Outcomes of rectal cancer treatment in rural Australia and New Zealand: analysis of the bowel cancer outcomes registry.

BACKGROUND: The demographics and geography of Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), with few metropolitan centres and vast, sparsely populated rural areas, represent a challenge to providing equal care to all patients. This study aimed to compare rectal cancer care at rural and urban hospitals in ANZ. METHODS: From the Bowel Cancer Outcomes Registry (BCOR, formerly known as the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit; BCCA), rectal cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2020 were compared based on hospital location (urban versus rural). Propensity-score matching was performed to correct for differences in baseline characteristics between groups. RESULTS: A total of 9385 rectal cancer patients were identified from the BCOR: 1329 (14.2%) were treated at rural hospitals and 8056 (85.8%) at urban hospitals. Propensity-score matching resulted in 889 patients in each group, matched for age, ASA score, hospital type (public/private), tumour height from the anal verge, and pre-treatment cT- and cAJCC-stage. Rural patients had fewer pre-treatment MRIs (67.9% versus 74.7%; P = 0.002), and underwent less neoadjuvant therapy (44.7% versus 50.9%; P = 0.01). Rural patients underwent fewer ULARs (39.4% versus 45.6%; P = 0.03), and fewer anastomoses were formed (67.9% versus 74.4%; P = 0.05). CRM rates and postoperative AJCC stages (P = 0.19) were similar between groups (P = 0.87). Fewer rural patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (37.8% versus 43.3%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in pre-treatment MRI rates, (neo)adjuvant treatment rates and surgical procedures performed between rectal cancer patients treated at rural and urban hospitals in ANZ, while CRM rates and postoperative AJCC stages are similar.

Treatment of Unresectable BRAF V600E, TERT-Mutated Differentiated Papillary Thyroid Cancer With Dabrafenib and Trametinib.

Complete surgical resection of differentiated papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is associated with an excellent prognosis. However, for locally invasive PTC, disease-specific morbidity and mortality increases when microscopic margin negative resection (R0) or complete macroscopic resection (R1) is not feasible. Neoadjuvant dabrafenib and trametinib (DT) used in BRAF V600E-positive, unresectable anaplastic thyroid cancer has allowed for R0 or R1 resection and improved survival rates. We demonstrate feasibility of using neoadjuvant DT in a patient with BRAF V600E and TERT-mutated PTC for whom R0/R1 resection was initially aborted due to predicted unacceptable morbidity. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant DT for 5 months, at which time disease was undetectable on imaging with near resolution on final pathology; however, subsequent rapid recurrence after discontinuation of neoadjuvant DT occurred. Neoadjuvant DT offers promise in future cohorts of patients with locally invasive BRAF V600E and TERT-mutated PTC for whom neoadjuvant therapy can reduce surgical morbidity while still allowing for R0/R1 resection.

Secondary ileal lymph node metastases from rectal cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer can invade adjacent organs, but rarely metastasizes to the regional lymph nodes (LNs) of the invaded organ. Herein, we report a case of rectal cancer invading the ileum and metastasized to the regional ileal LNs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old male presented abdominal pain and anorexia, diagnosed with rectal cancer invading the small intestine and concurrently metastasized to the regional LN of the intestine and liver. High anterior resection and partial resection of the small intestine was performed, then, the patient was referred to our hospital for chemotherapy. We performed 17 cycles of systemic chemotherapy that achieved a partial reduction in size of the LN, followed by an ileocecal resection with ileal mesentery resection for regional LNs removal. Histopathological analysis of the resected ileal LNs and six liver lesions revealed a moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 18. Cancer recurrences developed in the lungs 5 months after the surgery, then to the liver and peritoneum, and further surgery and chemotherapy were performed. Despite the challenging presentation, the patient survived for 40 months after the first surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of a surgical resection of a secondary ileal LN metastasis from rectal cancer. The patient survives for a relatively long time after surgical resection. When colorectal cancer invades the small intestine, clinicians should consider the possibility of secondary LN metastasis in the invaded site.

Desmoplastic Fibroma of Radius Managed with Non-Vascularised Fibular Autograft - A Case Report.

Desmoplastic fibromas of bone are extremely rare, slow growing, locally invasive, benign primary bone tumours, bearing close resemblance to the extra-abdominal desmoid tumours of soft tissue. They typically occur in patients around 30 years of age, and most commonly affect the mandible, pelvis and meta-diaphyseal region of long bones. En bloc or wide resection has typically been the treatment of choice to avoid recurrence, however, recent reports support curettage with bone grafting and adjuvant therapy to minimise functional loss. We report a 9-year-old child with a desmoplastic fibroma of right radius. This is an unusual age group for this bone tumor. The tumor was managed with en bloc resection and reconstruction with a non-vascularised fibula autograft. The patient had good functional outcome and no recurrence at 1-year follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Regional variance in treatment and outcomes of locally invasive (T4) rectal cancer in Australia and New Zealand: analysis of the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit.

