Perioperative and long-term oncological outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision: a retrospective study of 672 patients.

Although there's growing information about the long-term oncological effects of robotic surgery for rectal cancer, the procedure is still relatively new. This study aimed to assess the long-term oncological results of total mesorectal excision (TME) performed laparoscopically versus robotically in the setting of rectal cancer. Restrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. A total of 489 laparoscopic (L-TME) and 183 robotic total mesorectal excisions (R-TME) were carried out by a single surgeon between 2013 and 2023. The groups were compared in terms of perioperative and long-term oncological outcomes. In the R-TME and L-TME groups, male sex predominated (75.4% and 57.3%, respectively), although the robotic group was significantly greater (p = 0.008). There was no conversion in R-TME group, whereas three (0.6%) converted to open surgery in L-TME group. The R-TME group had a statistically significant higher number of distal rectal tumors (85%) compared to the L-TME group (54.6%). Only three (1.7%) patients in the R-TME group received abdomineperineal resection (APR); in contrast, 25 (5%) patients in the L-TME group received APR (p < 0.001). For R-TME, the mean follow-up was 70.7 months (range 18-138) and for L-TME, it was 60 months (range 14-140). Frequency of completed mesorectum was significantly greater in R-TME group (98.9% vs 94.2%, p < 0.001). The 5 year overall survival rates for R-TME and L-TME groups were 89.6% and 88.7%, respectively. The 5 year disease-free survival for R-TME and L-TME groups were 84.1% and 81.1%, respectively. The local recurrences rates were 7.6% and 6.3%, respectively in R-TME and L-TME groups (p = 0.274). R-TME is characterized by no conversion and improved mesorectal integrity. R-TME had longer operation time. The long-term oncological outcomes were comparable between groups.

Robotic and laparoscopic sphincter-saving resections have similar peri-operative, oncological and functional outcomes in female patients with rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare perioperative, long-term oncological, and anorectal functional outcomes of robotic total mesorectal excision (R-TME) and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (L-TME) sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision in female patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database was performed. Sixty-eight cases (L-TME, n = 34; R-TME, n = 34) were performed by a single surgeon (January 2014-January 2019). Patient characteristics, perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, pathology results, and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics did not differ between the groups. Mean operating time was longer in R-TME (165.50 ± 95.50 vs. 124.50 ± 82.60 min, p < 0.001). There was no conversion to open surgery in both groups. Mesorectal integrity was complete in both groups (100%). Length of distal and circumferential resection margins (CRM) did not differ between groups. CRM involvement was observed in 1 (2.8%) and 1 (2.8%) in L-TME and R-TME patients, respectively. Incidence of anastomotic leakage was 5.8% (n = 2) in L-TME and 8.8% (n = 3) in R-TME, respectively. Mean length of follow-up was 62.5 (36-102) months for R-TME and 63 (36-103) months for L-TME. Five-year overall survival rates were 92.8% in L-TME and 89.6% in R-TME. Disease-free survival rates were 87.5% in L-TME and 89.6% in R-TME. Local recurrence rates were 3.0% for both groups. Mean Wexner score for L-TME and R-TME patients was: 9.42 ± 8.23 and 9.22 ± 3.64 (p = 0.685), respectively. Daily stool frequency was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Robotic total mesorectal excision (R-TME) and laparoscopic TME (L-TME) have similar perioperative, oncological, and anorectal functional results in female patients with rectal cancer. The robotic approach for rectal cancers in female patients could be not as critical as for male patients.

Hybrid Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/MRI in the detection of skeletal metastasis in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: Contribution of each part to the diagnostic performance.

