Predictors of undergoing multivisceral resection, margin status and survival in Dutch patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this nationwide observational study was to evaluate factors associated with multivisceral resection (MVR), margin status and overall survival in locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with (y)pT4, cM0 CRC between 2006 and 2017 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Cox-proportional hazards modelling was used for survival analysis, stratified for T4a and T4b. Annual hospital volume cut-off was 75 for colon and 40 for rectal resections. RESULTS: A total of 11.930 patients were included and 2410 patients (20.2%) underwent MVR. Factors associated with MVR for colon and rectal cancer besides cT4 category were more recent diagnosis (OR 3.61, CI 95% 3.06-4.25 (colon) and OR 2.72, CI 95% 1.82-4.08 (rectum)) and high hospital volume (OR 1.20, CI 95% 1.05-1.38 (colon) and OR 2.17, CI 95% 1.55-3.04 (rectum)). Patients ≥70 year were less likely to undergo MVR for colon cancer (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.90). Risk factors for incomplete resection were cT4 (OR 3.08, CI 95% 2.35-4.04 (colon) and OR 1.82, CI 95% 1.13-2.94 (rectum)) and poor/undifferentiated tumors (OR 1.41, CI 95% 1.14-1.72 (colon) and OR 1.69, CI 95% 1.05-2.74 (rectum)). More recent diagnosis was independently associated with less incomplete resections in colon cancer (OR 0.58, CI 95% 0.40-0.76). Independent predictors of survival were age, resection margin, nodal status and adjuvant chemotherapy, but not MVR. CONCLUSION: Treatment of locally advanced CRC with MVR at population level was influenced by year of diagnosis and hospital volume. Margin status in colon cancer improved substantially over time.

Hospital variation in sphincter-preservation rates in rectal cancer treatment: results of a population-based study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the sphincter-preservation rate variations in rectal cancer surgery. The influence of hospital volume on sphincter-preservation rates and short-term outcomes (anastomotic leakage (AL), positive circumferential resection margin (CRM), 30- and 90-day mortality rates) were also analysed. METHODS: Non-metastasized rectal cancer patients treated between 2009 and 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Surgical procedures were divided into sphincter-preserving surgery and an end colostomy group. Multivariable logistic regression models were generated to estimate the probability of undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery according to the hospital of surgery and tumour height (low, 5 cm or less, mid, more than 5 cm to 10 cm, and high, more than 10 cm). The influence of annual hospital volume (less than 20, 20-39, more than 40 resections) on sphincter-preservation rate and short-term outcomes was also examined. RESULTS: A total of 20 959 patients were included (11 611 sphincter preservation and 8079 end colostomy) and the observed median sphincter-preservation rate in low, mid and high rectal cancer was 29.3, 75.6 and 87.9 per cent respectively. After case-mix adjustment, hospital of surgery was a significant factor for patients' likelihood for sphincter preservation in all three subgroups (P < 0.001). In mid rectal cancer, borderline higher rates of sphincter preservation were associated with low-volume hospitals (odds ratio 1.20, 95 per cent c.i. 1.01 to 1.43). No significant association between annual hospital volume and sphincter-preservation rate in low and high rectal cancer nor short-term outcomes (AL, positive CRM rate and 30- and 90-day mortality rates) was identified. CONCLUSION: This population-based study showed a significant hospital variation in sphincter-preservation rates in rectal surgery. The annual hospital volume, however, was not associated with sphincter-preservation rates in low, and high rectal cancer nor with other short-term outcomes.

[Clinical reasoning and decision-making in practice. A man with hip pain and fever]. / Klinisch denken en beslissen in de praktijk. Een man met pijn in de heup en koorts.

A 42-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of pain in the left hip. On examination he was febrile at 38 degrees C and he walked with a limp. The chest, abdomen and extremities were normal. Laboratory tests showed an elevated ESR and CRP. The ANA test was positive. CT-scan of the abdomen revealed a mass in the psoas region and some dilatation of the left renal pelvis. Following the histological results of the first and second diagnostic percutaneous biopsies, the clinicians suspected idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. They treated the patient with corticosteroids for a period of 4 weeks. After a short interval of improvement this treatment failed and a third biopsy was taken. Subsequently, the diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was made. The patient was successfully treated with combination chemotherapy. Usually, in practice, clinical reasoning and decision-making is carried out in accordance with Bayes' theorem. But when the a priori probability of disease is unknown and the likelihood ratio of a diagnostic test unavailable, one has to combine the available 'evidence' with critical thinking, interdisciplinary communication, judgement, intuition and common sense.

A large Brunner's gland hamartoma causing gastrointestinal bleeding and obstruction.

CONTEXT: Clinical symptoms of Brunner's gland (BG) hamartoma are rare. Most lesions are small and asymptomatic. Symptomatic BG hamartoma may mimic a malignancy of the duodenal-pancreatic area. Though standard mucosal biopsies are inferiorly diagnostic due to normal duodenal mucosa surrounding, a biopsy was indicated in this case. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 37-year-old man with a large BG hamartoma mimicking a malignancy. Preoperatively the biopsy led to an inconclusive diagnosis. Due to its large size and its presence of symptoms, a surgical excision was performed. CONCLUSION: BG hamartoma may be a rare indication for surgery.