Mailed fecal immunochemical test outreach for colorectal cancer screening: Summary of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored Summit.

Uptake of colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal. Mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) offers promise for increasing screening rates, but optimal strategies for implementation have not been well synthesized. In June 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a meeting of subject matter experts and stakeholders to answer key questions regarding mailed FIT implementation in the United States. Points of agreement included: 1) primers, such as texts, telephone calls, and printed mailings before mailed FIT, appear to contribute to effectiveness; 2) invitation letters should be brief and easy to read, and the signatory should be tailored based on setting; 3) instructions for FIT completion should be simple and address challenges that may lead to failed laboratory processing, such as notation of collection date; 4) reminders delivered to initial noncompleters should be used to increase the FIT return rate; 5) data infrastructure should identify eligible patients and track each step in the outreach process, from primer delivery through abnormal FIT follow-up; 6) protocols and procedures such as navigation should be in place to promote colonoscopy after abnormal FIT; 7) a high-quality, 1-sample FIT should be used; 8) sustainability requires a program champion and organizational support for the work, including sufficient funding and external policies (such as quality reporting requirements) to drive commitment to program investment; and 9) the cost effectiveness of mailed FIT has been established. Participants concluded that mailed FIT is an effective and efficient strategy with great potential for increasing colorectal cancer screening in diverse health care settings if more widely implemented.

A blueprint for cancer screening and early detection: Advancing screening's contribution to cancer control.

From the mid-20th century, accumulating evidence has supported the introduction of screening for cancers of the cervix, breast, colon and rectum, prostate (via shared decisions), and lung. The opportunity to detect and treat precursor lesions and invasive disease at a more favorable stage has contributed substantially to reduced incidence, morbidity, and mortality. However, as new discoveries portend advancements in technology and risk-based screening, we fail to fulfill the greatest potential of the existing technology, in terms of both full access among the target population and the delivery of state-of-the art care at each crucial step in the cascade of events that characterize successful cancer screening. There also is insufficient commitment to invest in the development of new technologies, incentivize the development of new ideas, and rapidly evaluate promising new technology. In this report, the authors summarize the status of cancer screening and propose a blueprint for the nation to further advance the contribution of screening to cancer control.

Cancer screening in the United States, 2018: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and current issues in cancer screening.

Each year, the American Cancer Society publishes a summary of its guidelines for early cancer detection, data and trends in cancer screening rates from the National Health Interview Survey, and select issues related to cancer screening. In this 2018 update, we also summarize the new American Cancer Society colorectal cancer screening guideline and include a clarification in the language of the 2013 lung cancer screening guideline. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:297-316. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Unraveling a novel hippo-associated immunological prognostic signature: The contribution of SERPINE1 in facilitating colorectal cancer progression via the notch signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence demonstrated that Hippo signaling pathway is implicated in tumor initiation and progression. However, there have been limited studies on establishing signatures utilizing genes related to the Hippo pathway to evaluate prognosis and clinical efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: Hippo pathway-associated genes with prognostic significance were identified in the TCGA database. Subsequently, a prognostic signature associated with the Hippo pathway was constructed using Cox and LASSO regression analyses. Survival analysis, ROC analysis, and stratified analyses were conducted to appraise the performance effect of our prognostic model. We also explored the relationship between the risk score and tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, GO analyses and GSEA were performed for SERPINE1. Additional experiments were conducted to illuminate the underlying function and possible mechanism of SERPINE1 in CRC cell proliferation and migration. RESULTS: We identified 58 differentially expressed genes associated with Hippo pathway that have prognostic significance in CRC. Among them, five genes (PPP2CB, SERPINE1, WNT5A, TCF7L1, and LEF1) were selected to establish a prognostic signature for CRC. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that this signature exhibited excellent diagnostic and prognostic performance, providing maximum benefits for CRC patients. In accordance with the prognostic signatures, the cases were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups. Remarkably, the high-risk group displayed lower immune scores, reduced immune cell infiltration, and decreased expression of immune checkpoints. Low-risk group could more possibly benefit from conventional chemotherapeutic and targeted therapies. CRC exhibited significantly elevated expression of SERPINE1, which was linked to worst overall survival. Moreover, inhibition of SERPINE1 suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC cells via Notch pathway. CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, we established a novel immunological prognostic signature utilizing genes associated with the Hippo pathway. This signature offers accurate prognostic prediction and can guide individualized therapy for patients with CRC.

