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Objective: Our aims were to (1) determine the long-term oncologic outcome for patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative combined modality therapy (CMT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME), (2) identify factors predictive of oncologic outcome, and (3) determine the oncologic significance of the extent of pathologic tumor response., Summary Background Data: Locally advanced (T3-4 and/or N1) rectal adenocarcinoma is commonly treated with preoperative CMT and TME. However, the long-term oncologic results of this approach and factors predictive of a durable outcome remain largely unknown., Methods: Two hundred ninety-seven consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma at a median distance of 6 cm from the anal verge (range 0-15 cm) were treated with preoperative CMT (radiation: 5040 centi-Gray (cGy) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy) followed by TME from 1988 to 2002. A prospectively collected database was queried for long-term oncologic outcome and predictive clinicopathologic factors., Results: With a median follow-up of 44 months, the estimated 10-year overall survival (OS) was 58% and 10 year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 62%. On multivariate analysis, pathologic response >95%, lymphovascular invasion and/or perineural invasion (PNI), and positive lymph nodes were significantly associated with OS and RFS. Patients with a >95% pathologic response had a significantly improved OS (P = 0.003) and RFS (P = 0.002)., Conclusions: Treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with preoperative CMT followed by TME can provide for a durable 10-year OS of 58% and RFS of 62%. Patients who achieve a >95% response to preoperative CMT have an improved long-term oncologic outcome, a novel finding that deserves further study.

Objective: To determine perioperative morbidity, survival, and local failure rates in a large group of consecutive patients with rectal cancer undergoing low anterior resection by multiple surgeons on a specialty service. The primary objective was to assess the surgical complications associated with preoperative radiation sequencing., Summary Background Data: The goals in the treatment of rectal cancer are cure, local control, and preservation of sphincter, sexual, and bladder function. Surgical resection using sharp perimesorectal dissection is important for achieving these goals. The complications and mortality rate of this surgical strategy, particularly in the setting of preoperative chemoradiation, have not been well defined., Methods: There were 1233 patients with primary rectal cancer treated at the authors' cancer center from 1987 to 1995. Of these, 681 underwent low anterior resection and/or coloanal anastomosis for primary rectal cancer. The surgical technique used the principles of sharp perimesorectal excision. Morbidity and mortality rates were compared between patients receiving preoperative chemoradiation (Preop RT, n = 150) and those not receiving preoperative chemoradiation (No Preop RT, n = 531). Recurrence and survival data were determined in patients undergoing curative resection (n = 583, 86%) among three groups of patients: those receiving Preop RT (n = 131), those receiving postoperative chemoradiation (Postop RT, n = 110), and those receiving no radiation therapy (No RT, n = 342)., Results: The perioperative mortality rate was 0.6% (4/681). Postoperative complications occurred in 22% (153/681). The operative time, estimated blood loss, and rate of pelvic abscess formation without associated leak were higher in the Preop RT group than the No Preop RT group. However, the overall complication rate, rate of wound infection, anastomotic leak, and length of hospital stay were no different between Preop RT and No Preop RT patients. With a median follow-up of 45.6 months, the overall actuarial 5-year recurrence rate for patients undergoing curative resection (n = 583) was 19%, with 4% having local recurrence only, 12% having distant recurrence, and 3% having both local and distant recurrence, for an overall local recurrence rate of 7%. The actuarial 5-year overall survival rate was 81%; the disease-free survival rate was 75% and the local recurrence rate was 10%. The overall survival rate was similar between Preop RT (85%), Postop RT (72%), and No RT (83%) patients (p = 0.10), whereas the disease-free survival rate was significantly worse for Postop RT (65%) patients compared with Preop RT (79%) and No RT (77%) patients (p = 0.04)., Conclusion: The use of preoperative chemoradiation results in increased operative time, blood loss, and pelvic abscess formation but does not increase the rate of anastomotic leaks or the length of hospital stay after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The 5-year actuarial overall survival rate for patients undergoing curative resection exceeded 80%, with a local recurrence rate of 10%.

