Colorectal Neoplasms Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with early-onset locally advanced rectal cancer.

70 Background: Despite a reduction in both the incidence and mortality of CRC in the elderly population, recent studies have highlighted an increase in the incidence of early-onset CRC (EO-CRC). Clinical and prognostic data in this context are limited and conflicting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical differences and outcomes of patients with early onset locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 305 patients affected by LARC treated in Italy at the Medical Oncology Units of the University Hospital of Cagliari, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milan, and AOU Ospedali Riuniti Ancona. All patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The primary objective was overall survival (OS) while while secondary objectives were overall response rate (ORR) and major TRG. Results: Twenty five (8,2%) pts were EO-RC and 280 (91,8%) were LO-RC. In EO-RC the locations were distributed as follows: 9 (36%) lower rectum, 13 (52%) medium rectum, and 3 (12%) upper rectum. Pathologic responses were as follows: 3 (12%) TRG-0, 6 (24%) TRG-1, 10 (40%) TRG-2, and 6 (24%) TRG-3. While the radiological responses were as follows: 2 (8%) CR, 15 (60%) PR, 7 (28%) SD, and 1 (4%) PD. In LO-RC the locations were: 78 (27,8%) lower rectum, 153 (54,6%) medium rectum, and 49 (17,6%) upper rectum. Pathologic responses were as follows: 29 (10,4%) TRG-0, 60 (21,4%) TRG-1, 159 (56,8%) TRG-2, and 32 (11,4%) TRG-3. Radiological responses were as follows: 25 (8,9%) CR, 155 (61,4%) PR, 64 (22,9%) SD, and 19 (6,8%) PD. The 10 year overall survival was significantly higher in LO-RC patients compared to EO-CRC patients: 92.54% versus 70.83% (p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Compared to LO-RCs, EO-RC patients had more frequent low rectal tumors and higher rates of major pathological responses. Despite this, 10-year OS was found to be inferior in EO-RC. Further studies and insights will be necessary to better understand the biological and clinical characteristics of early-onset tumors.

Unveiling the unexplored: shedding light on a novel aspect of colorectal carcinoma

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a prevalent malignancy worldwide, with a significant burden on public health despite advancements in screening and treatment modalities. While the majority of CRC cases are histologically classified as adenocarcinomas not otherwise specified (NOS), there exists a subset characterized by clear cell features or enteroblastic differentiation, which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This commentary explores the clinical and pathological aspects of these rare colorectal neoplasms, highlighting their distinct characteristics and aggressive behavior. Despite their rarity, clear cell adenocarcinomas or those with enteroblastic differentiation represent a notable proportion of CRC cases and are associated with adverse prognostic implications, including higher TNM stage and poorer survival outcomes. We advocate for a clearer recognition and classification of these entities within the framework of colorectal carcinoma, analogous to existing categorizations in other gastrointestinal malignancies, to facilitate optimal management strategies and further elucidate their underlying biology.

Red and Processed Meat Intake, Polygenic Risk and the Prevalence of Colorectal Neoplasms: Results from a Screening Colonoscopy Population.

High red and processed meat intake and genetic predisposition are risk factors of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, evidence of their independent and joint associations on the risk of colorectal neoplasms is limited. We assessed these associations among 4774 men and women undergoing screening colonoscopy. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated based on 140 loci related to CRC. We used multiple logistic regression models to evaluate the associations of red and processed meat intake and PRS with the risk of colorectal neoplasms. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were translated to genetic risk equivalents (GREs) to compare the strength of the associations with colorectal neoplasm risk of both factors. Compared to ≤1 time/week, processed meat intake >1 time/week was associated with a significantly increased risk of colorectal neoplasm [aOR (95% CI): 1.28 (1.12-1.46)]. This risk increase was equivalent to the risk increase associated with a 19 percentile higher PRS. The association of red meat intake with colorectal neoplasm was weaker and did not reach statistical significance. High processed meat intake and PRS contribute to colorectal neoplasm risk independently. Limiting processed meat intake may offset a substantial proportion of the genetically increased risk of colorectal neoplasms.

Micro-Computed Tomography Whole-Block Imaging Reveals Origin and Path of Rectal Cancer Tumor Deposits: A Pilot Study.

