Avoiding Unnecessary Major Rectal Cancer Surgery by Implementing Structural Restaging and a Watch-and-Wait Strategy After Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is found in 15-20% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. A watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy has been introduced as an alternative strategy to avoid surgery for selected patients with a clinical complete response at multidisciplinary response evaluation. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the multidisciplinary response evaluation by comparing the proportion of patients with pCR since the introduction of the structural response evaluation with the period before response evaluation. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent nCRT between January 2009 and May 2018, categorizing them into cohort A (period 2009-2015) and cohort B (period 2015-2018). The patients in cohort B underwent structural multidisciplinary response evaluation with the option of the W&W strategy. Proportion of pCR (ypT0N0), time-to-event (pCR) analysis, and stoma-free survival were evaluated in both cohorts. RESULTS: Of the 259 patients in the study, 21 (18.4%) in cohort A and in 8 (8.7%) in cohort B had pCR (p = 0.043). Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a significant pCR decline in cohort B (p < 0.001). The stoma-free patient rate was 24% higher in cohort B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary clinical response evaluation after nCRT for locally advanced rectal cancer led to a significant decrease in unnecessary surgery for the patients with a complete response.

Feasibility of volatile organic compound in breath analysis in the follow-up of colorectal cancer: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has a worldwide incidence of 1.4 million patients and a large share in cancer-related mortality. After curative treatment, the risk of recurrence is 30-65%. Early detection may result in curative treatment. However, current follow-up (FU) examinations have low sensitivity ranging from 49 to 85% and are associated with high costs. Therefore, the search for a new diagnostic tool is justified. Analysis of volatile organic compound in exhaled air through an electronic nose (eNose) is a promising new patient-friendly diagnostic tool. We studied whether the eNose under investigation, the Aeonose™, is able to detect local recurrence or metastases of CRC. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we included 62 patients, all of whom underwent curative treatment for CRC in the past 5 years. Thirty-six of them had no metastases and 26 had extraluminal local recurrence or metastases of CRC, detected during FU. Breath testing was performed and machine learning was used to predict extraluminal recurrences or metastases, and based on the receiver operating characteristics (ROC)-curve both sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: The eNose identified extra luminal local recurrences or metastases of CRC with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.88 (CI 0.69-0.97) and 0.75 (CI 0.57-0.87), respectively, with an overall accuracy of 0.81. DISCUSSION: This eNose may be a promising tool in detecting extraluminal local recurrences or metastases in the FU of curatively treated CRC. However, a well-designed prospective study is warranted to show its accuracy and predictive value before it can be used in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of endosponge therapy for the management of presacral abscesses following rectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak after rectal surgery is reported in 9% (range 3-28%) of patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endosponge therapy for anastomotic. Endpoints were the rate of restored continuity and the functional bowel outcome after anastomotic leakage. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study. All patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage after rectal surgery who had endosponge therapy between January 2012 and August 2017 were included. Functional bowel outcome was measured using the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score system. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. Eighteen patients had low anterior resection (90%) for rectal cancer. A diverting ileostomy was performed at primary surgical intervention in 14 patients (70%). Fourteen patients (70%) were treated with neoadjuvant (chemo-)radiotherapy. The median time between primary surgical intervention and first endosponge placement was 21 (5-537) days. The median number of endosponge changes was 9 (2-28). The success rate of the endosponge treatment was 88% and the restored gastrointestinal continuity rate was 73%. A chronic sinus occurred in three patients (15%). All patients developed LARS, of which 77% reported major LARS. CONCLUSIONS: Endosponge therapy is an effective treatment for the closure of presacral cavities with high success rate and leading to restored gastrointestinal continuity in 73%. However, despite endosponge therapy many patients develop major LARS.

Endoscopic resection of high-risk T1 colorectal carcinoma prior to surgical resection has no adverse effect on long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: It is difficult to predict the presence of histological risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) before endoscopic treatment of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, endoscopic therapy is propagated to obtain adequate histological staging. We examined whether secondary surgery following endoscopic resection of high-risk T1 CRC does not have a negative effect on patients' outcomes compared with primary surgery. DESIGN: Patients with T1 CRC with one or more histological risk factors for LNM (high risk) and treated with primary or secondary surgery between 2000 and 2014 in 13 hospitals were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Additional data were collected from hospital records, endoscopy, radiology and pathology reports. A propensity score analysis was performed using inverse probability weighting (IPW) to correct for confounding by indication. RESULTS: 602 patients were eligible for analysis (263 primary; 339 secondary surgery). Overall, 34 recurrences were observed (5.6%). After adjusting with IPW, no differences were observed between primary and secondary surgery for the presence of LNM (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.93; p=0.940) and recurrence during follow-up (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.41 to 2.34; p=0.954). Further adjusting for lymphovascular invasion, depth of invasion and number of retrieved lymph nodes did not alter this outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support an increased risk of LNM or recurrence after secondary surgery compared with primary surgery. Therefore, an attempt for an en-bloc resection of a possible T1 CRC without evident signs of deep invasion seems justified in order to prevent surgery of low-risk T1 CRC in a significant proportion of patients.

