Usage of Probiotics and its Clinical Significance at Surgically Treated Patients Sufferig from Colorectal Carcinoma

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant disease and the fourth most common cause of death associated with malignancy. Adenocarcinomas account for 95% of all cases of colon cancer. Treatment usually includes a surgical resection which is preceded or followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy depending on the stage. There is constant interest in the microbiological ecosystem of the intestine, which is considered to be crucial for the onset and progression of the disease as well as the development of postoperative complications. Iatrogenic factors associated with the treatment of CRC may result in pronounced expression of virulence of the bacterial intestinal flora and fulminant inflammatory response of the host which ultimately leads to adverse treatment results. The modulation of intestinal microflora by probiotics seems to be an effective method of reducing complications in surgical patients. The question is whether ordering probiotics can lead to more favourable treatment outcomes for our patients who are operated due to colorectal adenocarcinoma, and whether this should become common practice.

To demonstrate the clinical significance of probiotic administration in patients treated for colorectal adenocarcinoma and the results compared with relevant studies.

In a randomized controlled prospective study conducted at the Clinic of General and Abdominal Surgery of the UCCS in the period of 01 January 2017 until 31 December 2017, there were a total of 78 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with oral probiotics (n = 39) according to the 2x1 scheme starting from the third postoperative day lasting for the next thirty days, followed by 1x1 lasting for two weeks in each subsequent month to one year, and the control group (n = 39) which was not routinely treated with probiotics.

A statistically significant difference in the benefit of using probiotics was found during postoperative hospitalization and the occurrence of fatal outcome in the first six months. All complications were more present in the group of patients untreated with probiotic, with statistical significance shown only in the case of ileus. Probiotic has a statistically significant reduction in postoperative complications in the localization of tumours on the rectum -33.3% and the ascending colon -16.7%.

There is a significant benefit of administering probiotics in surgically treated patients for colorectal adenocarcinoma.