In colorectal carcinoma (CRC), tumor deposits (TDs) are described as macroscopic/microscopic nests/nodules in the lymph drainage area discontinuous with the primary mass, without identifiable lymph node (LN) tissue, and not confined to vascular or perineural spaces. A TD is categorized as pN1C only when no bona fide LN metastasis exists. However, there has been an ongoing debate on whether TDs should be counted as LNs. The fact that the origin of TDs is not fully understood adds further uncertainty. This pilot study aims to evaluate whether whole-block imaging by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT WBI) that enables three-dimensional reconstruction of whole-mount (WM) blocks can serve as a tool to assess the origin and path of CRC TDs. We evaluated whole-slide imaging (WSI) and micro-CT WBI of 20 WM blocks from a rectal cancer resection that contained TDs. Each TD was tracked through the contiguous blocks to define their origin and path. Of eleven TDs identified on WSI, six were detected on WBI. Strikingly, six of six TDs trackable through the blocks on WBI revealed an origin from the main tumor. This pilot study provided evidence that micro-CT WBI can serve as an effective tool to evaluate the origin and path of CRC TDs.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal neuroendocrine tumors: a multicenter real-world study

BackgroundOwing to the lack of evidence-based medical studies with large sample sizes, the surgical approach for the radical resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors remains controversial.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the medical records of patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors who underwent radical resection at 17 large tertiary care hospitals in China between January 1, 2010, and April 30, 2022. All patients were divided into laparoscopic and open surgery groups. After propensity score matching to reduce confounders, the postoperative and oncologic outcomes were compared between the groups.ResultsWe enrolled 174 patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors who underwent radical surgery. After random matching, 124 patients were included in the comparison (62, laparoscopic surgery group; 62, open surgery group). The laparoscopic surgery group had fewer complications (14.5% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.007) and superior relapse-free survival (P = 0.048). Subgroup analysis revealed that the laparoscopic surgery group had fewer complications (10.9% vs. 34.7%, P = 0.004), shorter postoperative hospital stays (9.56 ± 5.21 days vs. 12.31 ± 8.61 days, P = 0.049) and superior relapse-free survival (P = 0.025) in the rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤ 4 cm subgroup.ConclusionsLaparoscopic surgery was associated with improved postoperative outcomes and oncologic prognosis for patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤ 4 cm; it can serve as a safe and feasible option for radical surgery of rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Distinct clinicopathological features of neuroendocrine liver metastases originating from the pancreas and rectum

IntroductionSurvival comparisons among patients with liver metastases from pancreatic and rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) were limited, and the efficacy of observation rules in patients undergoing hepatectomy for neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELMs) was unknown. This study aims to distinguish these characteristics and clarify the effects of the observation rules on NELMs.MethodsClinical data were separately collected from patients with pancreatic and rectal NELMs at medical centers in both Japan and China. The Japanese cohort followed the observation rules for the resection of NELMs. A comparative analysis was conducted on clinical characteristics and prognosis features such as overall survival time (OS) and disease-free survival interval (DFS-I).ResultsEnrollment included 47 and 34 patients from Japan and China, respectively. Of these, 69 and 12 patients had tumors originating from the pancreas and rectum, respectively. The OS time in patients undergoing primary tumor resection was significantly longer; however, the OS time between the patients undergoing and not undergoing radical resection of liver metastasis was the same. In asynchronous NELMs, patients with rectal (R)-NELMs showed a significantly higher proportion of type III NELMs. Additionally, the median DFS-I of asynchronous R-NELMs was longer than the recommended follow-up time, with 71.4% of them classified as G2. In the Japanese cohort, patients who adhered to the observation rules exhibited a longer median DFS after hepatectomy for NELMs compared with their counterparts.ConclusionAlthough curative surgery is crucial for primary lesions, personalized approaches are required to manage NELMs. Extended overall follow-ups and shortened follow-up intervals are recommended for G2 stage rectal NETs. The observation rules for NELMs require further validation with a larger sample size.

