Improved survival and local control after total mesorectal excision or D3 lymphadenectomy in the treatment of primary rectal cancer: an international analysis of 1411 patients

Recurrence Risk and Prognostic Parameters in Stage I Rectal Cancers

“…These differences of recurrence rates may be explained by retrospective design of the majority of the studies and the heterogeneity of the patient groups. There are some publications that suggest that total mesorectal excision is the surgical technique with the lowest rate of local recurrence (Enker et al, 1995;Arbman et al, 1996;Heald et al, 1998;Carlsen et al, 1998;Havenga et al, 1999;Leo et al, 2000). Prospective studies for adjuvant therapy in the group with Stage I rectal cancer are limited (Steele et al,1999;Russell et al, 2000).…”

Local recurrence after curative resection for rectal cancer is associated with anterior position of the tumour

“…Educational training programmes have been established 15,16 and means of monitoring local recurrence in the context of quality control have been suggested 17 . The literature is, however, confusing, with no standard definition of local recurrence nor any universally agreed diagnostic criteria, and study methodology is often inadequately described 18,19 . It is therefore inappropriate to compare local recurrence rates or findings concerning risk factors or the effectiveness of preventive measures reported from different sources.…”

Quality assurance in surgical oncology: The tale of the Dutch Rectal Cancer TME trial

“…Compared with historical data derived from trials in which conventional, blunt, non-standardized surgery was used, local recurrence rates were halved and 5-year overall survival rates improved from 48% to 64% after surgery alone (Table I) [5,8]. Also in other reports the improved results with standardized surgery for rectal cancer are shown [9].…”