Sphincter preservation in low rectal cancer is facilitated by preoperative chemoradiation and intersphincteric dissection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate oncologic outcome in patients with locally advanced distal rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation followed by low anterior resection (LAR)/stapled coloanal anastomosis, LAR/intersphincteric dissection/hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis, or abdominoperineal resection (APR).


BACKGROUND
Distal rectal cancer presents a surgical challenge, and the goals of treatment often include tumor eradication without sacrifice of the anal sphincters. The technique of intersphincteric resection removes the internal anal sphincter to gain additional distal rectal margin in hopes of avoiding a permanent stoma.


METHODS
We analyzed 148 patients with stage II and III rectal cancers (endorectal ultrasound staged uT3-4 and/or uN1) located < or =6 cm from the anal verge, treated by preoperative chemoradiation and total mesorectal excision from 1998 to 2004. Eighty-five patients (57%) had sphincter-preserving resection (41, LAR/stapled coloanal anastomosis; 44, LAR/intersphincteric resection/hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis); 63 patients had APR.


RESULTS
Patients undergoing APR were older, with more poorly differentiated tumors evidencing less response to chemoradiation and more likely to require extended resection. Complete resection with negative histologic margins was achieved in 92%; circumferential margins were positive in 2 (5%) of 44 in the intersphincteric resection group and 8 (13%) of 63 in the APR group. Distal margins were positive in 2 (5%) of 44 in the intersphincteric resection group. With median follow-up of 47 months, there were a total of 7 local recurrences (5%): 1, 0, and 6 in the stapled anastomosis, intersphincteric resection, and APR groups, respectively. Estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival for the stapled anastomosis, intersphincteric resection, and APR groups were 85%, 83%, and 47% respectively (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In low rectal cancer, sphincter preservation is facilitated by a significant response to preoperative chemoradiation and intersphincteric resection, without compromise of margins or outcome. In those who have a less favorable response, abdominoperineal resection is more likely to be required and is associated with poorer outcome.
Weiser
Martin R
MR
Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA. weiser1@mskcc.org
Quah
Hak-Mien
HM
Shia
Jinru
J
Guillem
José G
JG
Paty
Philip B
PB
Temple
Larissa K
LK
Goodman
Karyn A
KA
Minsky
Bruce D
BD
Wong
W Douglas
WD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003082:Colectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents