Rectal Cancer Patients (rectal + cancer_patient)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The prognostic value of lymph node metastases and tumour regression grade in rectal cancer patients treated with long-course preoperative chemoradiotherapy

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 3 2009
J. Lindebjerg
Abstract Objective, The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of tumour regression and the post-treatment lymph node status on the prognosis of rectal cancer treated by preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Method, One hundred and thirty-five patients with locally advanced T3 and T4 rectal tumours received preoperative long-course chemoradiation, to a dose of 60 Gy external radiation and oral 5-fluorouracil 300 mg/m2 daily and Leukovorin 22.5 mg/day 5 days a week. Surgery was performed 8 weeks after the end of treatment. The tumour response was evaluated according to the tumour regression grade system and lymph node status in the surgical specimen was assessed. The prognostic value of clinico-pathological parameters was analysed using univariate analysis and Kaplan,Meier methods for comparison of groups. Results, All patients responded to treatment and 47% had a major response, including 25 (19%) complete responders. The median follow-up was 26 months (range 12,94 months). The cancer specific survival was 82% and there was a significant lower survival rate in the group of patients with post-treatment lymph node metastases compared to lymph-node negative patients [63% and 87% respectively (P = 0.007)]. Furthermore patients with a major tumour response and no lymph node metastases in the surgical specimen after treatment had a survival rate of 100% compared with 60% in the group of patients with major response but lymph node metastases after surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion, The combined assessment of lymph-node status and tumour response has strong prognostic value in locally advanced rectal cancer patient treated with preoperative long-course chemoradiation. [source]


Preoperative chemoradiation versus radiation alone for stage II and III resectable rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 12 2009
Wim Ceelen
Abstract Combining chemotherapy with preoperative radiotherapy (RT) has a sound radiobiological rationale. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing preoperative RT with preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) in rectal cancer patients. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase and Medline (Pubmed) were searched from 1975 until June 2007. Dichotomous parameters were summarized using the odds ratio while time to event data were analyzed using the pooled hazard ratio for death. From the primary search result of 324 trials, 4 relevant randomized trials were identified. The addition of chemotherapy significantly increased grade III and IV acute toxicity (p = 0.002) while no differences were observed in postoperative morbidity or mortality. Preoperative CRT significantly increased the rate of pathological complete response (p < 0.001) although this did not translate into a higher sphincter preservation rate (p = 0.29). The local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the CRT group (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in disease free survival (p = 0.89) or overall survival (p = 0.79). Compared to preoperative RT alone, preoperative CRT improves local control in rectal cancer but is associated with a more pronounced treatment related toxicity. The addition of chemotherapy does not benefit sphincter preservation rate or long-term survival. Future trials should address improvements in the rate of distant metastasis and overall survival by incorporating more active chemotherapy. © 2008 UICC [source]


Long-term quality of life of postoperative rectal cancer patients

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
CHISATO HAMASHIMA
AbstractBackground: The long-term quality of life (QOL) of postoperative rectal cancer patients has not been previously investigated in Japan and may vary depending on the surgical technique used (i.e. with or without a stoma). Methods: The Kanagawa Cancer Registry was used to select 348 rectal cancer patients who underwent surgery at the St Marianna University Hospital between 1978 and 1997. Of these, 164 surviving patients were sent a postal survey consisting of the Japanese EuroQol instrument with an additional questionnaire on present symptoms and lifestyle. Results and conclusions: One hundred and ten responses were received, including 38 from stoma patients. The presence of a stoma did not affect the QOL of the male patients, while it did affect that of the female patients. The QOL of the long-term survival group was associated with several items concerning lifestyle, symptoms and usual activity, and the association did not depend on the presence of a stoma. The long-term QOL could be recognized according to the characteristics of rectal cancer patients, independent of the presence of a stoma. © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd [source]


A uniform residual tumor (R) classification

CANCER, Issue 15 2009
Integration of the R classification, the circumferential margin status
Abstract BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of the TNM residual tumor (R) classification, the involvement of resection margins has been defined either as a microscopic (R1) or a macroscopic (R2) demonstration of tumor directly at the resection margin ("tumor transected"). METHODS: The recognition of the importance of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) in patients with rectal cancer patients raises the need for an alternative definition of resection margin involvement, namely, the importance of delineating tumor with a minimal distance from the CRM of ,1 mm (CRM-positive) from tumor directly at the resection margin. The different use of both definitions of resection margin involvement prevents valid comparisons between reports on treatment results. RESULTS: To avoid confusion by different definitions, the authors proposed including the minimal distance between tumor and resection margin into the current R classification. CONCLUSIONS: By using the proposed expanded classification, comparisons of new data with previous publications will be possible. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source]


Centralization of rectal cancer surgery improves long-term survival

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 9 2010
M. Hosseinali Khani
Abstract Aim, In 1996, rectal cancer surgery in the Swedish county of Västmanland was centralized to a single colorectal unit. At the same time, total mesorectal excision and multidisciplinary team meetings were introduced. The aim of this audit was to determine the long-term results before and after centralization. Method, All consecutive rectal cancer patients who underwent curative or palliative surgery at one of the county's four hospitals between 1993 and 1996 (n = 133, group 1) were compared with patients operated at the new centralized colorectal unit between 1996 and 1999 (n = 144, group 2). Results, Preoperative radiotherapy was common in both groups, but in group 2, it was planned using MRI. Local recurrences were detected in 8% of all patients operated in group 1 vs 3.5% in group 2 (P = 0.043). The overall 5-year survival for all patients in group 1 was 38 vs 62% in group 2 (P = 0.003). According to multivariate analysis, the new colorectal unit was an independent predictor for improved long-term survival. Conclusion, This population-based audit shows reduced local recurrence rate and prolonged overall survival for rectal cancer patients after centralization to a single colorectal unit with multidisciplinary management and increased subspecialization. [source]


