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B Cedermark

Publications and source records attributed to B Cedermark.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A population-based study on the management and outcome in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although outcome in patients with rectal cancer has improved with preoperative radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision, local recurrence still remains a problem. The condition is difficult to cure and little is known on whether the prognosis for patients with locally recurrent tumours has changed over time. Few population-based studies have been performed. METHOD: Two thousand three hundred and eighteen patients in Stockholm, Sweden had a potentially curative resection for rectal cancer between 1995 and 2003. Until 2005, 141 (6%) developed a local recurrence. Management and outcome for these patients were studied and compared to a previously analysed cohort of 156 patients with local recurrence, treated 1980-1991. RESULTS: Of the 141 patients, 57 (40%) had surgery with a curative intent, 48 (34%) radio- and/or chemotherapy and 36 (26%) symptomatic palliation only. The total 5-year survival was 9%. Twenty-five patients had a potentially curative resection, with a 5-year survival of 57%. The corresponding figures for the 156 patients in the earlier cohort were 4 and 42%. CONCLUSION: Although outcome for patients with local recurrence of rectal cancer is dismal, the prognosis has improved slightly over time. A radical resection is a prerequisite for cure and the proportion having a potentially curative resection has increased. Multidisciplinary management, including optimised preoperative staging and patient selection for surgery, radical surgical approach and more effective adjuvant treatments are necessary to further improve the prognosis.

Adult↗

Late adverse effects of short-course preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy improves local control and survival in rectal cancer, but there are few reports on long-term morbidity. The aims of this study were to compare long-term morbidity and quality of life in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with or without preoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 252 patients, randomized within the two Stockholm trials on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer, were alive at a mean of 15 years after surgery. Some 139 of these patients were available for follow-up by questionnaires and clinical examination. Questionnaires regarding medical history and quality of life were completed by all patients. All patients had a clinical examination, and those without a stoma underwent rigid sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Overall, patients who had preoperative radiotherapy experienced significantly more late complications than those who did not (69 versus 43 per cent; P = 0.002). This morbidity consisted mainly of cardiovascular disease (35 versus 19 per cent; P = 0.032), faecal incontinence (12 of 21 versus 11 of 42 patients having anterior resection; P = 0.013) and urinary incontinence (45 versus 27 per cent; P = 0.023). No significant differences between groups were found for hip or pelvic fractures, small bowel obstruction or global quality of life. CONCLUSION: Preoperative short-course, high-dose radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer increases the risk of anal and urinary dysfunction, and may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity, at long-term follow-up.

Aged↗

Impact of a surgical training programme on rectal cancer outcomes in Stockholm.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) and use of adjuvant radiotherapy are major advances in the treatment of rectal cancer that have emerged in the past 20 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an initiative to teach the TME technique on outcomes at 5 years after surgery. METHODS: TME-based surgery was introduced in Stockholm in 1994. The study population comprised all 447 patients who underwent abdominal operations for rectal cancer in Stockholm County during 1995 and 1996. Outcomes were compared with those in the Stockholm I (790 patients) and Stockholm II (542 patients) radiotherapy trials. RESULTS: The permanent stoma rate was reduced from 60.3 and 55.3 per cent in the Stockholm I and II trials respectively to 26.5 per cent in the TME project (P < 0.001). Five-year local recurrence rates decreased from 21.9 and 19.1 per cent to 8.2 per cent respectively (P < 0.001). Five-year cancer-specific survival rates increased from 66.0 and 65.7 per cent in the Stockholm trials to 77.3 per cent in the TME project (hazard ratio 0.62 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.49 to 0.80); P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A surgical teaching programme had a major impact on rectal cancer outcome.

Adult↗

Outcome after the introduction of a multimodality treatment program for locally advanced rectal cancer.

