Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Hepatic Arteriography as a Diagnostic Tool for Small Hypervascular Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Method and Clinical Implications

OBJECTIVE: This study proposes a novel reference standard for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), established by cone-beam computed tomography-hepatic arteriography (CBCT-HA) and two-year imaging follow-up, and discusses its clinical implication on tumor staging and understanding the intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) in relation to dynamic computed tomography (CT).MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 99 patients were enrolled, who underwent CBCT-HA during initial chemoembolization for HCC suspected on CT. All patients underwent chemoembolization and regular clinical and imaging follow-up for two years. If IDR appeared on follow-up imaging, initial CBCT-HA images were reviewed to determine if a hypervascular focus pre-existed at the site of recurrence. Pre-existing hypervascular foci on CBCT-HA were regarded as HCCs in initial presentation. Initial HCCs were classified into three groups according to their mode of detection (Group I, detected on CT and CBCT-HA; Group II, additionally detected on CBCT-HA; Group III, confirmed by interval growth). We assessed the influence of CBCT-HA and two-year follow-up on initial tumor stage and calculated the proportion of IDR that pre-existed in initial CBCT-HA.RESULTS: A total of 405 nodules were confirmed as HCCs, and 297 nodules initially pre-existed. Of the initial 297 HCCs, 149 (50.2%) lesions were in Group I, 74 (24.9%) lesions were in Group II, and the remaining 74 (24.9%) lesions were in Group III. After applying CBCT-HA findings, 11 patients upstaged in T stage, and 4 patients had a change in Milan criteria. Our reference standard for HCC indicated that 120 of 148 (81.1%) one-year IDR and 148 of 256 (57.8%) two-year IDR existed on initial CBCT-HA.CONCLUSION: The proposed method enabled the confirmation of many sub-centimeter-sized, faintly vascularized HCC nodules that pre-existed initially but clinically manifested as IDR. Our reference standard for HCC helped in understanding the nature of IDR and the early development of HCC as well as the clinical impact of tumor staging and treatment decision.

Respuesta patológica completa, cirugía conservadora y recidivas a distancia en tumores localmente avanzados: resultados en 30 años de tratamiento neoadyuvante / Complete Pathologic Response, Breast Conserving Surgery and Distant Recurrence in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Results within 30 years of Neoadjuvant Therapy

Introducción La quimioterapia neoadyuvante (qtn) es el tratamiento inicial para pacientes con tumores localmente avanzados, permitiendo la evaluación de la sensibilidad in vivo a los agentes antineoplásicos y la planificación de estrategias quirúrgicas con resultados cosméticos favorables. Objetivos Comparar la tasa de respuesta patológica completa (pcr), la tasa de conversión a cirugía conservadora (tccc), el tiempo a la recaída a distancia (trad) y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad a distancia (sled) a 60 meses en pacientes con cáncer de mama Estadio III que fueron tratadas con qtn antes y después del año 2007 Material y método Se trata de un estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo en el que se analizaron registros de pacientes con cáncer de mama Estadio III operadas entre 1987 y 2016 que hubieran realizado qtn . Se constituyeron dos cohortes: en la primera se reunieron pacientes tratadas entre 1987 y 2006; en la segunda se agruparon aquellas tratadas entre 2007 y 2016. Se estableció esta diferencia dado que a partir de 2007 hubo cambios en la modalidad terapéutica: se administró la quimioterapia en forma continua antes de la cirugía y se introdujeron los taxanos y la terapia anti-her2 neu en los esquemas de qtn . En total se registraron 202 pacientes, 146 pertenecientes a la primera cohorte y 56 pertenecientes a la segunda. La mediana de edad y el tamaño tumoral fueron similares entre ambos grupos, mientras que en el segundo grupo observamos mayor porcentaje de tumores Grado 3 y mayor carga tumoral axilar. Resultados La tasa de pcr fue del 2% (n=3) para el primer grupo y de 13% (n=7) para el segundo (p=0,0022). La tasa de conversión a cirugía conservadora fue del 27% (n=20) para el primer grupo y del 41% (n=17) para el segundo, observándose un 14% más de cirugías conservadoras en este último (p=0,11). La mediana de trad fue de 33 meses para el primer grupo y de 46,5 meses para el segundo (p=0,044). La sled a 60 meses fue del 58% vs el 74% para el primer y segundo grupo respectivamente (p=0,039). Conclusiones Los cambios en la modalidad terapéutica en qtn en nuestra práctica se tradujeron en mayores tasas de pcr, mayor porcentaje de conversión a cirugía conservadora, mayor tiempo a la recidiva a distancia y mayor supervivencia libre de enfermedad a distancia

