistochemical staining for p53, and DNA ploidy pattern of the primary tumor were examined as potential predictors of recurrence. Results: The rates for 5-year disease-free survival, local control, freedom from distant metastasis, and overall survival in these 142 patients were 87%, 93%, 93%, and 91%, respectively. Factors related to recurrence and prognosis included the depth of tumor invasion, vascular/lymphatic involvement, tumor differentiation, and tumor size. However, p53 staining and DNA ploidy pattern were not useful indicators. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that adjunctive radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be considered for patients who have rectal cancer without lymph node metastasis in the following situations: tumor invasion of the serosa, vascular/lymphatic involvement, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and lesions >2 cm in diameter. Local excision should not be used in these situations, even if there are no lymph node metastases. The results of this study were presented at the 46th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles, California, March 18–21, 1993.     

Local excision of stratified T1 rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Local excision has been accepted therapy for T1 rectal cancers. A recent study demonstrated that primary tumors with deeper submucosal invasion were associated with a higher rate of lymph node metastases than those with shallow invasion. Our aim was to determine the effect of the depth of submucosal penetration on recurrence and mortality rates following transrectal excision of T1 tumors. METHODS: This was a 34-year retrospective review of patients who had transrectal excision with clear margins for T1 rectal cancer. Tumors were stratified into submucosal (SM) levels, and recurrence and mortality rates were determined. RESULTS: Of 101 patients with T1 rectal cancer undergoing local excision, 31 had a full-thickness transrectal excision. Eight (26%) of the 31 patients developed a local recurrence, 2 of whom had both a local and distant recurrence. Four patients (13%) died from metastatic rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate for transrectal excision of T1 rectal cancer is high. It may be beneficial for patients with early rectal cancer to have postoperative chemoradiation therapy or a more radical surgical procedure.     

Predicting the node-negative mesorectum after preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal carcinoma

Preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer allows for radical surgery with sphincter preservation in many patients. To determine whether patients downsized with preoperative CRT may be potential candidates for local excision, we investigated residual disease patterns after neoadjuvant treatment. A retrospective analysis was carried out of patients with T3 or T4 rectal adenocarcinoma who were treated with neoadjuvant CRT. Clinical and pathologic data were analyzed to (1) determine the response rates to preoperative CRT in the tumor bed and regional nodal basin and (2) identify the incidence of residual disease in the mesorectum in patients downsized to ≤T2. A total of 219 patients met the inclusion criteria. Preoperatively 193 patients (88%) were staged as T3, and 99 patients (47%) had clinical N1 disease. The pathologic complete response rate was 20% (43 of 219 patients). T stage was downsized in 64% of the patients (140 of 219), and 69% (67 of 97) of the patients with clinical N1 disease were rendered node negative. Seventeen percent (21 of 122) of patients downsized to ≤T2 had residual disease in the mesentery. With a median follow-up of 40 months, 182 patients (83%) remain alive and free of disease. Nine patients (4.1%) have had a local recurrence. Although tumor response rates to preoperative CRT within the bowel wall and lymph node basin are similar, one in six patients with pT0-2 tumors will have residual disease in the rectal mesentery and nodes. Despite a substantial reduction in tumor volume with neoadjuvant CRT, local excision should be recommended with caution in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Presented at Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Orlando, Florida, May 18–21, 2003 (oral presentation).     

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??Selective lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for mid-low rectal cancer WEI Ming-tian??WANG Zi-qiang. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery??West China Hospital??Chengdu 610041??China
Corresponding author??WANG Zi-qiang??E-mail??wangzqzyh@163.com
Abstract Lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis is not uncommon in patients with advanced mid-low rectal cancer??and is also the cause of lateral recurrence. The latter has been indicated to be the most common kind of local recurrences in Asian reports. Presence of enlarged lateral lymph nodes at presentation is an independent risk factor for lateral pelvic recurrence after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and total mesorectal excision. Controversy exists between Asian and western countries with respect to the use of CRT and lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) in the management of mid-low advanced rectal cancer. Primary reports indicated that thecombination of CRT and LLND was likely to be superior to either of the two strategies and provided more favourable local control and survival. So far??there is no consensus on the criteria to diagnose lateral lymph node metastases (LLNM) and the indication for selective LLND. More multicenter prospective cohort studies are warrant to address the issues, before we can provide better health care to the patients to improve their survival??as well as to avoid unnecessary LLND??which has been associated with more surgical complications and poorer quality of life.     

