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Oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer patients with a ≤1-cm distal resection margin

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Recently, common application of sphincter-saving resection in rectal cancer has led to acceptance of a 1-cm distal resection margin (DRM). The aim of this study was to evaluate oncologic outcomes of a DRM ≤1 cm in sphincter-saving resection for rectal cancer. The outcomes of a DRM ≤0.5 cm was also evaluated.

Methods

We reviewed prospectively collected data from 415 patients who underwent sphincter-saving resection for mid and low rectal cancer between September 2006 and December 2012 at Korea University Anam Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups according to DRM measured in a formalin fixed specimen: ≤1 cm (n = 132) and >1 cm (n = 283). The DRM ≤1 cm group was divided into two subgroups: ≤0.5 cm (n = 45) and >0.5, ≤1 cm (n = 87).

Results

Median follow-up periods were 47.2 months. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 8.8% in the DRM ≤1 cm group and 8.5% in the DRM >1 cm group (p = 0.630). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 75.1 and 76.3% (p = 0.895), and the 5-year overall survival rate was 82.6 and 85.9% (p = 0.401), respectively. In subanalysis of the DRM ≤1 cm group, there was also no significant difference in the local recurrence and survival.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in local recurrence and survival based on DRM length. We found that DRM length less than 1 cm was not a prognostic factor for local recurrence or survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea

    Dong Woo Kang, In Soo Yang, Se Jin Baek, Jung Myun Kwak, Jin Kim & Seon Hahn Kim

  2. Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University College of Medicine, Gwangju, South Korea

    Han Deok Kwak

  3. Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Konyang University Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea

    Nak Song Sung

Authors
  1. Dong Woo Kang
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  2. Han Deok Kwak
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  3. Nak Song Sung
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  4. In Soo Yang
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  5. Se Jin Baek
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  6. Jung Myun Kwak
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  7. Jin Kim
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  8. Seon Hahn Kim
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Correspondence to Seon Hahn Kim.

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Kang, D.W., Kwak, H.D., Sung, N.S. et al. Oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer patients with a ≤1-cm distal resection margin. Int J Colorectal Dis 32, 325–332 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2708-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2708-1

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