Introduction Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with locally advanced breast cancer, allowing surgical planning with favorable cosmetic outcome and evaluation of in vivo response to antineoplastic agents. Objectives To compare pathologic complete response, breast conserving surgery conversion rates, time to distant relapse and distant recurrence free survival after 60 months in patients with Stage III breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before and after year 2007. Materials and method Observational retrospective cohort study analizing database and medical records of patients with Stage III breast cancer who had surgery after neoadjuvant therapy between 1987 and 2016. We divided the population into two cohorts, one with patients treated between 1987 and 2006, and another one with those ones treated between 2007 and 2016. We established that difference given that from 2007 and onwards there were major changes in treatment modality: chemotherapy was administered completely before surgery, and Taxane-containing regimens as well as Anti-her2 therapies were included. We registered 202 patients, 146 in the first group and 56 in the second. While median of age and tumor size were similar between groups, axillary tumor burden and histologic grade were higher in the second group. Results Pathologic complete response rate was 2% for the first group and 13% for the second (p=0.0022). Breast conserving surgery conversion rates were 27% vs 41%, with 14% more breast conserving surgeries in the second cohort. Median time to distant recurrence was 33 months vs 46.5 months (p=0.044) and distant recurrence free survival was 58% vs 74% (p=0.039) for groups 1 and two 2 respectively. Conclusions Changes in treatment modality in our practice resulted in better pcr outcomes, more breast conserving surgery conversion rates, longer time to distant relapse and a better distant recurrence free survival

Carcinoma linfoepitelial de cuello uterino con recurrencia a distancia / Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the cervix with distant recurrence

Resumen El carcinoma similar al linfoepitelioma (LELC) del cuello uterino es una variante infrecuente del carcinoma de células escamosas. Se presenta el caso de una mujer con un tumor exofítico en el cuello uterino de consistencia aumentada, sangrado al tacto y parametrios libres de tumor clasificándose como etapa clínica IBI; el estudio histopatológico reportó LELC con recurrencia a distancia al año de seguimiento. Debido a su buen pronóstico existen pocos casos reportados de recurrencia posterior al tratamiento inicial.

Abstract Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the cervix is an uncommon variant of squamous cell carcinoma. We present the case of a woman with an exophytic tumor on the cervix of increased consistency, bleeding to the touch and tumor-free parametriums classified as clinical stage IBI; the histopathological study reported LELC with distant recurrence at one year of follow-up. Due to its good prognosis, there are few reported cases of recurrence after initial treatment.

Multigene tests in assessing and treating early endocrine-dependent breast cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Detection of Oncotype DX and MammaPrint has been recommended by the American Society of Clinical 0ncology.For specific populations,such as early endocrine-dependent breast cancer,under the condition of sufficient evidence in the evidence-based medicine,we can choose genetic testing in combination with clinical pathologic factors to guide clinical treatment,which has reached the goal of micro combined with macro,more detailed division of the patients,and individualized treatment.

The Clinicopathologic Features and Recurrence of Resection-Line Involvement of Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical courses of patients with gastric cancer and positive resection margins after a gastrectomy for gastric cancer who did not undergo subsequent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 4,452 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer from January 2001 to December 2007, 20 patients with positive resection margins after gastrectomy for gastric cancer who did not undergo subsequent surgery were included. The recurrence patterns were confirmed by postoperative computed tomography and gastroscopy, which were performed on a planned schedule. All recurrence patterns after gastrectomy were classified as loco-regional, peritoneal, or distant metastases. RESULTS: The patients with confirmed recurrence all had advanced stage cancer (III-IV), and the recurrence sites were variable. However, peritoneal and distant recurrences were more common than loco-regional recurrences. The patients with loco-regional recurrence also had peritoneal and/or distant recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with gastric cancer and a positive resection margin showed more frequent peritoneal and distant metastases than loco-regional recurrence. In addition, patients with loco-regional recurrence also had peritoneal and distant recurrence. A positive resection margin of gastric cancer was related with poor histological differentiation, diffuse type, and advanced stage (III-IV).

Correlation of Ki-67, nm23-H1 and the VEGF Expression with the Clinicopathological Variables for Distant Recurrence after Curative Surgery for Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater

PURPOSE: Not a few patients show early distant recurrence after curative resection for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, and this recurrence is not just related to the clinicopathological factors. This study was performed to determine the correlation of the clinicopathological and biological characteristics with early distant recurrence after surgery for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. METHODS: Of the 158 patients who underwent curative resection for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater at the Samsung Medical Center between December 1994 and August 2004, 38 patients (the recurrence group) with distant recurrence within a year after surgery and 32 patients (the non-recurrence group) without recurrence for more than 3 years after surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Evaluation of their clinicopathological characteristics and their immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 antigen, nm23-H1 protein and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were carried out. RESULTS: Of the recurrence group, 24 patients (63.2%) had multiple recurrence sites and 10 (26.3%) were TNM stage I after surgery. The TNM stage was significantly advanced in the recurrence group. Both the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) (10.2% vs. 5.8%, respectively) and positive rate (50.0% vs.18.8%, respectively) according to the cut-off value of Ki-67 LI (i.e. 9%) were significantly higher in the recurrence group. The immunoreactivity for nm23-H1 protein and VEGF was not different between the two groups. Only lymph node metastasis was statistically significant on the multivariate analysis for early distant recurrence after surgery. CONCLUSION: The recurrence group showed an advanced TNM stage and increased Ki-67 LI. Lymph node metastasis was the single independent poor indicator for early distant recurrence after curative resection for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.