Colon & Rectum 3 Flashcards
The rectum is what type of organ?
retroperitoneal
Due to its retroperitoneal location, pelvic location and distance from the small bowel, the rectum can be treated with this modality:
radiation therapy (high doses of radiation to other parts of the colon can damage the small bowel and cause radiation enteritis)
Radiation has many benefits for rectal cancer, is preop or post-op radiation better?
pre-op better
(short-term pre-op radiation (25 gY over 5 days) has shown to decrease local recurrence and improved disease free survival for all stages of rectal cancer)
What about role of chemo in setting of rectal cancer?
beneficial in adjuvant setting of rectal cancer
studies show neoadjuvant radiation + 5-FU/leucovorin/oxaliplatin show reduction in tumor size and tumor eradication in 25% of cases
Most common surgical approach to rectal cancer in US?
rectal cancers stage II or >, get pre-op radiation + 5-FU bases chemotherapy (radiation done over 5-6 days)
surgery; LAR vs APR done in 6-10 weeks post-radiation
Most common symptom of rectal cancer?
hematochezia
often confused for hemorrhoids and rectal Ca diagnosis is delayed until mass is advanced
Precise location of a rectal tumor best determined by a ?
rigid proctosigmoidoscope
When do we perform a local excision of a rectal cancer?
appropriate for small cancers in distal rectum that has not penetrated into the muscularis
this can be done via a transanal approach
complete removal of LN difficult though, can’t stage tumor well
What types of rectal cancers do we perform local excisions on?
mobile tumors < 4 cm in diameter
involves < 40% of rectal wall circumference
located within 6 cm of anal verge
these tumors should be T1/T2 with no LN or mets
What’s transanal endoscopic microsurgery?
approach for local excision of favorable rectal tumors (T1 dx)
used a 4 cm proctoscopy device which provides access to proximal and mid rectum
long instruments then inserted thru ports in proctoscope to remove local tumor
What is fulguration?
tumor eradicated by use of electrocautery
full thickness eschar created at tumor site
both tumor and rectal wall are destroyed
Fulguration can only be used for rectal tumors below the?
peritoneal reflection
Disadvantages of fulguration?
no specimens can be obtained
post-op bleeding
reserved for pts with high operative risk and limited life expectancy
Miles procedure, AKA?
APR
This is complete excision of the rectum and anus by simultaneous dissection thru the abdomen and perineum with suture closure of the perineum and permanent colostomy:
APR
When do we perform an APR?
tumor involves anal sphincters
tumor too close to sphincters to obtain adequate margins
in pts w/poor pre-op sphincter control
Describe the steps of an APR:
rectum + sigmoid are mobilized via abdominal approach
the pelvic dissection is done via abdominal approach, this mobilizes the mesorectum
pelvic dissection carried down to levator ani muscles
the perineal dissection removes the anus, sphincters, and distal rectum
What is an LAR?
resection of rectosigmoid below the peritoneal reflection via an abdominal approach with a colo-rectal anastomosis
In a LAR why do we always resect the sigmoid colon as well?
risk of diverticulosis
risk of compromised blood supply to a sigmoid-anal anastomosis if IMA is taken
What is LAR with a total mesorectal excision?
for cancers involving lower half of rectum, the mesorectum which contains lymphatics are excised in continuity with the rectum
After an LAR, how is intestinal continuity achieved?
anastomoses between descending colon + rectum
In pts who have had chemo or are on steroids, and have an LAR with a colo-rectal anastomosis, how do we protect the anastomosis?
can do a diverting proximal colostomy/ileostomy
ostomy can be closed in 10 weeks once integrity of anastomosis verified by scope
What is LAR syndrome (AKA clustering)?
in pts with LAR, and a colo-anal anastomosis, lose normal rectal capacity
pts have small frequent BMs
How do we treat LAR syndrome (clustering)?
can form a J pouch from the descending colon and then anastomose to anus
improve bowel habits
if the anastomoses is created 9 cm above the anal verge, J pouch has little benefit
With LAR and colo-anal anastomoses, why do we avoid using the sigmoid as the proximal component of the colo-anal anastomosis?
blood supply of sigmoid from IMA is tenuous
presence of diverticular dx in sigmoid is thought to be a risk factor for anastomotic leak
In obese pts and in pts with narrow pelvis, it’s not feasible to fashion a J pouch for the colo-anal anastomosis after a LAR, what can we do?
can create a colonic reservoir with a coloplasty 4-6 cm above the divided end of the colon
What is primary vs secondary prevention in cancer screening?
primary–>identifying environmental factors responsible for cancer and modifying these factors to reduce risk (diet, environmental hazards)
secondary–> finding a precursor lesion or cancer at a stage where mets and death can be prevented
Cancer screening for colo-rectal cancer is what type of screening prevention?
secondary prevention–> finding a precursor lesion or cancer where its not mets and death can be prevented
Screening options for avg risk pts for colo-rectal cancer?
FOBT + flex sig Q 5 yrs
flex sig not good for pts with high risk of cancer or strong family hx, tends to miss lesions
This is gold standard for screening for colo-rectal dx:
colonoscopy
What’s a stoma?
an artificial opening of the intestinal or urinary tract to the abdominal wall
This is an anastomosis fashioned between the colon and the skin of abdominal wall;
colostomy (temporary vs permanent)