PURPOSE:The incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer is increasing, and affected patients experience distinct challenges. Patients with young-onset colorectal cancer may benefit from a dedicated care coordinator who systematically assesses their unmet needs and facilitates referrals to multidimensional specialty support services. METHODS:In this pragmatic trial, we assigned patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer younger than 50 years who presented to a tertiary academic institution between 2023 and 2025 to standard care versus standard care plus additional encounter(s) with a dedicated young-onset colorectal cancer care coordinator. Patient-reported concerns and distress were collected at initial presentation. The primary end point was utilization frequency of support services. Multivariable regression identified predictors of service utilization. RESULTS:Among 1,250 patients with young-onset colorectal cancer (mean age 42.8 ± 6.0 years; 45.4% female), 46.3% had rectal cancer. Emotional concerns were most common (41.0%), followed by physical (36.1%), practical (27.8%), and social (9.4%) concerns. Overall, clinically significant distress (distress score ≥4) was reported by 27.4%. The young-onset colorectal cancer coordinator successfully established contact with 604 individuals. Unmet service needs were reported by 39.1% in the intervention group, of whom 80.5% subsequently accessed corresponding support services. Patients who established contact with the young-onset colorectal cancer coordinator were more likely to access support services (72.5% v 44.7%, P < .001). On multivariable analysis, coordinator contact (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 1.48, 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.80), rectal cancer diagnosis (aOR, 1.36, 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.62), and clinically significant distress (aOR, 1.23, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.50) predicted greater multidimensional service utilization. CONCLUSION:Patients with young-onset colorectal cancer experience substantial emotional concerns and unmet needs. Proactive integration of a dedicated care coordinator was associated with significantly increased utilization of multidimensional support services. This pragmatic trial supports a personalized, needs-driven care delivery model that integrates patient-reported outcomes as the basis for patient-centric cancer care.

A major concern of complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right-sided colon cancer is whether it can be performed safely in obese patients. The aim of this study is to perform a contemporary evaluation of the perioperative safety and oncological outcomes of robotic CME for right-sided colon cancer in obese versus non-obese patients. This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent robotic CME for right-sided colon cancer between 2015 and 2023. Patients were divided into obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) groups. Perioperative complications, operative metrics, pathological results, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared. Of 211 patients, 80 (37.9

PURPOSE:Although detection of ctDNA weeks after surgery is linked to recurrence for other solid tumors, the optimal time point for ctDNA assessment as a prognostic biomarker following chemoradiation for anal cancer is undefined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:Patients with stages I to III anal cancer treated with chemoradiation between December 2020 and March 2024 were evaluated for human papillomavirus (HPV) ctDNA status at baseline, at the end of chemoradiation, and during surveillance using a droplet digital HPV ctDNA PCR assay, targeting HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes for 13 oncogenic HPV types. Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to HPV ctDNA status was estimated via Kaplan-Meier and compared using a log-rank test. RESULTS:Detection of HPV ctDNA at ≥3 months after chemoradiation was associated with recurrence (80% vs. 2%; OR, 168; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13.6-2,080; P < 0.0001) and inferior RFS [4.9 months vs. not reached; HR, 39.2; 95% CI, 4.6-330; P < 0.0001] relative to HPV ctDNA-negative status. Sensitivity and specificity for recurrence according to HPV ctDNA detection were 89% and 95%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 80% and 98%, respectively. Differences in RFS according to HPV ctDNA status were not observed at the end of treatment (median RFS, not reached for both; HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.35-7.4; P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS:With a novel, highly sensitive assay, detection of HPV ctDNA at least 3 months after chemoradiation was associated with unfavorable survival. Future clinical trials should incorporate this 3-month post-treatment time point to identify patients with HPV-positive anal cancer at elevated recurrence risk according to HPV ctDNA status. See related commentary by Bercz et al., p. 2261.

