Jaime Feliu Batlle

Efficacy of Preoperative radiation therapy for resectable rectal adenocarcinoma when combined with oral tegafur-uracil modulated with leucovorin:Results from a phase II study

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative radiation therapy for resectable rectal adenocarcinoma (T3-T4) when delivered in combination with chemotherapy (oral tegafur-uracil modulated with leucovorin). METHODS Thirty-eight patients (23 males; mean age, 62 years.) with histologically proven rectal adenocarcinoma with primary tumor clinical classification T3-T4 (resectable) and N0 or N1-N2, according to TNM staging system, took part in the present clinical trial. After tumor and metastasis resectability confirmation, radiation therapy was administered by delivering a dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions for 5 weeks. Chemotherapy treatment was initiated on the same day as radiotherapy and consisted of intravenous infusion of 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin 250 mg/m2/day in 2 hours on Day 1, followed by oral 350 or 300 mg/m2/day of tegafur (a 5-fluorouracil prodrug) plus uracil on Days 1 to 14 divided into 2 daily doses, and oral 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin 7.5 mg/12 hours on Days 2 to 14, with a total of 102 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (i.e., mean of 2.7 courses per patient). Six additional courses of tegafur-uracil were given postoperatively to all 38 patients but 1 who refused. RESULTS As a result of preoperative chemoradiation treatment, 4 (10.5 percent) complete responses, 20 (52.6 percent) partial responses, and 14 (36.8 percent) patients with disease stabilization were observed. No patients had preoperative disease progression. Histologically proven downstaging was observed in 23 (60 percent) patients. On initial evaluation, only 39 percent of patients were considered as being good candidates for sphincter-preserving surgery; however, on preoperative chemoradiation completion this figure increased up to 60 percent. For the 23 patients eventually undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery, postoperative sphincter function assessment showed excellent function in 15 (65 percent) patients, good in 5 (22 percent), fair in 2 (9 percent), and poor in 1(4 percent). With a median follow-up of 37 (range, 10–62) months, local failure was found in 3 (8 percent) patients and distant failure in 2 (5 percent). Three-year actuarial disease-free survival and 3-year overall survival rates were 83 and 90 percent, respectively. Local control rate was 92 percent. Toxicity and postoperative complication rates were reasonable. CONCLUSIONS Our neoadjuvant radiation therapy protocol is efficient for the preoperative treatment of resectable rectal adenocarcinoma when combined with chemotherapy (oral tegafur-uracil modulated with leucovorin). However, this protocol needs to be tested in a phase-III clinical trial with a larger sample size.

Efficacy of Preoperative Radiation Therapy for Resectable Rectal Adenocarcinoma When Combined With Oral Tegafur-Uracil Modulated With Leucovorin

AbstractPURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative radiation therapy for resectable rectal adenocarcinoma (T3-T4) when delivered in combination with chemotherapy (oral tegafur-uracil modulated with leucovorin). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (23 males; mean age, 62 years.) with histologically proven rectal adenocarcinoma with primary tumor clinical classification T3-T4 (resectable) and N0 or N1-N2, according to TNM staging system, took part in the present clinical trial. After tumor and metastasis resectability confirmation, radiation therapy was administered by delivering a dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions for 5 weeks. Chemotherapy treatment was initiated on the same day as radiotherapy and consisted of intravenous infusion of 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin 250 mg/m2/day in 2 hours on Day 1, followed by oral 350 or 300 mg/m2/day of tegafur (a 5-fluorouracil prodrug) plus uracil on Days 1 to 14 divided into 2 daily doses, and oral 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin 7.5 mg/12 hours on Days 2 to 14, with a total of 102 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (i.e., mean of 2.7 courses per patient). Six additional courses of tegafur-uracil were given postoperatively to all 38 patients but 1 who refused. RESULTS: As a result of preoperative chemoradiation treatment, 4 (10.5 percent) complete responses, 20 (52.6 percent) partial responses, and 14 (36.8 percent) patients with disease stabilization were observed. No patients had preoperative disease progression. Histologically proven downstaging was observed in 23 (60 percent) patients. On initial evaluation, only 39 percent of patients were considered as being good candidates for sphincter-preserving surgery; however, on preoperative chemoradiation completion this figure increased up to 60 percent. For the 23 patients eventually undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery, postoperative sphincter function assessment showed excellent function in 15 (65 percent) patients, good in 5 (22 percent), fair in 2 (9 percent), and poor in 1(4 percent). With a median follow-up of 37 (range, 10–62) months, local failure was found in 3 (8 percent) patients and distant failure in 2 (5 percent). Three-year actuarial disease-free survival and 3-year overall survival rates were 83 and 90 percent, respectively. Local control rate was 92 percent. Toxicity and postoperative complication rates were reasonable. CONCLUSIONS: Our neoadjuvant radiation therapy protocol is efficient for the preoperative treatment of resectable rectal adenocarcinoma when combined with chemotherapy (oral tegafur-uracil modulated with leucovorin). However, this protocol needs to be tested in a phase-III clinical trial with a larger sample size.