PURPOSE: Bone metastasis is essential in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) as it determines prognosis and survival. Hybrid PET/MRI allows simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data, thus combining the strength of both technologies allows the detection of bone marrow metastases that are missed by PET/CT. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of hybrid PET/MRI with Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in detecting skeletal metastases in newly diagnosed PCa patients and compared the effectiveness of stand-alone PSMA PET reviewing versus stand-alone whole-body (WB) MRI evaluation. We also investigated the effect of the interpretation of all PET/MR data together on clinical management. METHODS: We studied 74 newly diagnosed PCa patients who underwent PSMA PET/MRI for staging purposes. At first, PET and MRI were evaluated separately for bone lesions on a patient-and-lesion basis and then a further joint PSMA PET/MRI interpretation was made. RESULTS: Patient-based sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy analysis for bone metastasis was, respectively, 1.0, 0.83, 0.54, 1.0, 0.86 for PET; 0.75, 0.96, 0.81, 0.95, 0.93 for WB MRI and 0.91, 0.95, 0.78, 0,98, 0.94 for PET/MRI. The combined PET/MRI evaluation changed the clinical impact in 13.5% of patients (eight correct and two wrong decisions) compared to PET stand-alone interpretation. CONCLUSION: PSMA PET imaging showed superior sensitivity to WB MRI in detecting bone metastases in newly diagnosed PCa patients, whereas WB MRI has superior specificity and PPV. Furthermore, the specificity and PPV of joint PET/MRI evaluation are better than PSMA PET alone. Despite the longer acquisition period, adding WB MRI sequences to PSMA PET imaging appears beneficial for PCa patient management.

Chemoradiation and consolidation chemotherapy for rectal cancer provides a high rate of organ preservation with a very good long-term oncological outcome: a single-center cohort series.

AIM: To report long-term oncological outcomes and organ preservation rate with a chemoradiotherapy-consolidation chemotherapy (CRT-CNCT) treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database was performed. Oncological outcomes of mid-low LARC patients (n=60) were analyzed after a follow-up of 63 (50-83) months. Patients with clinical complete response (cCR) were treated with the watch-and-wait (WW) protocol. Patients who could not achieve cCR were treated with total mesorectal excision (TME) or local excision (LE). RESULTS: Thirty-nine (65%) patients who achieved cCR were treated with the WW protocol. TME was performed in 15 (25%) patients and LE was performed in 6 (10%) patients. During the follow-up period, 10 (25.6%) patients in the WW group had regrowth (RG) and 3 (7.7%) had distant metastasis (DM). Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 90.1% and 71.6%, respectively, in the WW group. Five-year OS and DFS were 94.9% (95% CI: 88-100%) and 80% (95% CI: 55.2-100%), respectively, in the RG group. For all patients (n=60), 5-year TME-free DFS was 57.3% (95% CI: 44.3-70.2%) and organ preservation-adapted DFS was 77.5% (95% CI: 66.4-88.4%). For the WW group (n=39), 5-year TME-free DFS was 77.5% (95% CI: 63.2-91.8%) and organ preservation-adapted DFS was 85.0% (95% CI: 72.3-97.8%). CONCLUSION: CRT-CNCT provides cCR as high as 2/3 of LARC patients. Regrowths, developed during follow-up, can be successfully salvaged without causing oncological disadvantage if strict surveillance is performed.

Robotic vs. laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: a case matched study reporting a median of 7-year long-term oncological and functional outcomes.

Aim of this study was to compare operative, long-term oncological and functional outcomes of laparoscopic (LISR) and robotic (RISR) intersphincteric resection in low-lying rectal cancer. Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database was performed. 115 cases (LISR, n = 55; RISR, n = 60) were performed by a single surgeon (January 2011-January 2020). Clinical characteristics did not differ between the groups. Operating time was longer in RISR (160.0 ± 45.7 vs. 205.0 ± 36.5 min, p = 0.035). There was no conversion in RISR, whereas in LISR, two patients (3.6%) converted to open surgery. Complete mesorectum was 61.8% and 83.3% for LISR and RISR (p = 0.046), respectively. Circumferential radial margin involvement was 10.9% and 8.3% in LISR and RISR (p = 0.365), respectively. Median follow-up was 82.8 (30-138) months for LISR and 83.6 (30-138) months for RISR. Three-, five-, and seven-year overall survival rates (OS) for LISR and RISR were: 88.6%, 80.4%, 73.4% and 90.4%, 86.3%, 76.9%, respectively. Three-, five-, and seven-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for LISR and RISR were 80.5%, 75.2%, 70.4% and 84.4%, 81.4%, 79.8% (p = 0.328), respectively. Three-, five-, and seven-year local recurrence-free survival rates in LISR and RISR were: 96.1%, 92.6%, 88.4% and 96.7%, 94.2%, 90.4% (p = 0.573), respectively. Mean Wexner score for LISR (n = 32) and RISR (n = 40) was: 10.5 ± 4.7 and 9.8 ± 4.2 (p = 0.782), respectively. Colostomy-free survival in LISR and RISR was: 3 years 94.5%/95.2%, 5 years 89.1%/91.7%, and 7 years 83.6%/85.0%. RISR is associated with better mesorectal integrity, no conversion, and lower postoperative complication rate. RISR has longer operation time. Oncological and anorectal functional outcomes are similar in both groups.

