Factors Associated with Receipt of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II Colon Cancer.

Background: The benefits of chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer remain unclear, but it is recommended for high-risk stage II disease. Which patients receive chemotherapy and its impact on survival remains undetermined.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was surveyed between 2004 and 2016 for stage II colon cancer patients.

Effects of surgical approach on short- and long-term outcomes in early-stage rectal cancer: a multicenter, propensity score-weighted cohort study.

Background: Randomized controlled trials have been unable to demonstrate noninferiority of minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to assess oncologic resection success, short- and long-term morbidity, and overall survival by operative approach in a homogenous early-stage rectal cancer cohort.

Methods: This is a multicenter, propensity score-weighted cohort study utilizing deidentified data from the National Cancer Database.

Neoadjuvant radiation above NCCN guidelines for rectal cancer is associated with age under 50 and early clinical stage.

Introduction: Recent data suggest patients with early-onset rectal cancer (EORC) receive neoadjuvant radiation above recommended doses without oncologic benefit. The use of excessive radiation may lead to worse outcomes and patient harm. We sought to evaluate predictors of aggressive neoadjuvant radiation (A-XRT) use in EORC patients and compare this to late-onset rectal cancer (LORC) patients.

Does umbilical contamination correlate with colorectal surgery patient outcomes?

Purpose: Most preoperative assessment tools to evaluate risk for postoperative complications require multiple data points to be collected and can be logistically burdensome. This study evaluated if umbilical contamination, a simple bedside assessment, correlated with surgical outcomes.

Methods: A 6-point score to measure umbilical contamination was developed and applied prospectively to patients undergoing colorectal surgery at an academic medical center.

Delayed Diagnosis of Anal Cancer.

Background: Recent literature has shown disparities in diagnosis and treatment of anal cancer. Common perception is that many anal cancer patients may experience a delay in diagnosis and this may contribute to poor outcomes.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with anal cancer at a single academic institution from 2006 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Decline of open surgical experience for general surgery residents.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery is now preferred to open in many surgical procedures. This has led to changes in training to ensure skills acquisition and education in minimally invasive technique. There have been limited data regarding the effect of the number of open procedures being performed in training.