Immunohistochemical analysis of tumour regression grade for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Aim  Tumour regression grade (TRG) as defined by Rödel et al. has been used as an independent prognostic factor for rectal carcinoma after preoperative treatment by chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Determination of TRG 2 and 3, semiquantitatively defined as more or less than 50% tumour regression, respectively, does not appear to correlate with prognosis. The purpose of this study was to find an immunohistochemical pattern to permit improved stratification of intermediate responders defined by disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Cáncer de colon hereditario

Up to 5% of all diagnosed colorectal cancers has a hereditary cuase. Colon cancer arise in younger individuals, and extracolonic tumors are also frequent. A precise understanding of main syndromes will allow the proper management of these patients, including genetic counselling, screening and prophylactic surgery.

Tratamiento de soporte en el enfermo con cáncer. Algunas propuestas basadas en nuestra experiencia

ResumenEl oncólogo médico, en general, se ha centrado durante mucho tiempo en los resultados de la quimioterapia antineoplásica y se ha olvidado con mucha frecuencia de una parte muy importante de la asistencia integral del enfermo con cáncer: el tratamiento de soporte. Afortunadamente esto ya no es así en la actualidad y el control de signos y síntomas ha recuperado su primacía en la estrategía terapéutica oncológica.Aportamos en esta breve revisión nuestra pequeña experiencia en el tratamiento de los enfermos neoplásicos con respecto al dolor, anorexia, anemia, neutropenia febril y apoyo psicológico.AbstractThe medical oncologist has focused much of the time on the results of chemotherapy, and has forgotten a main issue in the global care of the patients with cancer: supportive care. Fortunatelly, things have evolved and today the management of signs and symptoms is a cornerstone in the therapeutic oncology approaches.Here we report our experience in the treatment of cancer patients regarding the management of pain, anorexia, anemia, febrile neutropenia and psychological care.

Actividad laboral en una cohorte de pacientes con carcinoma de pulmón

espanolIntroduccion: La actividad laboral en el cancer de pulmon es un aspecto psicosocial que ha recibido poca atencion hasta el momento actual por distintos motivos, a pesar de considerarse una dimension de la calidad de vida para todo paciente oncologico. Objetivos: Analizar la reinsercion y adaptacion al entorno laboral en una cohorte de pacientes con un carcinoma de pulmon para describir los factores que influyen en la vuelta al trabajo de estos enfermos. Pacientes y metodos: El estudio incluyo 35 pacientes consecutivos diagnosticados de un cancer de pulmon y que estaban empleados en el momento del diagnostico. El cuestionario incluyo aspectos epidemiologicos, clinicos y laborales (32 variables en total) que se relacionaron con la reincorporacion al mundo laboral. Tambien se incluyeron percepciones subjetivas de los enfermos respecto a este tema. Resultados: El 96,9% de los pacientes pasaron a inactivos tras comenzar el tratamiento de la enfermedad y un 85,7% lo seguian estando tras este. La presencia de secuelas fue la variable con mayor influencia en la inactividad laboral. Conclusiones: Este es el primer estudio exploratorio en nuestro pais acerca de la reinsercion laboral de los pacientes diagnosticados de un carcinoma de pulmon. EnglishBackground: Cancer affects many dimensions determining quality of life, including work. However, the importance of work to cancer survivors has received little attention. Aim: Employment and work-related disability were investigated in a cohort of lung cancer patients to describe a possible discrimination and other work issues. Patients and Methods: The study included consecutively 35 lung cancer patients who were employed at diagnosis. The questionnaire included cancer-related symptoms and work-related factors. Clinical details were obtained from the medical record. Patients were interviewed face to face and 32 variables were recorded. Results: 96,9 per cent of patients were unable to work after diagnosis, but 85,7% returned to work at the end of treatment. Most of the problems reported in the study were linked to the sequelae of their disease and related treatments. Conclusions: This is the first exploratory study in Spain about labour reintegration in lung cancer patients. Further studies are necessary.