Tumor stage, vascular invasion and the percentage of poorly differentiated cancer: independent prognosticators for inguinal lymph node metastasis in penile squamous cancer

PURPOSE: We determine if histopathological factors of the primary penile tumor can stratify the risk of the development of inguinal lymph node metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of 48 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who underwent resection of the primary lesion and either inguinal lymph node dissection or were observed for signs of recurrence (median followup 59 months) were reviewed. Parameters examined included pathological tumor stage, quantified depth of invasion and tumor thickness, histological and nuclear grade, percentage of poorly differentiated cancer in the primary tumor, number of mitoses and presence or absence of vascular invasion. Variables were compared in 18 lymph node positive and 30 lymph node negative cases. RESULTS: Pathological tumor stage, vascular invasion and presence of greater than 50% poorly differentiated cancer were the strongest predictors of nodal metastasis on univariate and multivariate regression analyses. None of 15 pT1 tumors exhibited vascular invasion or lymph node metastases. Of 33 patients with pT2 or greater tumors 21 (64%) had vascular invasion and 18 (55%) had metastases. Only 4 of 25 patients (15%) with 50% or less poorly differentiated cancer in the penile tumor had metastases compared with 14 of 23 patients (61%) with greater than 50% poorly differentiated cancer (p = 0.001). No other variables tested were significantly different among the patient cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological stage of the penile tumor, vascular invasion and greater than 50% poorly differentiated cancer were independent prognostic factors for inguinal lymph node metastasis. Prophylactic lymphadenectomy in compliant patients with pT1 lesions without vascular invasion and 50% or less poorly differentiated cancer does not appear warranted.     

中低位直肠癌选择性侧方淋巴结清扫策略

侧方淋巴结转移是中低位进展期直肠癌的较常见转移方式,也是亚洲人群新辅助放化疗后常见的局部复发方式,侧方型复发预后极差。侧方肿大淋巴结是放化疗后侧方型复发的独立危险因素,东西方国家关于放化疗与侧方淋巴结清扫等在中低位进展期直肠癌中的应用存在巨大争议。有限的研究显示,对可疑淋巴结转移病人联合应用放化疗与选择性侧方淋巴结清扫,有望进一步降低局部复发率及改善病人生存。对未接受侧方淋巴结清扫的病人,理论上有必要进行更严密的随访,早期发现侧方型复发,及时手术治疗可能带来长期生存。目前,关于新辅助放化疗后侧方淋巴结转移的诊断及选择性侧方淋巴结清扫的手术指征尚无统一意见,亟需大宗病例前瞻性队列研究加以阐明,以进一步改善病人的局部复发及长期生存,并减少因过度手术带来的并发症及生活质量下降。     

Can depth of tumour invasion predict lymph node positivity in patients undergoing resection for early rectal cancer? A comparative study between T1 and T2 cancers

Objective The present study investigated the risk of lymph node metastasis according to the depth of tumour invasion in patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer. Method The histology of patients undergoing oncological resection with regional lymphadenectomy for rectal cancer at St Marks Hospital from 1971 to 1996 was reviewed. Of the total number of 1549 patients, 303 patients with T₁ or T₂ rectal cancers were selected. The tumour type, grade, evidence of vascular invasion, depth of submucosal invasion (classed into ‘sm1‐3’) were evaluated as potential predictors of lymph node positivity using univariate and multi‐level logistic regression analysis. Results Tumour stage was classified as T₁ in 55 (18.2%) and T₂ in 248 (81.2%) patients. The incidence of lymph node metastasis in the T₁ group was 12.7% (7/55), compared to 19% (47/247) in the T₂ group. The node positive and negative groups were similar with regard to patient demographics, although the former contained a significantly higher number of poorly differentiated (P = 0.001) and extramural vascular invasion tumours (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the number of patients with sm1‐3, or T₂ tumour depths within the lymph node positive and negative groups. On multivariate analysis the presence of extramural vascular invasion (odds ratio = 10.0) and tumour grade (odds ratio for poorly vs well‐differentiated = 11.7) were independent predictors of lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Whilst the degree of vascular invasion and poor differentiation of rectal tumours were significant risk factors for lymph node metastasis, depth of submucosal invasion was not. This has important implications for patients with superficial early rectal cancers in whom local excision is being considered.     