Objective: Our institution's experience with low anterior resection in combination with coloanal anastomosis (LAR/CAA) for primary rectal cancer was reviewed (1) to determine cancer treatment results, 2) to identify risk factors for pelvic recurrence, and 3) to assess the long-term success of sphincter preservation., Summary Background Data: Use of sphincter-preserving resection for mid-rectal and selected distal-rectal cancers continues to increase. As surgical techniques and adjuvant therapy evolve, treatment results must be carefully assessed., Methods: One hundred thirty-four patients treated for primary rectal cancer by LAR/CAA between 1977 and 1990 were studied retrospectively. All pathologic slides were reviewed. Median follow-up was 4 years., Results: Actuarial 5-year survival for all patients was 73%. Among 36 patients who relapsed, distant metastatic disease had developed at the time of first clinical relapse in most (86%). Pelvic recurrence was detected in 13 patients, an actuarial rate of 11% at 5 years. Mesenteric implants, positive microscopic resection margin, T3 tumor, perineural invasion, blood vessel invasion, and high tumor grade were associated with increased risk for pelvic recurrence. Eleven patients ultimately required permanent colostomy, and in eight instances the cause was pelvic recurrence., Conclusions: Low anterior resection combined with coloanal anastomosis provides good treatment for mid-rectal cancers and for some distal rectal cancers. Pelvic recurrence is not associated with short distal resection margins but is correlated with the presence of histopathologic markers of aggressive disease in the primary tumor. Long-term preservation of anal sphincter function depends primarily on control of pelvic tumor and can be achieved in more than 90% of patients.

One hundred twenty-one patients with two or more large bowel cancers have been studied. An evaluation of the site of incidence of second cancers in patients presenting with metachronous disease supports the concept that increased delivery of bile acids to the colon may play a role in tumor pathogenesis. Because of the extremely high incidence of advanced tumors in patients with metachronous disease, every effort should be made to identify those patients who should undergo a preventive total abdominal colectomy. Newer methods with increased sensitivity are required to improve the follow-up of patients who are prone to develop second neoplasms of the large bowel.

From 1968-1976, 412 patients were operated on for rectal cancers. One hundred fifty-six underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR) and 256 underwent low anterior resection (LAR). One hundred ninety-two underwent en bloc pelvic lymphadenectomy in conjunction with their resection, while 220 patients underwent more conservative or conventional resection. Thirty-day hospital mortality was 1.7%. The cancer-related 5-year survival was 58.8% for all patients. The proportion of patients surviving 5 years after LAR (62.8%) was significantly better than those surviving after APR (52.4%), p = 0.008. Statistically significantly superior survival was observed after extended dissection when compared to conventional resections in Dukes' A, B, and C patients as a whole (63.8 and 54.3%) and in Dukes' C patients in particular. Superiority of en bloc pelvic lymphadenectomy versus conventional resection was observed in all cases of Dukes' Stage C, Astler-Coller Stage C1, Level II (adjacent) lymph nodes, and Level I (proximal) lymph nodes and was most effective in combination with sphincter-preserving operations. Patient groups were compared for bias and/or case selection, using both contingency tables and Cox-based multiple covariant linear regression analysis, and none was found. In the face of current adjuvant therapy, which is of questionable benefit and which carries its own treatment morbidity, en bloc pelvic lymphadenectomy is advocated as an adjunct to the curative operations for rectal cancer. To improve the overall benefit, patients can be selected for pelvic lymphadenectomy as an adjuvant to resection when preoperative examination suggests that the rectal cancer penetrates the bowel wall. Accurate preoperative staging may help to define a more restricted group of patients warranting (pelvic lymphadenectomy) (PLND). A control randomized trial of the effectiveness of PLND is appropriate to further test its value.

From 1966 through 1970 we performed resections in 216 patients with carcinoma of the large bowel. The relative five year survival for all patients was 65.5%. The relative five year survival for all potentially curable patients was 80.4%. Patients with positive lymph nodes and full-thickness penetration of their tumors had a five year survival of 70.5% and a 10 year survival of 60.5%. In performing this study we have tested the principles of wide anatomical resection and radical lymphadenectomy. For their specific influences on survival we have also examined stage, site, age, sex, race, margins, local recurrence, hypogastric lymph node dissection, serosal penetration and various aspects of nodal status. The information derived from these parameters has confirmed our hypothesis that survival is directly related to radical anatomical resection and lymphadenectomy. For rectal cancer, extensive resection also reduces the incidence of local recurrence. We are persuaded that the principles of operation for large-bowel cancer are valid and that they merit universal adoption.