Relationship between diversion colitis and quality of life in rectal cancer

AIM:To investigated the incidence of diversion colitis(DC) and impact of DC symptoms on quality of life(QoL) after ileostomy reversal in rectal cancer.METHODS:We performed a prospective study with 30 patients who underwent low anterior resection and the creation of a temporary ileostomy for the rectal cancer between January 2008 and July 2009 at the Department of Surgery,Korea University Anam Hospital.The participants totally underwent two rounds of the examinations.At first examination,endoscopies,tissue biopsies,and questionnaire survey about the symptom were performed 3-4 mo after the ileostomy creations.At second examination,endoscopies,tissue biopsies,and questionnaire survey about the symptom and QoL were performed 5-6 mo after the ileostomy reversals.Clinicopathological data were based on the histopathological reports and clinical records of the patients.RESULTS:At the first examination,all of the patients presented with inflammation,which was mild in 15(50%) patients,moderate in 11(36.7%) and severe in 4(13.3%) by endoscopy and mild in 14(46.7%) and moderate in 16(53.3%) by histology.At the second examination,only 11(36.7%) and 17(56.7%) patients had mild inflammation by endoscopy and histology,respectively.There was no significant difference in DC grade between the endoscopic and the histological findings at first or second examination.The symptoms detected on the first and second questionnaires were mucous discharge in 12(40%) and 5(17%) patients,bloody discharge in 5(17%) and 3(10%) patients,abdominal pain in 4(13%) and 2(7%) patients and tenesmus in 9(30%) and 5(17%) patients,respectively.We found no correlation between the endoscopic or histological findings and the symptoms such as mucous discharge,bleeding,abdominal pain and tenesmus in both time points.Diarrhea was detected in 9 patients at the second examination;this number correlated with the severity of DC(0%,0%,66.7%,33.3% vs 0%,71.4%,23.8%,4.8%,P = 0.001) and the symptom-related QoL(r =-0.791,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:The severity of DC is related to diarrhea after an ileostomy reversal and may adversely affect QoL.

Expression of protein S100A4 is a predictor of recurrence in colorectal cancer

AIM: To investigate the prognostic significance of S100A4 expression in colorectal cancer and its correlation with expression of E-cadherin and p53. METHODS: A cohort of archival formalin-fixed paraff inembedded specimens was selected from 127 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection between April 2000 and March 2004 at the Department of Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital. The expression of protein S100A4 was evaluated according to the proportion of positively stained cancer cells. In each case, three core biopsies with a diameter of 2 mm were punched out and positioned in a recipient paraff in array block. Four-μm sections of these tissue array blocks were used for immunohistochemical analysis of protein S100A4, E-cadherin, and p53. Clinicopathological data were based on the original histopathologic reports and clinical records of patients. RESULTS: In normal colorectal mucosa, protein S100A4 immunoreactivity was clearly absent in both cytoplasm and nucleus. However, positive immunoreactivity of protein S100A4 was detected in 45 (35.4%) of the tumor cases. There was no significant association between positive immunoreactivity of protein S100A4 and clinicopathological parameters such as tumor differentiation or TNM stage, and also no correlation between the reactivity and E-cadherin or p53 expression. However, positive immunoreactivity of protein S100A4 was found to be associated with tumor recurrence (P = 0.004), and was also associated with significantly worse overall survival in the Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis (P = 0.044). After adjustment for tumor differentiation, tumor depth and nodal status, however, it failed to achieve statistical significance (P = 0.067). CONCLUSION: The expression of protein S100A4 is associated with tumor recurrence and poor overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Risk factors causing structural sequelae after anastomotic leakage in mid to low rectal cancer

AIM: To investigate the risk factors causing structural sequelae after anastomotic leakage in patients with mid to low rectal cancer.METHODS: Prospectively collected data of consecutive subjects who had anastomotic leakage after surgical resection for rectal cancer from March 2006 to May 2013 at Korea University Anam Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Two subgroup analyses were performed. The patients were initially divided into the sequelae(stricture, fistula, or sinus) and no sequelae groups and then divided into the permanent stoma(PS)and no PS groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of structural sequelae after anastomotic leakage.RESULTS: Structural sequelae after anastomotic leakage were identified in 29 patients(39.7%).Multivariate analysis revealed that diversion ileostomy at the first operation increases the risk of structural sequelae [odds ratio(OR) = 6.741; P = 0.017].Fourteen patients(17.7%) had permanent stoma during the follow-up period(median, 37 mo). Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor level from the dentate line was associated with the risk of permanent stoma(OR = 0.751; P = 0.045).CONCLUSION: Diversion ileostomy at the first operation increased the risk of structural sequelae of the anastomosis, while lower tumor location was associated with the risk of permanent stoma in the management of anastomotic leakage.

Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision: West meets East

Complete mesocolic excision is a relatively new concept in western literature. It follows the same concept of total mesorectal excision and units' routinely performing complete mesocolic excisions have good pathological results as well as good improvements in overall survival, disease free survival and local recurrence. And yet unlike total mesorectal excision, uptake in the West has been relatively slow with many units sceptical of the true benefits gained by taking up a more technically challenging and potentially more morbid procedure when there is a paucity of literature to support these claims. This article reviews complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer, attempting to identify the risks and benefits of the technique and particularly looking at the reasons why its uptake has not been universal. It also discusses the similarities of a complete mesocolic excision to a colon resection with a D3 lymphadenectomy as well as the role of a laparoscopic approach to this technique. Considering a D3 lymphadenectomy has been the standard of care for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ colon cancers in many of our Asian neighbours for over 20 years, combining this data with data on complete mesocolic excision may provide enough evidence to support or refute the need for complete mesocolic excisions. Maybe there might be lessons to be learnt from our colleagues in the east.