Efficacy and Safety of Trifluridine/Tipiracil-Containing Combinations in Colorectal Cancer and Other Advanced Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review.

We performed a systematic literature review to identify and summarize data from studies reporting clinical efficacy and safety outcomes for trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) combined with other antineoplastic agents in advanced cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We conducted a systematic search on May 29, 2021, for studies reporting one or more efficacy or safety outcome with FTD/TPI-containing combinations. Our search yielded 1378 publications, with 38 records meeting selection criteria: 35 studies of FTD/TPI-containing combinations in mCRC (31 studies second line or later) and 3 studies in other tumor types. FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab was extensively studied, including 19 studies in chemorefractory mCRC. Median overall survival ranged 8.6-14.4 months and median progression-free survival 3.7-6.8 months with FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab in refractory mCRC. Based on one randomized and several retrospective studies, FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab was associated with improved outcomes compared with FTD/TPI monotherapy. FTD/TPI combinations with chemotherapy or other targeted agents were reported in small early-phase studies; preliminary data indicated higher antitumor activity for certain combinations. Overall, no safety concerns existed with FTD/TPI combinations; most common grade ≥ 3 adverse event was neutropenia, ranging 5%-100% across all studies. In studies comparing FTD/TPI combinations with monotherapy, grade ≥ 3 neutropenia appeared more frequently with combinations (29%-67%) vs. monotherapy (5%-41%). Discontinuation rates due to adverse events ranged 0%-11% for FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab and 0%-17% with other combinations. This systematic review supports feasibility and safety of FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab in refractory mCRC. Data on non-bevacizumab FTD/TPI combinations remain preliminary and need further validation.

ChatGPT4 Outperforms Endoscopists for Determination of Postcolonoscopy Rescreening and Surveillance Recommendations.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Large language models including Chat Generative Pretrained Transformers version 4 (ChatGPT4) improve access to artificial intelligence, but their impact on the clinical practice of gastroenterology is undefined. This study compared the accuracy, concordance, and reliability of ChatGPT4 colonoscopy recommendations for colorectal cancer rescreening and surveillance with contemporary guidelines and real-world gastroenterology practice. METHODS: History of present illness, colonoscopy data, and pathology reports from patients undergoing procedures at 2 large academic centers were entered into ChatGPT4 and it was queried for the next recommended colonoscopy follow-up interval. Using the McNemar test and inter-rater reliability, we compared the recommendations made by ChatGPT4 with the actual surveillance interval provided in the endoscopist's procedure report (gastroenterology practice) and the appropriate US Multisociety Task Force (USMSTF) guidance. The latter was generated for each case by an expert panel using the clinical information and guideline documents as reference. RESULTS: Text input of de-identified data into ChatGPT4 from 505 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy between January 1 and April 30, 2023, elicited a successful follow-up recommendation in 99.2% of the queries. ChatGPT4 recommendations were in closer agreement with the USMSTF Panel (85.7%) than gastroenterology practice recommendations with the USMSTF Panel (75.4%) (P < .001). Of the 14.3% discordant recommendations between ChatGPT4 and the USMSTF Panel, recommendations were for later screening in 26 (5.1%) and for earlier screening in 44 (8.7%) cases. The inter-rater reliability was good for ChatGPT4 vs USMSTF Panel (Fleiss κ, 0.786; 95% CI, 0.734-0.838; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Initial real-world results suggest that ChatGPT4 can define routine colonoscopy screening intervals accurately based on verbatim input of clinical data. Large language models have potential for clinical applications, but further training is needed for broad use.

