Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma Oncology Board Review Manual
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ONCOLOGY BOARD REVIEW MANUAL STATEMENT OF EDITORIAL PURPOSE Management of Locally The Hospital Physician Oncology Board Review Advanced Rectal Manual is a study guide for fellows and practicing physicians preparing for board examinations in oncology. Each manual reviews a topic essential Adenocarcinoma to the current practice of oncology. PUBLISHING STAFF Contributors: Nishi Kothari, MD PRESIDENT, GROUP PUBLISHER Assistant Member, Department of Gastrointestinal Bruce M. White Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL SENIOR EDITOR Khaldoun Almhanna, MD, MPH Robert Litchkofski Associate Member, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Institute, Tampa, FL Barbara T. White EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Jean M. Gaul Table of Contents Introduction .............................1 Clinical Evaluation and Staging ..............2 Management .............................4 NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER: This publication has been developed with Surveillance and Long-Term Effects ..........8 out involvement of or review by the Amer ican Board of Internal Medicine. Conclusion ..............................9 Board Review Questions ...................10 References .............................10 Hospital Physician Board Review Manual www.turner-white.com Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma ONCOLOGY BOARD REVIEW MANUAL Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma Nishi Kothari, MD, and Khaldoun Almhanna, MD, MPH INTRODUCTION ence to screening guidelines in persons of lower socioeco nomic status.5–8 Colorectal cancers are among the most common The majority of colorectal cancers occur sporad- cancers worldwide, and there is a high mortality ically and incidence increases with age, especially rate for advanced-stage disease. Approximately after the fourth decade of life. The incidence in 132,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be the older population is decreasing while incidence diagnosed in the United States in 2015, and ap- rates in patients under 50 years of age have been proximately 40,000 of these cases will be primary increasing, but most new cases are still diagnosed rectal cancers.1 The incidence and mortality rates in older patients.9 Though relatively rare, hereditary have been steadily declining over the past two cancer syndromes dramatically increase the risk decades, largely through advances in screen- of colorectal cancers in affected individuals. The ing and improvements in treatment.2,3 However, most common inherited cause of colorectal cancer rectal cancer remains a significant cause of mor- is the autosomal dominant hereditary nonpolyposis bidity and mortality in the United States and colorectal cancer (HNPCC), or Lynch syndrome. worldwide. Less common inherited colorectal cancer syn- The worldwide incidence rates of colorectal can- dromes include familial adenomatous polyposis cers are variable, with the highest rates of disease and its variants (Gardner and Turcot syndromes) in North America, Europe, and Australia, and the and MUTYH-associated polyposis. A unique set lowest rates in Africa and parts of Asia.4 Within of screening guidelines for both colorectal and a population, risk factors for the development of noncolorectal cancers are warranted for patients disease include lower socioeconomic status. This identified with these syndromes.10–12 has been attributed to decreased physical activ- Inflammation has long been thought to play a ity, obesity, smoking, decreased dietary intake of role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Patients with fruits and vegetables, as well as decreased adher- chronic bowel inflammation from ulcerative colitis Copyright 2015, Turner White Communications, Inc., Strafford Avenue, Suite 220, Wayne, PA 19087-3391, www.turner-white.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Turner White Communications. The preparation and distribution of this publication are supported by spon- sorship subject to written agreements that stipulate and ensure the editorial independence of Turner White Communications. Turner White Communications retains full control over the design and production of all published materials, including selection of topics and preparation of editorial content. The authors are solely responsible for substantive content. Statements expressed reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily the opinions or policies of Turner White Communications. Turner White Communications accepts no responsibility for statements made by authors and will not be liable for any errors of omission or inaccuracies. Information contained within this publication should not be used as a substitute for clinical judgment. www.turner-white.com Oncology Volume 11, Part 5 1 Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma and Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of cancer care physician after noting red blood in the toilet development, as do patients with a history of ra- and pain with defecation for the last 3 weeks. She diation. These patients should also be screened reports no abdominal or pelvic pain. Physical exam more frequently than the general population.13–15 is notable for no palpable inguinal lymph nodes Because they decrease inflammation, aspirin and and no external anal lesions or hemorrhoids. Rec- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have long tal exam reveals a palpable mass at 9 o’clock and been evaluated as a protective factor against stool guaiac test is positive. Laboratory evaluation colorectal cancer development. A significant num- is notable for hemoglobin of 10 mg/dL and a mean ber of observational and randomized trials have corpuscular volume of 75 fL. Rigid sigmoidoscopy shown a reduction in both the incidence of colorec- reveals a nonobstructing ulcerated mass 4 cm tal adenomas and colorectal cancers.16–18 How- from the anal verge. Biopsy is performed and find- ever, because of their side effects these drugs are ings are consistent with grade II adenocarcinoma. not yet recommended for the general population, although they are suggested for select high-risk • How is rectal cancer defined? patients, such as those with Lynch syndrome.19 This review focuses on the diagnosis, manage- On average, the human rectum is 12 cm long. ment, and surveillance of locally advanced rectal The sigmoid colon becomes the rectum at the fu- cancer. Although often grouped with colon cancers, sion of the sigmoid colon tenia. The distal end of the rectal cancers differ from colon cancers in terms of rectum transitions to an ampulla with a circumfer- diagnosis and management. Though early-stage ence of 35 cm rather than the 15 cm of the rest of disease can be cured with local excision, most can- the rectum. The end of the rectum is considered to cers are more advanced at presentation in terms be the puborectalis ring or the dentate line, where of depth of tumor invasion and adherence to local the transitional mucosa of the anus begins.20 The pelvic structures. Because of surgical challenges majority of the rectum (10 cm) lies outside the peri- regarding tumor location, rectal cancers have his- toneum, demarcated by the peritoneal reflection. torically been at higher risk for local recurrence than The significant majority of rectal cancers are car- colon cancers. In addition, managing rectal tumors cinomas, which are primarily comprised of adeno- requires particular attention to quality of life issues, carcinomas. Though squamous cell carcinomas, such as anal sphincter preservation and the bowel adenosquamous carcinomas, and undifferentiated toxicity and sexual dysfunction that can arise from carcinomas have been described, they are rela- radiation. For the best outcome, these cancers re- tively unusual. Rarely, other tumors of the rectum, quire a multidisciplinary approach including chemo- including neuroendocrine tumors, hamartomas, therapy, radiation, and surgery. and lymphomas, have been described.21 After es- tablishing the histology of the tumor, the grade of CLINICAL EVALUATION AND STAGING differentiation is described. This is based on the degree of gland formation present, with well and CASE PATIENT moderately differentiated tumors exhibiting defined A 64-year-old woman without significant past glandular structures and poorly differentiated tu- medical or family history presents to her primary mors not exhibiting defined structures. The tumor 2 Hospital Physician Board Review Manual www.turner-white.com Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma grade has been evaluated and is generally found to evaluate for metastatic disease.25 In general, to have prognostic significance.22 positron emission tomography (PET) scans are not routinely indicated in the staging of rectal cancer.26 • What pretreatment staging evaluation is recom- Similarly, liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mended? can be used if there are equivocal results on CT scan. Even though screening for colorectal cancer is Despite their use for distant disease, CT scans increasingly utilized, the majority of patients are still are not optimal for local evaluation of tumor depth, diagnosed after presenting due to symptoms. Care- nodal invasion, and circumferential resection mar- ful medical history should include information about gin (CRM). The CRM is an important prognostic constitutional symptoms like weight