Complete Response Evaluation of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Using Textural Features Obtained from T2 Weighted Imaging and ADC Maps.

BACKGROUND: The prediction of pathological responses for locally advanced rectal cancer using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a challenging task for radiologists, as residual tumor cells can be mistaken for fibrosis. Texture analysis of MR images has been proposed to understand the underlying pathology. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the responses of lesions to CRT in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer using the first-order textural features of MRI T2-weighted imaging (T2-WI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. METHODS: Forty-four patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (median age: 57 years) who underwent MRI before and after CRT were enrolled in this retrospective study. The first-order textural parameters of tumors on T2-WI and ADC maps were extracted. The textural features of lesions in pathologic complete responders were compared to partial responders using Student's t- or Mann-Whitney U tests. A comparison of textural features before and after CRT for each group was performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to detect the diagnostic performance of the ADC. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients evaluated, 22 (50%) were placed in a partial response group and 50% were placed in a complete response group. The ADC changes of the complete responders were statistically more significant than those of the partial responders (P = 0.002). Pathologic total response was predicted with an ADC cut-off of 1310 x 10-6 mm2/s, with a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 77%, and an accuracy of 78.1% after neoadjuvant CRT. The skewness of the T2-WI before and after neoadjuvant CRT showed a significant difference in the complete response group compared to the partial response group (P = 0.001 for complete responders vs. P = 0.482 for partial responders). Also, relative T2-WI signal intensity in the complete response group was statistically lower than that of the partial response group after neoadjuvant CRT (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: As a result of the conversion of tumor cells to fibrosis, the skewness of the T2-WI before and after neoadjuvant CRT was statistically different in the complete response group compared to the partial response group, and the complete response group showed statistically lower relative T2-WI signal intensity than the partial response group after neoadjuvant CRT. Additionally, the ADC cut-off value of 1310 × 10-6 mm2/s could be used as a marker for a complete response along with absolute ADC value changes within this dataset.

Watch and Wait Strategy for Rectal Cancer: How Long Should We Wait for a Clinical Complete Response?

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine how long to wait in locally advanced rectal tumor (LARC) patients who receive total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and achieve a clinical complete response (cCR), and to identify the clinical parameters that affect the waiting period for the watch-and-wait strategy (W &W). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of patients who achieved cCR between February 2015 and June 2020 were examined retrospectively. The week in which patients with cCR at the end of TNT achieved clearance was determined by reanalyzing recorded endoscopy video images. In the assessment at the time of the initial diagnosis, tumor characteristics, such as digital rectal examination findings, MRI stage, location with respect to the puborectalis muscle, annularity, and tumor size, were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were included in this study. According to the MRI-T stage, 14 cases were cT3a, 22 were cT3b, and 18 were cT3c-T4. Forty-four percent of the cases achieved cCR at 8-10 weeks, 19% at 12-16 weeks, 20% at 16-22 weeks, and 17% at 20-26 weeks. Patients with tumors that were early MRI-T stage (cT3a), negative clinical circumferential resection margin, mobile, small (≤4 cm), located above the puborectalis muscle and showed <180 degrees annularity achieved cCR significantly earlier than those with other tumors (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, cCR was achieved in less than half (44%) of the cases during the 8-10 week waiting period. In the W&W strategy, the initial assessment for cCR seems insufficient, and we may need to wait up to 26-30 weeks, especially in patients with advanced-stage tumors.