The prognostic value of lymph node metastases and tumour regression grade in rectal cancer patients treated with long-course preoperative chemoradiotherapy

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 3 2009
J. Lindebjerg
Abstract Objective, The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of tumour regression and the post-treatment lymph node status on the prognosis of rectal cancer treated by preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Method, One hundred and thirty-five patients with locally advanced T3 and T4 rectal tumours received preoperative long-course chemoradiation, to a dose of 60 Gy external radiation and oral 5-fluorouracil 300 mg/m2 daily and Leukovorin 22.5 mg/day 5 days a week. Surgery was performed 8 weeks after the end of treatment. The tumour response was evaluated according to the tumour regression grade system and lymph node status in the surgical specimen was assessed. The prognostic value of clinico-pathological parameters was analysed using univariate analysis and Kaplan,Meier methods for comparison of groups. Results, All patients responded to treatment and 47% had a major response, including 25 (19%) complete responders. The median follow-up was 26 months (range 12,94 months). The cancer specific survival was 82% and there was a significant lower survival rate in the group of patients with post-treatment lymph node metastases compared to lymph-node negative patients [63% and 87% respectively (P = 0.007)]. Furthermore patients with a major tumour response and no lymph node metastases in the surgical specimen after treatment had a survival rate of 100% compared with 60% in the group of patients with major response but lymph node metastases after surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion, The combined assessment of lymph-node status and tumour response has strong prognostic value in locally advanced rectal cancer patient treated with preoperative long-course chemoradiation. [source]


Quality of life after transanal endoscopic microsurgery and total mesorectal excision in early rectal cancer

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 6 2007
P. G. Doornebosch
Abstract Objective, Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard in rectal cancer, if curation is intended. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a much safer technique and seems to have comparable survival in early rectal cancer. The impact of both procedures on quality of life has never been compared. In this study we compared quality of life after TEM and TME. Method, Fifty-four patients underwent TEM for a T1 carcinoma. Only patients without known locoregional or distant recurrences were included, resulting in 36 eligible patients in whom quality of life after TEM was studied. The questionnaires used included the EuroQol EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CR38. The results were compared with a sex-and age-matched sample of T+N0 rectal cancer patients who had undergone sphincter saving surgery by TME and a sex- and age matched community-based sample of healthy persons. Results, Thirty-one patients after TEM returned completed questionnaires (overall response rate 86%). Quality of life was compared with 31 TME patients and 31 healthy controls. From the patients' and social perspective quality of life did not differ between the three groups. Compared with TEM, significant defecation problems were seen after TME (P < 0.05). A trend towards better sexual functioning after TEM, compared with TME, was seen, especially in male patients, although it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion, Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and TME do not seem to differ in quality of life postoperatively, but defecation disorders are more frequently encountered after TME. This difference could play a role in the choice of surgical therapy in (early) rectal cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our conclusions. [source]


Posterior pelvic exenteration for primary rectal cancer

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 4 2006
G. C. Bannura
Abstract Background, Indications for and the prognosis of posterior pelvic exenteration (PPE) in rectal cancer patients are not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to analyse the indications, complications and long-term results of PPE in patients with primary rectal cancer. Methods, A retrospective review included patient demographics, tumour and treatment variables, and morbidity, recurrence, and survival statistics. These results were compared with a group of female patients who underwent standard resection for primary rectal cancer in the same period (non PPE group). Results, The series included 30 women with an average age of 56.7 years (range 22,78). Tumour location was recorded in three cases in the upper rectum, 13 cases in the medium rectum and 14 cases in the lower rectum. A sphincter-preserving procedure was performed in 70% of the patients. Mean operative time was 4.2 h (range 2,7.5 h). Overall major morbidity rate in this series was 50% and mean hospital stay was 19.7 days (range 9,60 days). There was no hospital mortality. Pathological reports showed direct invasion of uterus, vagina or rectovaginal septum in 19 cases, involvement of perirectal tissue in 25 cases and positive lymph nodes in 18 cases. Comparison between PPE and non PPE groups showed no differences in mean tumour diameter, histological grade and tumour stage, but patients in the first group were younger. Although low tumours were seen more frequently in the PPE group (P = 0.003), the rate of sphincter-preserving procedure was comparable in both groups. Operative time was longer (P = 0.04) and morbidity was higher (P = 0.0058) in the PPE group. Local recurrence with or without distant metastases for the whole series was 30%. Five-year survival rate for patients who underwent curative resections (TNM I,III) was 48% in the PPE group vs 62% in the non PPE group (P = 0.09). Conclusions, In the present series, PPE prolonged operative time, increased postoperative complications and showed a trend toward poor prognosis in recurrence and survival. However, PPE offers the only hope for cure to patients with a primary rectal cancer that is adherent or invades reproductive organs. [source]