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It is controversial whether patients who achieve clinical complete remission (cCR) of rectal cancer should be treated with the “watch and wait” (W&W) or radical resection (RR) strategy. Our study aimed to compare the survival outcomes and ostomy rate of the W&W and RR strategies. Between January 2008 and December 2015, we investigated 26 patients who achieved pathologic complete remission after undergoing RR and 36 patients who adopted the W&W strategy because of cCR. The tumor regrowth, salvage surgery, recurrence, disease-free, and overall survival (OS) rates were assessed. In our study, recurrences occurred in nine and two patients from the W&W and RR groups, respectively. Each patient in the RR group had a temporary or permanent ostomy, but only three (8.3%) had an ostomy in the W&W group. The 5-year recurrence rate was 25.0% in the W&W group and 7.7% in the RR group. Six patients (16.7%) had tumor regrowth in the W&W group, and all were resectable when regrowth. The 5-year OS rates between the two groups were nonsignificant. There is no specific risk factor for recurrence and OS. Under close surveillance, the W&W group achieved similar OS to the RR group and benefited from a lower ostomy rate.

Purpose: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) has had many impacts on the lives of patients and substantial differences in emotional and social functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation analysis of different personality traits in rectal cancer patients with LARS after undergoing curative surgery. Methods: This study was designed as a prospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria included (1) participants diagnosed with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection of malignant tumors and (2) ECOG 0–1. The primary outcome was the correlation between different personality traits and low anterior resection syndrome in rectal cancer patients after radical surgery. Low anterior resection syndrome incidence rates were estimated by questionnaires and personality groups by the Type A and Type D Scale‐14 Personality Inventory. Results: For all 161 participants in this study, the presence of a tumor at the lower anal verge and the receipt of neoadjuvant CCRT had a statistically significant positive correlation with the LARS score at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year (Pearson correlation coefficient = −0.283, −0.374, and − 0.205, respectively), with a p value of less than 0.05. Personalities with Type A, Type D, and Type D‐SI scores had a statistically significant positive correlation with LARS score at 1 month (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.172, 0.162, and 0,164, p value = 0.03, 0.04, and 0.04). Conclusion: Type A and Type D personalities are highly linked to LARS. Personalized support approaches can ultimately assist rectal cancer patients in overcoming difficulties after surgery and recovery and enhance their functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: BCC is a sporadic disease that develops in areas of the skin not exposed to the sun. Perianal BCC, which occurs in the anorectal region, accounts for less than 0.2% of all BCC cases. There have been only a few reported cases of the disease, with fewer than 200 cases reported in total. Given the diagnostic challenges and potential for misdiagnosis, we conducted a systematic review of perianal basal cell carcinoma using real-world data to provide comprehensive and detailed information on the disease. (2) Methods: The study was reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 2020. Patients' clinical pathologic features, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were presented. (3) Results: The results of 41 studies involving 140 patients were analyzed. The most common symptoms reported by patients at presentation were anorectal bleeding, pain, and pruritus. Ulceration was the most frequently observed tumor characteristic. The majority of patients underwent local excision as their primary treatment, with only eight patients experiencing a recurrence. Our analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the outcomes of different treatment modalities. (4) Conclusions: Identifying perianal BCC poses a significant challenge as it closely resembles other anal diseases, thereby making it difficult to differentiate between the different conditions. However, a wide local excision with clear margins is considered an effective treatment option for most patients. Alternative treatments, such as radiotherapy, may be recommended for patients who are unable to undergo surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Sum-Fu. Chiang, Jinn-Shiun. Chen, Reiping. Tang, Chien-Yuh. Yeh, Pao-Shiu. Hsieh, Wen-Sy. Tsai, Jeng-Fu. You, Hsin-Yuan. Hung, Cheng-Chou. Lai, Jr-Rung. Lin, Jy-Ming. Chiang BACKGROUND: Impaired kidney function is associated with [...]

