Understanding the Anatomy of the Denonvilliers Fascia: Review Article

The postoperative outcome of rectal cancer has been improved after the introduction of the principles of total mesorectal excision (TME). Total mesorectal excision includes resection of the diseased rectum and mesorectum with non-violated mesorectal fascia (en bloc resection). Dissection along the mesorectal fascia through the principle of the “holy plane” minimizes injury of the autonomic nerves and increases the chance of preserving them. It is important to stick to the TME principle to avoid perforating the tumor; violating the mesorectal fascia, thus resulting in positive circumferential resection margin (CRM); or causing injury to the autonomic nerves, especially if the tumor is located anteriorly. Therefore, identifying the anterior plane of dissection during TME is important because it is related with the autonomic nerves (Denonvilliers fascia). Although there are many articles about the Denonvilliers fascia (DVF) or the anterior dissection plane, unfortunately, there is no consensus on its embryological origin, histology, and gross anatomy. In the present review article, I aim to delineate and describe the anatomy of the DVF in more details based on a review of the literature, in order to provide insight for colorectal surgeons to better understand this anatomical feature and to provide the best care to their patients.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer without mesorectal fascia involvement but with negative prognostic factors

This article discusses the possibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy in patients suffering from rectal cancer without mesorectal fascia involvement but with negative prognostic factors. It analyzes possible risks and benefits of such an approach and provides the data of clinical trials available so far.

Incidence of mesorectal node metastasis in locally advanced cervical cancer: its therapeutic implications

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors for mesorectal node metastasis (MRNM) in locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods/MaterialsWe performed an observational retrospective cohort study of 122 patients with cervical cancer who received definitive chemo-radiation treatment between December 2013 and June 2017 to evaluate the incidence of MRNM. Three diagnostic radiologists assessed all available pre-treatment images. In this study, the pelvic node metastasis was defined as ≥ 1.0 cm and MRNM as ≥ 0.5 cm for CT and MRI scans and as a maximum standardized uptake value of > 2.5 for PET/CT. The relationship of MRNM with FIGO stage, pelvic node metastasis, and mesorectal fascia involvement was evaluated.ResultsThe incidence of MRNM in all 122 patients was 8 (6.6%). However, in advanced stage (III– IV) patients, MRNM occurred in 4 of 39 (10.3%) compared with 4 of 83 (4.8%) in early stage (IB1–IIB) patients (p = 0.27). In patients with a positive pelvic node, MRNM occurred in 7 of 55 (12.7%) and 1 of 67 (1.5%) in those with negative pelvic node (p = 0.02). In addition, the incidence of MRNM was 3 of 9 (33.3%) in the presence of mesorectal fascia involvement and 5 of 113 (4.4%) among those without mesorectal fascia involvement (p = 0.013).ConclusionThis study indicates that pelvic node metastasis and mesorectal fascia involvement are high-risk factors for MRNM. Therefore, vigilance of reviewing images in the mesorectum for MRNM is necessary for high-risk patients.

PIER trial: Neoadjuvant therapy with panitumumab (P) and mFOLFOX-6 in an enriched population of patients with T3 rectal adenocarcinoma of the middle third with clear mesorectal fascia.

TPS875 Background: Retrospective data suggest that patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma wild-type (WT) for RAS, BRAF or Pi3K achieve increased response rates from anti-EGFR therapy as compared with mutated tumors. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine combination has shown to induce encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) in clinically staged T3 rectal cancer tumours (Schragg et al, JCO 2014 and Fernandez-Martos et al, The Oncologist 2014). We hypothesize this efficacy could be improved in a selected population (quadruple WT [4WT]) combining chemotherapy and anti-EGFR therapy. The objective is to assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy with mFOLFOX-6 + P in rectal adenocarcinoma patients of intermediate risk and 4WT. Methods: PIER is a prospective, phase II, single-arm, multicentre, open-label clinical trial (NCT03000374). Key eligibility criteria include patients < 75 years with rectal adenocarcinoma in the middle third , clear mesorectal fascia, candidate for R0 resection with sphincter preservation surgery and absence of mutations in KRAS (exon 2 [codons 12/13], exon 3 [codons 59/61] and exon 4 [codon 117/146]), NRAS ( exon 2 [codons 12/13], exon 3 [codons 59/61] and exon 4 [codons 117/146]), BRAF (exon 15 [codon 600]) and PI3KCA in exons 9 and 20. All pre- and post-treatment MRI scans are centrally reviewed. Treatment: 6 induction cycles of mFOLFOX6 + P every 14 days. After the last cycle, a CT-scan, MRI and rectal endoscopy will be performed and patients will undergo TME surgery within 4 weeks +/- 1 week after the last dose. In case of progression patients will receive standard preoperative chemoradiation. The primary end point is pCR; key secondary end points include R0 resection rate, and clinical complete response. Statistical design: 42 evaluable patients (assuming a P0 of 16% and a P1 35%, with 0.1 alfa and 0.1 beta); 2-stage Simon’s optimal design. Enrolment in PIER is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03000374.