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The Impact of Narrow and Infiltrated Distal Margin After Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer on Patients’ Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Rectal cancer is a common tumor within a difficult anatomic constraint. Total mesorectal excision with longitudinal and circumferential free margins is considered imperative for good prognosis. In this article, the authors systematically reviewed all published literature with specific Mesh terms until the end of year 2019. Thereafter, retrieved articles were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and meta-analysis was conducted comparing local recurrence among 1-cm, 5-mm, and narrow (< 1-mm)/infiltrated margins. Thirty-nine articles were included in the study. Macroscopic distal margin < 1 cm carried a higher incidence of recurrence for those who did not receive neoadjuvant radiation, without affecting neither estimated overall nor disease-free survival. Less than 5-mm margin after radiation therapy is accepted oncologically. Infiltrated margins and narrow margins (< 1 mm) microscopically are associated with higher incidence of local recurrence and shorter overall and disease-free survival. Surgeons should aim at 1-cm safety margin in radiotherapy-naïve patients and microscopic free margin > 1 mm for those who received neoadjuvant therapy. The cost/benefit of reoperation for patients with infiltrated margins is still inadequately studied.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Oncology department, Oncology Center Mansoura University (OCMU), Geehan Street, Dakahlia Governorate, 35516, Mansoura City, Egypt

    Islam H. Metwally, Mohammad Zuhdy, Omar Hamdy, Ahmed M. Fareed & Saleh S. Elbalka

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  1. Islam H. Metwally
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  2. Mohammad Zuhdy
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  3. Omar Hamdy
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  4. Ahmed M. Fareed
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  5. Saleh S. Elbalka
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Correspondence to Islam H. Metwally.

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An abstract of the article has been presented as an E-poster in the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2021 16th Annual Scientific Conference.

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Metwally, I.H., Zuhdy, M., Hamdy, O. et al. The Impact of Narrow and Infiltrated Distal Margin After Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer on Patients’ Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian J Surg Oncol 13, 750–760 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-022-01565-z

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