The Impact of Visible Tumor (PI-RADS ≥ 3) on Upgrading and Adverse Pathology at Radical Prostatectomy in Low Risk Prostate Cancer Patients: A Biopsy Core Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the characteristics of a single visible tumor (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS]≥3) on upgrading and adverse pathology at radical prostatectomy (RP) in biopsy naïve low risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 64 biopsy naïve patients from 3 different referral centers between 2018 and 2020 with a PSA<10, cT1c disease, a single PI-RADS≥ 3 index lesion in multiparametric-MRI (mp-MRI), all bearing a GG 1 tumor sampled software fusion biopsy, who underwent RP. Preoperative clinical variables including the localization, number and tumor burden of positive cores for each PI-RADS category were related to upgrading and adverse pathology (GG>2 and/or pT3 and/or lymph node positive disease) at RP. RESULTS: Overall 37 patients (57.8%) were upgraded with a significant difference of upgrading in PI-RADS3 (30.0%) versus PI-RADS 4 (67.6%) (P = .007) and PI-RADS 4-5 (70.5%) lesions (P = .002). Thirty-three of 37 GG1 tumors were upgraded to GG2, while 6 of these 33 (18.2%) had adverse pathology as well. Overall 9 patients (14.1%) had adverse pathology at RP all harboring PI-RADS4-5 lesions. The number of positive cores differed significantly between the upgraded and nonupgraded patients. Adverse pathology group had significantly higher tumor volume at RP. CONCLUSION: PI-RADS4-5 lesions are the independent predictors of upgrading and adverse pathology in low risk PCa with visible tumors. Upgrading and adverse pathology were closely related to the number of positive combined cores reflecting the role of tumor volume. This should be kept in mind in shared decision making of an individual patient with low risk disease and a visible tumor.

Intersphincteric Resection for Low Rectal Cancer: Parameters Affecting Functional Outcomes and Survival Rates.

INTRODUCTION: The development of new surgical techniques and devices, as well as the improvements in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy enabled intersphincteric resection (ISR), has reduced permanent colostomy usage. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term oncological and functional outcomes of patients who underwent partial ISR for rectal cancer located less than 5cm from the anal verge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 106 consecutive patients with very low rectal cancer underwent curative partial ISR from January 2006 to September 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. One-hundred-three (97%) of 106 patients received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local recurrence (LR) rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. The Wexner incontinence score and Kirwan classification were used to evaluate patients' functional results. RESULTS: The median follow up was 60 months (range, 18-174). The estimated five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 89% and 81.6%, respectively. Five-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 6.6% and 10.4%, respectively. There was no in-hospital and 30-day mortality. The median Wexner score was 9 (range, 0-20) for 72 patients. Age (<65 years, p=0.027) and gender (male, p=0.019) had a positive effect on functional outcomes after surgery. One and five years colostomy-free survival rates were 96% and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Intersphincteric resection techniques are feasible for patients with very low rectal cancer, providing good oncological and functional outcomes.

Diagnostic accuracy of core biopsies of renal masses: Experience in a real-life setting from a tertiary center.

OBJECTIVE: To document and analyze diagnostic accuracy of renal core biopsy (RCB), its diagnostic correlation with resection specimens, and to question the need for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the preoperative diagnosis of renal masses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: RCBs performed at a reference center between 2007 and 2017 were included. Pathological, clinical, and radiological data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Among 302 biopsies included in this study, 274 (90.7%) were diagnostic. Two hundred sixty-six were neoplastic and 179 were of primary renal origin. The most common secondary neoplasms were hematolymphoid (n = 35) and metastatic (n = 17). Sixty-nine tumors were classified as small renal masses (SRMs) (≤4 cm in diameter) and 53 of them were malignant. Nephrectomy was performed in 58 patients. Overall diagnostic accuracy between resections and RCBs was 88.7%. IHC was performed in 160 (53%) cases. In 15 of those, a definite diagnosis could not be rendered. Renal cell origin and subtype were determined by histomorphology alone in 81 and 75 cases, respectively. Sixty primary neoplasms of renal cell origin required IHC for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: RCB is a safe and highly accurate method for the diagnosis of both primary and secondary renal neoplasms. IHC is mostly required for the diagnosis of secondary tumors. Histomorphology is still the primary diagnostic tool, highly dependent on the experience of the surgical pathologist.

The relationship between amount of extra-prostatic extension and length of capsular contact: performances from MR images and radical prostatectomy specimens