Comparing Time to Diagnosis and Treatment Between Younger and Older Adults With Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Younger adults (aged <50 years) with colorectal cancer (CRC) may have prolonged delays to diagnosis and treatment that are associated with adverse outcomes. We compared delay intervals by age for patients with CRC in a large population. METHODS: This was a population-based study of adults diagnosed with CRC in Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2018. We measured the time between presentation and diagnosis (diagnostic interval), diagnosis and treatment start (treatment interval), and the time from presentation to treatment (overall interval). We compared interval lengths between adults aged <50 years, 50 to 74 years, and 75 to 89 years using multivariable quantile regression. RESULTS: Included were 90,225 patients with CRC. Of these, 6853 patients (7.6%) were aged <50 years. Younger patients were more likely to be women, present emergently, have stage IV disease, and have rectal cancer compared with middle-aged patients. Factors associated with significantly longer overall intervals included female sex (8.7 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6-10.9 days) and rectal cancer compared with proximal colon cancer (9.8 days; 95% CI, 7.4-2.2 days). After adjustment, adults aged <50 years had significantly longer diagnostic intervals (4.3 days; 95% CI. 1.3-7.3 days) and significantly shorter treatment intervals (-4.5 days; 95% CI, -5.3 to -3.7 days) compared with middle-aged patients. However, there was no significant difference in the overall interval (-0.6 days; 95% CI, -4.3 to 3.2 days). In stratified models, younger adults with stage IV disease who presented emergently and patients aged >75 years had longer overall intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Younger adults present more often with stage IV CRC but have overall similar times from presentation to treatment as screening-eligible older adults.

Combined associations of a healthy lifestyle and body mass index with colorectal cancer recurrence and survival: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is associated with modifiable lifestyle factors including smoking, physical inactivity, Western diet, and excess body weight. The impact of lifestyle factors on survival is less known. A cohort study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of a healthy lifestyle and body mass index on prognosis following CRC diagnosis. METHODS: Treatment and follow-up data were collected from the patient files of 1098 participants from the Colorectal cancer low-risk study cohort including stage I-III CRC patients. A healthy lifestyle and BMI (HL) score was computed using self-reported data on smoking status, physical activity, adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern, and BMI, and divided into four categories ranging from least to most healthy. Survival analyses were performed to assess recurrence-free survival and overall survival across categories of exposure, using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, and educational level. RESULTS: Among 1098 participants with stage I-III CRC, 233 (21.2%) had an HL score of 0-1 (least healthy), 354 (32.2%) HL score of 2, 357 (32.5%) HL score of 3 and 154 (14.0) HL score 4 (most healthy). Patients with the healthiest lifestyle (HL score 4) compared to the least healthy (HL score 0-1) had an improved recurrence-free survival (HL 4 vs HL 0-1, HRadj 0.51 (95% CI 0.31-0.83) and overall survival (HL 4 vs HL 0-1, HRadj 0.52 (95% CI 0.38-0.70). CONCLUSION: Adherence to a healthy lifestyle may increase the recurrence-free and overall survival of patients with stage I-III CRC.

The effect of mailed outreach on FIT completion among patients aged 45-50 in a safety net healthcare system.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45, but there has been little research on strategies to promote screening in patients younger than 50. METHODS: An outreach program quasi-randomly assigned patients aged 45-50 without recent fecal immunochemical test (FIT), colonoscopy or contraindications to screening to two intervention arms: electronic outreach with email and text (electronic outreach only) versus electronic outreach plus mailed outreach with FIT, an instructional letter and a prepaid return envelope (mailed + electronic outreach). In response to known disparities in screening uptake, all Black patients were assigned to receive mailed + electronic outreach. RESULTS: Among patients quasi-randomly assigned to an intervention (non-Black patients), the 180-day FIT completion rate was 18.8% in the electronic outreach only group (n = 1,318) and 25.0% in the mailed + electronic outreach group (n = 1,364) (difference 6.2% [95% CI 3.0, 9.4]). FIT completion was 16.6% among Black patients (n = 469), 8.4% (95% CI 4.1, 12.6) lower than among non-Black patients also assigned to mailed + electronic outreach. CONCLUSION: Among patients aged 45-50, mailed + electronic outreach had a greater effect on FIT completion than electronic outreach alone. Crossover between intervention groups likely lead to an underestimation of the effect of mailed outreach.

