ObjectiveUsing a prospective, nonrandomized study, the authors evaluated the morbidity and functional and oncologic results of conservative surgery for cancer of the lower third of the rectum after highdose radiation. Summary Background DataColo-anal anastomosis has made sphincter conservation for low rectal carcinoma technically feasible. The limits to conservative surgery currently are oncologic rather than technical. Adjuvant radiotherapy has proven its benefit in terms of regional control, with a dose relationship. MethodsSince June 1990, 27 patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma were treated by preoperative radiotherapy (40 + 20 Gy delivered with three fields) and curative surgery. The mean distance from the anal verge was 47 mm (27-57 mm), and none of the tumors were fixed (15 T2, 12 T3). ResultsMortality and morbidity were not increased by high-dose preoperative radiation. Twenty-one patients underwent conservative surgery (78%-17 total proctectomies and colo-anal anastomoses, 4 trans-anal resections). After colo-anal anastomosis, all patients with colonic pouch had good results; two patients had moderate results and one patient had poor results after straight colo-anal anastomosis. With a mean follow-up of 24 months, the authors noted 1 postoperative death, 2 disease-linked deaths, 1 controlled regional recurrence, 2 evolutive patients with pulmonary metastases, and 21 disease-free patients. ConclusionsThese first results confirm the possibility of conservative surgery for low rectal carcinoma after high-dose radiation. A prospective, randomized trial could be induced to determine the real role of the 20 Gy boost on the sphincter-saving decision.Currently, abdominoperineal resection (APR) repre-rence,3 the need for a 2-cm distal margin,4'5 and the sents the standard surgical treatment of lower-third rec-desirability of complete removal of the perirectal fat.6'7 tal carcinoma. 1"2 The justification for this lies in the nat-In recent years, improvements in surgical technique ural history ofthese tumors-the high risk oflocal recur-have made sphincter conservation for low rectal carci-67
During an 18-year period, 2600 patients were treated for colorectal carcinoma in the Montpellier Cancer Institute. Of the 93 patients younger than 40 years of age (3.6%), 78 records were retrospectively studied. The overall 5-year survival rate was 30%. Their survival was not significantly affected by the site of the primary tumor, the degree of tumor differentiation, or sex. The only significant parameter was Dukes' staging at presentation (P less than 0.0001). An analysis of sites of recurrence revealed the frequency of liver metastasis, ovarian metastasis in women, and local recurrence of rectal cancer. Although the high failure rate in these areas clearly justifies aggressive combined therapy, the high frequency of inaugural Stage D patients (27%) and their short mean survival time (5 months), underline the crucial importance of early detection. However, it is unfortunate that colorectal cancer screening in young patients is difficult because of the low rates of precancerous states (4%).
Thirty-seven patients with low rectal carcinoma were treated by transanal resection between January 1979 and December 1988. Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in eight patients before operation, in 13 after operation and six patients had both preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy. The selection criteria for transanal resection were low, superficial tumours treated conservatively with curative intent (group 1, 18 patients) or patients medically unfit for (12) or refusing (seven) abdominoperineal resection (APR) (group 2, 19 patients). In group 1, the local recurrence rate was 11 per cent with an overall 5-year survival rate of 100 per cent. In group 2, the local recurrence rate was 53 per cent with an overall 5-year survival rate of 35 per cent. There was no postoperative mortality and minimal morbidity. Salvage of local failure was by APR in six patients. The survival rate after local recurrence was 70 per cent at 1 year and 30 per cent at 5 years. Transanal resection can be proposed as a curative procedure for selected low, small, minimally infiltrating and well differentiated adenocarcinomas. Local control might be improved by postoperative radiotherapy for Astler-Coller stage B1 tumours or those above 3 cm in diameter. Further trials should examine the results of high-dose (60 Gy) preoperative radiotherapy so that transanal resection might be employed for favourable post-irradiation stage (0 or A) lesions. This new strategy will benefit from a better evaluation of tumour response after primary radiotherapy and an improved assessment of histological excision margins.
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