AIM: This prospective study reports the results of a multimodality treatment protocol in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and assesses outcome after curative vs non-curative surgery and in relation to primary advanced vs locally recurrent cancer. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2002, 122 patients completed the protocol. Fifty-eight had primary advanced and sixty-four had locally recurrent rectal cancer. Median follow up was 82 months (5-143). RESULTS: A potentially curative resection was achieved in 59% of the patients with primary advanced and in 34% of patients with locally recurrent cancer. After curative resection, 53 and 59%, respectively, were free from recurrence during the observation time (median 82 months) and the overall 5-year survival was 34 and 40%. Overall 5-year survival in all patients with primary advanced cancer was 29 and 16% in all patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Multimodality treatment may cure at least a third of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer provided a radical resection is performed. As the post-operative morbidity is high, an optimised patient selection for neo-adjuvant treatment and surgery is essential. However, palliative surgery may benefit the patient if local control is achieved. Future studies should focus on the problem of distant metastasis.

Adult↗

Prognostic significance of both surgical and pathological assessment of curative resection for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Information on whether surgery has been 'curative' is essential for prediction of prognosis and for selection of patients for adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse the prognostic value of surgeons' and pathologists' assessments of tumour clearance in patients with primary rectal cancer who underwent resection. METHODS: A total of 1550 patients were studied prospectively. Data were collected from reports made by surgeons and pathologists on whether tumour clearance had been 'complete', 'uncertain' or 'incomplete'. The predictive value in relation to outcome after at least 5 years of follow-up was assessed. RESULTS: In patients assessed as having a complete surgical clearance, tumour recurrence developed in 33.3 per cent. For patients with an uncertain or incomplete clearance the recurrence rate was 59.5 and 61 per cent respectively (P < 0.001). The relative risk of recurrence was twice as high when the surgeon and pathologist disagreed than when they both agreed on the complete clearance. Survival in patients with a complete, uncertain or incomplete surgical clearance was 55.3, 23.0 and 10 per cent respectively (P = 0.050). CONCLUSION: Assessments of tumour clearance were of strong prognostic value in relation to outcome. When the surgeon or pathologist was uncertain, or there was disagreement about the completeness of clearance, the risk of recurrence was similar to that among patients in whom an incomplete resection had been performed.

Adult↗

The potential for improved outcome in patients with hepatic metastases from colon cancer: a population-based study.

AIMS: Reports from specialized centres suggest that 20-25% of patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer have resectable disease, with 5-year survival rates of 30-40%, and that an additional 13-38% may become resectable after chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for improvement in outcome for patients with hepatic metastases from colon cancer in an unselected population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients diagnosed with colon cancer in the Stockholm/Gotland region between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1999 were identified and followed until 31 December 2002. Treatment and outcome in patients with hepatic metastases was analyzed and CT-scans and MR images of the liver were reviewed to re-evaluate resectability. RESULTS: In 2280 patients with colon cancer, hepatic metastases were diagnosed in 537 patients. Only 21 of these patients underwent a hepatic resection. Retrospective evaluation of liver images indicated that 10% of the patients had potentially resectable hepatic disease. CONCLUSION: The rate of potentially resectable liver metastases from colon cancer in a population is lower than suggested from hospital-based series. With structured management programs including follow-up routines and multidisciplinary treatment protocols the proportion of patients amenable for liver resection may be increased. In this study preoperative chemotherapy might have increased the resectability rate to at the most 17%. To significantly improve prognosis for patients with hepatic metastases from colon cancer more effective treatment modalities are needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prognostic value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite radiotherapy and improved surgical techniques, local recurrence rates after treatment of rectal cancer still vary between 3 and 30 per cent. Tumour involvement of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) predicts a high risk of local recurrence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows accurate description of the tumour and its spread within the mesorectum. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of an involved CRM identified at preoperative MRI in patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: Preoperative MRI was performed in 115 patients with rectal cancer between 1995 and 1999. The images were evaluated retrospectively. The shortest distance from the tumour to the CRM was measured, correlated with patient outcome and compared with histopathological findings. RESULTS: The risk of any recurrence in patients with or without a tumour-involved margin on MRI was nine of 29 and nine of 57 respectively (P = 0.036). Overall survival at 5 years was 43 and 77 per cent (P = 0.012) respectively. Twenty-four of 30 patients who had an involved CRM on histopathology were correctly identified by MRI. CONCLUSION: Patients with a potentially involved CRM identified by MRI had a significantly higher risk of recurrence and cancer-related death. Preoperative MRI may be of prognostic value in rectal cancer and may be used to select patients for neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and/or more radical surgery.