BACKGROUNDS: Locally invasive T4 rectal cancer often requires neoadjuvant treatment followed by multi-visceral surgery to achieve a radical resection (R0), and referral to a specialized exenteration quaternary centre is typically recommended. The aim of this study was to explore regional variance in treatment and outcomes of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). METHODS: Data were collected from the Bi-National Colorectal Cancer Audit (BCCA) database. Rectal cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2019 were divided into six groups based on region (state/country) using patient postcode. A subset analysis of patients with T4 cancer was performed. Primary outcomes were positive circumferential resection margin (CRM+), and positive circumferential and/or distal resection margin (CRM/DRM+). RESULTS: A total of 9385 patients with rectal cancer were identified, with an overall CRM+ rate of 6.4% and CRM/DRM+ rate of 8.6%. There were 1350 patients with T4 rectal cancer (14.4%). For these patients, CRM+ rate was 18.5%, and CRM/DRM+ rate was 24.1%. Significant regional variation in CRM+ (range 13.4-26.0%; p = 0.025) and CRM/DRM+ rates (range 16.1-29.3%; p = 0.005) was identified. In addition, regions with higher CRM+ and CRM/DRM+ rates reported lower rates of multi-visceral resections: range 24.3-26.8%, versus 32.6-37.3% for regions with lower CRM+ and CRM/DRM+ rates (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Positive resection margins and rates of multi-visceral resection vary between the different regions of ANZ. A small subset of patients with T4 rectal cancer are particularly at risk, further supporting the concept of referral to specialized exenteration centres for potentially curative multi-visceral resection.

Laparoscopic resection of a metachronous secondary lymph node metastasis in the mesentery of the ileum after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer with ileum invasion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extended excision of the permeation organ neighborhood is often performed in locally invasive colon cancer, and it is reported to have a survival benefit. In addition, some cases of secondary lymph node metastases in a permeation organ were reported. However, they are reports of synchronous secondary lymph node metastases, not metachronous secondary lymph node metastases. To the best of our knowledge, there are no cases of metachronous secondary lymph node metastases after the resection of a primary colorectal cancer in PubMed. CASE PRESENTATION: The case was a 67-year-old man who underwent colonoscopy because of weight loss. Sigmoid colon cancer with all circumference-related stenosis was found by examination, and the patient was transferred to our hospital for the purpose of scrutiny and treatment. The small intestine ileus caused by the invasion of sigmoid colon cancer developed after the transfer. Laparoscopic high anterior resection and extended excision of small intestine segmental resection was performed after the intestinal tract decompression with a nasal ileus tube. Histopathological analysis revealed a pathological diagnosis of pT4b (ileal submucosal invasion) N0 (0/11) M0 f Stage II, tub2, ly1, v2, PN0. Although adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine after the operation was planned for half a year, treatment was suspended in the first course by the patient's self-judgment. No recurrence was observed for a year after the operation, but metastasis recurrence in the para-aortic lymph node was found by a computed tomography (CT) one and a half years after the operation. 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography revealed that FDG was accumulated only in the para-aortic lymph node. Laparoscopic metastasis lymphadenectomy was performed due to the diagnosis of metachronous metastasis to the para-aortic lymph node alone. Intraoperative findings revealed that lymph node metastasis occurred in the mesentery of the ileum. No adjuvant treatment was done after the secondary operation, and he is still alive with no recurrence 1 year and 9 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of a laparoscopic resection of a metachronous secondary lymph node metastasis in the mesentery of the ileum after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer with ileum invasion.

Factors associated with local invasion in infective endocarditis: a nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: A substantial proportion of infective endocarditis (IE) cases are complicated by local invasion. The purpose of this study was to identify patient and disease characteristics associated with local invasion in surgically treated IE patients. METHODS: This was a nested case-control study. All episodes of IE for patients admitted to Cleveland Clinic from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2016 were identified from the Cleveland Clinic IE Registry. Patients ≥18 years of age who underwent surgery for IE were included. Among these, cases were those with local invasion, controls were those without. Local invasion, defined as periannular extension, paravalvular abscess, intracardiac fistula or pseudoaneurysm, was ascertained from the surgical operative note. Associations of selected factors with local invasion were examined in a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among 511 patients who met inclusion criteria, 215 had local invasion. Mean age was 56 years; 369 were male. Overall 345 (68%) had aortic valve, 228 (45%) mitral valve, and 66 (13%) tricuspid or pulmonic valve involvement. Aortic valve involvement (OR 6.23, 95% CI 3.55-11.44), bioprosthetic valve (OR 3.88, 95% CI 2.36-6.44), significant paravalvular leak (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.60-9.89), new atrioventricular nodal block (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.87-7.90), infection with streptococci other than viridans group streptococci (OR 7.54, 95% CI 2.42-24.87) and presence of central nervous system emboli (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.13-3.04) were associated with local invasion. DISCUSSION: Intracardiac and microorganism factors, but not comorbid conditions, are associated with local invasion in IE.