Consequences of testing for mismatch repair deficiency of colorectal cancer in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) can be found in Lynch syndrome (LS)-associated colorectal carcinoma and in 15% of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Outcome of MMR-deficiency testing is important for surgical decisions as extended colectomy is recommended in young LS-patients with CRC. Moreover, the finding of a dMMR tumour has consequences for the choices of adjuvant chemotherapy as MMR-deficient CRC is resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) monotherapy. Aims of our study are to evaluate whether MMR-deficiency testing leads to (1) identification of LS, (2) change in surgical treatment and (3) adjustment of systemic therapy in patients with dMMR CRC. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, retrospective study, in a community hospital and a University Medical Centre. We included all CRC-patients between 2012 and 2016 who were tested for microsatellite instability. We collected clinical data such as gender, age, referral to clinical geneticist, surgical procedure and choice of chemotherapy. RESULTS: We analysed 225 CRCs. Twenty-four (10.7%) of 225 CRC were MMR-deficient. Of the 24 patients with dMMR CRC, 18 (75%) were referred to the clinical geneticist and in nine (37%) patients a MMR mutation was identified. In one (4%) of the 24 patients, a subtotal colectomy was performed. In seven (35%) out of 20 MMR deficient patients, the chemotherapy regimen was adjusted. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a dMMR CRC had consequences for decisions on chemotherapy in a relative high proportion of patients. We recommend testing in all patients with CRC independent of age at diagnosis, as proper treatment decisions and genetic counselling are very important.

Safety of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large non-pedunculated colorectal adenomas in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of colorectal adenomas. However, data are limited on the safety of this technique for large polyps and in elderly patients. Aims of our study were to examine the bleeding and perforation rates in patients with large non-pedunculated adenomas (≥20mm) and to evaluate the influence of size (≥40mm) and age (≥75 years) on the complication rates. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, patients who underwent EMR of non-pedunculated adenomas ≥20mm between January 2012 and March 2016 were included. The demographics of the patients, the use of antithrombotic drugs, size of the polyps, type of resection, pathology report, occurrence of post-polypectomy bleeding, and perforation- and recurrence rate were collected. RESULTS: In 343 patients, 412 adenomas were removed. Eighty patients (23.3%) were ≥75 years of age, 138 polyps (33.5%) were ≥40mm. Bleeding complications were observed in 28 cases (6.8%) and were found significantly more frequent in adenomas ≥40mm, independent of the use of antithrombotic therapy. Five perforations (1.2%) were described, not related to the size of the polyp. There was no significant difference in complication rates between patients <75 years and patients ≥75 years. Bleeding complications rates were significantly higher in patients receiving double antithrombotic therapy. CONCLUSION: EMR is safe in elderly patients. EMR of adenomas of ≥40mm was associated with more bleeding complications. Future studies should address how the bleeding rates can be reduced in these patients, especially in those who use double antithrombotic treatment.

Risk for Incomplete Resection after Macroscopic Radical Endoscopic Resection of T1 Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The decision to perform secondary surgery after endoscopic resection of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) depends on the risk of lymph node metastasis and the risk of incomplete resection. We aimed to examine the incidence and risk factors for incomplete endoscopic resection of T1 CRC after a macroscopic radical endoscopic resection. METHODS: Data from patients treated between 2000 and 2014 with macroscopic complete endoscopic resection of T1 CRC were collected from 13 hospitals. Incomplete resection was defined as local recurrence at the polypectomy site during follow-up or malignant tissue in the surgically resected specimen in case secondary surgery was performed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with incomplete resection. RESULTS: In total, 877 patients with a median follow-up time of 36.5 months (interquartile range 16.0-68.3) were included, in whom secondary surgery was performed in 358 patients (40.8%). Incomplete resection was observed in 30 patients (3.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-4.6%). Incomplete resection rate was 0.7% (95% CI 0-2.1%) in low-risk T1 CRC vs. 4.4% (95% CI 2.7-6.5%) in high-risk T1 CRC (P=0.04). Overall adverse outcome rate (incomplete resection or metastasis) was 2.1% (95% CI 0-5.0%) in low-risk T1 CRC vs. 11.7% (95% CI 8.8-14.6%) in high-risk T1 CRC (P=0.001). Piecemeal resection (adjusted odds ratio 2.60; 95% CI 1.20-5.61, P=0.02) and non-pedunculated morphology (adjusted odds ratio 2.18; 95% CI 1.01-4.70, P=0.05) were independent risk factors for incomplete resection. Among patients in whom no additional surgery was performed, who developed recurrent cancer, 41.7% (95% CI 20.8-62.5%) died as a result of recurrent cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of histological high-risk factors, a 'wait-and-see' policy with limited follow-up is justified. Piecemeal resection and non-pedunculated morphology are independent risk factors for incomplete endoscopic resection of T1 CRC.

Consequences of CT colonography in stenosing colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: In patients with stenosing colorectal cancer (CRC), visualization of the entire colon prior to surgery is recommended to exclude synchronous tumors. Therefore, most centers combine computed tomographic colonography (CTC) with staging CT. The aims of this study were to evaluate the yield and clinical implications of CTC. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, patients with stenosing CRC that underwent CTC and subsequent surgery between April 2013 and November 2015 were included. Result of the CTC, its influence on the surgical treatment plan, and final histology report were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two patients with stenosing CRC were included. Nine (5.6 %) synchronous cancers proximal to the stenosing tumor were suspected with CTC. In four of nine patients, the CTC did not change the primary surgical plan because the tumors were located in the same surgical segment. In five of nine patients, CTC changed the surgical treatment plan. Three of these five patients underwent an extended resection and the presence of the tumors was confirmed. Two of these three synchronous CRCs were also visible on abdominal staging CT. In the other two patients, the result of CTC was false positive which led to an unnecessary extended resection in one patient. CONCLUSION: The yield of CTC was relatively low. In only three patients (1.9 %), CTC correctly changed the primary surgical plan, but in two of them, the tumor was also visible on abdominal staging CT. Moreover, in two patients, CTC was false positive. The clinical value of CTC in stenosing CRC appears to be limited.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) versus endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for resection of large distal non-pedunculated colorectal adenomas (MATILDA-trial): rationale and design of a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is currently the most used technique for resection of large distal colorectal polyps. However, in large lesions EMR can often only be performed in a piecemeal fashion resulting in relatively low radical (R0)-resection rates and high recurrence rates. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a newer procedure that is more difficult resulting in a longer procedural time, but is promising due to the high en-bloc resection rates and the very low recurrence rates. We aim to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of ESD against EMR on both short (i.e. 6 months) and long-term (i.e. 36 months). We hypothesize that in the short-run ESD is more time consuming resulting in higher healthcare costs, but is (cost-) effective on the long-term due to lower patients burden, a higher number of R0-resections and lower recurrence rates with less need for repeated procedures. METHODS: This is a multicenter randomized clinical trial in patients with a non-pedunculated polyp larger than 20 mm in the rectum, sigmoid, or descending colon suspected to be an adenoma by means of endoscopic assessment. Primary endpoint is recurrence rate at follow-up colonoscopy at 6 months. Secondary endpoints are R0-resection rate, perceived burden and quality of life, healthcare resources utilization and costs, surgical referral rate, complication rate and recurrence rate at 36 months. Quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) will be estimated taking an area under the curve approach and using EQ-5D-indexes. Healthcare costs will be calculated by multiplying used healthcare services with unit prices. The cost-effectiveness of ESD against EMR will be expressed as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) showing additional costs per recurrence free patient and as ICER showing additional costs per QALY. DISCUSSION: If this trial confirms ESD to be favorable on the long-term, the burden of extra colonoscopies and repeated procedures can be prevented for future patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02657044 (Clinicaltrials.gov), registered January 8, 2016.

Consequence of restaging after neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced rectal cancer is customarily treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by a total mesorectal excision. During the course of CRT, previously non-detectable distant metastases can appear. Therefore, a restaging CT scan of the chest and abdomen was performed prior to surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of a change in treatment strategy after this restaging CT scan. METHODS: Patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT for locally advanced rectal cancer between January 2003 and July 2013 were included retrospectively. To determine the value of the restaging CT scan, the surgical treatment as planned before CRT was compared with the treatment ultimately received. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients (91 male) were eligible, and median age was 62 (32-82) years. The restaging CT scan revealed the presence of distant metastases in 19 patients (12.4, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 7.0-17.8). In 17 patients (11.1, 95 % CI 6.1-16.1), a change in treatment strategy occurred due to the detection of metastases with a restaging CT scan. CONCLUSION: A restaging CT scan after completion of neoadjuvant CRT may detect newly developed metastases and consequently alter the initial treatment strategy. This study demonstrated the added value of the restaging CT scan prior to surgery.