Pokemon inhibits Bim transcription to promote the proliferation, anti-anoikis, invasion, histological grade, and dukes stage of colorectal neoplasms

PurposeThis study aims to determine whether Pokemon regulates Bim activity in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) carcinogenesis.MethodsClinical tissue samples were analyzed to detect the expression and clinicopathological significance of Pokemon and Bim in CRC. Proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion assays were conducted to identify the regulatory effect of Pokemon on Bim. The combined treatment effects of Pokemon knockdown and diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) were also examined.ResultsImmunohistochemical analysis of 80 samples of colorectal epithelia (CRE), 80 cases of colorectal adenoma (CRA), and 160 of CRC samples revealed protein expression rates of 23.8%, 38.8%, and 70.6% for Pokemon, and 88.8%, 73.8%, and 31.9% for Bim, respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between Pokemon and Bim expression across the CRE, CRA, and CRC lesion stages. In CRC, higher Pokemon and lower Bim expression correlated with higher histological grades, advanced Dukes stages, and increased cancer invasion. In both LoVo and HCT116 cells, overexpression of Pokemon significantly reduced Bim expression, leading to increased proliferation, resistance to anoikis, and cell invasion. Additionally, Pokemon overexpression significantly decreased DDP-induced Bim expression, reduction of anti-apoptosis and invasion, whereas Pokemon knockdown resulted in the opposite effects.ConclusionThese findings suggest that Pokemon inhibits Bim transcription, thereby promoting CRC proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, invasion, and advancing histological grade and Dukes staging. Pokemon knockdown enhances the therapeutic efficacy of DDP in the treatment of CRC.

Low molecular weight 35 kDa hyaluronan fragment HA35 in the treatment of bone metastasis pain: A case report.

Late-stage cancer patients often experience severe pain due to bone metastasis, caused by structural damage and cancer-induced inflammation. Hyaluronan, known to alleviate pain by blocking the TRVP1 calcium channel, faces limitations due to its high molecular weight. However, 35 kDa low molecular weight hyaluronan fragment (HA35) have shown promise in relieving various pains, including cancer-related pain. Nonetheless, evidence regarding their efficacy in bone metastasis pain remains scarce. A 52-year-old female with a rectal malignant tumor and multiple secondary tumors in the sacrum and lungs, accompanied by bone metastasis pain. Despite undergoing radiotherapy, her pain relief was unsatisfactory. Before treatment with HA35, her numerical rating scale score was 10, severely affecting her sleep, appetite, and daily activities. The patient was diagnosed with rectal malignant tumor with multiple metastases, presenting symptoms such as sacral metastasis pain, anal pain, lower limb pain, and anterior abdominal pain. Sacral metastasis pain and lower limb pain indicated a clear diagnosis of bone metastasis pain. Treatment involved subcutaneous injection into the deep fat tissue layer of the abdomen. A subcutaneous injection of 100 mg/5 mL of HA35 was administered once into the deep fat tissue of the abdomen, with subsequent injections repeated every 3 days. Following 1 injection, the patient's pain score decreased to 6 points within 20 minutes, providing 40% pain relief. After 40 minutes, the score further dropped to 4 points, with 60% pain relief. After 50 injections, pain was consistently controlled at around 3 points. Subcutaneous injection of HA35 into the abdominal fat tissue effectively alleviates pain in cancer and bone metastasis patients resistant to conventional treatments. Additionally, it helps alleviate anxiety and fatigue, and improves diet and sleep, thereby offering crucial palliative care for advanced cancer patients.

A single-center pilot study on the efficacy and safety of acetic acid–enhanced magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging for diagnosis of colorectal epithelial neoplasms

Background and aimsWe investigated the ideal acetic acid (AA) concentration for AA-enhanced, narrow-band imaging (NBI) magnifying endoscopy (ANBI-ME) in the diagnosis of superficial colorectal neoplasms and evaluated its clinical efficacy. MethodsDuring the exploratory phase, we investigated four concentrations (1.5%, 2.25%, 3.0%, and 4.5%) in rotation by performing ANBI-ME on 50 superficial colorectal neoplasms at each concentration. A favorable AA concentration was determined by evaluating the diagnostic accuracy, AA whitening duration (AD), peristalsis, and bleeding following endoscopic resection. In the validation phase, we assessed inter-observer agreements for ANBI-ME with the determined AA concentration and inter-methodological agreements between that and subsequently conducted crystal violet-stained magnifying endoscopy (CV-ME) with the exploratory set and 98 additional patients. ResultsThe diagnostic accuracies were 89.3% (42/47) for 1.5% AA, 92.0% (46/50) for 2.25%, 96.8% (61/63) for 3.0%, and 97.8% (46/47) for 4.5% with no significant difference (p = 0.26). A significant positive correlation was observed between the AA concentrations and ADs (p < 0.001). No significant differences in hyperperistalsis or post-resection bleeding were observed. The optimal AA concentration was determined to be 4.5%. In the validation analysis, the accuracy rates were 72.4% (105/145) using AMBI-ME and 68.3% (99/145) using CV-ME (p = 0.43). Strong agreements were noted between two observers (κ, 0.87 for ANBI-ME; 0.83 for CV-ME) and between the methods (κ, 0.87 and 0.81 for each observer). ConclusionFor diagnosing colorectal lesions, an AA concentration of 4.5% in ANBI-ME was safe and effective. Its diagnostic performance was comparable to CV-ME, and future large-sample studies may confirm its potential as a reliable alternative endoscopic diagnostic method.