Fragmentation of Care in Patients with Peritoneal Metastases Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The delivery of multimodal treatment at a high-volume center is known to optimize the outcomes of gastrointestinal malignancies. However, patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for peritoneal metastases often must 'fragment' their surgical and systemic therapeutic care between different institutions. We hypothesized that this adversely affects outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults undergoing CRS for colorectal or appendiceal adenocarcinoma at our institution between 2016 and 2022 were identified retrospectively and grouped by care network: 'coordinated care' patients received exclusively in-network systemic therapy, while 'fragmented care' patients received some systemic therapy from outside-network providers. Factors associated with fragmented care were also ascertained. Overall survival (OS) from CRS and systemic therapy-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were compared across the groups. RESULTS: Among 85 (80%) patients, 47 (55%) had colorectal primaries and 51 (60%) received fragmented care. Greater travel distance [OR 1.01 (CI 1.00-1.02), p = 0.02] and educational status [OR 1.04 (CI 1.01-1.07), p = 0.01] were associated with receiving fragmented care. OS was comparable between patients who received fragmented and coordinated care in the colorectal [32.5 months versus 40.8 months, HR 0.95 (CI 0.43-2.10), p = 0.89] and appendiceal [31.0 months versus 27.4 months, HR 1.17 (CI 0.37-3.74), p = 0.55] subgroups. The frequency of SAEs (7.8% versus 17.6%, p = 0.19) was also similar. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in survival or SAEs based on the networks of systemic therapy delivery. This suggests that patients undergoing CRS at a high-volume center may safely receive systemic therapy at outside-network facilities with comparable outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on mortality rate following total pelvic exenteration in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Total pelvic exenteration (TPE), an en bloc resection is an ultraradical operation for malignancies, and refers to the removal of organs inside the pelvis, including female reproductive organs, lower urological organs and involved parts of the digestive system. The aim of this meta-analysis is to estimate the intra-operative mortality, in-hospital mortality, 30- and 90-day mortality rate and overall mortality rate (MR) following TPE in colorectal, gynecological, urological, and miscellaneous cancers. METHODS: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis in which three international databases including Medline through PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science on November 2023 were searched. To screen and select relevant studies, retrieved articles were entered into Endnote software. The required information was extracted from the full text of the retrieved articles by the authors. Effect measures in this study was the intra-operative, in-hospital, and 90-day and overall MR following TPE. All analyzes are performed using Stata software version 16 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX). RESULTS: In this systematic review, 1751 primary studies retrieved, of which 98 articles (5343 cases) entered into this systematic review. The overall mortality rate was 30.57% in colorectal cancers, 25.5% in gynecological cancers and 12.42% in Miscellaneous. The highest rate of mortality is related to the overall mortality rate of colorectal cancers. The MR in open surgeries was higher than in minimally invasive surgeries, and also in primary advanced cancers, it was higher than in recurrent cancers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it can be said that performing TPE in a specialized surgical center with careful patient eligibility evaluation is a viable option for advanced malignancies of the pelvic organs.

Cancer diagnosis after emergency presentations in people with mental health and substance use conditions: a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survival and mortality outcomes for people with mental health and substance use conditions (MHSUC) are worse than for people without MHSUC, which may be partly explained by poorer access to timely and appropriate healthcare, from screening and diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up. Access and quality of healthcare can be evaluated by comparing the proportion of people who receive a cancer diagnosis following an acute or emergency hospital admission (emergency presentation) across different population groups: those diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation have lower survival. METHODS: National mental health service use datasets (2002-2018) were linked to national cancer registry and hospitalisation data (2006-2018), to create a study population of people aged 15 years and older with one of four cancer diagnoses: lung, prostate, breast and colorectal. The exposure group included people with a history of mental health/addiction service contact within the five years before cancer diagnosis, with a subgroup of people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychotic disorders. Marginal standardised rates were used to compare emergency presentations (hospital admission within 30 days of cancer diagnosis) in the exposure and comparison groups, adjusted for age, gender (for lung and colorectal cancers), ethnicity, area deprivation and stage at diagnosis. RESULTS: For all four cancers, the rates of emergency presentation in the fully adjusted models were significantly higher in people with a history of mental health/addiction service use than people without (lung cancer, RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13, 1.24; prostate cancer RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.44, 1.93; breast cancer RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14, 1.69; colorectal cancer 1.31, 95% CI 1.22, 1.39). Rates were substantially higher in those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing pathways for earlier detection and diagnosis of cancers in people with MHSUC could reduce the rates of emergency presentation, with improved cancer survival outcomes. All health services, including cancer screening programmes, primary and secondary care, have a responsibility to ensure equitable access to healthcare for people with MHSUC.

