Hyeon Seung Kim, Kyung Su Han, Min Wan Lee, Dae Kyung Sohn, Chang Won Hong, Dong Woon Lee, Kiho You, Sung Chan Park, Byung Chang Kim, Bun Kim, Jae Hwan Oh
Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(4):303-309. Published online August 25, 2025
Purpose In 2019, we reported a novel nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) in T1 colorectal cancer. Herein, we conducted a survey-based study to evaluate the clinical utility of this nomogram in determining the need for additional surgery after endoscopic resection for high-risk T1 colorectal cancer.
Methods A survey was conducted among 77 members of the Korean Society of Coloproctology and 25 members of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The survey assessed decision-making regarding additional surgery after endoscopic resection for high-risk T1 colorectal cancer according to various predicted LNM rates (3%, 10%, and 27%) and tumor locations (anal verge [AV] 2, 7, and 25 cm). Additionally, participants provided feedback regarding the reliability, usefulness, and potential adoptability of the prediction model in patient counseling.
Results Of the 2,314 surveys distributed, 102 responses were analyzed. A trend was observed in which tumors located closer to the anus and associated with a lower predicted risk of LNM were less likely to lead respondents to opt for surgery (e.g., AV 2 cm and 3% of predicted LNM risk, 21.6% opt for surgery vs. AV 25 cm and 27% of predicted LNM risk, 98.0% opt for surgery). Additionally, 94.1% of the respondents reported that the prediction model would be helpful in clinical decision-making and patient counseling.
Conclusion Our findings suggest that the nomogram is an effective and reliable tool for guiding treatment strategies and enhancing consultations in patients with T1 colorectal cancer.
Purpose Rectal cancer treatment has a wide range of possible approaches from radical extirpative surgery to nonoperative watchful waiting following chemoradiotherapy, with or without, additional chemotherapy. Our goal was to assess the personal opinion of active practicing surgeons on rectal cancer treatment if he/she was the patient.
Methods A panel of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 10 questions that were included in a questionnaire that included other items including demographics. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in our database and remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020.
Results One hundred sixty-three specialists completed the survey. The majority of surgeons (n=65, 39.9%) chose the minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery for their personal treatment of rectal cancer. For low-lying rectal cancer T1 and T2, the treatment choice was standard chemoradiation+local excision (n=60, 36.8%) followed by local excision±chemoradiotherapy if needed (n=55, 33.7%). In regards to locally advanced low rectal cancer T3 or greater, the preference of the responders was for laparoscopic surgery (n=65, 39.9%). We found a statistically significant relationship between surgeons’ age and their preference for minimally invasive techniques demonstrating an age-based bias on senior surgeons’ inclination toward open approach.
Conclusion Our survey reveals an age-based preference by surgeons for minimally invasive surgical techniques as well as organ-preserving techniques for personal treatment of treating rectal cancer. Only 1/4 of specialists do adhere to the international guidelines for treating early rectal cancer.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Performance reporting design in artificial intelligence studies using image-based TNM staging and prognostic parameters in rectal cancer: a systematic review Minsung Kim, Taeyong Park, Bo Young Oh, Min Jeong Kim, Bum-Joo Cho, Il Tae Son Annals of Coloproctology.2024; 40(1): 13. CrossRef
Sex Disparities in Rectal Cancer Surgery: An In-Depth Analysis of Surgical Approaches and Outcomes Chungyeop Lee, In Ja Park The World Journal of Men's Health.2024; 42(2): 304. CrossRef
Effects of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Oncologic Outcomes in Patients With Stage ⅡA Rectal Cancer Above the Peritoneal Reflection Who Did Not Undergo Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Hyo Seon Ryu, Jong Lyul Lee, Chan Wook Kim, Yong Sik Yoon, In Ja Park, Seok-Byung Lim, Yong Sang Hong, Tae Won Kim, Chang Sik Yu Clinical Colorectal Cancer.2024; 23(4): 392. CrossRef
Comparative analysis of organ preservation attempt and radical surgery in clinical T2N0 mid to low rectal cancer Hyeung-min Park, Jaram Lee, Soo Young Lee, Chang Hyun Kim, Hyeong Rok Kim International Journal of Colorectal Disease.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Beyond survival: a comprehensive review of quality of life in rectal cancer patients Won Beom Jung Annals of Coloproctology.2024; 40(6): 527. CrossRef
Unveiling the profound advantages of total neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: a trailblazing exploration Kyung Uk Jung, Hyung Ook Kim, Hungdai Kim, Donghyoun Lee, Chinock Cheong Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research.2023; 105(6): 341. CrossRef
tive watchful waiting following chemoradiotherapy, with or without, additional chemotherapy. Our goal was to assess the personal opinion of active practicing surgeons on rectal cancer treatment if he/she was the patient.
Methods A panel of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 10 questions that were included in a questionnaire that included other items including demographics. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in our database and remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020.
Results One hundred sixty-three specialists completed the survey. The majority of surgeons (n=65, 39.9%) chose the minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery for their personal treatment of rectal cancer. For low-lying rectal cancer T1 and T2, the treatment choice was standard chemoradiation+local excision (n=60, 36.8%) followed by local excision±chemoradiotherapy if needed (n=55, 33.7%). In regards to locally advanced low rectal cancer T3 or greater, the preference of the responders was for laparoscopic surgery (n=65, 39.9%). We found a statistically significant relationship between surgeons’ age and their preference for minimally invasive techniques demonstrating an age-based bias on senior surgeons’ inclination toward open approach.
Conclusion Our survey reveals an age-based preference by surgeons for minimally invasive surgical techniques as well as organ-preserving techniques for personal treatment of treating rectal cancer. Only 1/4 of specialists do adhere to the international guidelines for treating early rectal cancer.