Success rate of fiducial marker placement for treatment of esophageal or rectal cancers: a prospective multicenter study (FIDECHO study) (with video)

Background and study aimsEndoscopy Ultra-Sound (EUS)-guided fiducial marker placement in patients with esophageal or rectal cancer who have been referred for radiation therapy lacks data regarding its feasibility and safety. The aim of this study was to assess the success rate of EUS-guided fiducial marker placement in these indications. Patients and methodsThis prospective multicenter study enrolled patients with rectal or esophageal tumor, who were treated between March 2017 and June 2021. The primary endpoint was the success of fiducial markers placement under EUS guidance utilizing the preloaded 22-gauge EchoTip Ultra Fiducial needle® (Cook Medical, Limerick, Ireland), defined by the ability to release fiducials at least at proximal and distal ends of the tumor. The secondary endpoints were the adverse events, length of procedure, and remaining fiducial markers throughout radiation therapy. ResultsA total of 33 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 64.2 years ±11.3, and 66.7% of males. Twenty patients had rectal adenocarcinoma, and 13 had esophageal malignancies. The success rate of fiducial markers placement was 93.9%. Markers could only be released at the proximal end of the tumor in two cases. The average procedure time (±SD) was 12.5 min (±4.8). The number of fiducial markers placed for each patient was 3.8 (±0.5). No adverse event was reported. At the end of radiotherapy, markers were still visible on imaging in all patients. ConclusionThis prospective multicenter study highlights the safety and high success of the placement of fiducial markers under EUS, for rectal and esophageal tumors, without adverse event, and with a short procedure time. Fiducial markers remain in place over time during radiation therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03057288

Impact of processed and ultra-processed foods on colorectal cancer risk: Mechanisms, dietary factors, and protective compound

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide, linked to behavioral factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and smoking, environmental factors like pollution, and nutritional factors including a diet rich in red and processed meats. Some foods are associated with potential carcinogenicity, while others act as protective factors. This review aims to report the contribution of processed and ultra-processed foods to the etiopathogenesis of CRC and explore the role of protective diets. The article is an integrative review conducted in PubMed and VHL databases using the descriptors “colorectal cancer” and “processed foods.” Studies published in the last five years addressing the relationship between these foods and CRC development were included. Potentially carcinogenic substances in processed foods, such as heterocyclic amines, nitrosamines, heme iron, industrial fatty acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, sialic acid sugar, and additives like titanium dioxide, were associated with colon and rectal neoplasms. Additional associations were found with the human microbiome, packaging materials, and food preparation methods. Conversely, several food components can protect against CRC. The consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods can significantly increase CRC risk through mechanisms like inflammation, oxidative stress, gene expression changes, and genetic material damage. The intestinal flora profile may be protective against CRC but is altered when processed and ultra-processed foods are included in the diet. Fiber, phytochemicals, and spices present in plant foods are consistently reported to have anticarcinogenic effects.