Among patients with rectal cancer who achieve a complete clinical response (cCR) after neoadjuvant therapy and undergo nonoperative management (NOM), a subset experience tumor regrowth and require salvage surgery. We sought to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with tumor regrowth to assist in patient selection for NOM. Patients treated for rectal cancer at a single National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in whom NOM was pursued based on cCR or near-cCR were identified. Patients were stratified based on whether they developed tumor regrowth during follow-up. Tumor and treatment details were compared to identify factors affecting regrowth-free survival (RFS). Among 125 patients, 26 (20.8

BACKGROUND:Early predictors of postoperative complications can risk-stratify patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. However, conventional regression models have limited power to identify complex nonlinear relationships among a large set of variables. We developed artificial neural network models to optimize the prediction of major postoperative complications and risk of readmission in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to develop an artificial neural network model to predict postoperative complications using postoperative laboratory values and compare the accuracy of models to standard regression methods. DESIGN:This retrospective study included patients who underwent elective colorectal cancer resection between January 1, 2016, and July 31, 2021. Clinical data, cancer stage, and laboratory data from postoperative days 1 to 3 were collected. Complications and readmission risk models were created using multivariable logistic regression and single-layer neural networks. SETTING:National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. PATIENTS:Adult patients with colorectal cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The accuracy of predicting postoperative major complications, readmissions, and anastomotic leaks using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS:Neural networks had larger areas under the curve for predicting major complications compared to regression models (neural network 0.811; regression model 0.724, p < 0.001). Neural networks also showed an advantage in predicting anastomotic leak ( p = 0.036) and readmission using postoperative day 1 to 2 values ( p = 0.014). LIMITATIONS:Single-center, retrospective design limited to cancer operations. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we generated a set of models for the early prediction of complications after colorectal surgery. The neural network models provided greater discrimination than the models based on traditional logistic regression. These models may allow for early detection of postoperative complications as early as postoperative day 2. See the Video Abstract . PREDICCIN POST OPERATORIA TEMPRANA DE COMPLICACIONES Y REINGRESO DESPUS DE LA CIRUGA DE CNCER COLORRECTAL MEDIANTE UNA RED NEURONAL ARTIFICIAL:ANTECEDENTES:Los predictores tempranos de complicaciones postoperatorias pueden estratificar el riesgo de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de cáncer colorrectal. Sin embargo, los modelos de regresión convencionales tienen un poder limitado para identificar relaciones no lineales complejas entre un gran conjunto de variables. Desarrollamos modelos de redes neuronales artificiales para optimizar la predicción de complicaciones postoperatorias importantes y riesgo de reingreso en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de cáncer colorrectal.OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un modelo de red neuronal artificial para predecir complicaciones postoperatorias utilizando valores de laboratorio postoperatorios y comparar la precisión de estos modelos con los métodos de regresión estándar.DISEÑO:Este estudio retrospectivo incluyó a pacientes que se sometieron a resección electiva de cáncer colorrectal entre el 1 de enero de 2016 y el 31 de julio de 2021. Se recopilaron datos clínicos, estadio del cáncer y datos de laboratorio del día 1 al 3 posoperatorio. Se crearon modelos de complicaciones y riesgo de reingreso mediante regresión logística multivariable y redes neuronales de una sola capa.AJUSTE:Instituto Nacional del Cáncer designado Centro Oncológico Integral.PACIENTES:Pacientes adultos con cáncer colorrectal.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Precisión de la predicción de complicaciones mayores postoperatorias, reingreso y fuga anastomótica utilizando el área bajo la curva característica operativa del receptor.RESULTADOS:Las redes neuronales tuvieron áreas bajo la curva más grandes para predecir complicaciones importantes en comparación con los modelos de regresión (red neuronal 0,811; modelo de regresión 0,724, p < 0,001). Las redes neuronales también mostraron una ventaja en la predicción de la fuga anastomótica ( p = 0,036) y el reingreso utilizando los valores del día 1-2 postoperatorio ( p = 0,014).LIMITACIONES:Diseño retrospectivo de un solo centro limitado a operaciones de cáncer.CONCLUSIONES:En este estudio, generamos un conjunto de modelos para la predicción temprana de complicaciones después de la cirugía colorrectal. Los modelos de redes neuronales proporcionaron una mayor discriminación que los modelos basados en regresión logística tradicional. Estos modelos pueden permitir la detección temprana de complicaciones posoperatorias tan pronto como el segundo día posoperatorio. (Traducción-Dr. Mauricio Santamaria ).

