Search

A 27-year-old man was referred to our hospital for a detailed examination of abdominal distention, bloody stool, anorectal pain, and weight loss. A colonoscopy revealed a circumferential type 2 tumor at 9 cm from the anal verge which was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma based on biopsy. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen showed an elevated perineal lipid concentration in the rectum(Ra)which was suspicious for clinical T4a stage, and simultaneous S7/8 liver metastasis. We strongly suspected familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP)because his mother had a past history of total proctocolectomy for FAP. We decided to first create a loop stoma at the transverse colon for the obstructive rectal cancer, and then administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy(mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab). We performed total proctocolectomy with permanent stoma and S8 ventral resection for the liver metastasis after 5 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab. As for clinicopathological findings, round 50 polyps were identified in the colon and rectum, and rectal cancer invaded into the muscularis propria. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as a clinically attenuated FAP with ypT2 rectal cancer.

Background: In rectal cancer (RC) surgery, the complexity of total mesorectal excision (TME) in laparoscopic sphincter-preserving surgery (lap-SPS) for RC near the anus has been a critical issue. Recently, technical assistance via the anus for complete TME has been receiving attention. This study aimed at clarifying the transanal down-to-up dissection viability for achieving TME in lap-SPS for RC near the anus., Methods: We evaluated surgical and oncological outcomes of a total of 123 consecutive patients undergoing either a transanal rectal dissection (TARD) under direct vision mobilizing the most difficult portion of TME via the anus or the transanal TME by using an endoscopic system (TaTME) for achieving TME in lap-SPS for RC near the anus between January 2006 and February 2021., Results: A total of 123 consecutive patients (83 men) with a median age of 66 years (range 33-86 years) were included. TARD and TaTME were performed for 50 (40.7%) and for 73 (59.3%) patients, respectively. Preoperative treatment was performed for 40 (32.5%) patients, resulting in a complete pathological response in 5 (12.5%) patients. Intersphincteric resection was performed significantly more in the TARD group (p<0.001). Although the TaTME group needed a longer operative time at the transanal portion (p<0.001), the median blood loss was lower (p<0.001). Postoperative complications with the Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≧2 developed in 52 (42.3%) patients. Urinary dysfunction and stoma-related complications were found most frequently. More patients needing medication for urinary dysfunction were found in the TARD group, but a significant difference was not observed (10.0% vs. 6.8%, p=0.526). The quality of TME was good for almost all patients. Recurrence developed in 18 (14.6%) patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates in 123 patients were 95.8% and 88.8%, respectively. The 5-year OS and RFS between the two groups were comparable., Conclusions: Our data suggested that a transanal down-to-up dissection of the distal rectum might be a viable approach in lap-SPS for RC near the anus. Further studies are needed to examine the differences between TARD and TaTME., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Case: An 83-year-old female. At 82 years of age, the patient sought evaluation with a complaint of rectal bleeding. A 35-mm rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)was treated by laparoscopic ultra-low rectal resection and transanal anastomosis following trans-anal rectal dissection by perineal manipulation. Approximately 1 year later, a 20-mm metastatic lymph node within the right lateral lymph node group at the pelvic cavity was detected. The patient was diagnosed with a recurrence of rectal GIST. The patient had no symptoms and did not wish to undergo surgery. After 7 weeks of treatment with an imatinib dose reduction(200 mg), the dosage was increased and the patient was admitted to the hospital with edema of the face and lower limbs, and pleural and pericardial effusions(grade 2). After discharge from the hospital, the medication was terminated early at the patient's request. One year later, the lymph nodes had decreased in size to 7.5 mm, indicating a partial response. The treatment-free period continued, and after 5 years at 89 years of age the lymph nodes had not enlarged, thus the patient was thought to be clinically cured. We report a rare case of long-term tumor suppression using short-term low-dose imatinib therapy.