The potential of an artificial intelligence for diagnosing MRI images in rectal cancer: multicenter collaborative trial

BackgroundAn artificial intelligence-based algorithm we developed, mrAI, satisfactorily segmented the rectal tumor, rectum, and mesorectum from MRI data of rectal cancer patients in an initial study. Herein, we aimed to validate mrAI using an independent dataset.MethodsWe utilized MRI images collected in another nationwide research project, "Open versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Advanced Low Rectal Cancer Patients". MRIs from 467 cases with upfront surgery were utilized; six radiologists centralized the MRI evaluations. The diagnostic accuracies of mrAI and the radiologists for tumor depth were compared using pathologic diagnosis as a reference.ResultsFor all cases, centralized diagnosis demonstrated 84.2% sensitivity, 37.7% specificity, and 73.7% accuracy; mrAI exhibited 70.6% sensitivity, 61.3% specificity, and 68.5% accuracy. After limiting MRIs to those acquired by a Philips scanner, with an inter-slice spacing of ≤ 6 mm—both conditions similar to those used in the development of mrAI—the performance of mrAI improved to 76.8% sensitivity, 76.7% specificity, and 76.7% accuracy, while the centralized diagnosis showed 81.8% sensitivity, 36.7% specificity, and 71.3% accuracy. Regarding relapse-free survival, the prognosis for tumors staged ≥ T3 was significantly worse than for tumors staged ≤ T2 (P = 0.0484) in the pathologic diagnosis. While no significant difference was observed between ≥ T3 and ≤ T2 tumors in the centralized diagnosis (P = 0.1510), the prognosis for ≥ T3 was significantly worse in the mrAI diagnosis (P = 0.0318).ConclusionProper imaging conditions for MRI can enhance the accuracy of mrAI, which has the potential to provide feedback to radiologists without overestimating tumor stage.

Outcomes associated with total neoadjuvant therapy with non-operative intent for rectal adenocarcinoma.

To evaluate rates of clinical complete response (cCR), surgery-free survival, permanent ostomy-free survival, and factors associated with these outcomes in patients treated with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) with intent for non-operative management of rectal adenocarcinoma. A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated with TNT for stage II-IV rectal adenocarcinoma (n=45) at our institution between 2013 - 2022 with curative intent. All patients received radiation with concurrent capecitabine and additional chemotherapy, either prior to or following chemoradiation (CRT), with intent for non-operative management. Response rates were determined based on post-treatment MRI and endoscopy. Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to estimate the 1- and 2-year surgery- and permanent ostomy-free survivals. Cox regression was used to evaluate associations between surgery- and permanent ostomy-free survivals and various factors of interest, including patient and tumor characteristics and clinical response. Chi-squared analysis compared rates of cCR and surgery by sequence of TNT modality and cell count ratios. Of the 45 patients treated with TNT, most patients had low-lying rectal tumors with a median distance of 4.1cm from the anal verge (range, 0.0 - 12.0). Overall, 64.4% (n=29) achieved cCR after TNT. 13 patients (28.9%) underwent surgical resection following TNT, 12 of whom had incomplete response and one who elected to undergo surgery after reaching cCR. At median follow up of 32.0 months (range, 7.1 - 86.1), 22.2% (n=10) of patients had a permanent colostomy, with only 2 of these completed for tumor regrowth after cCR. At one and two years, respectively, surgery-free survival was 77.3% and 66.2%, and permanent ostomy-free survival was 90.9% and 78.2%. Rates of cCR were higher in patients who received CRT first compared to those who received chemotherapy first (72.2% vs. 33.3%, p=0.029) and rates of surgery were also lower in patients who received CRT first compared to those who received chemotherapy first (19.4% vs. 66.7%, p=0.005). On Cox regression model, cCR on 6 month post-CRT endoscopy was associated with surgery-free survival (p=0.006) and permanent ostomy-free survival (p=0.033). Clinical response at earlier follow up points did not predict surgery- nor permanent ostomy-free survival. These results support evidence that TNT may be a non-surgical option for select patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who desire organ preservation. In this investigation at a single institution, the treatment response on 6-month post-CRT endoscopy was the best predictor of surgery- and permanent ostomy-free survival, which are outcomes that are important to patient quality of life. CRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy was associated with higher rates of cCR and lower rates of surgery compared to those treated with induction chemotherapy.

GATIS score for predicting the prognosis of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms: A Chinese multicenter study of 12-year experience.

