title: Long-term outcomes after intersphincteric resection for low-lying rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As an anus-preserving surgery for very low rectal cancer, intersphincteric resection (ISR), has advanced markedly over the last 20 years. We investigated long-term oncologic, functional, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes after ISR with or without partial external sphincter resection (PESR).
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 199 patients underwent curative ISR with or without PESR between 2000 and 2008, with 49 receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT group) and 150 undergoing surgery first (surgery group). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local relapse-free survival (LFS) rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Wexner incontinence score. QOL was investigated using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) and modified fecal incontinence quality of life (mFIQL) scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a median follow-up of 78 months (range 12-164 months), estimated 7-year OS, DFS, and LFS rates were 78, 67, and 80 %, respectively. LFS was better in the CRT group than in the surgery group (p = 0.045). Patients with PESR or positive circumferential resection margins showed significantly worse survival. The median Wexner incontinence score at >5 years was 8 in the surgery group and 10 in the CRT group (p = 0.01). QOL was improved in all physical and mental subscales of the SF-36 at >5 years. Although the mFIQL showed a relatively good score in all groups at >5 years, a significant difference existed between the CRT and surgery groups (p = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With long-term follow-up, oncologic, functional, and QOL results after ISR appear acceptable, although CRT is associated with disturbance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan, norsaito@east.ncc.go.jp.
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugito
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005242:Fecal Incontinence; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult