Multicentre clinical radiotherapy audit in rectal cancer: results of the IROCA project.

PURPOSE: To perform a clinical audit to assess adherence to standard clinical practice for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients undergoing radiotherapy for rectal cancer treatment in four European countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study of 221 patients treated for rectal cancer in 2015 at six European cancer centres. Clinical indicators applicable to general radiotherapy processes were evaluated. All data were obtained from electronic medical records. RESULTS: The audits were performed in the year 2017. We found substantial inter-centre variability in adherence to standard clinical practices: 1) presentation of cases at departmental clinical sessions (range, 0-100%) or multidisciplinary tumour board (50-95%); 2) pretreatment MRI (61.5-100%) and thoracoabdominal CT (15.0-100%). Large inter-centre differences were observed in the mean interval between biopsy and first visit to the radiotherapy department (range, 21.6-58.6 days) and between the first visit and start of treatment (15.1-38.8 days). Treatment interruptions ≥ 1 day occurred in 43.9% (2.5-90%) of cases overall. Treatment compensation was performed in 2.1% of cases. Treatment was completed in the prescribed time in 55.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional clinical audit revealed that most centres adhered to standard clinical practices for most of the radiotherapy processes-related variables assessed. However, the audit revealed marked inter-centre variability for certain quality indicators, particularly inconsistent record keeping. Multiple targets for improvement and/or harmonisation were identified, confirming the value of routine clinical audits to detect potential deviations from standard clinical practice.

Las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con colangiocarcinoma e ictericia son seguras / Major hepatectomies are safe in patients with cholangiocarcinoma and jaundice

Introducción En el tumor de Klatskin la única posibilidad de cura es la extirpación quirúrgica radical. No obstante, la resección quirúrgica es difícil. Objetivo El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar la necesidad de drenaje biliar preoperatorio, el índice de resecabilidad, el porcentaje de hepatectomías, la morbimortalidad y la supervivencia a largo plazo. Material y métodos Desde el año 2005 hasta el año 2008, se estudió a 26 pacientes con tumor de Klatskin mediante tomografía computarizada helicoidal con multidetectores y colangiorresonancia magnética en casos especiales. Siete pacientes se consideraron irresecables (27%). A los restantes 19 pacientes se les realizaron 8 hepatectomías izquierdas, 5 derechas y 6 resecciones exclusivamente de la vía biliar con linfadenectomía y hepático yeyunostomía a todos ellos. La resecabilidad fue del 73%, la transfusión del 53% y el drenaje biliar preoperatorio se utilizó en 7 casos (37%). La morbilidad fue del 58% y la mortalidad del 10%. La supervivencia y la recidiva a los 48 meses fueron respectivamente del 63 y del 37%.Al comparar la evolución de los 9 pacientes con bilirrubina inferior a 15mg/dl y los 10 pacientes con bilirrubina superior a 15mg/dl, no hubo diferencias en los datos epidemiológicos. Seis pacientes (67%) con bilirrubina baja frente a un paciente (10%) del grupo de bilirrubina alta habían recibido un drenaje biliar preoperatorio (p=0,02). La bilirrubina del grupo no ictérico era de 4,7±4,3 frente a 22,1±3,9 del grupo con ictericia (p<0,001). No hubo diferencias en la evolución postoperatoria. En conclusión, la resecabilidad y la supervivencia postoperatoria de los pacientes con tumor de Klatskin han mejorado sensiblemente en los últimos años. En casos seleccionados, las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con ictericia sin desnutrición ni colangitis preoperatoria son seguras (AU)

Background Surgical resection is the only possibility of long term survival in patients with Klatskin tumours. However, surgical resection is a challenging problem and hepatic resection is often necessary. Objective The aim of our study was to assess the need for biliary drainage, resection rate and outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre. Patients and methods From 2005 to 2008, 26 patients with Klatskin tumours were identified and assessed prospectively with multidetector CT and MR cholangiography in special cases. Seven patients (27%) were deemed to be unresectable in pre-operative staging. A total of 19 surgical procedures were performed, 8 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies and 6 resections exclusively of the biliary tree. Resection rate was 73%, transfusion rate 53% and preoperative biliary drainage was performed only in 7 cases (37%). Major complications occurred in 11 (58%), including two post-operative deaths (10%).There were no differences in the epidemiological data, when we separately analysed the outcomes of the 9 patients with bilirubin <15mg/dL and the 10 patients with bilirubin >15mg/dL. Biliary drainage was required in 6 (67%) patients in the group with low bilirubin levels vs. 1(10%) in the other group (P=0.02). The mean bilirubin level in the jaundiced group was 22.1±3.9 vs. 4.7±4.3 (P<0.001) in the other group. There were no differences in the postoperative outcome between both groups. Conclusion Resection and survival rates have increased recently but still carries the risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Major hepatectomies in selected patients without percutaneous biliary drainage are safe (AU)

[Major hepatectomies are safe in patients with cholangiocarcinoma and jaundice]. / Las hepatectomías mayores en pacientes con colangiocarcinoma e ictericia son seguras.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the only possibility of long term survival in patients with Klatskin tumours. However, surgical resection is a challenging problem and hepatic resection is often necessary. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the need for biliary drainage, resection rate and outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2008, 26 patients with Klatskin tumours were identified and assessed prospectively with multidetector CT and MR cholangiography in special cases. Seven patients (27%) were deemed to be unresectable in pre-operative staging. A total of 19 surgical procedures were performed, 8 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies and 6 resections exclusively of the biliary tree. RESULTS: Resection rate was 73%, transfusion rate 53% and preoperative biliary drainage was performed only in 7 cases (37%). Major complications occurred in 11 (58%), including two post-operative deaths (10%). There were no differences in the epidemiological data, when we separately analysed the outcomes of the 9 patients with bilirubin<15 mg/dL and the 10 patients with bilirubin>15 mg/dL. Biliary drainage was required in 6 (67%) patients in the group with low bilirubin levels vs. 1(10%) in the other group (P=0.02). The mean bilirubin level in the jaundiced group was 22.1+/-3.9 vs. 4.7+/-4.3 (P<0.001) in the other group. There were no differences in the postoperative outcome between both groups. CONCLUSION: Resection and survival rates have increased recently but still carries the risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Major hepatectomies in selected patients without percutaneous biliary drainage are safe.