Quality colonoscopy and risk of interval cancer in Lynch syndrome.

PURPOSE: Despite colonoscopic surveillance, Lynch syndrome patients develop colorectal cancer (CRC). Identification of modifiable factors has the potential to improve outcome of surveillance. The aims of this study were to determine (1) characteristics of patients with CRC, (2) endoscopic and histological features of these cancers, and (3) quality of the previous colonoscopy. METHODS: Approximately 2,200 medical reports from proven and obligate mutation carriers identified at the Dutch Lynch Syndrome Registry and two large hospitals were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of an interval cancer defined as CRC diagnosed within 24 months of previous colonoscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-one interval cancers were detected in 29 patients (median age of 52 [range 35-73]), after a median time of 17 months. All were MLH1 or MSH2 mutation carriers, and 39 % had a previous CRC. In patients without previous surgery for CRC, 84 % was proximally located. Of all interval cancers, 77 % were at local stage (T1-3N0Mx). In three patients (9 %) with an incomplete previous colonoscopy, CRC was located in the unexamined colon. In six of the nine patients with an adenoma during previous colonoscopy, the cancer was detected in the same colonic segment as the previously removed adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Interval cancers were detected in MLH1 and MSH2 mutation carriers, especially in those with a history of previous CRC and between 40 and 60 years. Interval cancer could be related to incompleteness of previous endoscopy and possibly residual adenomatous tissue. Further reduction of the interval cancer risk may be achieved by optimizing endoscopy quality and individualization of surveillance guidelines.

High detection rate of adenomas in familial colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Subjects with one first-degree relative (FDR) with colorectal cancer (CRC) <50 years old or two FDRs with CRC have an increased risk for CRC (RR 4-6). Current guidelines recommend colonoscopic surveillance of such families. However, information about the yield of surveillance is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of surveillance and to identify risk factors for the development of adenomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were included if they fulfilled the following criteria: asymptomatic subjects aged between 45 and 65 years, with one FDR with CRC <50 years old (group A) or two FDRs with CRC diagnosed at any age (group B). Subjects with a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal surgery were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 551 subjects (242 male) met the selection criteria. Ninety-five subjects with a previous colonoscopy were excluded. Two of 456 remaining subjects (0.4%) were found to have a colorectal tumour (one CRC and one carcinoid). Adenomas were detected in 85 (18.6%) and adenomas with advanced pathology in 37 subjects (8.1%). 30 subjects (6.6%) had multiple (>1) adenomas. Men were more often found to have an adenoma than women (24% vs 14.3%; p=0.01). Adenomas were more frequent in group B compared with group A (22.0% vs 15.6%; p=0.09). CONCLUSION: The yield of colonoscopic surveillance in familial CRC is substantially higher than the yield of screening reported for the general population.

Double balloon endoscopy for detection of small-bowel adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis after pancreaticoduodenectomy according to Whipple.

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a 5%-10% lifetime risk of developing duodenal cancer. In severe duodenal polyposis, pancreaticoduodenectomy according to Whipple has been considered the only way to cure duodenal polyposis. However, polyps recur even after surgery. We describe a patient with severe adenomatosis of the small bowel in the afferent loop of a Roux-en-Y anastomosis after a Whipple procedure, detected by double balloon endoscopy (DBE). This is the first description of the use of DBE for this indication, and emphasizes the need for surveillance of the small bowel after surgery, especially in the area of the biliary anastomosis.

Liver transplantation in a patient with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a poorly understood condition in which excess fibrosis results in an encasement of the small bowel, which can clinically result in obstruction. The condition is thought to be related to the persistent expression of transforming growth factor beta on mesothelial cells causing proliferation of subserosal fibroblasts, massive production of extracellular matrix and loss of mesothelial cells. We report a patient with liver cirrhosis in whom the diagnosis of EPS was made. During laparotomy for liver transplantation the complete peritoneum was found to be thickened, consisting of white sheets; liver transplantation was deferred. Histological examination showed peritoneal sclerosing fibrosis. Immunosuppressive medication was started and a difficult but successful liver transplantation followed. If EPS is diagnosed during laparotomy for organ transplantation, adjusted immunosuppression is preferred as calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporin and tacrolimus may accelerate EPS while prednisone and some other drugs may stop progression.