Neoadjuvant Multikinase Inhibitor in Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common and less aggressive thyroid cancer, but some patients may display locally advanced disease. Therapeutic options are limited in these cases, particularly for those patients with unresectable tumors. Neoadjuvant therapy is not part of the recommended work up. Methods: Report a case of an unresectable grossly locally invasive PTC successfully managed with neoadjuvant therapy and provide a systematic review (SR) using the terms "Neoadjuvant therapy" AND "Thyroid carcinoma." Results: A 32-year-old man with a 7.8 cm (in the largest dimension) PTC was referred to total thyroidectomy, but tumor resection was not feasible due to extensive local invasion (trachea, esophagus, and adjacent structures). Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor (MKI), was initiated; a 70% tumor reduction was observed after 6 months, allowing new surgical intervention and complete resection. Radioactive iodine (RAI) was administered as adjuvant therapy, and whole body scan (WBS) shows uptake on thyroid bed. One-year post-surgery the patient is asymptomatic with a status of disease defined as an incomplete biochemical response. The SR retrieved 123 studies on neoadjuvant therapy use in thyroid carcinoma; of them, 6 were extracted: 4 case reports and 2 observational studies. MKIs were used as neoadjuvant therapy in three clinical cases with 70-84% of tumor reduction allowing surgery. Conclusion: Our findings, along with other reports, suggest that MKIs is an effective neoadjuvant therapy and should be considered as a therapeutic strategy for unresectable grossly locally invasive thyroid carcinomas.

Locally invasive thyroid cancer: options for a treatment.

Local invasion to neighbor organs by thyroid cancer is an important prognosticator and requires different therapeutic approach. Which one is the possible best treatment option and results are evaluated in this study. A single-institution experience in thyroid cancer invading the airway is evaluated retrospectively (1990-2016). Facts regarding patients' demographics, disease history, comorbidities, condition at first evaluation and reason for referral are analyzed. Hospital records and treatment details are extracted from charts and Institutional folders. Therapeutic indication and treatment option details are assessed. A total of 2203 thyroid cancer patients undergoing evaluation and treatment are found in the Institutional records. According to the current staging system, T4a cancers are 309. Airway has been compromised in 144 cases. All patients have been referred after receiving indicative workup imaging or airway-related symptoms. Well-differentiated histology is reported in 97; non-differentiated pattern is described in the remaining ones. Airway endoscopy is performed in all patients prior to every treatment planned. In 37 cases, the airway is found to get benefit from resection with curative intent; stenting has been indicated in 41 cases while tracheostomy has been performed in 44 cases as permanent treatment option. Rigid bronchoscopy is apparently a mandatory preliminary step for patients undergoing resection and reconstruction of a segmental airway tract. Tracheostomy is performed when the disease could not be submitted to exeresis or when the tumor biology shows a tumultuous disease. Forty patients had a stable symptoms relief after stenting. The rate of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms due to thyroid cancer infiltrating the airway is decreasing thank to screening programs and the greater attention to early detection. When possible, the segmental resection and reconstruction of the compromised airway produces good outcome and represents a surgical subspecialty requiring a multidisciplinary approach with specific technical competences. Stenting and tracheotomy are end-stage treatment with possible stable outcome for highly variable time span.

Locally advanced colon cancer with cutaneous invasion: case report.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced colon cancer with direct abdominal wall and skin invasion is an extremely rare finding with most data being derived from case reports, historical autopsy-based or single-center retrospective studies. We present a unique case of a colon cancer with direct cutaneous invasion and colocutaneous fistulization. CASE PRESENTATION: Eighty-six year old Caucasian female with multiple comorbidities, referred to Surgical Consultation due to ulcerated skin lesion in the abdomen. She had a long-standing large umbilical hernia but with no previous episodes of incarceration or occlusive symptoms. She denied any digestive or constitutional symptoms. Physical examination showed a large non-reducible umbilical hernia, with an associated painless firm mass within the hernia sac and cutaneous ulcerated growth. Colonoscopy revealed transverse colon cancer (endoscopic biopsy of the tumor and skin punch biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon). Computed tomography showed a tumoral mass within the umbilical hernia, with cutaneous infiltration and enlarged regional lymph nodes. Rapid local progression led to colocutaneous fistula with total fecal diversion. We performed an extended right hemicolectomy with en bloc excision of the hernia sac and infiltrating cutaneous mass. CONCLUSIONS: In the current era of widespread use of screening colonoscopies, initial diagnosis of locally advanced colon cancer is decreasing. However, this unique case presented an opportunity to recall the advantages of multivisceral resections.