Long-term Outcome of Local Excision after Complete Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotion therapy (CRT) for advanced rectal cancer has improved local disease. Complete rectal wall tumor regression may be associated with the absence of viable cancer cells in the mesorectum, and thus local excision (LE) of such lesions as an alternative to radical surgery has recently gained interest. We report the long-term outcome of LE in patients with a mural pathological complete response (ypT0) after CRT.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with rectal cancer treated by CRT and followed by LE with pathological complete response in the specimen between 1998 and 2009 was performed.

Results

A total of 174 patients had neoadjuvant CRT, and 68 (39?%) showed complete clinical response (cCR). Thirty-one of the cCR patients underwent LE; 23 of them resulted in ypT0 and 8 had residual disease. The ypT0 group included 12 men and 11 women with a median age of 66. The pretreatment stage was T3N1 in 4 (17?%) patients, T3N0 in 11 (48?%), T2N1 in 3 (13?%), and T2N0 in 5 (22?%). The median tumor distance from the anal verge was 6?cm. Sixteen patients (70?%) underwent transanal excision, and 7 (30?%) were treated by transanal-endoscopic microsurgery. Three patients died: one of pneumonia, one of melanoma of the rectum, and one of lung carcinoma. No local or distant recurrences were detected in the remaining 20 patients. The median follow-up was 87?months.

Conclusions

Although radical rectal resection is the treatment of choice, LE of complete rectal tumor regression could be a safe alternative with an acceptable result in selected patients.     

Oncological outcome of T1 rectal cancer undergoing standard resection and local excision

Aim We studied the outcome and prognostic factors for T1 rectal cancer patients undergoing standard resection or transanal excision. Method One hundred and twenty‐four patients with T1 rectal cancer were included in the study, of whom 66 (53.2%) underwent standard resection and 58 (46.8%) underwent transanal excision. Survival analysis was performed to compare the outcome. Results The 5‐year local recurrence rate was 11.0% in the transanal excision group versus 1.6% in the standard resection group (P = 0.031) but the 5‐year disease‐free survival and overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis suggested that a high tumour grade and perineural or lymphovascular invasion were independent risk factors for local recurrence and recurrence‐free survival. For high‐risk patients (with at least one of the above risk factors), the 5‐year local recurrence and 10‐year recurrence‐free survival rates were 21.2% and 74.5%, versus 1.2% and 92.0% in low‐risk patients (P = 0.00003 and P = 0.003). In patients undergoing transanal excision, none in the low‐risk group had local recurrence during follow up, while 40% (6 of 15) of patients in the high‐risk group developed local recurrence within 5 years after surgery. The 5‐year local recurrence rate was 45.0%. Conclusion Transanal excision in T1 rectal cancer may result in a high rate of local failure for patients with a high‐grade tumour, or perineural or lymphovascular invasion. Local excision should be avoided as a curative treatment in high‐risk patients.     

T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移相关影响因素

目的探讨影响T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移的临床病理因素。方法回顾分析福建医科大学附属第一医院2006年3月至2011年1月间行根治性切除的122例T2期直肠癌患者的临床资料,分析影响其淋巴结转移的相关临床病理因素。结果122例T2期直肠癌患者中有26例（21．3％）发生淋巴结转移。单因素分析显示,肿瘤距肛缘距离（P〈0.05）、大体类型（P〈0.05）、组织类型（P〈0．01）、分化程度（P〈0．05）及肿瘤浸润深度（P〈0．05）与T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移有关。多因素分析显示,肿瘤浸润深度是影响T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移的独立因素（P〈0.05）;直肠癌浸润浅肌层和深肌层者淋巴结转移率分别为13．0％（7／54）和27．9％（19／68）。结论对于局限于浅肌层的L期直肠癌,因其淋巴结转移率较低,可考虑行经肛局部切除手术。