There is currently a shortage of accurate, efficient, and precise predictive instruments for rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). To develop a predictive model for individuals with rectal NENs (R-NENs) using data from a large cohort. Data from patients with primary R-NENs were retrospectively collected from 17 large-scale referral medical centers in China. Random forest and Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the risk factors for overall survival and progression-free survival, and two nomograms were constructed. A total of 1408 patients with R-NENs were included. Tumor grade, T stage, tumor size, age, and a prognostic nutritional index were important risk factors for prognosis. The GATIS score was calculated based on these five indicators. For overall survival prediction, the respective C-indexes in the training set were 0.915 (95% confidence interval: 0.866-0.964) for overall survival prediction and 0.908 (95% confidence interval: 0.872-0.944) for progression-free survival prediction. According to decision curve analysis, net benefit of the GATIS score was higher than that of a single factor. The time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the predictive power of the GATIS score was higher than that of the TNM stage and pathological grade at all time periods. The GATIS score had a good predictive effect on the prognosis of patients with R-NENs, with efficacy superior to that of the World Health Organization grade and TNM stage.

Evaluating complete response rates and predictors in total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer

BackgroundThere is a paradigm shift in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) from conventional neoadjuvant treatment to total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). Despite its growing acceptance, there are limited studies that have examined its effects on disease presentation. In addition, it is important to determine the factors that play a role in complete response (CR). Our previous data from 119 patients revealed that the CR rate was 37%, and low rectal tumors and the absence of extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) were predictors of CR. Unfortunately, there continues to be a lack of data, and reliable markers are still needed to consistently identify the best respondents. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with CR. Moreover, this study hypothesized that both predictive factors and the CR ratio might evolve over time because of the growing patient population. MethodsThis retrospective study included patients who completed TNT for LARC at our tertiary care center between 2015 and 2022. The primary outcome was to determine the predictors of CR. The secondary outcomes were the 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate. CR consists of patients who sustained clinical CR (cCR) for at least 12 months under watch and wait or had pathologic CR (pCR) after surgery. ResultsOf 339 patients with LARC, 208 (61.3%) successfully completed TNT. Among 208 patients, 57 (27.4%) achieved cCR, and 166 (80.0%) sustained cCR without tumor regrowth after 1 year. The remaining 151 patients (72.6%) underwent surgery, and 42 patients had pCR. The final CR rate was 42.3%. The median age of the patients was 56 years (IQR, 49–66). Moreover, 132 participants (63.5%) were male, whereas 76 participants (36.5%) were female. The median tumor size was 4.95 cm (IQR, 3.60–6.43), with most tumors in the low rectum (119 [57.2%]). Based on the MRI findings, the mesorectal facia (MRF) involvement rate was 25.0% (n = 52), and EMVI was observed in 43 patients (20.7%). Low rectal tumors, the absence of MRF involvement, and the absence of EMVI were predictors of CR. With a median follow-up of 24.7 months, 2-year DFS and OS were significantly higher among patients with CR than among patients with incomplete response (91.3% vs 71.0% [P < .01] and 98.8% vs 90.2% [P = .03], respectively). ConclusionAn increasing CR rate was observed in our updated dataset compared with that in our previous study. In addition to previously identified predictors, low tumor location, and the absence of EMVI, the absence of MRF involvement was determined as a predictor of CR. Our findings offer valuable insights into clinical practice and help clinicians set clear expectations when counseling patients.

Radiosensitization treatment using hydrogen peroxide for inoperable rectal cancer.

The treatment outcomes of patients with unresectable rectal cancer are complex, and concurrent chemoradiation therapy is the main treatment option. Radiosensitizers can enhance the effect of localized intratumoral hypoxia, contributing to local control and symptomatic relief. The present study evaluated the feasibility and safety of radiosensitization using hydrogen peroxide combined with radiation therapy (RT) in patients with unresectable rectal cancer. A total of 13 patients with rectal cancer were recruited in the present study. Radiosensitization was performed twice weekly in combination with RT. Gauze soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was inserted into the anus, ensuring firm contact with the lesion. In total, 45-65 Gy was delivered in 25-33 fractions to the whole pelvis from four directions using 10 MV X-rays 5 days per week. Acute and late adverse events were evaluated 1 and 6 months after the completion of RT. Treatment was well tolerated, with no acute grade 3 or worse events noted, and no patient developed rectal fistula, necrosis, obstruction, perforation, stenosis, ulcer or retroperitoneal hemorrhage. No notable late adverse events, beyond 6 months, were observed at the end of the analysis. All patients experienced pain relief, hemostatic effects and tumor shrinkage. Therefore, the use of a hydrogen peroxide solution-soaked gauze in the rectum may be a promising option for patients with inoperable rectal tumors. The limitations of the present study are that the patient population was small and the observation time was relatively short. This study was retrospectively registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (trial registration no. R000061902) on April 21, 2024.

