Abstract

RAFFA, Ignacio et al. Multicenter registry of diagnosis, staging and treatment of rectal cancer in Buenos Aires City. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2011, vol.71, n.6, pp.514-520. ISSN 0025-7680.

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with rectal cancer has changed dramatically in recent decades. In order to assess the approach in this regard in Argentina we conducted a multicenter retrospective study in 18 health care services in Buenos Aires City, including patients operated on between June 2004 and May 2007. Data on demographics, diagnosis, surgery, pathology, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, contained in medical records, were analyzed in 397 patients (median age: 63.5 years).TNM stage was recorded in 253 (I: 23.7%, II: 32.8% and III: 39.5%). Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 44 patients (11.1%); 115 (29%) received neo-adjuvant therapy. Anterior resection was performed in 170 (42.8%), ultra-low resection in 95 (23.9%) and abdomino-perineal resection in 76 (19.1%) cases. There were no data regarding mesorectal excision in 135 (34.0%). The median number of lymph nodes removed was 13 and the median of nodal metastasis, 3. The circumferential resection margin was reported in 219 (55.2%) cases. Chemotherapy was used in 123 (31%) patients; the modality was postoperative in 40.6%, preoperative in 29.3% and pre plus postoperative in 30.1%. Comparing these data with international standards we observed appropriate results regarding surgical morbidity and mortality, while we found insufficient interdisciplinary discussion, low use of MRI for staging, low use of neo-adjuvant therapy, and scant mention of the type of mesorectal resection performed. This study suggests the desirability of a more widespread adoption of international standards and the need for educational action in this regard.

Keywords : Rectal neoplasms; Multicenter study; Medical records; Practice guidelines.