Epidemiological research status and surgical treatment strategy of presacral recurrent rectal cancer

Abstract

Presacral recurrence, a special recurrence type in rectal cancer after surgical treatment, refers to recurrent cancer invading the presacral soft tissue or the bony structure of sacrum. It is also a major constituent of recurrent rectal cancer (15.63% to 41.67%). Reports show that presacral recurrence rate is about 2.8% to 4.8%, and it is associated with clinic staging, pathological type, surgical approach, (neo) adjuvant radiochemotherapy, tumor distance from the anus, positive circumferential margin, lymph node metastasis, and unilateral lateral lymph node dissection. CT and MRI are important for the detection of presacral recurrence. Presacral recurrence is always combined with local recurrence in other parts and distant organ metastasis. Therefore, we divide that into the following 3 types: 1) presacral recurrence with distant metastasis; 2) presacral recurrence with pelvic wall or lateral lymph node metastasis, or with recurrence of pelvic organs or anastomosis; and 3) simple presacral relapse. According to MDT evaluation. We adopt corresponding treatment scheme and surgical approach depending on the types mentioned above. When tumor recurred in the sacrum and located lower than S2/3 articular surface, then resection of recurrent tumor combined with sacrococcygeal should be the treatment of choice. For presacral recurrence with anterior invasion, combined total pelvic exenteration were available. For presacral recurrence with lateral pelvic wall invasion, internal iliac arteriovenous resection and lateral lymph node dissection and para-aortic lymph node dissection should be carried out. R0 resection may improve the 5-year overall survival rate of these patients.