Adult↗

The surgeon as a prognostic factor after the introduction of total mesorectal excision in the treatment of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: With conventional blunt surgical resection of rectal cancer, local recurrence rates are high and the individual surgeon putatively influences patient outcome. With total mesorectal excision (TME) local recurrence rates have been reduced and intersurgeon variability may be less important. The 'TME project' was a collaborative project that included surgical workshops in Stockholm between 1994 and 1997. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the project on the practice of rectal cancer surgery in Stockholm and to analyse whether surgeon case volume and participation in the workshops influenced patient outcome. METHODS: All 652 patients who had an abdominal resection for rectal cancer in Stockholm between 1995 and 1997 were included. Outcome was compared in patients operated on by teams that included high-volume surgeons (more than 12 operations per year) with teams that included low-volume surgeons (12 operations or fewer per year), as well as between teams that including workshop participants and non-participants. RESULTS: Forty-six surgeons operated on the 652 patients. Five high-volume surgeons operated on 48 per cent of the patients. In these, outcome was significantly better than in patients treated by low-volume surgeons (local recurrence rate 4 versus 10 per cent (P = 0.02); rate of rectal cancer death 11 versus 18 per cent (P = 0.007)). Twenty-six surgeons were workshop participants and performed 93 per cent of the operations. Radiotherapy, TME and sphincter-preserving surgery were more common among patients treated by workshop participants. CONCLUSION: The TME project has had an impact on rectal cancer surgical practice in Stockholm. Variability in patient outcome was mainly related to case volume, with better results obtained in patients treated by high-volume surgeons.

Adult↗

The Stockholm II trial on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal carcinoma: long-term follow-up of a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The Stockholm II trial is a population-based prospective randomized trial on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Eligibility criteria were age younger than 80 years and biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum judged resectable for cure with an abdominal procedure. Between 1987 and 1993, 557 patients were included. Patients were randomized to preoperative radiotherapy (RT+) followed by surgery within a week (n = 272) or surgery alone (RT-; n = 285). Radiotherapy was given with 25 grays in 1 week to the rectum and pararectal tissues. Curative resection was performed in 481 patients (86%). Median follow-up was 8.8 years. RESULTS: Among patients who underwent curative surgery, the incidence of pelvic recurrence was 12% (RT+) and 25% (RT-), respectively (P < 0.001). The overall survival rate in irradiated patients who underwent curative surgery was improved (46%) versus (39%; P < 0.03). For all included patients, the difference was 39% (RT+) compared with 36% (RT-; P = 0.2). Within 6 months of surgery, 13 of 272 (5%) of the irradiated patients died of intercurrent disease versus 4 of 285 (1%) of the nonirradiated (P = 0.02). Cardiovascular death was the main cause of intercurrent death and occurred in 35 of 272 (13%) of the irradiated patients compared with 20 of 285 (7%) among the nonirradiated (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative short-term radiotherapy reduces the risk of pelvic recurrence and can improve survival after curative surgery for rectal carcinoma. An increased risk of intercurrent death may reduce the benefit especially in elderly patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparative genomic hybridization identifies loss of 18q22-qter as an early and specific event in tumorigenesis of midgut carcinoids.

Carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine tumors occurring in the lung or in the digestive tract where they are further subclassified as foregut, midgut, or hindgut carcinoids. To gain a better understanding of the genetic basis of the different types of carcinoid tumors, we have characterized numerical imbalances in a series of midgut carcinoids, and compared the results to previous findings in carcinoids from the lung. Numerical imbalances were revealed in 16 of the 18 tumors, and the most commonly detected aberrations were losses of 18q22-qter (67%), 11q22-q23 (33%), and 16q21-qter (22%), and gain of 4p14-qter (22%). The total number of alterations found in the metastases was significantly higher than in the primary tumors, indicating the accumulation of acquired genetic changes in the tumor progression. Losses of 18q and 11q were present both in primary tumors and metastases, whereas loss of 16q and gain of 4 were only detected in metastases. Furthermore, the pattern of comparative genomic hybridization alterations varied depending on the total number of detected alterations. Taken together, the findings would suggest a progression of numerical imbalances, in which loss of 18q and 11q represent early events, and loss of 16q and gain of 4p are late events in the tumor progression of midgut carcinoids. When compared to previously published comparative genomic hybridization abnormalities in lung carcinoids, loss of 11q was found to occur in both tumor types, whereas loss of 18q and 16q and gain of 4 were not revealed in lung carcinoids. The results indicate that inactivation of a putative tumor suppressor gene in 18q22-qter represents a frequent and early event that is specific for the development of midgut carcinoids.

Adult↗

Tumour location and the effects of preoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy improves local control and survival in rectal cancer, but may also increase postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Establishing selection criteria for preoperative radiotherapy is crucial. The tumour level above the anus may be one such criterion. The effect of preoperative radiotherapy in relation to the distance between the tumour and the anus was therefore assessed. METHODS: In 457 patients operated for cure included in the Stockholm II Trial the local recurrence rate in irradiated and non-irradiated patients was analysed in relation to the tumour location (low, mid or upper rectum). RESULTS: Radiotherapy reduced the local recurrence rate from 30 to 20 per cent in low rectal cancer, from 25 to 11 per cent in mid rectal cancer and from 21 to 5 per cent for tumours in the upper rectum. CONCLUSION: With conventional surgical techniques preoperative radiotherapy plays an important role in rectal cancer irrespective of the location of the tumour. To irradiate only patients with tumours in the lower rectum and to omit this treatment for patients with tumours in the mid and upper rectum cannot be recommended. Whether this statement is valid with standardized total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery is not known. Until this knowledge is available the current indications for preoperative radiotherapy should probably also be used with TME surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Improved therapeutic results in rectal cancer. Preoperative radiotherapy and continuing education of the surgeons is efficient].

The aim of the Stockholm Colorectal Cancer Study Group is to improve treatment results in colorectal cancer. Between 1980 and 1993 the group conducted two randomised trials on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer including 1406 patients. In both trials radiotherapy significantly reduced local recurrence and improved cancer specific survival. To further improve treatment results, four workshops have been held to introduce the "TME concept" to surgeons in Stockholm. The workshops included live surgical demonstrations and histopathology sessions. When patients included in the Stockholm trials (1980-1993) were compared to patients included in the "TME project" (1995-1996) the rate of abdominoperineal procedures was reduced from 60 to 27 per cent. Within two years of follow up the local recurrence rate was reduced from 15 to 6 per cent and cancer related deaths from 16 to 9 per cent. It is concluded that surgical teaching initiatives may have a significant impact on cancer outcomes.

Clinical Competence↗

[Quality registry for better treatment of rectal cancer established. Economical support is required to use the benefits of the information].

The treatment of rectal cancer has changed significantly during the last 30 years. With improved surgical technique and the introduction of preoperative radiotherapy sphincter preserving surgery is now predominant and the rate of local recurrence has been reduced substantially. However, new therapy concepts may also introduce an increased risk of complications. A register to monitor quality control in rectal cancer treatment in Sweden was established in 1995. It covers over 95 per cent of the patients with rectal cancer reported to the Swedish National Cancer Registry. Collection of data and validation are done by six regional oncology centres under supervision of surgeons appointed by the hospitals involved. The results are then collated to a nationwide quality register, enabling regions to compare themselves with other regions, and hospitals with other hospitals.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Malignant human renin producing paraganglionoma-localization with 123I-MIBG and treatment with 131I-MIBG.

