Patients treated for rectal cancer at hospitals that are accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) were less likely to have cancer left behind after surgery, a major factor for recurrence, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The findings reinforce that where patients receive care can significantly influence their outcomes.
Researchers found that NAPRC-accredited hospitals delivered higher-quality care on several key measures compared with non-accredited hospitals, including more comprehensive presurgical testing and improved surgical outcomes.
"Rectal cancer treatment is complex, and these findings show that specialized, accredited programs from the American College of Surgeons can make a meaningful difference for patients," said study co-author Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, medical director of ACS Cancer Programs. "For patients and families facing a rectal cancer diagnosis, these findings reinforce the importance of asking where care is being received and whether a hospital has been accredited."
Researchers found that patients treated at NAPRC-accredited hospitals were less likely to have cancer cells remaining at the edges of tissue removed during surgery, which is known as a positive surgical margin and is strongly associated with cancer recurrence.
