Rectal Cancer Surgery Research Articles

Erectile dysfunction common within the first year after rectal cancer surgery.

Erectile dysfunction common within the first year after rectal cancer surgery.

Effects of the delay of surgery in localized rectal cancer.

63 Background: The treatment landscape for localized rectal cancer has evolved significantly in recent years, with long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) and total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) emerging as the primary options. However, the optimal timing of surgery remains an important clinical question, particularly in resource-limited settings where surgical delays can occur. Data from previous studies have shown conflicting results. This retrospective study aimed to assess the impact of delaying surgery beyond the longer interval used in previous studies, focusing on its effects on Pathologic Complete Response (pCR), DFS, and OS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic medical records from three centers in Brazil between the years 2013-2024. The study included 236 patients with localized rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant CRT and/or chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two pre-specified groups based on the interval between the end of neoadjuvant therapy and surgery: ≤11 weeks and >11 weeks. The primary endpoint was DFS. Secondary endpoints were pCR rates, and OS. Descriptive statistics were used for population analysis, while the Kaplan-Meier method estimated DFS and OS, with comparisons made using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The median age of the study population was 62 years, with males comprising 56.4% of the sample. The majority of the sample consisted of stage III patients, making up 72.2%, followed by stage II patients at 25.8%, and stage I patients at 1.9%. Most patients (77.8%) had surgery more than 11 weeks after completing neoadjuvant therapy, with a median time to surgery of 16 weeks. The pCR rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (29% for ≤11 weeks vs. 21.5% for >11 weeks; p = 0.271). After a median follow-up of 30 months, the median DFS was not reached, and there was no significant difference between the groups (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.48-1.5; p = 0.63). Similarly, the median OS was not reached, and no difference was observed between the groups (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.47-1.54; p = 0.88). Conclusions: Delaying surgery beyond 11 weeks did not result in greater tumor downstaging in patients with localized rectal cancer. Furthermore, DFS and OS were not significantly impacted by extended intervals between neoadjuvant therapy and surgery.

Real-world treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs in newly diagnosed patients with rectal cancer (RC) in the United States (US).

295 Background: RC constitutes 30% of colorectal cancer cases, the fourth most common cancer in the US, and is associated with a substantial economic burden. This retrospective claims analysis examined patient (pt) characteristics, all-cause and RC-related HCRU, and costs in pts who received surgery, radiotherapy (RT), or systemic therapy (ST) for RC. Methods: Medicare Fee-for-Service and MORE 2 Registry claims data were used to select pts with RC (RC cohort) and matched, non-RC controls (non-RC cohort). Pts with RC were required to have a diagnosis of RC in the primary position of ≥1 inpatient claim or in any position of ≥2 outpatient claims between Jan 1, 2016, and Dec 1, 2021, and ≥1 claim for an RC surgery, RT, or ST after diagnosis. Pts (aged ≥18 y) also needed to have continuous enrollment for 12 months preceding and minimum 30 days following the treatment index date (earliest RC treatment claim). Non-RC controls were matched to pts with RC on birth year, sex, payer type, and Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index (DCI). All-cause HCRU and costs (per pt per month [PPPM]) were compared for the RC and non-RC cohorts. Results: A total of 20,953 pts were included in each cohort (median age, 70 y; 52.5% male; median DCI, 1.0 in both cohorts). Median follow-up time was 24 months. In the RC cohort, 88.5% of pts underwent ≥1 surgery after RC diagnosis and 51.3% had ≥4 surgeries during follow-up. Colonoscopy and biopsies (59.4%), total mesorectal excision (47.7%), and proctectomy (45.2%) were the most frequent surgeries/procedures. RT was used as neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in 21% and 15.7% of pts, respectively; 5-fluorouracil was the most common neoadjuvant (12.7%) and adjuvant (20.9%) ST. Among nonsurgical pts (11.5%), 72.8% were treated with RT and 49.9% with 5-fluorouracil; a small proportion received immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, 1.2%; nivolumab, 0.7%). All-cause HCRU was significantly greater ( P <0.001) in the RC cohort vs the non-RC cohort (proportion of pts with ≥1 claim for physician office/clinic visit, 81.3% vs 73.6%; emergency room visits, 68.7% vs 45.3%; hospitalization, 71.1% vs 25.9%). The mean all-cause costs PPPM were $6043 for the RC cohort vs $1538 for the non-RC cohort ( P <0.001); mean RC-related costs PPPM were $3119. Outpatient and inpatient services were the main cost drivers in the RC cohort, accounting for 57.1% and 36.6% of all-cause expenditure, respectively, and 58.1% and 40.5% of RC-related expenditure. Conclusions: Most pts newly diagnosed with RC received standard of care surgical treatment, often with neoadjuvant or adjuvant RT or ST. All-cause HCRU was significantly greater for pts with RC vs those without RC; all-cause costs were almost 4 times higher, with about half of these costs related to RC and driven by outpatient services and hospitalizations. These results show a high economic burden and a need for additional treatments for pts with RC.