Clinical outcomes after endoscopic resection and the risk of lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors: a single-center retrospective study.

The incidence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (R-NETs) has increased in recent years. However, the predictors of lymph node (LN) metastasis and clinical outcomes, particularly following endoscopic treatment, remain unclear. Our study aims to elucidate the potential risk factors for LN metastasis and the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic resection in R-NETs. A total of 128 patients with R-NETs were retrospectively identified from a single center between June 2012 and December 2021. Risk factors for LN metastasis in R-NETs were analyzed using multivariate analysis. Additionally, the clinical outcomes of endoscopic resections in patients with R-NETs were assessed. In our study, 128 patients with R-NETs were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for LN metastasis determined by multivariate analysis were tumor size and patient age at diagnosis. Among the 111 patients treated with endoscopic resection and with tumor margin records available, 92 underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and 19 underwent conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the positive rates of basal tumor margin and lateral tumor margin. Furthermore, 64 patients who underwent endoscopic resection for R-NETs were successfully followed up (range, 1.64-76.71months), during which only one patient developed local recurrence. Tumor size and age at diagnosis were predictors for LN metastasis of R-NETs. Both ESD and EMR are alternative techniques with a favorable prognosis for R-NETs, even in cases with positive resection margins. However, due to the relatively small number of patients undergoing EMR and missing data in follow-up protocols, definitive conclusions require further large-scale studies.

A transanal alpha-loop tube facilitates endoscopic submucosal dissection of a distal rectal tumor.

A transanal alpha-loop tube facilitates endoscopic submucosal dissection of a distal rectal tumor.

Outcome of Endoscopic Resection of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors ≤ 10 mm.

Guidelines suggest endoscopic resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (rNETs) < 10 mm, but the most appropriate resection technique is unclear. In real-life clinical practice, the endoscopic removal of unrecognized rNETs can take place with "simple" techniques and without preliminary staging. The aim of the current study is to report our own experience at a referral center for both neuroendocrine neoplasms and endoscopy. Retrospective analyses of polypectomies were performed at the Humanitas Research Hospital for rNETs (already diagnosed or previously unrecognized). A total of 19 patients were included, with a median lesion size of 5 mm (range 3-10 mm). Only five lesions were suspected as NETs before removal and underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) before resection, being removed with advanced endoscopic techniques. Unsuspected rNETs were removed by cold polypectomy in eleven cases, EMR in two, and biopsy forceps in one. When described, the margins were negative in four cases, positive in four (R1), and indeterminate in one. The median follow-up was 40 months. A 10 mm polypoid lesion removed with cold snare polypectomy (G2 R1) needed subsequent surgery. Eighteen patients underwent EUS after a median time of 6.5 months from resection. The EUS identified local recurrence after 14 months in a 7 mm polypoid lesion removed with cold snare polypectomy (G1 R1); the lesion was treated with cap-assisted EMR. For all the other lesions, the follow-up was negative. When rNETs are improperly removed without prior staging, caution must be exercised. The data from our cohort suggest that even if inappropriate resection had happened, patients may be safely managed with early EUS evaluation.

The Outcomes of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Honam Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease (HASID) Multicenter Study.

Colorectal neoplasms are prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the safety and efficacy of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are not well understood. This retrospective analysis included ESD procedures performed in 1266 patients with CKD across five tertiary medical institutions from January 2015 to December 2020. Patients were categorized based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which ranged from CKD1 to CKD5 (including those on dialysis). We found that en bloc resection rates remained high across all CKD stages, affirming the procedural efficacy of ESD. Notably, the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, such as ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, significantly increased with an advancing CKD stage, with a corresponding increase in the Charlson Comorbidity Index, highlighting the complexity of managing these patients. Despite these challenges, the complete resection rate was lower in the CKD5 group (50%) than in the CKD1 group (83.4%); however, procedural complications, such as perforation and bleeding, did not significantly differ among the groups. The predictive models for complete resection and major complications showed no significant changes with a decreasing eGFR. These findings underscore that ESD is a feasible and safe treatment for colorectal neoplasms in patients with CKD, successfully balancing the inherent procedural risks with clinical benefits.