Ron G. Landmann

Colectomy for endoscopically unresectable polyps: how often is it cancer?

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has an established role in reducing the burden of colorectal cancer through early detection and removal of polyps. For endoscopically unresectable polyps, colectomy is generally indicated to prevent malignant transformation or to remove cancer already present. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the incidence of malignancy and the factors predictive of malignancy in surgically resected benign polyps. DESIGN/PATIENTS/SETTING: This study was a retrospectivechart review of patients undergoing a colectomy for a colonic polyp (no preoperative diagnosis of cancer) in 4 hospitals within the Mayo Clinic Health System. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient characteristics, endoscopic location and size, and preoperative and operative polyp pathology were tabulated. Correlations between these features and the finding of invasive carcinoma on surgical pathology were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 750 patients met our inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly male (55.2%) with an average age of 69.4 ± 9.8 years. A majority of polyps were located in the right colon (70.9%). Invasive cancer was identified in 133 patients (17.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed polyps in the left colon (adjusted OR 2.13, 95% CI (1.22–3.72)), and those with high-grade dysplasia (adjusted OR 4.60, 95% CI (2.91–7.27)) were more likely to harbor carcinoma. Age, sex, polyp dimension, and villous features were not predictive of malignancy. Of the patients with cancer, 31 (23.3%) had nodal disease. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective nature, the change in terminology and technique over time, and the partially subjective nature of an endoscopically unresectable polyp. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that polyp size and villous features do not strongly predict malignancy differs from previous endoscopic studies. This study confirms that polyps located in the left colon or with high-grade dysplasia are more likely to harbor cancer. The results of this study suggest that endoscopically unresectable polyps are best treated by radical oncologic resection.

Dysplasia in ulcerative colitis as a predictor of unsuspected synchronous colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surveillance of patients with ulcerative colitis aims to prevent cancer-related morbidity through the detection and treatment of dysplasia. The literature to date varies widely with regard to the importance of dysplasia as a marker for colorectal cancer at the time of colectomy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to accurately characterize the extent to which the preoperative detection of dysplasia is associated with undetected cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. DESIGN/PATIENTS/SETTING: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients undergoing surgery for colitis within the Mayo Clinic Health System between August 1993 and July 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics and pre- and postoperative dysplasia were tabulated. The relationship between pre- and postoperative dysplasia/cancer in surgical pathology specimens was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 2130 patients underwent abdominal colectomy or proctocolectomy; 329 patients were identified (15%) as having at least 1 focus of dysplasia preoperatively. Of these 329 patients, the majority were male (69%) with a mean age of 49.7 years. Unsuspected cancer was found in 6 surgical specimens. Indeterminate dysplasia was not associated with cancer (0/50). Preoperative low-grade dysplasia was associated with a 2% (3/141) risk of undetected cancer when present in random surveillance biopsies and a 3% (2/79) risk if detected in endoscopically visible lesions. Similarly, 3% (1/33) of patients identified preoperatively with random surveillance biopsy high-grade dysplasia harbored undetected cancer. Unsuspected dysplasia was found in 62/1801 (3%) cases without preoperative dysplasia. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective nature and by its lack of evaluation of the natural history of dysplastic lesions that progress to cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of dysplasia was associated with a low risk of unsuspected cancer at the time of colectomy. These findings will help inform the decision-making process for patients with ulcerative colitis who are considering intensive surveillance vs surgical intervention after a diagnosis of dysplasia.

What is the likelihood of colorectal cancer when surgery for ulcerative-colitis-associated dysplasia is deferred?

Surgery aims to prevent cancer‐related morbidity for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) associated dysplasia. The literature varies widely regarding the likelihood of dysplastic progression to higher grades of dysplasia or cancer. The aim of this study was to characterize the likelihood of the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) of patients with UC‐associated dysplasia who chose to defer surgery.

A hemorrhoid by any other name.