Simple Summary: Targeted therapy and chemotherapy are the mainstays of treatment to improve the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). When RAS and BRAF genes are normal, a molecular target treatment with an anti-EGFR antagonist is prescribed. Anti-EGFR antagonists induce skin responses in 50–70% of patients. There is an ongoing debate about whether the severe skin reactions brought on by anti-EGFR antagonists are associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). mCRC patients who received anti-EGFR therapy between October 2017 and October 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Treatment with an anti-EGFR medication in the first-line setting was significantly associated with OS and PFS. In grades 1 and 2, there was no difference in the incidence of acne between males and females, although in grades 3 and 4, males were at a higher risk than females. In this study, skin toxicity did not predict the effectiveness of the anti-EGFR medication. The primary treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) consists of targeted therapy and chemotherapy to improve survival. A molecular target drug with an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist is recommended when the RAS and BRAF genes are normal. About 50–70% of patients using anti-EGFR antagonists will experience skin reactions. Some studies have shown that severe skin reactions caused by anti-EGFR antagonists may be linked to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), but the results are still uncertain. These data of mCRC patients who underwent anti-EGFR therapy between October 2017 and October 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 111 patients were included in this study. The survival results showed that gender, age, body mass index, primary tumor site, and recurrence did not significantly affect OS and PFS. However, the first-line anti-EGFR inhibitor treatment was significantly associated with OS (p < 0.001) and PFS (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acne between males and females in grades 1 and 2, while males have a greater risk in grades 3 and 4 than females (20.3 vs. 4.8%; p-value = 0.041). Skin toxicity was not a predictor of anti-EGFR treatment response in this investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Inflammatory reactions may lead to systemic inflammation and cancer growth. Some inflammatory indicators are effective predictors of colorectal cancer in ordinary clinical practice. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of a novel cancer-inflammation prognostic index (CIPI) marker derived from multiplying carcinoembryonic antigen by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio value obtained for non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients who underwent radical resection for stage I to stage III primary colorectal cancer between January 1995 and December 2018 were included in this study for further investigation. The group with a high CIPI had considerably lower relapse-free survival and overall survival rates, as well as a greater incidence of recurrence. Both univariate and multivariate analyses found that a high CIPI was an independent prognostic factor for survival analysis. This research is the first to demonstrate that CIPI is an independent factor that can be used to predict the outcome of colorectal cancer. Inflammatory reactions play a crucial role in cancer progression and may contribute to systemic inflammation. In routine clinical practice, some inflammatory biomarkers can be utilized as valuable predictors for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to determine the usefulness of a novel cancer-inflammation prognostic index (CIPI) marker derived from calculating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) multiplied by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values established for non-metastatic CRCs. Between January 1995 and December 2018, 12,092 patients were diagnosed with stage I to III primary CRC and had radical resection—they were all included in this study for further investigation. There were 5996 (49.6%) patients in the low-CIPI group and 6096 (50.4%) patients in the high-CIPI group according to the cutoff value of 8. For long-term outcomes, the high-CIPI group had a significantly higher incidence of recurrence (30.6% vs. 16.0%, p < 0.001) and worse relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates (p < 0.001). High CIPI was an independent prognostic factor for RFS and OS in univariate and multivariate analyses. This research is the first to document the independent significance of CIPI as a prognostic factor for CRC. To ensure that it works, this CIPI needs to be tested on more CRC prediction models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: The ERAS protocol consists of multiple items that aim to improve the outcomes of patients receiving surgery. Adhering to the protocol is difficult. We wondered whether surgeons practicing the ERAS protocol in a group would improve patient outcomes. Methods: All patients who underwent colorectal resection for benign disease or malignancy from November 2017 to December 2018 were collected and reviewed retrospectively. According to the physician's ward round strategy, the patients were categorized into two groups, either by solo practice or group practice. Results: This study enrolled 724 patients and divided them into two groups according to the practice method: group practice (n = 256) and solo practice (n = 468). The group practice cohort had less postoperative morbidity (14.0% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.048) and shorter postoperative hospital stays (mean: 6.6 ± 3.2 vs. 8.6 ± 5.5, p < 0.05) than the solo practice cohort. Group practice (p < 0.001), natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) procedure (p < 0.001), and blood loss >50 mL (p = 0.039) significantly affected discharge within 5 days postoperatively in multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Group practice based on a modified ERAS protocol shortens postoperative hospital stays with fewer morbidities compared with solo practice in which patients receive elective minimally invasive colorectal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To treat locally advanced rectal cancer with a multimodality approach has led to improved oncological outcomes. Despite the trend of intensification of neoadjuvant therapy, surgery remains the mainstay treatment for rectal cancer. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) was shown to provide a better distal resection margin, less circumferential resection margin involvement, and a better short-term outcome than laparoscopic TME (LapTME) for mid-low rectal cancer. However, diverse oncological results were reported recently. We aimed to analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of TaTME compared with LapTME in patients with lower rectal cancer. Our results showed that TaTME had similar histopathological results and postoperative outcomes as LapTME, even in the learning curve. However, a better DFS (72% vs. 56.6%, p = 0.038) and fewer LR events (9.5% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.031) were observed after TaTME. Thus, TaTME can be considered a safe and feasible approach in patients with low rectal cancer. Studies have reported positive short-term and histopathological results of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for mid-low rectal cancer. The long-term oncological outcomes are diverse, and concerns regarding the high local recurrence (LR) rate of TaTME have recently increased. We retrospectively analyzed 298 consecutive patients who underwent Laparoscopic TME (LapTME) or TaTME between January 2015 and December 2019. Propensity score-matching (PSM) was performed with patients matched for demographics and stage. After PSM, 63 patients were included in each group. The TaTME group had a longer mean operative time (394 vs. 333 min, p < 0.001). The blood loss, diverting stoma rate, and conversion rate were similar. Postoperatively, TaTME and LapTME had compatible complications, recovery, and hospital stay. A similar specimen quality was detected in both groups. After a mean follow-up period of 41–47 months, TaTME had less LR than LapTME (9.5% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.031). The 3-year overall survival was 80.3% in the TaTME group and 73.6% in the LapTME group (p = 0.331). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 72.0% in the TaTME group and 56.6% in the LapTME group (p = 0.038). In conclusion, better DFS and fewer LR events were observed after TaTME; thus, TaTME can be considered a safe and feasible approach in patients with low rectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant SCRT and tegafur–uracil/leucovorin plus oxaliplatin (TEGAFOX) for LARC in comparison to those of the modified 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX-6) regimen. We retrospectively evaluated 15 and 22 patients with LARC who underwent SCRT, followed by consolidation chemotherapy with TEGAFOX and mFOLFOX-6 before surgery, respectively, between January 2015 and December 2019. The primary endpoint was the tumor response rate. The secondary endpoints were compliance, toxicity, complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). The dose reduction rate was lower in the TEGAFOX group (0 vs. 9.1% (n = 2)). No grade III-IV toxicities occurred in the TEGAFOX group. Two and four patients in the TEGAFOX and mFOLFOX-6 groups, respectively, achieved clinical complete responses. The pathologic complete response rate was lower in the TEGAFOX group (7.7% vs. 17.6%). Overall, 11 (73.3%) and 17 (81.0%) patients had a neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score of <16 in the TEGAFOX and mFOLFOX-6 groups, respectively. All patients in this study received sphincter-preservation surgery. One patient in each group developed Clavien–Dindo grade III complications. There were no significant between-group differences in the 3-year OS (81.8% vs. 84.8%, p = 0.884) and 3-year DFS (72% vs. 71.6%, p = 0.824) rates. TEGAFOX, as consolidation chemotherapy after SCRT, achieves good tumor downstaging and patient compliance in LARC. The toxicity, complications, and surgical outcomes are similar to those of mFOLFOX-6. Thus, TEGAFOX can be considered a chemotherapy option for rectal cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoadjuvant short course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (CCT) is an alternative treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the tumor response and oncological outcomes of this new approach compared to conventional chemoradiotherapy (CRT). An online search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. This review included 7507 patients from 14 different cohorts. The pCR rate was higher with SCRT + CCT than that with CRT (RR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.35–1.91; p < 0.01). SCRT + CCT provided a higher ypN0 response (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.12; p = 0.02). There were no differences in R0 resection and positive CRM rates; however, more sphincter-preservation surgeries were performed in the SCRT + CCT arm (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.11; p = 0.02). There