editorial Resection of the Primary Tumor in Asymptomatic or Minimally Symptomatic Patients with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer and Unresectable Metastases
Antonio V Sterpetti*
Department of Surgery,University of Rome- Sapienza,
Italy
*Corresponding author: Antonio V Sterpetti, Policlinico Umberto I- Viale del Policlinico 00167 Rome-Italy. Tel: +39649972188; Fax: + 39649972215; Emailantonio.sterpetti@uniroma1.it
Received Date: 18 September, 2017; Accepted Date: 21 September, 2017; Published Date: 28 September, 2017
Citation: Sterpetti AV(2017) Resection of the Primary Tumor in Asymptomatic or Minimally Symptomatic Patients with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer and Unresectable Metastases. J Surg 2017: 170. DOI: 10.29011/2575-9760.000170
Editorial
Colorectal cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer. More than 25% of the patients have an initial diagnosis at a Stage IV, with a 5 year overall relative survival of 10-18%[1-3].Simultaneous resection of the primary tumorand of all metastases can be conceptually curative; however, more than 80% of the patients presents with unresectable colorectal metastases.Primary tumor resectionis an accepted therapeutic option in patients with major symptoms related toa Stage IV colorectal cancer, with unresectable metastases. Controversies exist about the opportunity of primary tumor resection in patients with no symptoms or mild symptoms. The basic philosophy for resection is that about 20% of the patients initially asymptomatic will develop major symptoms (obstruction, bleeding, perforation), requiring emergency surgery.
New chemotherapeuticagents have been introduced into clinical practice, including oxalplatin, bevacizumab, capecitabine, regorafenib.These new drugs, alone or in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin,have been shown to prolong survival and to reduce the advent of major complications in patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer and unresectable metastases[4-8]In the same period, endoscopic placement of self-expanding metallic stent has been slowly accepted in the clinicalpractice [3].Complications after endoscopic stenting have been reduced with increasing experience, and stentinghas been demonstrated to be avalid alternative in selected patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer and unresectable metastases[9-12].Several retrospective studies have been reported.All studies showbetter results after primary resection of the tumor[13-18]reviewed the results of26 studies which included 43,903 patients. Using random subgroup analysis, they tried to overcome the clinical and anatomic differences between subgroups.Patients receiving primary tumor resection plus chemotherapy/radiotherapy had longer overall survival. In 3 studies, details about Progression Free Survivalwere described.Random subgroup analysis showed longer Progression Free Survival in patients who had primary tumor resection.
All the reported retrospective studies conclude that there is the possibility of significant selection bias, therefore caution should be used in analyzing results[19]tried to overcome the possibility of selection biases, using a propensity matching score. They analyzed the data of 10,371patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer and unresectbale metastases from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (2008-2011):2,746 patients who had primary tumor resection. Using propensity matching score theyfound that patients who had primary tumor resection had a median survival of 17,2 months, while those who did not have surgery had a median survival of 11.5 months. In Cox regression analysis, primary tumor resection was associated with longer survival. In this study several important data were not reported, including T and histology of the primarytumor[20]using the same type of statistical analysis, did not find any influence of primary tumor resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and unresectable metastases.
There are also many conceptual differences between
patients, in the way they could respond to targeted therapy [21-24] (Figure 1-3).
The resection of the primary tumor has several theoretical advantages.
·
Cells of the primary tumor produce high quantities of
VEGF and EGF, which also can be found in the blood circulation [25]. These growth factors could have a stimulatory
action on the liver metastases. Primary tumor resection eliminates the source
of a potential continuous growth stimulus for liver metastases.
·
The high levels of growth factors in the primary tumor
could neutralize the majority of the targeted therapy, which will result unable
to act on liver metastases
· Liver metastases, can differentiate from the primary tumor, with higher possibility of being sensitive to the biological drugs.
To these theoretical advantages, we should add the
negative effect on the immunological system of surgery per se.Several
multicenterprospective trials are being conducted in Germany, Korea and Spain,
to analyze the importance of resection in these groups of patients. These
studies probably will helpto clarify some of the questions about this matter [26].Patients with Stage IV colorectal cancer and
unresectable metastases represent a significant heterogenous group of patients.
In the absence of clear guidelines, the treatment should be based on clinical
judgment. An easy surgical act in a relatively young patient in acceptable
general conditions seems advisable.Many questions remain about the association
of chemotherapy in this scenario and which type of chemotherapy. There is the
possibility of an aggressive chemotherapeutic regimen in patients with good
conditions, with inevitable reduced quality of life.All these considerations
should be taken into account. A close collaboration among surgeons,
oncologistsis essential, considering each patient in his individuality with his
own needs and expectations.
Figure 1: Schematic Drawing Representing the Inhibitory Action of Bevacizumab on
VEGF.
Figure 2: Schematic Drawing Representing the Inhibitory Action of Cetuximab on
EGF.
Figure 3: Schematic Representation of The Action of VEGF And EGF In Promoting
Cancer Cell Growth and Diffusion.
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