Inflammation and Gut Barrier Function-Related Genes and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Western European Populations.

Gut barrier dysfunction and related inflammation are known to be associated with the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated associations of 292 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 27 genes related to endotoxins/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensing and tolerance, mucin synthesis, inflammation, and Crohn's disease with colon and rectal cancer risks. Incident CRC cases (N=1,374; colon=871, rectum=503) were matched 1:1 to controls nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Previously measured serum concentrations of gut barrier function and inflammation biomarkers (flagellin/LPS-specific immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein [CRP]) were available for a sub-set of participants (Ncases=1,001; Ncontrols=667). Forty-two unique SNPs from 19 different genes were associated with serum biomarkers at Punadjusted≤0.05 among controls. Among SNPs associated with a gut permeability score, 24 SNPs were in genes related to LPS sensing and mucin synthesis. Nine out of 12 SNPs associated with CRP were in genes related to inflammation or Crohn's disease. TLR4 was associated with colon cancer at the SNP level (nine SNPs, all Punadjusted≤0.04) and at the gene level (Punadjusted≤0.01). TLR4 rs10759934 was associated with rectal cancer but not colon cancer. Similarly, IL10 was associated with rectal cancer risk at a SNP and gene level (both Punadjusted ≤ 0.01), but not colon cancer. Genes and SNPs were selected a priori therefore we present unadjusted P-values. However, no association was statistically significant after multiple testing correction. This large and comprehensive study has identified gut barrier function and inflammation-related genes possibly contributing to CRC risk in European populations and is consistent with potential etiological links between host genetic background, gut barrier permeability, microbial endotoxemia and CRC development.

RISK FACTORS FOR METACHRONOUS COLORECTAL CANCER OR ADVANCED LESIONS AFTER ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION OF SERRATED POLYPS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Serrated polyps (SPs) are precursors to 15-20% of colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, there are uncertainties regarding which SPs require surveillance and at what intervals, with recommendations adapted from those for adenomas in the absence of solid evidence. Our aim was to assess which SP risk characteristics relate to a higher risk of metachronous CRC or advanced polyps. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for cohort, case-control studies, and clinical trials from inception to Dec 31, 2023, for CRC or advanced polyps [advanced adenoma (AA) or advanced SP] incidence at surveillance stratified by baseline SP size, dysplasia, location, and multiplicity. We defined advanced SPs as those >10mm or with dysplasia. CRC and advanced polyp incidence per 1,000 person-years (p-y) were estimated. We performed a meta-analysis by calculating pooled relative risks (RR) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: 5,903 studies were reviewed and 14 included, with 493,949 patients (mean age 59·5 years, 55% men). Mean follow-up was 4·9 years. CRC incidence per 1,000 p-y was 2·09 (95%CI 1·29-2·90) for advanced SP, 1·52 (0·78-2·25) for SP>10mm, 5·86 (2·16-9·56) for SP with dysplasia, 1·18 (0·77-1·60) for proximal SP, 0·52 (0·08-1·12) for >3SP, 0·50 (0·35-0·66) for non-advanced SP, and 0·44 (0·41-0·46) for normal colonoscopy. Metachronous CRC risk was higher in advanced SP vs non-advanced SP (RR 1·84, 95%CI 1·11-3·04), and vs normal colonoscopy (RR 2·92, 2·26-3·77); in SP>10mm vs <10mm (RR 2·61, 1·43-4·77), and vs normal colonoscopy (RR 3·52, 2·17-5·69); and in SP with dysplasia vs normal colonoscopy (RR 2·71, 2·00-3·67). No increase in CRC or advanced polyp risk was found in patients with proximal vs distal SP, nor in >3SP vs 1-2SP. CONCLUSIONS: CRC risk is significantly higher in patients with baseline advanced SP after 4·9 years of follow-up, with risk magnitudes similar to those described for AA, supporting the current recommendation for 3-year surveillance in patients with advanced SP.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with microbubbles containing sulfur hexafluoride and perfluorobutane with Kupffer phase for the detection of colorectal liver metastases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with microbubbles containing sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) and perfluorobutane (PFB) for the detection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS: In this prospective study, conducted from September to November 2021, patients with colorectal cancer were consecutively recruited and underwent same-day ultrasound, SHF-CEUS, and PFB-CEUS. The reference standard was contrast-enhanced MRI and follow-up imaging. The size, depth, echogenicity, and calcification of each focal liver lesion were recorded. The number and conspicuity of CRLMs, based on washout appearance during the late phase (LP) (> 120 s)/Kupffer phase (KP), were evaluated offsite by two blinded readers. RESULTS: Overall, 230 lesions (CRLMs, n = 219; benign lesions, n = 11) in 78 patients were evaluated. Lesion conspicuity (p = 0.344) and accuracy in the detection of CRLM were comparable for SHF- and PFB-CEUS (0.877 for SHF vs. 0.770 for PFB, p = 0.087). More CRLMs ≥ 10 mm were identified by LP contrast washout in SHF-CEUS than in KP PFB-CEUS (p < 0.001). More CRLMs < 10 mm were identified by KP washout in PFB-CEUS than in LP SHF-CEUS (p < 0.001). Conspicuity was better on PFB-CEUS than on SHF-CEUS (p = 0.027). In hyperechoic lesions, lesions located deeper than 80 mm, and calcified lesions, CRLM conspicuity on PFB-CEUS was inferior to that on SHF-CEUS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall accuracy of detection and conspicuity of washout in CRLMs were comparable between SHF and PFB-CEUS. PFB-CEUS has the advantage of identifying washout in small CRLMs. However, larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions were better identified using SHF-CEUS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Accuracy of detection and conspicuity of washout in CRLMs were comparable between SHF- and PFB-CEUS. PFB-CEUS has the advantage in detecting small CRLMs, whereas SHF-CEUS is better for detecting larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions. KEY POINTS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with sulfur hexafluoride in the late phase and perfluorobutane microbubbles in the Kupffer phase were comparable in terms of accuracy in the detection and conspicuity of colorectal liver metastases. Small colorectal liver metastases (< 10 mm) were more often identified in the Kupffer phase contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging when using perfluorobutane microbubbles. Larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions were better identified in the late phase contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (> 120 s) when using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles.

