Long-term overall survival in patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is limited research on management of metastatic anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to the liver. This study aimed to describe outcomes for patients undergoing liver resection of anal SCC metastases. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted by three tertiary-referral centers. Patients undergoing liver surgery between 2008 and 2022 were included. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of recurrence and survival and Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients underwent liver resection and/or ablation. None were HIV positive and 24% had known HPV infection. 20/21(95%) patients had undergone Nigro protocol for management of the primary tumor with 12/21 (57%) patients experiencing complete response. 4/21 (19%) patients had synchronous liver metastases at time of diagnosis. Median tumor size was 5.0 cm and median tumor number was one. At analysis, 52% remained alive. Median overall survival was 32.2 months. 5-year overall survival was 50%. Median recurrence-free survival was 7.7 months and 5-year recurrence-free survival was 30%. Need for salvage abdominoperineal resection was negatively associated with recurrence-free survival. The most common site of recurrence was the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection for metastatic anal SCC can be beneficial for appropriately selected patients.

Recent Advances in Minimally Invasive Liver Resection for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases-A Review.

Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches to liver resection have been increasingly adopted into use for surgery on colorectal cancer liver metastases. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the outcomes when comparing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), robotic liver resection (RLR), and open liver resection (OLR) for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) in 39 studies (2009-2022) that include a case-matched series, propensity score analyses, and three randomized clinical trials. LLR is associated with less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stay compared with OLR. LLR can be performed with comparable operative time. LLR has similar rates of perioperative complications and mortality as OLR. There were no significant differences in 5-year overall or disease-free survival between approaches. Robotic liver resection (RLR) has comparable perioperative safety to LLR and may improve rates of R0 resection in certain patients. Finally, MIS approaches to the hepatic resection of CRLM reduce the time from liver resection to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, MIS liver surgery should be considered in the array of options for patients with CRLM, though thoughtful patient selection and surgeon experience should be part of that decision.

Medicaid expansion and the management of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has improved access to screening and treatment for certain cancers. It is unclear how this policy has affected the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we analyzed Medicaid and uninsured patients in the National Cancer Data Base during two time periods: pre-expansion (2011-2012) and postexpansion (2015-2016). We investigated changes in cancer staging, treatment decisions, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: In this national cohort, pancreatic cancer patients in expansion states had increased Medicaid coverage relative to those in nonexpansion states (DID = 17.49, p < 0.01). Medicaid expansion also led to an increase in early-stage diagnoses (Stage I/II, DID = 4.71, p = 0.03), higher comorbidity scores among surgical patients (Charlson/Deyo score 0: DID = -13.69, p = 0.02), a trend toward more neoadjuvant radiation (DID = 6.15, p = 0.06), and more positive margins (DID = 11.69, p = 0.02). There were no differences in rates of surgery, postoperative outcomes, or overall survival. CONCLUSION: Medicaid expansion was associated with improved insurance coverage and earlier stage diagnoses for Medicaid and uninsured pancreatic cancer patients, but similar surgical outcomes and overall survival. These findings highlight both the benefits of Medicaid expansion and the potential limitations of policy change to improve outcomes for such an aggressive malignancy.

Association Between Medicaid Expansion and Diagnosis and Management of Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Affordable Care Act facilitated improved insurance coverage for states that expanded Medicaid coverage, but the impact on cancer outcomes is unclear. This study compared changes in the diagnosis and management of colon cancer in states that did and did not participate in Medicaid expansion. STUDY DESIGN: Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we analyzed Medicaid and uninsured patients in the National Cancer Data Base during 2 time periods: pre (2011-2012) and post expansion (2015-2016). Patients in non-expansion states were compared with those in January 2014 expansion states with regard to changes in patient and facility characteristics, cancer staging, treatment decisions, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Along with increased Medicaid coverage (DID = 20.27; p < 0.001), patients in expansion states had an increase in stage I diagnoses (DID = 2.97; p = 0.035), distance traveled (miles, DID = 6.67; p = 0.005), and treatment at integrated network programs (DID = 2.67; p = 0.045). More early-stage patients were treated within 30 days (DID = 7.24; p = 0.035) and more stage IV patients received palliative care (DID = 5.01; p = 0.048). Among surgical patients, Medicaid expansion correlated with fewer urgent cases (< 7 days, DID = -5.88; p = 0.008) and more minimally invasive surgery (DID = 5.00; p = 0.022). There were no observed differences in postoperative outcomes or adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid expansion correlated with earlier diagnosis, enhanced access, and improved surgical care for colon cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of improving health insurance coverage and can help guide future policy efforts.