A 22-year-old woman presenting severe hypertension and hypokalaemia is described. Initial evaluation showed a large tumour localized at the position of the left adrenal gland. Subsequent surgery temporarily relieved all signs and symptoms caused by the tumour. The symptoms relapsed after a 2-year disease-free interval. At re-evaluation, the tumour was shown to produce an uncontrolled secretion of renin, thus triggering aldosterone-dependent hypertension. This report describes the diagnosis, treatment and clinical course of this unique patient with a malignant paraganglionoma of adrenal origin.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Two models of care as evaluated by a group of women operated on for breast cancer with regard to their perceived well-being.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate two different models of care for breast cancer patients with regard to the patients' perceived well-being. Twenty-nine patients were treated in an established care model and 115 patients were treated at a surgical breast clinic with an increased personnel continuity and a short hospital stay. Two questionnaires were used. The Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale and a study-specific questionnaire concerning perceptions of the hospital stay, information received, body image, social support, pain, health and psycho-sociological well-being. Regression analyses were used to study the effects of the care models and the SOC on the patients' perceived well-being. The results showed that the care model with high personnel continuity had a significant positive effect on the patients' emotional state, mental well-being and perception of postoperative pain evaluated 1 year after surgery. The strongest predictors of the patients' well-being postoperatively were their perceived well-being before surgery. Furthermore, the stronger the SOC the more positive were the patients' emotional perceptions, perceived general health and mental well-being after surgery. The duration of the hospital stay did not show any effect on the patients' well-being. It is concluded that an early preoperative psycho-social assessment of the patients is of importance in planning the care, to help patients cope with the disease and its treatment. It is suggested that a care model with high personnel continuity for breast cancer patients could facilitate that assessment.

Adult↗

Improved survival with preoperative radiotherapy in resectable rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer has been extensively studied, but no trial has unequivocally demonstrated improved overall survival with radiotherapy, despite a reduction in the rate of local recurrence. METHODS: Between March 1987 and February 1990, we randomly assigned 1168 patients younger than 80 years of age who had resectable rectal cancer to undergo preoperative irradiation (25 Gy delivered in five fractions in one week) followed by surgery within one week or to have surgery alone. RESULTS: The irradiation did not increase postoperative mortality. After five years of follow-up, the rate of local recurrence was 11 percent (63 of 553 patients) in the group that received radiotherapy before surgery and 27 percent (150 of 557) in the group treated with surgery alone (P<0.001). This difference was found in all subgroups defined according to Dukes' stage. The overall five-year survival rate was 58 percent in the radiotherapy-plus-surgery group and 48 percent in the surgery-alone group (P=0.004). The cancer-specific survival rates at nine years among patients treated with curative resection were 74 percent and 65 percent, respectively (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term regimen of high-dose preoperative radiotherapy reduces rates of local recurrence and improves survival among patients with resectable rectal cancer.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Influence of hospital- and surgeon-related factors on outcome after treatment of rectal cancer with or without preoperative radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy reduces recurrence rates after surgery for rectal cancer but other variables may also affect outcome. The Stockholm Rectal Cancer Study Group has conducted two prospective randomized trials on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer. METHODS: This study analysed postoperative morbidity and mortality, local recurrence rate and death from rectal cancer in 1399 patients, according to different hospital- and surgeon-related factors. RESULTS: Patients operated on by surgeons who were certified specialists for at least 10 years had a lower risk of local recurrence (relative risk 0.8 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.6-1.0)) and death from rectal cancer (relative risk 0.8 (95 per cent c.i. 0.7-0.9)). The risk was also lower for patients operated on in university hospitals (relative risk of local recurrence 0.7 (95 per cent c.i. 0.5-0.9), relative risk of death from rectal cancer 0.8 (95 per cent c.i. 0.7-1.0)) compared with community hospitals, although the results in some community hospitals were similar to those in university hospitals. The proportional reduction of local recurrence rate after preoperative radiotherapy was not significantly different for the studied institutions and surgeons. CONCLUSION: There was a significant surgeon-related variation in patient outcome, which is probably related to the surgical technique. Although improved technique may reduce the local recurrence rate, preoperative radiotherapy is still beneficial concerning local control and survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