Ablative margin quantification using deformable versus rigid image registration in colorectal liver metastasis thermal ablation: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation of minimal ablative margin (MAM) quantification using biomechanical deformable (DIR) versus intensity-based rigid image registration (RIR) with local outcomes following colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) thermal ablation. METHODS: This retrospective single-institution study included consecutive patients undergoing thermal ablation between May 2016 and October 2021. Patients who did not have intraprocedural pre- and post-ablation contrast-enhanced CT images for MAM quantification or follow-up period less than 1 year without residual tumor or local tumor progression (LTP) were excluded. DIR and RIR methods were used to quantify the MAM. The registration accuracy was compared using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to test MAM in predicting local tumor outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients (mean age 57; 44 men) with 139 tumors (mean diameter 1.5 cm ± 0.8 (SD)) were included. During a median follow-up of 29.4 months, there was one residual unablated tumor and the LTP rate was 17% (24/138). The ranges of DSC were 0.96-0.98 and 0.67-0.98 for DIR and RIR, respectively (p < 0.001). When using DIR, 27 (19%) tumors were partially or totally registered outside the liver, compared to 46 (33%) with RIR. Using DIR versus RIR, the corresponding median MAM was 4.7 mm versus 4.0 mm, respectively (p = 0.5). The AUC in predicting residual tumor and 1-year LTP for DIR versus RIR was 0.89 versus 0.72, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ablative margin quantified on intra-procedural CT imaging using DIR method outperformed RIR for predicting local outcomes of CLM thermal ablation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The study supports the role of biomechanical deformable image registration as the preferred image registration method over rigid image registration for quantifying minimal ablative margins using intraprocedural contrast-enhanced CT images. KEY POINTS: • Accurate and reproducible image registration is a prerequisite for clinical application of image-based ablation confirmation methods. • When compared to intensity-based rigid image registration, biomechanical deformable image registration for minimal ablative margin quantification was more accurate for liver registration using intraprocedural contrast-enhanced CT images. • Biomechanical deformable image registration outperformed intensity-based rigid image registration for predicting local tumor outcomes following colorectal liver metastasis thermal ablation.