Dissemination of Minimally Invasive Liver Resection for Primary Malignancy: Reevaluating Effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Experiences at specialized hepatobiliary centers have demonstrated efficacy of minimally invasive liver resection, but concerns exist regarding whether these procedures would remain effective once disseminated to a broad range of clinical practices. We sought to present the first comparison of MILR and open liver resection (OLR) for primary liver malignancy from a nationally representative cancer registry. METHODS: Cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer were identified from the National Cancer Data Base Participant Use File. Mixed effects logistic regression and stratified Cox proportional hazards regression were used for analysis. A propensity score matched cohort was used as an alternative form of analysis to evaluate the robustness of results. RESULTS: A total of 3236 cases were analyzed from 2010 to 2011 with 2581 OLR (80%) and 655 MILR (20%). Of the variation in patient selection for MILR 28.5% was related to treatment at a specific treatment center; however, the proportion of MILR was similar among low-, medium-, and high-volume centers. Overall 90-day mortality was lower at high-volume centers (odds ratio [OR] 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40-0.85) compared with low-volume centers. MILR was similar to OLR in both 90-day mortality and overall survival (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.62-1.10) and hazard ratio [HR] 0.88 (95% CI 0.72-1.07), regardless of treatment center volume. CONCLUSIONS: MILR for primary liver malignancy is used across a variety of practice settings, with similar outcomes to OLR. While volume is associated with short-term outcomes of liver resection as a whole, this relationship is not explained by adoption of MILR at low-volume centers.

Plasma soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 levels are persistently elevated during the first month after colorectal cancer resection.

INTRODUCTION: Plasma from the second and third weeks after minimally invasive colorectal resection (MICR) has high levels of the proangiogenic proteins VEGF and angiopoietin 2 and also stimulates, in vitro, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration, which are critical to wound and tumor angiogenesis. Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) stimulates EC chemotaxis and angiogenesis. The impact of MICR on blood levels of sVCAM-1 is unknown. This study's purpose was to determine plasma sVCAM-1 levels after MICR in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: Blood samples from 90 patients (26% rectal, 74% colon) were obtained preoperatively, on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 3, and at other points during the next 2 months. The late samples were bundled into 7-day time blocks. sVCAM-1 levels were determined in duplicate via ELISA and reported as ng/ml. Student's t test was used for data analysis (significance, P < 0.008 after Bonferroni correction). RESULTS: The mean incision length was 7.3 ± 3.1 cm, and the conversion rate was 3%. Compared with preoperative (PreOp) levels (811.3 ± 233.2), the mean plasma sVCAM-1 level was significantly higher on POD 1 (905.7 ± 292.4, P < 0.001) and POD 3 (977.7 ± 271.8, P < 0.001). Levels remained significantly elevated for the POD 7-13, POD 14-20, POD 21-27, and POD 28-67 time blocks. CONCLUSIONS: MICR for CRC is associated with a persistent increase in plasma sVCAM-1 levels during the first month. This sustained increase may promote angiogenesis and stimulate the growth of residual tumor cells early after surgery.

Minimally invasive colorectal resection is associated with a transient increase in plasma hepatocyte growth factor levels early after surgery for colon cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery's impact on blood levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a potent angiogenic factor, is unknown. Preoperative (PreOp) HGF blood levels are elevated in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and correlate with disease stage and prognosis. This study's purpose was to determine plasma HGF levels after minimally invasive colorectal resection (MICR) in patients with CRC. METHODS: Clinical and operative data were collected. Blood samples were obtained in all patients PreOp and on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3; in some, samples were taken during weeks 2 and 3 after MICR. Late samples were bundled into 7-day time blocks. HGF levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in duplicate. Student's t test was used to analyze the data (significance, P < .0125 after Bonferroni correction). RESULTS: A total of 28 CRC patients who underwent MICR were studied. Most had right, sigmoid, or left segmental colectomy. The mean plasma HGF level was higher on POD 1 (2417 ± 1476 pg/mL, P < .001) and POD 3 (2081 ± 1048 pg/mL, P < .001) when compared with PreOp levels (1045 ± 406 pg/mL). Plasma levels were back to baseline by the second (1100 ± 474 pg/mL, P = .64) and third postoperative weeks (1010 ± 327 pg/mL, P = .51). CONCLUSION: MICR for CRC is associated with a 1.9- to 2.3-fold increase in plasma HGF levels during the first 3 PODs after which levels normalize. This transient increase may briefly promote angiogenesis and the growth of residual tumor cells.

Plasma levels of angiostatin and endostatin remain unchanged for the first 3 weeks after colorectal cancer surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Angiostatin and endostatin are endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis with anticancer effects. After minimally invasive colorectal resection (MICR), blood levels of the proangiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoetin 2 (Ang-2) are elevated for 2-4 weeks. Also, postoperative human plasma from weeks 2 and 3 after MICR has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration, which are critical to angiogenesis. This proangiogenic state may stimulate tumor growth early after MICR. Surgery's impact on angiostatin and endostatin is unknown. This study's purpose is to determine perioperative plasma levels of these two proteins in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing MICR. METHODS: Endostatin levels were assessed in 34 CRC patients and angiostatin levels in 30 CRC patients. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3 in all patients; in a subset, samples were taken between POD 7 and 20. The late samples were bundled into 7-day blocks (POD 7-13, POD 14-20) and considered as single time points. Angiostatin and endostatin plasma levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in duplicate. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Student's t test were used to analyze endostatin and angiostatin data, respectively. Significance was set at P<0.0125 (after Bonferroni correction). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in median plasma endostatin levels on POD 1, which returned to the preoperative level by POD 3. There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative plasma angiostatin levels. CONCLUSIONS: MICR has a very transient impact on plasma levels of endostatin and no impact on angiostatin during the first 21 days following surgery. Thus, angiostatin and endostatin do not likely contribute to or inhibit the persistent proangiogenic changes noted after MICR.