Minimally invasive surgery for suspected early-stage ovarian cancer; a cost-effectiveness study.

OBJECTIVE: While there are a number of benefits to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for women with ovarian cysts, there is an increased risk of ovarian capsule rupture during the procedure, which could potentially seed the abdominal cavity with malignant cells. We developed a decision model to compare the risks, benefits, effectiveness and cost of MIS versus laparotomy in women with ovarian masses. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness study POPULATION: Hypothetical cohort of 10 000 women with ovarian masses who were undergoing surgical management. METHODS: The initial decision point in the model was performance of surgery via laparotomy or a MIS approach. Model probabilities, costs and utility values were derived from published literature and administrative data sources. Extensive sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness of MIS versus laparotomy for women with a pelvic mass measured by incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS: MIS was the least costly strategy at $7,732 per women on average, compared with $17,899 for laparotomy. In our hypothetical cohort of 10 000 women, there were 64 cases of ovarian rupture in the MIS group and 53 in the laparotomy group, while there were 26 cancer-related deaths in the MIS group and 25 in the laparotomy group. MIS was more effective than laparotomy (188 462 QALYs for MIS versus 187 631 quality adjusted life years [QALYs] for laparotomy). Thus, MIS was a dominant strategy, being both less costly and more effective than laparotomy. These results were robust in a variety of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: MIS constitutes a cost-effective management strategy for women with suspicious ovarian masses. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: MIS is a cost-effective management strategy for women with suspicious ovarian masses.

High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation for advanced colorectal cancer.

A chemotherapy regimen based on high doses of BCNU and mitomycin C with autologous bone marrow transplantation was used in 18 patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Haematological toxicity was manageable, with a short nadir for white blood cells and platelets. The response rate was 33%, with a prevalence in peritoneal lesions compared to liver or lung metastases. Extra-haematological toxicity appeared in 16% of cases: a case of veno-occlusive disease of the liver and two cases of lung impairment are discussed. Although the response rate obtained with the regimen was satisfactory, the more extensive use of high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation requires the identification of less toxic protocols.

Pelvic recurrence after surgical treatment of rectal and sigmoid cancer. A prospective clinical trial on 274 patients.

The aim of this collaborative prospective study was to verify the incidence of pelvic recurrence (PR) after radical surgery for cancer of the rectum and sigmoid. Very low anterior resection (VLAR) was usually performed, with the aim of preserving anal function and obtaining the maximum of radicality by means of en bloc excision of the mesorectum. Between 1984 and 1987, 274 patients underwent curative surgery for rectal and sigmoid cancer, 230 (84%) of whom underwent anterior resection (AR) and 44 (16%) abdominoperineal resection (APR). Post-operative mortality was 2.5%. Follow-up ranged from 24 to 72 months (mean 37 m); 248 cases (90.5%) were included in the final prospective study. PR occurred in 41/248 cases (16%), within 24 months in 80% of cases. PR occurred in 15.8% (33/208) after AR and in 20% (8/40) after APR, p = NS. Nevertheless in middle and low rectal tumours at stage C the incidence of PR in patients who had VLAR was 34.5% (10/29) and 12% (3/25) in those who had APR (p < 0.05). PR rates in VLAR patients was 40% for stage C low rectal tumours and 54.5% for low rectal tumours at Astler Coller stage C2. The PR incidence for stage C1 tumours of the low rectum was zero after VLAR and APR, allowing the assumption that lymphnode metastases in non-penetrating tumours do not compromise the results when the mesorectum is completely excised. We can assume that the choice of VLAR as a substitute for APR whenever possible limits the comparison of their results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Extensive lymphadenectomy and long-term survival in right hemicolectomy for carcinoma]. / Linfoadenectomia estesa e sopravvivenza a distanza nell'emicolectemia destra per carcinoma.

Late clinical outbreak in patients with right colon cancer translates into very advanced stage of the tumour. Nevertheless, long term results of radical surgery are favourable, even if susceptible of improvements. While earlier diagnoses are not easy to achieve, a greater surgical radicality can be obtained both by extending resections to the surrounding structures and organs, and by enlarging lymphadenectomy to all the inframesocolic compartment and to the main lymph nodes located at the level of superior mesenteric vessels. A series of 60 right hemicolectomies performed from 1968 to 1990 to treat right colonic cancer is presented. Intraoperative mortality was of 4 cases (6.6%). Lymph node "mapping" was drawn, and in 26 cases (43%) metastases were found. Paracolic nodes were involved in 96% of cases, intermediate in 42%, and principal ones in 34%. Forty four patients, surgically treated up to 1985 and eligible for a 5 year follow up, were all verified. Overall free of disease survival was assessed in 28 cases (63.6%). Survival in relation to Dukes staging was 81.8% (9/11) in C. According to presence (LN+) or absence (LN-) of lymphatic spread, 5 year survival was found to be 70.3% (19/27) in LN-, and 52.9 (9/17) in LN+. Difference between the two groups is 17.4%, much smaller than the mean one of 45% reported by world literature. This figure, together with the finding of a 12, 10 and 5 year survival in patients with principal nodes involvement, suggests that extended lymphadenectomy might play a principal role in improving long term survival rates of advanced right colon cancer.

[Ambulatory radiology in gastroesophageal reflux. Comparison of diagnostic tests]. / La radiologia ambulatoriale nel reflusso gastro-esofageo. Test diagnostici a confronto.

A retrospective analysis is reported of 131 symptomatic patients for gastro-esophageal reflux, comparing the radiological diagnosis to endoscopic, manometric and pH-metric results. A low incidence of x-ray examination is found. The role of radiology in gastro-esophageal reflux is considered and discussed.