Introducing Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Pediatric Ewing, Osteo-, and Rhabdomyosarcomas: A Literature Review

Sarcomas are a rare heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin which represent approximately 13% of all cancers in pediatric patients. The most prevalent pediatric bone sarcomas are osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (ES). Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequently occurring pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. The median age of OS and ES is approximately 17 years, so this disease is also commonly seen in adults while non-pleiomorphic RMS is rare in the adult population. The mainstay of all treatment regimens is multimodal treatment containing chemotherapy, surgical resection, and sometimes (neo)adjuvant radiotherapy. A clear resection margin improves both local control and overall survival and should be the goal during surgery with a curative intent. Real-time intraoperative fluorescence-guided imaging could facilitate complete resections by visualizing tumor tissue during surgery. This review evaluates whether non-targeted and targeted fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) could be beneficial for pediatric OS, ES, and RMS patients. Necessities for clinical implementation, current literature, and the positive as well as negative aspects of non-targeted FGS using the NIR dye Indocyanine Green (ICG) were evaluated. In addition, we provide an overview of targets that could potentially be used for FGS in OS, ES, and RMS. Then, due to the time- and cost-efficient translational perspective, we elaborate on the use of antibody-based tracers as well as their disadvantages and alternatives. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for the experiments needed before FGS can be implemented for pediatric OS, ES, and RMS patients.

EP.WE.308COVID-19 and the impact on oncological surgery at a district general hospital

Introduction Covid-19 has had a significant impact on all aspects of healthcare. Efforts to maintain oncological surgery have continued throughout the pandemic despite facing significant challenges. We aimed to characterise our experience of oncological surgery during the first 2-months of the pandemic in Scotland and compare that with the same period in 2019. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed from 23/03/20 to 07/05/20. All elective oncological operations at a single district general hospital, predominantly managing breast and colorectal malignancies, were included. Data on patient demographics, waiting time to surgery, inpatient characteristics and oncological outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was used to compare these with retrospective data from 2019. Results A total of 37 patients were included, 18 in 2019 and 19 in 2020. There were no differences in patient age (63 vs 66.2 years, p = 0.486), length of stay (5.3 vs 4.3 days, p = 0.697) time spent on waiting list (25.4 vs 20.9 days, p = 0.303) or surgical approach (p = 0.300). Oncological outcomes were comparable with no statistical difference in clear resection margin status (88.9 vs 84.2%, p = 0.189) or positive nodal status (5.6 vs 26.3%, p = 0.086). No patient in either cohort had a post-operative complication. Conclusion Oncological surgery during Covid-19 can be performed safely and with favourable oncological outcomes. The longer-term effects from delayed diagnoses remain to be evaluated.

Management of colorectal polyp cancers

INTRODUCTION Management of malignant colorectal polyps is controversial. The options are resection or surveillance. Resection margin status is accepted as an independent predictor of adverse outcome. However, the rate of adverse outcome in polyps with a resection margin of <1mm has not been investigated. METHODS A retrospective search of the pathology database was undertaken. All polyp cancers were included. A single histopathologist reviewed all of the included polyp cancers. Polyps were divided into three groups: clear resection margin, involved resection margin and unknown resection margin. Polyps were also analysed for tumour grade, morphology, Haggitt/Kikuchi level and lymphovascular invasion. Adverse outcome was defined as residual tumour at the polypectomy site and/or lymph node metastases in the surgical group and local or distant recurrence in the surveillance group. RESULTS Sixty-five polyps (34 male patients, mean age: 73 years, range: 50–94 years) were included. Forty-six had clear polyp resection margins; none had any adverse outcomes. Sixteen patients had involved polyp resection margins and twelve of these underwent surgery: seven had residual tumour and two of these patients had lymph node metastases. Four underwent surveillance, of whom two developed local recurrence. Three patients had resection margins on which the histopathologist was unable to comment. All patients with a clear resection margin had no adverse outcome regardless of other predictive factors. CONCLUSIONS Polyp cancers with clear resection margins, even those with <1mm clearance, can be treated safely with surveillance in our experience. Polyp cancers with unknown or involved resection margins should be treated surgically.

Ten-Year Survival after Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer is proved to result in five-year survival of 25–40%. Several factors have been investigated to look for prognostic factors stratifications such as resection margins, node involvement in the primary disease, and interval between the primary disease and liver metastases. Methods. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that reported ten-year survival. Metaanalysis was performed to analyse the effect of recognised prognostic factors on cure rate for colorectal metastases. The meta-analysis was performed according to Ottawa-Newcastle method of analysis for nonrandomised trials and according to the guidelines of the PRISMA. Results. Eleven studies were included in the analysis, which showed a ten-year survival rate of 12–36%. Factors that have favourable impact are clear resection margin, low level of CEA, single metastatic deposit, and node negative disease. The only factor that excluded patients from cure is the positive status of the resection margin. Conclusion. Predicted ten-year survival after liver resection for colorectal metastases varies from 12 to 36%. Only positive resection margins resulted in no 10-year survivors. No patient can be excluded from consideration for liver resection so long the result is negative margins.

From Small Acorns – Developing a Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgical Service

INTRODUCTION Randomised controlled trials have shown that laparoscopic colorectal surgery is equal in terms of safety to open surgery. Benefits have been seen for length of stay, blood loss, immune suppression and analgesia requirements. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of introducing laparoscopic colorectal surgery to our unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prospectively collected cases of all patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery between July 2003 and July 2007 were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 143 patients (75 males and 68 females) with amean age of 65.8 years (range, 21–95 years) underwent surgery. Laparoscopic resection for colorectal malignancy was performed in 93 patients (65%). The conversion rate for all cases was 14.7%. Mean operative time was 203 min (range, 100–400 min), with amean blood loss of 180 ml. The mean number of lymph nodes in malignant cases was 13.8 with clear resection margin in all but one case. The mean postoperative stay was 5.6 days (median, 4 days; range, 2–35 days). UKCCR standard for lymph node retrieval was achieved in 62.6% of cases. There were four postoperative deaths. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 21.7%. The service is consultant-led with 9.8% of cases performed by senior trainees and 37% of procedures performed by two consultants. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically feasible and safe in our hands. Although operative time is longer, this is counterbalanced by shorter hospital stay. The results from this series support the findings of others and continuing development of this service.