was no difference in the OS and DFS between the SCRT + CCT and the CRT arms (OS: HR: 0.85, p = 0.07; DFS: HR: 0.88, p = 0.08). The compliance and toxicity were comparable between the SCRT and CRT groups. In the subgroup analysis, patients who underwent four or more cycles of CCT had better pCR and DFS events. Therefore, SCRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy might be an effective alternative treatment for LARC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition and systemic inflammatory response (SIR) frequently occur in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and are associated with poor prognosis. Anti-inflammatory nutritional intervention is not only a way to restore the malnourished status but also modulate SIR. Nine experts, including colorectal surgeons, physicians and dieticians from 5 hospitals geographically distributed in Taiwan, attended the consensus meeting in Taiwan Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons for a 3-round discussion and achieved the consensus based on a systematic literature review of clinical studies and published guidelines. The consensus recommends that assessment of nutritional risk and SIR should be performed before and after CRC treatment and appropriate nutritional and/or anti-inflammatory intervention should be adapted and provided accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Laparoscopic anterior resection with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) has favourable short-term outcomes. However, NOSE is rarely adopted for left hemicolectomy procedures. This study aimed to review the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of transrectal NOSE in patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Method: All consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy surgery with transrectal NOSE in a single institution between January 2018 and December 2020 were reviewed. Transrectal NOSE was performed with an enterotomy at the upper rectum. The specimen was brought out via a transanal endoscopic microsurgery scope inserted through the anus. A supplementary video demonstrates this technique. Surgical outcomes, including complications, postoperative short-term recovery and the level of pain intensity, are presented. Results: Twenty patients were reviewed. There were no immediate postoperative complications and no wound infections in these patients. The average time to tolerate a soft diet was 3.6 days, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 4.5 days. The average score on the numerical rating scale of postoperative pain was 3.0 on postoperative day 1. The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. Conclusion: Laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with transrectal NOSE is a safe and feasible procedure that leads to early postoperative recovery and a short hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impaired kidney function is associated with different diseases. However, its impact on colorectal cancer has not been clarified. In order to understand the effect of preoperative kidney function on the outcome of patients with cancer, we analyzed colorectal cancer patients with localized or regional diseases.Materials and Methods: In total, 3731 stage I to III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were analyzed in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula was used for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for kidney function cut-off value; Chi-square method, independent t test, or analysis of variance (ANOVA) method for clinicopathological factors; Kaplan-Meier method for disease-free survival (DFS); Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis.Results: Among colon cancer patients, low eGFR (MDRD <70) was associated with more male patients, T2 stage, patients without adjuvant chemotherapy, and patients with elevated creatinine level. Low eGFR is a significant risk factor only for stage III colon cancer (hazard ratio 1.70, 95% CI: 1.28-2.26; P < 0.001). Furthermore, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy did not significantly increase 5-year DFS for both high and low eGFR groups in stage II patients (5 yrs DFS, 94.8% vs. 84.1%, P = 0.098 for high eGFR subgroup; and 75.0% vs. 75.8%, P = 0.379 for low eGFR subgroup). However, significant improvement of 5-yrs DFS after chemotherapy was found in low eGFR stage III colon cancer patients (64.7% vs. 39.4%, P < 0.001 for low eGFR subgroup). In contrast, no significant DFS difference was caused by chemotherapy for high eGFR stage III subgroup (70.5% vs. 63.9%, P = 0.110).Conclusions: Although low eGFR is an independent risk factor for stage III colon cancer. However, the adjuvant chemotherapy impacts on stage III colon cancer patients differently according to eGFR status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonic lymphoma is an uncommon presentation of extranodal lymphoma. Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a different entity from gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and very rare. The presentation and management of colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue are highly variable in the literature.Case Presentation: We report the case of a 59-year-old Taiwanese man who underwent a colonoscopy after a positive test for fecal occult blood. His past history included hypertension and hyperthyroidism. The colonoscopy revealed an adenomatous polyp and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. We successfully performed a polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. The lymphoma was staged according to the Ann Arbor system modified by Musshoff as E-I. Our patient showed no lymphoma recurrence over a 3-year follow-up.Conclusions: Endoscopic mucosal resection for colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma without disseminated disease may be feasible. We successfully used colonoscopic treatment without adjuvant therapy to treat early-stage pathogen-free colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The cancer cell secretome has been recognized as a valuable reservoir for identifying novel serum/plasma biomarkers for different cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to verify four CRC cell-secreted proteins (tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2/trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TACSTD2/TROP2), tetraspanin-6 (TSPAN6), bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST2), and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 16 (NGFR)) as potential plasma CRC biomarkers. Methods. The study population comprises 152 CRC patients and 152 controls. Target protein levels in plasma and tissue samples were assessed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results. Among the four candidate proteins examined by ELISA in a small sample set, only BST2 showed significantly elevated plasma levels in CRC patients versus controls. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the overexpression of BST2 in CRC tissues, and higher BST2 expression levels correlated with poorer 5-year survival (46.47% versus 65.57%; p=0.044). Further verification confirmed the elevated plasma BST2 levels in CRC patients (2.35 ± 0.13 ng/mL) versus controls (1.04 ± 0.03 ng/mL) (p<0.01), with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) being 0.858 comparable to that of CEA (0.867). Conclusion. BST2, a membrane protein selectively detected in CRC cell secretome, may be a novel plasma biomarker and prognosticator for CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As the effect of laparoscopic surgery on elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear, this propensity score–weighted cohort study revealed that laparoscopic surgery is a favorable method for elderly patients with CRC than open surgery in terms of less pulmonary-related postoperative morbidity and mortality, less hospital stay and similar oncological outcomes. Advanced age is a risk factor for major abdominal surgery due to a decline in physical function and increased comorbidities. Although laparoscopic surgery provides good results in most patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), its effect on elderly patients remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between open and laparoscopic surgeries in elderly patients with CRC. Total 1350 patients aged ≥75 years who underwent curative resection for stage I–III primary CRC were enrolled retrospectively and were divided into open surgery (846 patients) and laparoscopy (504 patients) groups. After propensity score weighting to balance an uneven distribution, a competing risk analysis was used to analyze the short-term and long-term outcomes. Postoperative mortality rates were lower in the laparoscopy group, especially due to pulmonary complications. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group than in the open surgery group. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and competing risk analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups. Laparoscopic surgery for elderly patients with CRC significantly decreased pulmonary-related postoperative morbidity and mortality in this large cohort study. Laparoscopic surgery is a favorable method for elderly patients with CRC than open surgery in terms of less hospital stay and similar oncological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (mPC) has a significantly worse overall survival than other metastases in colorectal cancer. Exploring the peritoneal cavity is the only effective way to detect early-stage mPC lesions for curative treatment. The operation cannot be justified in all patients but is possible in patients with higher mPC risk. pT1–3 have a significantly lower risk of developing mPC than pT4. Therefore, we focused on analyzing patients with pT4 colon cancer without distant metastasis, developed a prediction model and used data-driven analysis to select patients with a high risk of developing mPC. (1) Background: The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for assessing individual mPC risk in patients with pT4 colon cancer. Methods: A total of 2003 patients with pT4 colon cancer undergoing R0 resection were categorized into the training or testing set. Based on the training set, 2044 Cox prediction models were developed. Next, models with the maximal C-index and minimal prediction error were selected. The final model was then validated based on the testing set using a time-dependent area under the curve and Brier score, and a scoring system was developed. Patients were stratified into the high- or low-risk group by their risk score, with the cut-off points determined by a classification and regression tree (CART). (2) Results: The five candidate predictors were tumor location, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen value, histologic type, T stage and nodal stage. Based on the CART, patients were categorized into the low-risk or high-risk groups. The model has high predictive accuracy (prediction error ≤5%) and good discrimination ability (area under the curve >0.7). (3) Conclusions: The prediction model quantifies individual risk and is feasible for selecting patients with pT4 colon cancer who are at high risk of developing mPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]