We explored the effects of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in perineal wound infections after abdominoperineal resection. We retrospectively evaluated 146 patients who underwent abdominal perineal resection from December 2004 to December 2019 and compared conventional gauze dressing (controls) with incisional negative pressure wound therapy. We compared patients' characteristics, surgical factors, and perineal infection rates between groups, and patients' characteristics, surgical factors, and negative pressure therapy use between perineal infection vs non-infection groups, as well as the risk factors for perineal infections. In the negative pressure therapy group, compared with controls, the number of men, smoking prevalence, blood transfusion, drainage via the perineal wound, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly lower (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively), and operation time was significantly longer (p < 0.05). Infections were significantly less common in the negative pressure group (p < 0.05). In the univariate analysis, the infection-positive group had significantly higher laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.01) and negative pressure wound therapy-free rates (p < 0.01), and significantly more intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using these three factors and preoperative radiotherapy showed that incisional negative pressure wound therapy-free status was a risk factor for infection. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy was beneficial in managing perineal wound infections after abdominoperineal resection., (© 2020 The Authors. International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc (3M) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Rectal amputation (RA) remains an important surgical procedure for salvage despite advances in sphincter-preserving resection, including intersphincteric resection. The aim of this study was to compare short- and long-term outcomes of RA with an initial perineal approach to those of RA with an initial abdominal approach (conventional abdominoperineal resection (APR)) for primary anorectal cancer., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the short- and long-term outcomes of 48 patients who underwent RA with an initial perineal approach (perineal group) and 21 patients who underwent RA with an initial abdominal approach (conventional group)., Results: For the perineal group, the operation time was shorter than that for the conventional group (313 vs. 388 min, p = 0.027). The postoperative complication rate was similar between the two groups (43.8 vs. 47.6%, p = 0.766). Perineal wound complications (PWCs) were significantly fewer in the perineal group than in the conventional group (22.9 vs. 57.1%, p = 0.006). All 69 patients underwent complete TME, but positive CRM was significantly higher in the conventional group than in the perineal group (0 vs. 19.0%, p = 0.011). There were no significant differences in the recurrence (43.8 vs. 47.6%, p = 0.689), 5-year disease-free survival (63.7% vs. 56.7%, p = 0.665) and 5-year overall survival rates (82.5% vs. 66.2%, p = 0.323) between the two groups., Conclusion: These data suggest that RA with an initial perineal approach for selective primary anorectal carcinoma is advantageous in minimizing PWCs and positive CRMs. Further investigations on the advantages of this approach are necessary.

Purpose: A multicenter phase II clinical study was performed in patients with T3 or T4 stage II/III rectal cancer to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6)., Methods: Patients received four 2-week cycles of mFOLFOX6 therapy (oxaliplatin at 85 mg/m 2  + leucovorin at 200 mg/m 2  + fluorouracil as a 400 mg/m 2 bolus followed by infusion of 2400 mg/m 2 over 46 h, all on Day 1). They were evaluated by computed tomography after completion of the fourth cycle. If there was no disease progression, two additional cycles were administered and then surgery was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was generally administered for 6 months using appropriate regimens at the discretion of the physician., Results: mFOLFOX6 therapy was given to 52 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The preoperative response rate was 48.8% and the operation rate was 80.8%. Serious adverse events of Grade 3-4 were neutropenia (n = 5), leukopenia (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 1), febrile neutropenia (n = 1), nausea (n = 1), vomiting (n = 1), and peripheral neuropathy (n = 2). The R0 resection rate, pathologic complete response rate, and sphincter preservation rate were 91.0, 11.9, and 73.8%, respectively. Postoperative complications were tolerable., Conclusions: The present results suggested that neoadjuvant therapy with mFOLFOX6 is safe and effective, representing a reasonable treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: Fournier's gangrene in the setting of rectal cancer is rare. Treatment for Fournier's gangrene associated with rectal cancer is more complex than other cases of Fournier's gangrene. We report on a patient with severe Fournier's gangrene in the setting of locally advanced rectal cancer who was treated with a combined modality therapy., Case Presentation: A 65-year-old man presented with general fatigue and anal pain. The medical and surgical histories were unremarkable. A black spot on the perineal skin surrounded by erythema was found on physical examination, suspicious for Fournier's gangrene. Computed tomography scan showed a rectal tumor invading into the bladder (clinically T4bN2M0) and abscess formation with emphysema around the rectum. He was thus diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer and Fournier's gangrene with a severity index score of 12 points. We created a diverting loop colostomy of the transverse colon and performed extensive debridement of the perineum and perianal area. Fifty days later, the patient underwent radical total pelvic exenteration with sacrectomy. In addition, reconstruction of the soft tissue defect was performed using the rectus muscle, the gluteus maximus muscle, and the femoral muscle. Histopathological findings of the specimen were as follows: the tumor was a moderately adenocarcinoma with invasion to the bladder and the prostate (T4b), metastases to four resected lymph nodes (N2), and lymphovascular invasion. There were no major postoperative complications, and the patient was discharged 108 days postoperatively., Conclusions: We report a rare case of locally invasive rectal cancer associated with Fournier's gangrene. This case highlights a usual cause of Fournier's gangrene. Physicians should be cognizant not only of the more common condition but also of the rare presentations including those associated with rectal cancer.

