Laparoscopic versus open resection in patients with locally advanced colon cancer

Surgical resection of locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) is challenging due to tumor size and the frequent need for multivisceral resection. The role of laparoscopic resection in LACC is controversial. This study aims to compare outcomes for laparoscopic versus open surgery in LACC.

A population-based retrospective review was conducted of patients treated at a Provincial Cancer Center for LACC from 2005 to 2015. Patients with non-metastatic T4 colon cancers were included. Descriptive, survival, and recurrence analyses were used.

In all, 1,328 patients were reviewed, 23% of whom had laparoscopic surgery. A greater number of T4b tumors were removed via an open approach (35.9% vs 12.7%, P < .001). Positive resection margins occurred in 7.5% of laparoscopic and 16.5% of open cases (P < .001), and multivisceral resection was required in 11.0% and 27.7% (P < .001), respectively. Median follow-up was 37 months (interquartile range [IQR] 17-64) during which 48.6% patients died and 42.1% developed recurrence: locoregional (15.0%), distant (35.3%), peritoneal (11.4%). Age, right-sided tumors, nodal status, and laparoscopic approach were independent predictors of peritoneal recurrence. Overall survival (OS) (73 vs 61 months, P = .188) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (39 vs 31 months, P = .288) were similar with both approaches. Age, nodal, and margin status were predictive of OS and RFS.

Open surgical approach is used more frequently when tumors invade adjacent organs or require multivisceral resections. When employed, laparoscopic approach had similar rates of survival and recurrence compared with open approach, but was an independent predictor of peritoneal recurrence. Careful patient selection in operative approach is suggested.