Influence of preoperative Lynch syndrome diagnosis on surgery in patients with colorectal cancer.

94 Background: Lynch Syndrome (LS) can guide surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly for MLH1/MSH2 carriers, who may benefit from extended procedures: total colectomy (TC) or total proctocolectomy (TP). We investigated timing of germline genetic testing (GGT) and surgical approach in patients (pts) with LS and CRC. Methods: Integrated GGT (Labcorp, formerly Invitae Corp.) and insurance claims (Komodo Healthcare Map) data for adult pts with non-metastatic colon (CC) or rectal (RC) cancer and CRC surgery from 2015-23, ≥ 6 months of claims pre-CRC diagnosis, and GGT for EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 . Χ 2 and t tests and multivariable logistic regression compared GGT results and surgical approach. Results: Of 1616 CRC pts (1553 CC, 63 RC), 15% were LS positive (15% CC, 11% RC). Compared to pts with negative GGT, pts with LS were more likely male, Black, younger at diagnosis and GGT, to have family history of GI/any cancer and to have GGT pre-CRC surgery. Of 129 LS pts with CC and MLH1/MSH2/EPCAM, 41 (32%) had GGT pre-surgery and 20/41 (49%) had TC/TP (Table). 5/6 (83%) of the corresponding RC pts had GGT pre-surgery and 3/5 (60%) had TP. 88 CC MLH1 / MSH2 / EPCAM pts had GGT post-surgery and 17/88 (19%) had TC/TP. 1 MLH1 / MSH2 / EPCAM RC patient had GGT post-surgery and 0 had TP. More CC pts had TC/TP than RC pts (p<0.001). Compared to pts with negative GGT, pts with LS and CRC were more likely to have TC/TP (21% vs. 6%, p<0.001), particularly with GGT pre-surgery (43% vs. 13%, p<0.001). RC LS pts with GGT pre-surgery had shorter mean months from GGT to surgery than pts with negative GGT (6 vs 14, p=0.026). CC pts with MLH1 or MSH2/EPCAM and GGT pre-surgery had higher odds of undergoing TC/TP (odds ratio (OR): 6, confidence interval (CI): 3-10; OR: 7, CI: 4-14; OR: 4, CI: 2-6) than pts with negative or post-surgery GGT. Conclusions: GGT performed pre-surgery for a new diagnosis of CRC was more likely to result in extended procedures, especially in MLH1/MSH2/EPCAM carriers. More data in RC is needed to better understand the influence of GGT on surgical approach. CC surgery type and timing in relation to GGT. Pts w/ CC surgery GGT pre-surgery (N=295) GGT post-surgery (N=1258) Total Partial Colectomy (N=245)N (% total) TC/TP (N=50) N (% total) P-value: partial vs TC/TP^ Total Partial Colectomy (N=1203)N (% total) TC/TP (N=55)N (% total) P-value: partial vs TC/TP^ MLH1 (N=75) 24 (32) 13 (54) 11 (46) 0.001 51 (68) 42 (82) 9 (18) <0.001 MSH2/ EPCAM (N=54) 17 (32) 8 (47) 9 (53) 0.006 37 (69) 29 (78) 8 (22) <0.001 MSH6 (N=49) 13 (27) 11 (85) 2 (15) 1 36 (74) 35 (97) 1 (3) 1 PMS2 (N=51) 6 (12) 3 (50) 3 (50) 0.252 45 (88) 43 (96) 2 (4) 1 LS positive (N=229) 60 (26) 35 (58) 25 (42) <0.001 169 (74) 149 (88) 20 (12) <0.001 LS VUS (N=61) 6 (10) 6 (100) 0 (0) 1 55 (90) 55 (100) 0 (0) 0.526 LS Negative (N=1263) 229 (18) 204 (89) 25 (11) <0.001 1034 (82) 995 (96) 39 (4) 0.006 Note: Excludes pts with RC due to small N. ^Adjusted for multiple testing.