Backround/aim: In prostate cancer, extraprostatic extension (EPE) is an unfavorable prognostic factor, and the grade of EPE is correlated with the prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the utility of length of capsular contact (LCC ) in predicting the grade of EPE by correlating the measurements from MRI images and the measurements performed from radical prostatectomy specimens. Materials and methods: MR images and specimens of 110 tumors are analyzed retrospectively. The specimens are used as reference to validate the presence of EPE and to measure the ground truth LCC. MR images are evaluated by two radiologists to identify the presence of EPE and to predict the LCC indirectly. Reliability, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the evaluations are analyzed in comparison with the findings obtained from the specimens. Results: In detection of EPE existence, the radiologists achieve almost the same performance (all AUCs = 0.73) with optimal cut-off values lead to moderate sensitivity and specificity pairs (For cut-off = 15.8 mm; Se = 0.69, Sp = 0.68 and for cut-off of 14.5 mm: Se = 0.77, Sp = 0.62). In distinguishing high-grade EPE from low-grade EPE, the radiologists accomplish very similar performances (AUCs = 0.73 and 0.72) Optimal thresholds of 20.0 mm and 18.5 mm for the readers retrospectively reveal medium sensitivity and specificity pairs (Se = 0.64, Sp = 0.67; Se = 0.64, Sp = 0.67). Conclusion: Consistent LCC estimates can be obtained from MR images providing a beneficial metric for detecting the existence of EPE and for discriminating the grades of EPE.

Sphincter-Saving Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision Provides Better Mesorectal Specimen and Good Oncological Local Control Compared with Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision in Male Patients with Mid-Low Rectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic rectal resection with total mesorectal excision is a technically challenging procedure, and there are limitations in conventional laparoscopy. A surgical robotic system may help to overcome some of the limitations. The aim of our study was to compare long-term oncological outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision in male patients with mid-low rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. One-hundred-three robotic and 84 laparoscopic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excisions were performed by a single surgeon between January 2011 and January 2020. Patient characteristics, perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, pathology results, and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The patients' characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Median operating time was longer in the robotic than in the laparoscopic group (180 minutes versus 140 minutes, p=0.033). Macroscopic grading of the specimen in the robotic group was complete in 96 (93.20%), near complete in four (3.88%) and incomplete in three (2.91%) patients. In the laparoscopic group, grading was complete in 37 (44.04%), near complete in 40 (47.61%) and incomplete in seven (8.33%) patients (p=0.03). The median length of follow up was 48 (9-102) months in the robotic, and 75.6 (11-113) months in the laparoscopic group. Overall, five-year survival was 87% in the robotic and 85.3% in the laparoscopic groups. Local recurrence rates were 3.8% and 7.14%, respectively, in the robotic and laparoscopic groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sphincter-saving robotic total mesorectal excision is a safe and feasible tool, which provides good mesorectal integrity and better local control in male patients with mid-low rectal cancer.

Cut-off values of skeletal muscle index and psoas muscle index at L3 vertebra level by computerized tomography to assess low muscle mass.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Computerized tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of total skeletal muscle quantity. Skeletal muscle assessments at the L3 vertebra level revealed significantly correlated with total body muscle measurements. Clinicians need cut-offs to evaluate low muscle mass in various patients who already had CT imaging without any additional cost. This assessment is important to help the physicians to stratify the patients for mortality and other complications. It may also enable the diagnosis of malnutrition by the GLIM criteria. Few studies reported cut-offs in different populations. We aimed to provide cut-off values for total skeletal muscle index (SMI) and psoas muscle mass index (PMI) at the L3 vertebra level in the Turkish population. METHODS: We assessed the preoperative plain CT images of living adult liver donors who were admitted to a single transplantation center between June 2010 and April 2018. We derived cut-off values with two alternative methods, the 5th percentile value or mean minus two standard deviations and from two groups of study participants, i.e. the total study population and the younger subgroup aged between 18 and 40. RESULTS: The study population involved 601 subjects with a mean age of 32.5 ± 9 (range: 18-59 years) and 326 (54.2%) was male. The younger subgroup was composed of 482 individuals with a mean age of 28.8 ± 5.9 and 55.6% male. In patients aged between 18 and 40, PMI and SMI cut-offs by using the 5th percentile were 5.40 cm2/m2, 41.42 cm2/m2 for males; and 3.56 cm2/m2, 30.70 cm2/m2 for females; respectively. The cut-offs of PMI and SMI by using mean minus two standard deviations were 4.62 cm2/m2, 38.67 cm2/m2 for males; and 2.66 cm2/m2, 27.8 cm2/m2 for females; respectively. These cut-offs were comparable to the other populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided cut-offs to be used in CT images for PMI and SMI. There is a need for further longitudinal studies to verify whether these cut-offs are successful in predicting mortality or other adverse outcomes associated with low muscle mass.