The overexpression of mutant p53 stimulates serum p53 antibody production in patients with colorectal carcinoma even in superficial tumors. Although the short-term perioperative monitoring of serum p53 antibody titers is reported to be useful in predicting tumor recurrence and patient survival in colorectal carcinoma, the clinical utility of the long-term monitoring of serum p53 antibody titers in patients with colorectal cancer remains unknown. Here, we report the 3-year monitoring of serum p53 antibody titers in a 60-year-old man with rectal cancer, clinical stage IV (T2N2M1b, lung and liver metastases), who was treated with chemotherapy and surgery. Screening tests for CEA (29.4 ng/ml), CA19-9 (41.1 U/ml), and serum p53 antibody (2170 U/ml) were positive before treatment. After chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab (B-mab), CEA and CA19-9 decreased to the normal range. However, serum p53 antibody titer remained positive (283 U/ml). After low anterior resection, the serum p53 antibody titer still remained positive (63.4 U/ml). Serum p53 antibody titer significantly changed and was associated with treatment response and tumor recurrence. In the last 6 months of the patient's life, serum p53 antibody titer gradually decreased, which possibly reflects the modification of the patient's immune response to p53 antigens.

Background/aims: In Japan lateral pelvic lymph node dissection has been actively performed with total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer. However, its definitive efficacy remains unclear. This study is to evaluate clinical significance of lateral pelvic lymphatic drainage in low rectal cancer patients by 99mTc-Sn colloid radioactive tracers., Methodology: Intraoperatively detecting rectal lymphatic drainage using 99mTc-Sn colloid radioactive tracer in 39 low rectal cancer patients, we performed lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in lateral pelvic lymphatic flow-positive patients., Results: Lateral pelvic lymphatic flow was detected in 11 patients (28%). In four (36%) of 11 patients, tumor cells were histologically identified in lateral pelvic lymph nodes. A median size of metastatic lateral pelvic lymph nodes was 7.5 (range, 2-150) mm, and all but one overlooked patient could not be detected by routine preoperative imaging scans retrospectively. The five-year disease-free survival rate of lateral pelvic lymphatic flow-positive patients was significantly poorer (45% vs. 75%, p = 0.0044)., Conclusions: Tumor cells potentially extended beyond the fascia propria recti in low rectal cancer with lateral pelvic lymphatic flow. Preoperative chemoradiation therapy and adjuvant therapy are considered to be reasonable to improve a poor prognosis of low rectal cancer patients with lateral pelvic lymphatic flow.

Background/aims: A phase I study was performed to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicity and the recommended dose of the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 when administered concurrently with radiation therapy to 9 Japanese patients with low rectal cancer., Methodology: S-1 was given orally for a total of 9 weeks (4 weeks alone and 5 weeks during radiation therapy) at oral doses of 65 mg/m2/day (n = 3 patients) or 80 mg/m2/day (n = 6 patients). Radiation therapy was administered in 1.5 gray fractions five times weekly (Monday to Friday) for a total dose of 45 gray., Results: All patients achieved the planned 45 gray of radiation therapy. There was no grade > or = 3 toxicity. The recommended dose of S-1 was determined to be 80 mg/m2/ day. The dose intensity of S-1 was well maintained, and the combination of S-1 plus radiation therapy was well tolerated by all patients. Sphincter-preserving procedures were possible in all but one (89%) patient. High rates of tumor shrinkage and nodular downstaging were achieved. The histological response rate was 78%, including one complete response., Conclusions: The recommended dose of S-1 with concurrent radiation therapy was 80 mg/m2/day. Pre-operative chemoradiation therapy with S-1 was feasible and well tolerated by patients with low rectal cancer.

Purpose: Fecal incontinence is a frequently observed symptom after lower rectal surgery with sphincter manipulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate a proposed modification to the fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) scale for the assessment of the quality of life among patients with very low rectal cancer who have undergone intersphincteric resection., Methods: A single 14-item composite scale was prepared that was derived from items in the "Lifestyle" and "Coping" subscales of the original FIQL. The scale was tested with a convenience sample of 152 postoperative patients. In addition to classic psychometric evaluation, newer statistical techniques, such as a multiple correspondence analysis and partial credit model, were performed to evaluate the item response patterns., Results: The proposed scale exhibited an item-rest correlation of 0.66-0.84 and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96, and was correlated with concurrently measured Social Functioning subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (-0.70), physical role limitation (-0.61), and Wexner continence grading scale (-0.61). Multiple correspondence analysis supported a uni-dimensional construct, and the partial credit model showed a varying yet overlapping range of item response thresholds across items. Several items, such as "Locating bathroom whenever going out", reflected more a serious condition than items such as "Avoiding eating-out." Weighted item scores based on estimated thresholds provided results comparable with those based on non-weighted scores., Conclusions: The proposed modification to the FIQL scale exhibited high internal consistency and satisfactory concurrent and convergence validity. The modified scale is practical to administer and is sensitive to a range of functional problems associated with fecal incontinence among patients who have undergone intersphincteric resection.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the draining lymph node basin at highest risk of metastasis in lower rectal cancer using 99 mTc-tin colloid., Methods: In 43 patients, the area with highest hot nodes density was defined as the draining lymph node basin using a gamma probe. Metastatic states of all removed lymph nodes were examined histologically., Results: A total of 203 hot nodes were identified in 39 patients (91 percent) with a mean of 5.2 nodes. The number of removed lymph nodes was 808 nodes: 670 nodes in the mesorectum, and 138 nodes in the pelvis. In 21 patients, the metastatic states of 119 nodes were investigated histologically. From the distribution of the identified hot nodes, the draining lymph node basins were classified into two patterns: lateral type (n = 17), and mesorectal type (n = 22). Only 20 (17 percent) of 119 positive nodes were identified as hot node. Tumor cells that occupied the lymph node diffusely or massively probably interfered with the exact diagnosis of metastasis. Lymph node metastasis in the pelvis was observed in 5 patients (13 percent). One false negative was of the mesorectal type with diffuse metastases in the para-aortic lymph nodes. The remaining four patients were of the lateral type and all positive lymph nodes, including positive nonhot nodes, were located within the draining lymph node basin. Consequently, in 20 (95.2 percent) of 21 patients with lymph node metastasis, all positive lymph nodes were located within the draining lymph node basin of the tumor., Conclusions: Two types of the draining lymph node basin of advanced lower rectal cancer were identified using this method. The concordance between lymph node metastases and the draining lymph node basin is good.

In the surgical treatment of advanced rectal cancer, wide lymphadenectomy has been replaced by autonomic nerve preservation because of serious problems such as postoperative urinary and sexual dysfunction. This may offer a considerable clue to as whether metastasis of lateral lymph node can be diagnosed by a new technique in order to provide more benefits to many patients with advanced rectal cancer. Moreover the sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept has lately attracted attention as a new technique. We studied SLN in 40 patients with advanced lower rectal cancer using 99mTc-Sn colloid as a tracer. SLN was successfully identified in 35 (87.5%) of 40 patients, and the mean number of SLNs identified per patient was 5.6 lymph nodes (range 1-14). In this study overall accuracy was 86%, and it was suggested that lateral lymphadenectomy was excluded in 91%, thanks to application of the SLN technique. Although the role this technique plays in the individualization of the therapy for rectal cancer will be large in the near future, many problems remain to be solved in the exact identification of SLN.