Advantages of Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision With Partial Prostatectomy Compared With Open Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Robotic total mesorectal excision (TME) with resection of adjacent organs has been increasingly used for locally advanced rectal cancer; however, few studies have focused on robotic TME with partial prostatectomy. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the advantages of robotic TME with partial prostatectomy compared with open surgery for rectal cancer. This retrospective cohort study examined consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent robotic or open TME with partial prostatectomy at a high-volume center in Japan from April 2003 to March 2022. The patients were divided into robotic (n = 14) and open (n = 11) surgery groups. The short- and long-term outcomes of these patients were compared. More transabdominal partial prostatectomies were performed in the robotic surgery group than in the open surgery group (71.4% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.001). Moreover, sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 35.7% of patients in the robotic surgery group. The robotic surgery group had shorter operative times (401 min vs. 435 min, p = 0.047), less blood loss (56 mL vs. 484 mL, p < 0.001), lower complication rates (28.6% vs. 72.7%, p = 0.047), and shorter postoperative hospital stays (8 days vs. 18 days, p < 0.001) than the open surgery group. No significant differences were observed in the positive radial margin rate (7.1% vs. 9.1%, p = 1.000) or long-term outcomes between the two groups. Compared with open surgery, robotic TME with partial prostatectomy facilitates transabdominal partial prostatectomy, resulting in more sphincter-preserving surgeries and better short-term outcomes.

Outcomes from nutritional support following complex rectal cancer surgery in a gastrointestinal tertiary referral centre

Outcomes from nutritional support following complex rectal cancer surgery in a gastrointestinal tertiary referral centre

Effects of Diverting Stoma Creation in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Cancer

Effects of Diverting Stoma Creation in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Cancer

High output stoma after surgery for rectal cancer - a risk factor for low anterior resection syndrome?

PurposeThe relationship between high-output stoma (HOS) and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) was previously unclear. This study investigated the association between HOS and major LARS in rectal cancer patients with preventive stoma.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 653 rectal cancer patients who underwent prophylactic ileostomy reversal after low anterior resection at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2018 and 2021. Patients were categorized into HOS and non-HOS groups based on stoma output within 3 months before surgery. Major LARS was assessed using the LARS score. The association between HOS and major LARS was analyzed using multifactor logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, and smoothing curve fitting methods.ResultsAmong the 653 patients, 53 (8.1%) experienced HOS, and 81 (12.4%) developed major LARS after stoma closure. The HOS group exhibited a significantly higher risk of major LARS compared to the non-HOS group (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that HOS was associated with a 210% increased risk of major LARS (OR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.56, 6.14; P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that this association was more pronounced in older patients (age > 60), those without hypertension, with N0-N1 staging, a history of chemotherapy, and longer stoma closure intervals (Q3, Q4).ConclusionHOS is significantly associated with major LARS in rectal cancer patients, particularly in certain clinical subgroups. These findings suggest the need for careful management of HOS to potentially reduce LARS occurrence after stoma closure.

Risk Factors for Delayed (>30Days) Readmission Following Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Unplanned, delayed readmissions (>30ds) following oncologic surgeries can increase mortality and care costs and affect hospital quality indices. However, there is a dearth of literature on rectal cancer surgery. Hence, we aimed to assess the risk factors associated with delayed readmissions following rectal cancer surgery to improve targeted interventions, patient outcomes, and quality indices. For this case-control study, all adult patients in the US Rectal Cancer Consortium database who underwent surgery and subsequent readmission were included. Multivariable logistic regression described the association of factors associated with delayed readmission. Descriptive statistics were used to ascertain the most common causes of readmission. Of the 1417 patients included in the analysis, 403 (28.4%) patients were readmitted postoperatively. Among these, 101 (25.1%) patients had delayed readmission. The median length of stay for early readmission was significantly longer when compared to delayed readmission (4 versus 2ds, P<0.01). American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status score>II [odds ratio=1.81] was associated with an increased risk of delayed readmissions, while intraoperative pelvic drain placement [odds ratio=0.57] was associated with a reduced risk. Surgical site infection was the most common cause of delayed (18.4%) and early readmissions (27.4%). The risk of readmission following surgery for rectal cancer extends beyond the commonly tracked 30ds, with up to a quarter of readmissions happening more than 30ds after surgery. Surgical site infection continues to be the leading cause of both early and delayed readmission, underscoring the need to double down on infection prevention bundles.