Unique Diagnosis of Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly (OHVIRA) at the Time of First-Trimester Ultrasound Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome is usually diagnose during adolescence due to pain-related symptoms; however, this syndrome can go unrecognized for several years, and unique presentations may occur later in life. CASE: We describe a 24-year-old-woman diagnosed with previously unknown OHVIRA syndrome and a 7-week intrauterine pregnancy in the obstructed side by the unique ultrasound image obtained during routine first-trimester ultrasonography. The patient was managed with single-stage vaginoplasty, and the rest of the pregnancy were uneventful. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: This report is unique in terms of showing that the pregnancy could develop in the uterine cavity on the side of the obstruction despite the blind hemivagina.

Robotic Sphincter-Saving Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer Treatment: A Single-Surgeon Experience in 103 Consecutive Male Patients.

BACKGROUND: A robotic surgical approach provides advantages compared to laparoscopy in male patients with mid- and low-lying rectal cancer located in the narrow pelvic space. The aim of this report is to present a single-surgeon experience with robotic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision of rectal cancer in male patients. METHODS: A series of 103 consecutive male patients who underwent robotic rectal surgery between January 2012 and June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of demographics, histopathological data, and surgical and oncological outcomes. RESULTS: All of the patients underwent robotic sphincter-saving resection: 76 (73.8%) underwent low-anterior resection and 27 (26.2%) underwent intersphincteric resection with colo-anal anastomosis. There was no conversion. The median distal resection margin of the operative specimen was 3 (0.2-7) cm. The circumferential resection margin was positive in 3 (2.91%) cases. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 22 (18-42). The median hospital stay was 4 (3-16) days. Whereas the overall morbidity was 13%, there was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality. The median length of follow-up was 48 (9-80) months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 87%. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 84%. Local and distant recurrence rates were 3.8% and 5.82%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In male patients with rectal cancer, a robotic approach is a promising alternative and is expected to overcome the low penetration rate of laparoscopy in this field.

The role of T2-weighted images in assessing the grade of extraprostatic extension of the prostate carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Extraprostatic extension (EPE) is an unfavorable prognostic factor and the grade of EPE is also shown to be correlated with the prognosis of prostate cancer. The current study assessed the value of prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in measuring the radial distance (RD) of EPE and the role of T2 WI signs in predicting the grade of EPE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 110 patients who underwent prostate MRI before radical prostatectomy are enrolled in this retrospective study. Eighty-four patients have organ confined disease and the remaining twenty-six patients have EPE all verified by histopathology. Prostate MRI examinations were conducted with 3T MRI scanner and phased array coil with the following sequences: T2 WI, T1 WI, DCE, DWI with ADC mapping, and high b-value at b = 1500 s/mm2. The likelihood of EPE with 5-point Likert scale was assigned, several MRI features were extracted for each dominant tumor identified by using T2 WI. Tumors with Likert scales 4-5 were evaluated further to obtain MRI-based RD. The relationship between pathological and MRI-determined RD was tested. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were developed to detect the grade of pathological EPE. The inputs were among the 2 clinical parameters and 4 MRI features. RESULTS: There is a moderate correlation between pathological RD and MRI-determined RD (ρ = 0.45, P < 0.01). In univariate and multivariate models, MRI features and clinical parameters possess varying significance levels (univariate models; P = 0.048-0.788, multivariate models; P = 0.173-0.769). Multivariate models perform better than the univariate models by offering fair to good performances (AUC = 0.69-0.85). The multivariate model that employs the MRI features offers better performance than the model employs clinical parameters (AUC = 0.81 versus 0.69). CONCLUSION: Co-existence of T2 WI signs provide higher diagnostic value even than clinical parameters in predicting the grade of EPE. Combined use of clinical parameters and MRI features deliver slightly superior performance than MRI features alone.