A 92-year-old man with dementia presented with perianal discomfort and fecal incontinence of 1 week duration. He denied pain, pruritus, bleeding, or sensation of a mass. Physical examination was notable for a raised verrucous mass (0.75 cm) extending from the dentate line distally for 7 cm, circumferentially covering 75% of the anal margin. Punch biopsy specimens were obtained for diagnosis. Histology revealed intraepithelial cells with prominent nucleoli and abundant clear cytoplasm. Surgical options were explained to the patient, but given his decline in function and overall poor life expectancy, radiation therapy was offered. He successfully completed a regimen of 44 Gy in 11 fractions. On follow-up examination, no appreciable perianal mass was observed; the patient denied anal discomfort, pain, bleeding, or symptoms of obstruction. Perianal Paget disease is uncommon, with fewer than 300 cases reported in the literature.1,2 Classically described as involving the breast, Paget disease has been shown to affect areas containing apocrine glands, including the perianal region, vulva, penis, scrotum, thighs, buttocks, and axilla.2 Perianal Paget disease typically presents in the sixth decade of life with pruritus ani, bleeding, excoriation, pain with defecation, anal pain, or mass sensation.2 Lesions are characterized as slightly raised, erythematous, and well-demarcated.3 Treatment is predominantly surgical, consisting of local excision, wide local excision with skin grafting or flap reconstruction, or in severe cases abdominoperineal resection.4,5 Radiation therapy can be offered in select patients with good outcome.

Anatomic Basis of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an integral modality utilized by physician and surgeons and offers diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. A knowledge of the anatomic landmarks and impressions, as well as internal cues and mural changes, is expected in understanding normal physiological and pathologic changes. A fundamental understanding of this anatomy and its variations as well as understanding how to navigate and reduce colonoscopic looping permits the surgeon to proceed in a safe manner and perform a safe, efficient, and painless colonoscopy.

Participation of Colon and Rectal Fellows in Robotic Rectal Cancer Surgery: Effect on Surgical Outcomes

OBJECTIVES To determine whether involvement of colon and rectal fellows has an effect on short-term surgical and oncological outcomes in robotic rectal cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS From a dataset of 263 robotic-assisted rectal cancer operations, 114 case-matched patients over a 5-year period (January 2010-December 2015) were included in the study. Patients who underwent resection with and without fellow involvement were compared. Cases were matched according to age, body mass index, neoadjuvant therapy, and tumor location. Intraoperative, postoperative, and pathological outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS There was no difference in tumor grade, type of surgical procedure, presence of an anastomosis, or diverting stoma between groups. In addition, there was no difference in the incidence of intraoperative or postoperative complications between the 2 groups. Estimated blood loss was higher in the fellow group compared to the consultant group (mean difference of 70mL, p = 0.007). For pathological outcomes, there was no difference in surrogate oncological quality indicators, specifically margin positivity and lymph node yield, between the 2 groups. Furthermore, fellow involvement did not adversely affect operative time. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that equivalent short-term surgical and oncological outcomes can be achieved with colorectal fellow participation in the field of robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery.

Persistent ischiorectal fistula with supralevator origin secondary to a chronic tubo-ovarian abscess: report of a case and review of the literature.

Background Chronic tubo-ovarian abscess is an uncommon finding in postmenopausal women. This abscess may rupture or fistulize to adjacent organs into the ischiorectal space. Case A gravida three, para three, postmenopausal woman with extensive sigmoid diverticulosis presented with perianal fistula of 2 years’ duration. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the tract to have a supralevator origin adjacent to the sigmoid colon. She had no recent instrumentation other than preoperative colonoscopy. Intraoperatively, the fistula tract origin was noted to be from a right tubo-ovarian abscess. She was treated with right salpingo-oophorectomy and tract excision/sealing. At 4-month follow-up, the fistula tract was healed with no further drainage. Conclusions Tubo-ovarian abscess should be considered in the differential diagnosis of supralevator fistula in postmenopausal women when no other source can be localized.