Margin matters: analyzing the impact of circumferential margin involvement on survival and recurrence after incomplete total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

BackgroundIncomplete mesorectal excision during rectal cancer surgery often leads to positive circumferential margins, with uncertain prognostic impacts. This study examines whether negative margins can mitigate the poorer prognosis typically associated with incomplete total mesorectal excision (TME) in rectal cancer surgery, thus potentially challenging the prevailing emphasis on complete mesorectal excision.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent proctectomy for rectal adenocarcinoma with incomplete TME at a single center from 2010 to 2022. Patients were stratified by margin status as determined by pathologic analysis into three groups: involved, not involved with closest margin distance ≤ 2 mm, and not involved with closest margin distance > 2 mm. Outcomes included recurrence and survival. Effects of neoadjuvant therapy protocols on margin status were also assessed.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2022, 7941 patients underwent proctectomy for rectal cancer, with 236 (3%) having incomplete TME. The median age of these patients was 64 years, and 63% were male. Overall, margin involvement was observed in 54 (23%) patients. The median tumor size was 3.05 cm (interquartile range (IQR): 2–6) for the whole group. Involved margins (23.2%) had reduced overall survival (60.5 months versus 87.3 months, p < 0.001), increased local recurrence (20.4% versus 9.4%, p = 0.024), and lower disease-free survival (45.2 versus 58.9 months, p = 0.006) versus uninvolved margins. Margin involvement was prognostic for decreased survival even after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.05). Among uninvolved margins, distance (> 2 mm versus ≤ 2 mm) did not affect outcomes. Total neoadjuvant therapy (versus standard chemoradiation) was associated with lower involved margins (p = 0.007).ConclusionsPositive margins retain negative prognostic impact with incomplete TME. Optimization of surgical resection remains vital. Total neoadjuvant therapy was associated with a lower rate of margin involvement.

Surgical Approach and Variation in Long-Term Survival Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery Using Instrumental Variable Analysis

Objective: The study aimed to determine whether increased use of minimally invasive surgical approaches, compared with open, improves long-term survival after colon and rectal cancer resections. Background: Existing prospective and observational data comparing surgical approach for colon and rectal cancer are limited by selection bias, necessitating better approaches for causal inference to understand the relationship between surgical approach and long-term survival. Methods: We included colon and rectal cancer patients who underwent colon or rectal resection from the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database between 2011 and 2018. Using an instrumental variable (IV) approach, we accounted for measured and unmeasured differences between patients undergoing colon or rectal cancer resection based on operative approach – robotic, laparoscopic, or open. The IV used in this study was rate of robotic-assisted colon and rectal cancer surgery within 81 different hospital regions based on US Census region and rurality during the 12 months before each patient’s operation. Proportional hazard modeling was used to estimate risk-adjusted mortality rates. Results: There were 326,406 colon and 96,979 rectal cancer patients included in this study. The risk-adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence of mortality for colon and rectal cancer was highest for patients who underwent open approaches (35.73 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 35.37–36.1] and 39.27 [95% CI: 28.44–30.13], respectively), compared with lower mortality for those undergoing laparoscopic (28.91 [95% CI: 28.55–29.27] and 22.93 [95% CI: 22.11–23.78], respectively) and robotic approaches (26.39 [95% CI: 24.51–28.42] and 19.77 [95% CI: 17.32–22.43], respectively). Growth in utilization of minimally invasive approaches outpaced improvements in long-term survival. Conclusions: Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical approaches for colon and rectal cancer had improved long-term survival. However, long-term survival changes did not correlate with the large expansion of minimally invasive approaches, which suggests that growing these approaches is not a viable strategy to improve long-term patient outcomes.

Laparoscopic approach for rectal cancer surgery: Triumph of reason or necessity of evolution?

The role of laparoscopy in rectal cancer surgery has evolved considerably since the early 2000s. Initial randomized trials, such as COLOR II and COREAN, indicated that laparoscopic approaches offered similar pathological outcomes with better postoperative recovery than open surgery. In contrast, trials like ACOSOG Z6051 and ALaCaRT suggested noninferiority could not be established. Variability in trial outcomes, focusing on either disease-free survival or pathological measures, initially hindered consensus. Long-term analyses have shown no significant difference in disease-free survival between laparoscopic and open approaches. Meta-analyses have reinforced the benefits of laparoscopic surgery, with reduced mortality and similar oncologic effectiveness to open surgery. However, new techniques like transanal TME (TaTME) and robotic approaches have introduced alternatives, though each presents unique challenges, from recurrence rates in TaTME to costs in robotics. While laparoscopy remains the preferred method due to accessibility and outcomes, robotic surgery is expected to gain traction in high-volume centers.

And after surgery, what's new for the rectal cancer survivor?

Low anterior resection syndrome is a common but underestimated complication after rectal cancer surgery that significantly impacts the quality of life of the surviving patient. It is characterized by symptoms such as fecal incontinence and voiding dysfunction and affects up to 90% of patients undergoing low anterior rectal resection. The etiology of the syndrome is multifactorial with no clear determining factor. It includes the use of preoperative radiotherapy, the indication for a protective ileostomy, sphincteric lesions, nerve damage to the rectal autonomic plexuses, and changes in left colon motor function. Although various therapeutic modalities have been shown to be effective in the management of the symptoms of the syndrome, there is still no standard treatment or patient selection pattern. In this article, a critical review of the therapeutic possibilities for patients who have survived rectal surgery will be made.

The efficacy of open transanal drainage tube against anastomotic leakage in left-sided colorectal cancer surgery: a propensity score matching study

Background/AimThe effectiveness of a transanal drainage tube (TAT) for the prevention of anastomotic leakage after double stapling technique (DST) anastomosis in colorectal cancer has been reported. Previously, TATs had been placed and connected to drainage bags. It was considered that a higher decompression effect could be expected by inserting an open-type TAT, without connection to a drainage bag. In this study, the relation between anastomotic leakage and the application of this type of TAT in left-sided colorectal cancer surgery was investigated, using propensity score matching (PSM).Materials and methodsFrom January 2016 to July 2023, 233 consecutive patients underwent radical surgery for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers and reconstruction using DST at Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had a closed TAT inserted (CLOSED group), and those who had an open TAT inserted (OPEN group).ResultsOverall, open TATs were inserted in 43 patients, and closed TATs were inserted in 190 patients. PSM was performed between the OPEN and CLOSED groups on the basis of the following 13 factors: age, sex, BMI, diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking history, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), ASA-PS, location of distal tumor edge, operative procedure, surgical approach, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and pathological stage. The multivariate analysis of significant factors identified a BMI of 25 or more, a location of distal edge on middle to lower rectum, and a closed TAT, as independent risk factors for anastomotic leakage (HR: 8.72; p = 0.038, HR: 10.06; p = 0.034 and HR: 17.43; p = 0.033).ConclusionAn open TAT may be effective in preventing anastomotic leakage in left-sided colorectal cancer surgery.

Editorial Comment to Salvage robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection for radiorecurrent prostate cancer in a patient with a previous history of rectal cancer surgery

Editorial Comment to Salvage robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection for radiorecurrent prostate cancer in a patient with a previous history of rectal cancer surgery

The decline of male sexual activity and function after surgical treatment for rectal cancer.

The prevalence of sequelae following rectal cancer (RC) treatment is high. We investigate the prevalence and temporal change in sexual dysfunction among male RC patient, along with their counselling and treatment needs and associations between sexual dysfunction and clinical factors. Patient/materials and methods: Patient-reported outcome measures were completed 3 and 12 months after RC surgery. We used the five-item International Index of Erectile Function score to measure sexual function in sexually active patients and ad hoc items to explore their sexual activity level, causes of disrupted sexual life, and self-rated sexual function. Clinical data were obtained from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database Results: In total, 364 of 490 (74%) eligible male patients were included. Their mean age (standard deviation [SD]) at surgery was 68.3 (11) years. Forty-one percent reported being sexually inactive at the time of diagnosis. Among sexually active men, 44% had resigned from sexual activity at 12 months, mainly due to erectile dysfunction (ED), as reported by 55%. Only 16% experienced improvement; 19% experienced a worsening of their ED category in the 12-month observation time. Stoma was associated with both ED (odds ratio [OR] 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.8, 17.4]) and low self-rated sexual function (OR 3.5 95% CI [1.8 , 6.7]). Phone contact to discuss sexual problems was requested by 29%; 19% were referred to professional treatment. Sexual dysfunction is common following RC, without improvement over time. Systematic screening enables identification of patients needing professional help.

Fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green for low anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer: a prospective before and after study.

Inadequate bowel perfusion is among risk factors for colorectal anastomotic leaks. Perfusion can be assessed with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG) during colon resections. Possible benefits from its systematic use in high-risk patients with rectal cancer remain inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical modifications induced by ICG assessment during rectal cancer surgery and associated anastomotic leaks. This prospective before and after cohort study was conducted in a single Canadian high-volume colorectal surgery center. Eligible patients were undergoing alow anterior resection for rectal cancer below 15cm from the anal margin. Stapled and handsewn coloanal anastomoses were included. The experimental group was recruited prospectively, undergoing surgery using fluorescence angiography with ICG. The control group was built retrospectively from consecutive patients who had been operated on without ICG, prior to its implementation. Each cohort included 113 patients. The use of ICG led to modifications from initial surgical plan in 10.6% of patients, with no occurrence of anastomotic leaks in this specific group. When comparing leak rates, using ICG seemed to be protective, but this could not be statistically proven, overall (13.3% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.07), nor for handsewn coloanal anastomoses (11.8% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.67). A lack of power could explain such non-significant results, especially with low overall anastomotic leak rates recorded. ICG influenced ultimate proximal resection margin in a clinically relevant proportion of cases. It might be associated with reduced leak rates although not formally proven with this data. This technology is safe and easy to apply in high-volume colorectal centers.

Lynch Syndrome-Impact of the Type of Deficient Mismatch Repair Gene Mutation on Diagnosis, Clinical Presentation, Surveillance and Therapeutic Approaches.

In today's world, with its continuing advancements in genetics, the identification of Lynch syndrome (LS) increasingly relies on sophisticated genetic testing techniques. Most guidelines recommend a tailored surveillance program, as well as personalized prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, according to the type of dMMR gene mutation. Carriers of path_MLH1 and path_MSH2 genes have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), despite intensive colonoscopic surveillance. Conversely, carriers of path_MSH6 and path_PMS2 genes have a lower risk of developing CRC, which may be due to their lower penetrance and later age of onset. Thus, carriers of path_MLH1 or path_MSH2 would theoretically derive greater benefits from total colectomy, compared to low-risk carriers (path_MSH6 and path_PMS2), in which colonoscopic surveillance might achieve an efficient prophylaxis. Furthermore, regarding the risk of endometrial/ovarian cancer development, there is a global agreement to offer both hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to path_MLH1, path_MSH2 and path_MSH6 carriers after the age of 40. In patients with CRC, preoperative knowledge of the diagnosis of LS is of tremendous importance, due to the high risk of metachronous CRC. However, this risk depends on the type of dMMR gene mutation. For carriers of the high-risk variants (MLH1, MSH2 and EPCAM) who have already developed colon cancer, it is strongly recommended a subtotal or total colectomy is performed, while partial colectomy followed by endoscopic surveillance is an appropriate management approach to treat colon cancer in carriers of the low-risk variants (MSH6 and PMS2). On the other hand, extended surgery for index rectal cancer (such as total proctocolectomy) is less effective than extended surgery for index colon cancer from the point of view of metachronous CRC risk reduction, and is associated with a decreased quality of life.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage in rectal cancer surgery reflecting current practices.

In recent years, major advancements have been made in rectal cancer surgery with the introduction of new techniques such as robotic surgery and indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI). This study aimed to evaluate the comprehensive risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal cancer surgery, incorporating recently introduced techniques and other existing factors, to reflect current practices. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 304 patients who underwent either robotic or laparoscopic anterior resection between January 2019 and December 2023. The study analyzed patient, tumor, and surgical factors, with AL defined by clinical or radiological findings requiring intervention within 30days after surgery. A univariate analysis indicated that moderate or severe anemia and the non-use of ICG-FI were strongly associated with AL. A multivariate analysis identified moderate or more severe anemia (hemoglobin ≤10.9g/dL for males and ≤9.9g/dL for females) (odds ratio [OR]: 9.94, p = 0.002) and non-use of ICG-FI (OR: 10.40, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors for AL. Moderate or severe anemia and absence of ICG-FI were found to significantly increase the risk of AL. Preoperative anemia correction and the routine use of ICG-FI may help mitigate this risk, thus suggesting the need for further research in these areas.

Rectal Cancer Surgery Can Be Tailored To Reduce Morbidity.

Rectal Cancer Surgery Can Be Tailored To Reduce Morbidity.