Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
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The prognostic effects of chemotherapy and various lymph node measures [positive nodes, total node count and the positive lymph node ratio (PLNR)] have been established. It is unknown whether the cancer-specific survival benefit of chemotherapy differs across these nodal prognostic categories. ⋯ The benefit of chemotherapy did not vary based on N stage, total node count or PLNR. The results favour a broad-based approach towards increasing the chemotherapy treatment rates in stage III patients of ≥ 65 years of age, rather than an approach that targets clinical subgroups.
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Comparative Study
Cross-matched blood in colorectal surgery: a clinical waste?
This study was carried out to determine the rate of perioperative blood transfusion and to create an evidence-based approach to requesting blood for elective colorectal surgery. ⋯ Only a small proportion of patients undergoing elective major colorectal surgery require perioperative blood transfusions, most of which are nonurgent. Blood should not be routinely cross-matched in patients who are suitable for EI.
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There are limited data concerning the unmet needs experienced by patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to identify unmet supportive care needs of people with colorectal cancer following discharge from hospital. ⋯ This study has shown that auditing the interactions of a cancer nurse with patients can provide information about unmet supportive care needs, which can be used to develop relevant supportive care services or interventions for people with colorectal cancer.
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Multicenter Study
The indications for a diverting stoma in low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a prospective multicentre study of 222 patients from Japanese cancer centers.
The aim of the study was to determine the present state of diverting stoma construction in Japanese cancer centres and to investigate the relationship between symptomatic leakage and diverting stoma after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. ⋯ We recommend a diverting stoma for an anastomosis within 5.0 cm of the anal verge and strongly recommend it for a very low anastomosis within 2.0 cm.