Multidisciplinary management of rectal cancer has rapidly evolved over the last several years. This review describes recent data surrounding total neoadjuvant therapy, organ preservation, and management of lateral pelvic lymph nodes. It then presents our treatment algorithm for management of rectal cancer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the context of this and other existing literature. As part of this discussion, the review describes how we tailor management based upon both patient and tumor-related factors in an effort to optimize patient outcomes.

BackgroundSurvivors of rectal cancer experience persistent bowel dysfunction after treatments. Dietary interventions may be an effective approach for symptom management and posttreatment diet quality. SWOG S1820 was a pilot randomized trial of the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms in Rectal Cancer (AIMS-RC) intervention for bowel dysfunction in survivors of rectal cancer.MethodsNinety-three posttreatment survivors were randomized to the AIMS-RC group (N = 47) or the Healthy Living Education attention control group (N = 46) after informed consent and completion of a prerandomization run-in. Outcome measures were completed at baseline and at 18 and 26 weeks postrandomization. The primary end point was total bowel function score, and exploratory end points included low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score, quality of life, dietary quality, motivation, self-efficacy, and positive/negative affect.ResultsMost participants were White and college educated, with a mean age of 55.2 years and median time since surgery of 13.1 months. There were no statistically significant differences in total bowel function score by group, with the AIMS-RC group demonstrating statistically significant improvements in the exploratory end points of LARS (p = .01) and the frequency subscale of the bowel function index (p = .03). The AIMS-RC group reported significantly higher acceptability of the study.ConclusionsSWOG S1820 did not provide evidence of benefit from the AIMS-RC intervention relative to the attention control. Select secondary end points did demonstrate improvements. The study was highly feasible and acceptable for participants in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. Findings provide strong support for further refinement and effectiveness testing of the AIMS-RC intervention. In this feasibility and preliminary efficacy randomized trial, the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms in Rectal Cancer (AIMS-RC) diet modification intervention did not significantly improve total bowel function among survivors of rectal cancer but demonstrated improvements in the frequency of bowel movements and low anterior resection syndrome. SWOG S1820 and the AIMS-RC intervention were highly feasible and acceptable for participants enrolled via the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program.

205 Background: Studies have shown that minimal residual disease (MRD) identified by detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is associated with recurrence after surgical resection of colorectal cancer. Though multiple trials are evaluating the use of ctDNA to guide adjuvant therapy, data on the utility of ctDNA after neoadjuvant therapy is limited. In this study, we evaluated the associations between ctDNA and recurrence after neoadjuvant treatment and resection of rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Consecutive patients with primary rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy and/or chemoradiotherapy followed by resection between 12/2020-4/2023 were identified. Patients were tested for ctDNA via the MD Anderson INTERCEPT platform using a high-sensitivity patient informed assay. Patients with metastases or a first ctDNA test more than 3 months after resection were excluded. MRI-determined stage, extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI), pelvic sidewall adenopathy (PSW), pathologic lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI) and tumor regression grade (TRG) were collected. Associations between these factors and ctDNA status were analyzed with Fischer’s exact test. Recurrence free survival (RFS) was analyzed with the log-rank test. Results: Sixty-seven patients (3 treated with chemoradiotherapy alone, 15 with systemic therapy alone and 49 with total neoadjuvant therapy) were identified. Positive ctDNA was identified in 6 (8.9%) within 3 months after resection, all of whom received total neoadjuvant therapy, and 3/6 recurred within 12 months. Clinical T status (p=0.146), N status (p=0.842), mrEMVI (p=0.475) and PSW (p=0.318) were not associated with MRD. TRG was not associated with MRD (TRG0-1: 4% vs TRG2-3: 11.3%, p=0.547). Pathologic N status was associated with MRD (ypN0: 4.4% vs ypN+: 18%, p=0.049). MRD was associated with a median RFS of 3.2 months (HR 39, 95% CI: 4.1-380, p=0.0015). 1-year RFS was 98% for patients without MRD. Conclusions: Minimal residual disease after multi-modality treatment of LARC is associated with early metastatic recurrence. The patient informed MRD assay appears both sensitive and specific for detection of relapse. Advanced clinical stage and high-risk radiologic features were not associated with MRD, while post-treatment pathologic N status was. Given the high relapse rate for MRD+ patients, MRD detection after resection warrants additional investigation for metastases and/or enrollment on MRD treatment clinical trial. Methods to predict MRD prior to resection are urgently needed.