Secondary metastasis in the lymph node of the bowel invaded by colon cancer: a report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Secondary metastasis to regional lymph nodes for adjacent bowel invaded by colorectal cancers (CRCs) has not been extensively reviewed. We herein present three such cases. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case is a cancer involving the cecum and sigmoid colon, and its primary site could not be determined even by pathological evaluation. Nodal involvement was revealed both in the mesocolon of the cecum and sigmoid. The second and third cases are a sigmoid colon cancer invading the jejunum and an ascending colon cancer invading the jejunum, respectively. These patients harbored secondary metastases to lymph nodes draining from the invaded small bowel segments. In spite of complete resection, all three patients metachronously developed liver metastases or recurrent disseminated nodules in the pelvis and subsequently died. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of CRC invading another bowel segment, bowel resection with regional lymphadenectomy for both involved segments should be considered to achieve complete resection. However, the radical surgery did not necessarily provide a long-term survival.

Thyroid cancer invading the airway: diagnosis and management.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study is to analyze outcome and the decision making process to approach airway invasion by thyroid tumors. METHODS: Retrospective study of 30 years experience in thyroid surgery for cancer invading airway. Clinical records, surgical and pathology reports have been analyzed to assess which principles and procedural details are significant to facilitate efficient diagnosis, staging and treatment. Medical therapy was not evaluated. RESULTS: Out of a consecutive series of 2165 thyroid cancer patients, T4a cancers are 303 (14%). Airway invasion was found in 141 (6.5%) cases. Well-differentiated pattern was determined in 110 (78%) while other histology was reported in 31 (22%). Airway-related symptoms have been recorded in 111 (78%) patients. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed in all patients. Rapidly evolving disease or non-resectable airway was found in 105 (74.5%) cases. Permanent tracheotomy was performed in 43 (30.5%) cases, airway lumen restoration with or without stenting in 39 (27.7%), laryngectomy in 8 (5.7%), segmental airway resection and reconstruction in 28 (19.9%). Perioperative mortality was recorded after palliative treatment only. In resected patients, completely radical surgery was not always achievable. All patients with positive margin after resection underwent adjuvant treatment and showed comparable survival to radical surgery patients after 5 years. Tumor relapse occurred in 8 (28.6%) cases (distant or locoregional). Patients with unresectable disease require treatment for symptoms relief but survival is poor. CONCLUSION: Although some patients are currently referred with a severely advanced disease, the indication for tracheotomy, salvage procedures or supportive care has decreased over time. Resection is feasible for differentiated tumors with an overall good outcome.

Partial Cystectomy with Distal Ureteral Resection and Re-implantation for Locally Invasive Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer is an aggressive gynecological malignancy which can develop local invasion of the surrounding organs. In cases presenting locally advanced disease, the association of neoadjuvant chemo-irradiation might reduce the local invasion and might transform the patient into a candidate for a conservative surgical procedure. However, there are also patients who refuse any association of neoadjuvant treatment; we present the case of a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with a locally invasive cervical tumor involving both ureteral ostia who formally refused any neoadjuvant oncological treatment and urostomy. Total radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy with partial cystectomy and distal bilateral ureterectomy was performed. The two ureters were re-implanted in the remnant urinary bladder.

Surgical resection for locally invasive renal cell carcinoma: Is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Many patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) present with disease involving the adjacent viscera. Although survival in such patients is poor, surgery remains the only proven modality of treatment. We describe our experience with radical nephrectomy for locally invasive RCC over a five-year period. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the records of all patients who had undergone surgery for locally invasive RCC between January 1999 and December 2004 at our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the study period, 102 patients with RCC underwent surgery at our institute, out of which 18 (17.6%) patients had adjacent organ involvement. The survival and outcomes in terms of symptom relief are described. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method using EGRET statistical software package. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, two patients had inoperable disease. Fifteen out of the 18 patients succumbed to their disease after a median period of 7.5 months. Three patients are still alive, having survived for 13, 16 and 25 months. Most patients derived considerable benefit with respect to relief of symptoms, which was long-lasting. CONCLUSION: For selected patients with locally invasive RCC, radical nephrectomy with en bloc resection of involved organs may provide the opportunity for long-term survival. In others, it may provide considerable symptomatic relief.