The impact of total neo-adjuvant treatment on nonoperative management in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer: The evaluation of 66 cases.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to assess if adherence to a total-neoadjuvant-treatment (TNT) protocol followed by observation(watch-and-wait) led to the successful nonoperative-management of low-rectal-cancer. METHODS: In this study, patients with primary, resectable-T3-T4, N0-N1 distal-rectal-adenocarcinoma underwent-chemoradiotherapy + consolidation-chemotherapy (TNT). During the-TNT-period, endoscopy, MRI, and FDG-PET/CT were performed. We allocated patients with complete-clinical-tumor-regression, who underwent endoscopy every two months, MRI every-four-months, and PET/CT every-six-months-after-treatment, to the observation-group(OG). All other patients were referred for surgery. The OG was followed-up. The primary endpoint was local tumor-ecurrence after allocation to the OG. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2018, we enrolled 66-patients. Of 60-patients who were eligible to participate, 39 had complete-clinical-response(cCR) and were allocated to the OG, six underwent local-excision (LE), and 15 underwent total-mesorectal-excision (TME). The median follow-up duration was 22 (9-42) months. The local-recurrence-rate in the OG was 15.3%, and the LE and TME rates were 16.6% and 0%, respectively. All recurrence cases were salvaged through either LE or TME. The-distant-metastasis rate was 5.1%, 16.6%, and 12.5% in the OG, LE, and TME groups, respectively. The endoscopic negative-predictive-value(NPV) was 50%, and the positive-predictive-value(PPV) was 76.9% in the surgery group (LE + TME). MRI; NPV-50%, PPV-76.9%. PET/CT; NPV-100%, PPV-93.3%. Six patients(28.57%) from surgery group achieved complete pathological response (cPR). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated a high proportion of selected-rectal-cancers with-cCR after neo-adjuvant-therapy could potentially be managed non-operatively, and major surgery may be avoided.

Can Extraprostatic Extension Be Predicted by Tumor-Capsule Contact Length in Prostate Cancer? Relationship With International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Groups.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the tumor-capsule contact length, defined as tumor contact length (TCL), and extraprostatic extension (EPE) using the MRI-based TCL measurements and the real TCL measurements from pathology and to determine whether the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group of the tumors influenced this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this retrospective study, we reviewed prostate multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) studies performed between 2012 and 2018 of 1576 patients and found that 134 patients also underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) after mpMRI. Finally, 86 patients with index lesions in contact with the prostate capsule in RP specimens were enrolled in the study. ROC analysis was used to evaluate the cutoff values of TCLs measured at pathology and TCLs measured on MRI in terms of EPE according to ISUP grade groups. RESULTS. There was no statistically significant cutoff value for pathology-based TCL measurements in individual ISUP grade groups and subgroups. Although not statistically significant, pathology-based TCL cutoff values decreased (from 21.0 to 11.0 mm) as ISUP grade group increased in terms of EPE positivity. When the relationship between MRI-based TCL measurements and EPE was considered, statistically significant cutoff values (range, 14.5-16.6 mm) could be determined in many groups and subgroups with low ISUP grades (sensitivity, 66.7-100%; specificity, 52.8-93.0%; p = 0.006-0.042). However, no statistically significant cutoff value was found for high ISUP grades. CONCLUSION. ISUP grade groups may have an effect on the TCL-EPE relationship. When the MRI-based TCL and EPE relationship is evaluated independent of ISUP grade group, a cutoff value around 15-16 mm may be usable to predict EPE.

Robotic versus laparoscopic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision for mid or low rectal cancer in male patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy: comparison of long-term outcomes.

The aim of our study was to compare long term outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision (TME) in male patients with mid-low rectal cancer (RC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). The study was conducted as a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database, and we analyzed 14 robotic and 65 laparoscopic sphincter-saving TME (R-TME and L-TME, respectively) performed by one surgeon between 2005 and 2013. Patient characteristics, perioperative recovery, postoperative complications and pathology results were compared between the two groups. The patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Median operating time was longer in the R-TME than in the L-TME group (182 min versus 140 min). Only two conversions occurred in the L-TME group. No difference was found between groups regarding perioperative recovery and postoperative complication rates. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was higher in the RTME than in the L-TME group (32 versus 23, p = 0.008). The median circumferential margin (CRM) was 10 mm in the R-TME group, 6.5 mm in the L-TME group (p = 0.047. The median distal resection margin (DRM) was 27.5 mm in the R-TME, 15 mm in the L-TME group (p = 0.014). Macroscopic grading of the specimen in the R-TME group was complete in all patients. In the L-TME group, grading was complete in 52 (80%) and incomplete in 13 (20%) cases (p = 0.109). Median follow-up 87 months (1-152). Whereas local recurrence was seen in eight cases (10.12%) and distant metastasis was seen in 18 cases (22.7%). Overall, 5 years survival was 83.3% in R-TME, 75% in L-TME groups. R-TME is a safe and feasible procedure that facilitates performing of TME in male patients with mid to low RC after NCRT.