Background: Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (POGD) remains a common morbidity after gastrointestinal surgery. POGD is associated with delayed hospital recovery, increased length of stay, poor patient satisfaction and experience, and increased economic hardship. The I-FEED scoring system was created by a group of experts to address the lack of a consistent objective definition of POGD. However, the I-FEED tool needs clinical validation before it can be adopted into clinical practice. The scope of this phase 1 Quality Improvement initiative involves the feasibility of implementing percussion into the nursing workflow without additional burden. Methods: All gastrointestinal/colorectal surgical unit registered nurses underwent comprehensive training in abdominal percussion. This involved understanding the technique, its application in postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction assessment, and its integration into the existing nursing documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). After six months of education and practice, a six-question survey was sent to all inpatient GI surgical unit nurses about incorporating the percussion assessment into their routine workflow and documentation. Results: Responses were received from 91% of day-shift nurses and 76% of night-shift registered nurses. Overall, 95% of the nurses were confident in completing the abdominal percussion during their daily assessment. Conclusion: Nurses’ effective use of the I-FEED tool may help improve patient outcomes after surgery. The tool could also be an effective instrument for the early identification of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (POGD) in surgical patients.

Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) is a novel strategy for rectal cancer that administers both (chemo)radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy before surgery. TNT is expected to improve treatment compliance, tumor regression, organ preservation, and oncologic outcomes. Multiple TNT regimens are currently available with various combinations of the treatments including induction or consolidation chemotherapy, triplet or doublet chemotherapy, and long-course chemoradiotherapy or short-course radiotherapy. Evidence on TNT is rapidly evolving with new data on clinical trials, and no definitive consensus has been established on which regimens to use for improving outcomes. Clinicians need to understand the advantages and limitations of the available regimens for multidisciplinary decision making. This article reviews currently available evidence on TNT for rectal cancer. A decision making flow chart is provided for tailor-made use of TNT regimens based on tumor location and local and systemic risk.

BackgroundSignificant variation in rectal cancer care has been demonstrated in the United States. The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer was established in 2017 to improve the quality of rectal cancer care through standardization and emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived value and barriers to achieving the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation.MethodsAn electronic survey was developed, piloted, and distributed to rectal cancer programs that had already achieved or were interested in pursuing the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation. The survey contained 40 questions with a combination of Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended questions to provide comments. This was a mixed methods study; descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.ResultsA total of 85 rectal cancer programs were sent the survey (22 accredited, 63 interested). Responses were received from 14 accredited programs and 41 interested programs. Most respondents were program directors (31%) and program coordinators (40%). The highest-ranked responses regarding the value of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation included "improved quality and culture of rectal cancer care," "enhanced program organization and coordination," and "challenges our program to provide optimal, high-quality care." The most frequently cited barriers to the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation were cost and lack of personnel.ConclusionOur survey found significant perceived value in the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation. Adhering to standards and a multidisciplinary approach to rectal cancer care are critical components of a high-quality care rectal cancer program.