Development and multicenter validation of deep convolutional neural network-based detection of colorectal cancer on abdominal CT.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop computer-aided detection (CAD) for colorectal cancer (CRC) using abdominal CT based on a deep convolutional neural network. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma who underwent abdominal CT before CRC resection surgery (training set = 379, test set = 103). We customized the 3D U-Net of nnU-Net (CUNET) for CRC detection, which was trained with fivefold cross-validation using annotated CT images. CUNET was validated using datasets covering various clinical situations and institutions: an internal test set (n = 103), internal patients with CRC first determined by CT (n = 54) and asymptomatic CRC (n = 51), and an external validation set from two institutions (n = 60). During each validation, data from the healthy population were added (internal = 60; external = 130). CUNET was compared with other deep CNNs: residual U-Net and EfficientDet. The CAD performances were evaluated using per-CRC sensitivity (true positive/all CRCs), free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC), and jackknife alternative FROC (JAFROC) curves. RESULTS: CUNET showed a higher maximum per-CRC sensitivity than residual U-Net and EfficientDet (internal test set 91.3% vs. 61.2%, and 64.1%). The per-CRC sensitivity of CUNET at false-positive rates of 3.0 was as follows: internal CRC determined by CT, 89.3%; internal asymptomatic CRC, 87.3%; and external validation, 89.6%. CUNET detected 69.2% (9/13) of CRCs missed by radiologists and 89.7% (252/281) of CRCs from all validation sets. CONCLUSIONS: CUNET can detect CRC on abdominal CT in patients with various clinical situations and from external institutions. KEY POINTS: • Customized 3D U-Net of nnU-Net (CUNET) can be applied to the opportunistic detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) in abdominal CT, helping radiologists detect unexpected CRC. • CUNET showed the best performance at false-positive rates ≥ 3.0, and 30.1% of false-positives were in the colorectum. CUNET detected 69.2% (9/13) of CRCs missed by radiologists and 87.3% (48/55) of asymptomatic CRCs. • CUNET detected CRCs in multiple validation sets composed of varying clinical situations and from different institutions, and CUNET detected 89.7% (252/281) of CRCs from all validation sets.

Metachronous colorectal cancer metastasis: Who, what, when and what to do about it.

Metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis occurs due to micrometastatic disease, in up to 23% of patients who have undergone curative-intent treatment. Metachronous metastasis tends to occur within 2 years of initial treatment. Diagnosis relies on posttreatment surveillance strategies. Care for patients with metachronous CRC metastasis is complex and requires careful multidisciplinary consideration. Those with isolated and technically resectable diseases are recommended to undergo metastasectomy with adjunct chemotherapy, however, survival, even after curative-intent resection, is poor.

Accuracy of surgeons for predicting radiological sarcopenia in colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the performance of surgeons for predicting radiological sarcopenia as accessed by psoas cross-sectional area in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out and a diagnostic accuracy strategy was applied using the radiologist team assessment as gold standard. RESULTS: Cohort analysis of 45 consecutive patients found that 31.1% had sarcopenia. Correlation of Total Psoas Index between radiologists and surgeons was very strong for the Junior and strong for the Senior surgeon, with a strong correlation between the surgeons. By the simplistic criterion, agreement between radiologists and surgeons was substantial for both the Junior and Senior surgeons, with a moderate level between the surgeons. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of Junior surgeon were 92.9%, 83.9%, 72.2%, 96.3%, and 86.7%, respectively. The corresponding results for the Senior surgeon were 78.6%, 90.3%, 78.6%, 90.3%, and 86.7%, respectively. We found no major differences on agreement levels and performance of surgeons using the composite criterion. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons seem to be accurate for identifying radiological sarcopenia in patients with CRC. The simplistic criterion should be preferred since a composite criterion adds complexity without increasing accuracy or agreement levels.

Complete mesocolic excision and extended lymphadenectomy: Where should we stand?

Debate regarding the risks and merits of complete mesocolic excision and extended lymphadenectomy is ongoing, particularly for right-sided colon cancers. In this article, we hope to provide a succinct yet encompassing review of the relevant literature. We posit that complete mesocolic excision with D3 dissection is indicated in select patients with colon cancers, particularly those distal to the cecum.