Loss of psoas muscle during neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer is associated with poor oncological and surgical outcomes.

Background: Sarcopenia has been associated with poor outcomes in rectal cancer patients. This study aims to assess the degree of muscle loss during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer, and its relationship with tumour response, post-operative complications and long-term disease recurrence.

Methods: The change in the psoas muscle area was determined by measuring the psoas muscle area at L4 on initial staging PET CT scans and comparing this with the restaging scan 8-10 weeks after radiation treatment had been completed.

The Use of Prophylactic Ureteric Stents in Major Abdomino-Pelvic Sarcoma Surgery: Risks, Benefits, and Potential Complications.

Here we present two cases of post-operative obstructive renal failure following major abdomino-pelvic sarcoma surgery. In both cases, prophylactic ureteric stents were inserted to aid the identification and protection of the ureters during resection of these complex retroperitoneal masses. In case one, obstructive renal failure occurred following ureteric stent removal on day 0 post-operatively.

Resection of previously inoperable retroperitoneal liposarcoma.

We present a case of successful resection of a large right upper quadrant retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma involving multiple adjacent organs, initially considered inoperable in a patient in his 40s. This case highlights the importance of extensive preoperative planning and a multidisciplinary approach in achieving a greater chance of curative resection. Preoperative optimisation included neoadjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent portal vein embolisation and hepatic vein embolisation.

A surgically optimized intraoperative poly(I:C)-releasing hydrogel prevents cancer recurrence.

Recurrences frequently occur following surgical removal of primary tumors. In many cancers, adjuvant therapies have limited efficacy. Surgery provides access to the tumor microenvironment, creating an opportunity for local therapy, in particular immunotherapy, which can induce local and systemic anti-cancer effects.

The Use of Extracorporeal Circulation to Facilitate the Resection of a Large Retroperitoneal Sarcoma With Major Vessel Involvement: A Single-Center Review of 20 Cases.

Objective: To describe the introduction of extracorporeal corporeal oxygenation (ECMO) to facilitate the surgical resection of large retroperitoneal sarcomas involving major vessels and to report preliminary outcomes.

Design: A case series.

Setting: At a tertiary university hospital and state sarcoma center.

Cost analysis of a watch-and-wait approach in patients with a complete clinical response to chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background: There is increasing interest in the watch-and-wait approach for patients with rectal cancer who have had a complete clinical response following neoadjuvant long course chemoradiotherapy. This study is a cost analysis of expenditure on patients in the watch-and-wait program versus patients who underwent standard rectal resection followed by routine surveillance.

Methods: Data were prospectively collated and retrospectively analysed in all patients who presented with rectal cancer from January 2016 to January 2018 at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia.

Functional outcomes and local control are acceptable following hand-sewn colo-anal anastomoses for rectal cancer: Results of long-term follow-up.

Background: Rectal cancer that grows so close to the anal canal that an adequate distal margin cannot be achieved with a double-stapled anastomosis (DSA) has been managed with abdominoperineal resection. Inter-sphincteric dissection and hand-sewn colo-anal anastomoses (HSCAA) allows anastomosis in some cases where DSA is impossible. There are concerns that HSCAA may lead to complications, local recurrence and poor continence.

Endoscopic clips allow for accurate pre-operative localisation of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Optimal management of this disease relies upon accurate pre-operative localisation to allow multidisciplinary discussion and treatment planning. Current pre-operative localisation methods consist of colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT), which are only 79%-85% accurate.

Post-operative outcomes in the elderly following colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: Despite the prevalence of colorectal cancer in the elderly, there has been a lack of recent studies examining surgical outcomes in these patients. Post-operative outcomes of colorectal cancer surgeries in those aged 80 and above will be compared to those younger than 80.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of adults receiving surgical resections at a single tertiary centre for colorectal cancer diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2019.

Revising the definition of vertical margin involvement following endoscopic polypectomy may reduce unnecessary surgery in patients with malignant colorectal polyps.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopically resected malignant colorectal polyps (MCPs) present a dilemma regarding whether the risk of residual disease justifies a major bowel resection. Overtreatment is common, and the vast majority of patients who undergo resection have no residual tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate whether revising the definition of vertical margin involvement following MCP polypectomy could reduce unnecessary surgery.

Do Patients Treated for Colorectal Cancer Benefit from General Practitioner Support? A Video Vignette Study.

Background: Patients who have been treated for colorectal cancer in Australia can consult their general practitioner (GP) for advice about symptoms or side effects at any time following their treatment. However, there is no evidence that such patients are consistently advised by GPs, and patients experience substantial unmet need for reassurance and advice.

Objective: To explore the patient management options selected by GPs to treat a set of patients describing their symptoms following treatment for colorectal cancer.

Development of a patient-administered self-assessment tool (SATp) for follow-up of colorectal cancer patients in general practice.

Background: Treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) may result in physical, social, and psychological needs that affect patients' quality of life post-treatment. A comprehensive assessment should be conducted to identify these needs in CRC patients post treatment, however, there is a lack of tools and processes available in general practice.

Aims: This study aimed to develop a patient-completed needs screening tool that identifies potentially unmet physical, psychological, and social needs in CRC and facilitates consultation with a general practitioner (GP) to address these needs.

Men's help-seeking behavior with regards to lower bowel symptoms.

Objective: To explore the barriers to help-seeking among men experiencing lower bowel symptoms.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 men recruited via purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed thematically.

Predicting general practice attendance for follow-up cancer care.

Objective: To examine the role of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in influencing patients' intention to attend follow-up visits with a general practitioner (GP).

Methods: A questionnaire based on the TPB was used to assess colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' intention to attend follow-up visits with a GP.

Results: TPB factors accounted for 43.

Barriers to help-seeking in men diagnosed with benign colorectal diseases.

Objective: To explore the help-seeking pathway for lower bowel symptoms in men diagnosed with benign bowel diseases.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically using Andersen's Model of Patient Delay as the theoretical framework.

Colorectal cancer--applying a gender lens.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health problem with survival varying according to stage at diagnosis. The incidence of CRC is much higher in patients with lower bowel symptoms. The symptoms are non-specific and are commonly experienced in the general population.