Multiple endocrine neoplasia 1: a broad overview.

This review article discusses the diagnoses and treatment of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). The most common tumors associated with MEN 1 are located in the pancreas, pituitary, and parathyroid glands. Less common tumors include neuroendocrine tumors of the lung and thymus, adrenal tumors, and cutaneous lesions. This article describes the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and surveillance of tumors associated with patients who are diagnosed with MEN 1.

Biochemical prognostic indicators for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs) are rare tumors that are frequently diagnosed late in the course of the disease. Several biomarkers have been proposed in the literature as prognostic factors for patients with these tumors. This article discusses a recent publication in Annals of Surgical Oncology from the University of Iowa analyzing the effect of different biomarkers on survival in patients with PNETs and SBNETs.

Resection of at-risk mesenteric lymph nodes is associated with improved survival in patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the small intestine commonly metastasize to regional lymph nodes (LNs). Single-institution reports suggest that removal of LNs improves outcome, but comprehensive data are lacking. We hypothesized that the extent of lymphadenectomy reported in a large administrative database would be associated with overall survival for jejunal and ileal neuroendocrine tumors. METHODS: A search of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database was performed for patients with jejunal and ileal neuroendocrine tumors from 1977 to 2004. Descriptive patient characteristics were collected to include age at diagnosis, sex, race, grade, primary tumor size, LN status, number of LNs resected, presence of distant metastasis, and the type of operation. Statistical analyses were limited to patients with only one primary tumor to exclude patients with other malignancies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the number of LNs resected and the LN ratio (number of positive LNs/total number of LNs removed) to determine the effect on cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Altogether, 1,364 patients were included in this analysis. Removal of any LNs was associated with improved cancer-specific survival when compared to patients with no LN removal reported (p = 0.0027) on univariate analysis. Among those who had any LNs removed, a median of eight LNs were identified in resection specimens with a median LN ratio of 0.29 (range 0-1). On multivariate analysis (adjusting for age and tumor size), patients with >7 LNs removed experienced better cancer-specific survival than those with ≤ 7 LNs removed (median survival not reached vs. 140 months): hazard ratio and 95 % confidence interval were 0.573 (0.402, 0.817) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This review of a large number of surgical patients demonstrates that regional mesenteric lymphadenectomy in conjunction with resection of the primary tumor is associated with improved survival of patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

Predictable criteria for selective, rather than routine, calcium supplementation following thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify patients at risk for symptomatic hypocalcemia and to make recommendations for safe, selective calcium supplementation. DESIGN: Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (the "high-risk/calcium-yes" group) included patients who were found to have (1) postoperative symptoms of hypocalcemia (ie, tingling and numbness), (2) any postoperative serum calcium level of less than 7 mg/dL, or (3) a parathyroid hormone level of less than 3 pg/mL on postoperative day 1. Group 2 (the "low-risk/calcium-no" group) included all other patients. Demographic, operative, biochemical, and pathologic data, as well as postoperative calcium supplementation data, were recorded. Trends in serum calcium level and parathyroid hormone level were analyzed during the immediate postoperative period to identify specific factors unique to group 1. PATIENTS: A total of 156 patients who underwent a thyroidectomy. SETTING: Tertiary care center. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients reviewed, 78% were female, 70% had a malignant disease, and the median age at operation was 50 years. Thirty-four patients (22%) were in group 1, and 122 patients (78%) were in group 2. Twenty-nine (19%) patients had a parathyroid hormone level of less than 3 pg/mL within 24 hours after a thyroidectomy. Patients who underwent a central neck dissection (P = .001), had malignant disease (P = .01), or had a documented removal of the parathyroid gland (with or without autotransplantation) at operation (P = .013) were most likely to be classified into group 1. Forty-two percent of patients in group 2 had either a parathyroid hormone level of less than 6 pg/mL or a serum calcium level of less than 8 mg/dL on postoperative day 1, but all patients in group 1 who were symptomatic met these parameters. CONCLUSION: Limiting supplementation to patients with a parathyroid hormone level of less than 6 pg/mL or a serum calcium level of less than 8 mg/dL on postoperative day 1 may eliminate unnecessary calcium/vitamin D intake, phlebotomy, and follow-up assessments in up to 58% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Validation is required in a prospective setting.

Robot-assisted transaxillary thyroid surgery in the United States: is it comparable to open thyroid lobectomy?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of robot-assisted transaxillary thyroid surgery (RATS) to the standard open technique for thyroid lobectomy in the U.S. population. METHODS: Comparison was made between 25 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy via RATS and 25 patients who underwent open thyroid lobectomy. All patients met predetermined criteria for RATS. Clinical characteristics of patients and operative data were compared between groups using the Fisher exact or the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The RATS and open groups were similar in gender (92% vs 84% female), median body mass index (BMI) (25 vs 26), preoperative cytology (P=.71), and postoperative diagnosis (P=.91). Operative time for the RATS group was longer than the open group [median 121 minutes (range 74-199 minutes) vs 68 minutes (41-112 minutes), P<.0001]. Estimated blood loss was greater in the RATS group [median 10 cc (0-150 cc) vs 0 cc (0-25 cc), P=.0042]. Unlike the open group, postoperative complications in the RATS group included 2 patients with neurological deficits in the brachial plexus distribution. The postoperative incidence of temporary hoarseness, bleeding, infection, seroma, numbness, and length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a select group of patients, RATS is comparable to open thyroid lobectomy in terms of postoperative complications and hospital stay. Patients should be counseled that RATS is associated with a longer operative time, a potential for brachial plexus neurological deficits, and larger (although still low) blood loss. A prospective trial further evaluating cost, quality of life, and patient-reported satisfaction is warranted.

Vitamin D receptors and parathyroid glands.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the function and metabolism of the vitamin D hormone and the role of the vitamin D receptor and the calcium-sensing receptor in the secretion of parathyroid hormone. METHODS: A review of the literature was undertaken regarding the function and metabolism of vitamin D; the role of the vitamin D receptor and calcium-sensing receptor in the secretion of parathyroid hormone; and the contemporary research regarding the interaction of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in patients with vitamin D deficiency, primary hyperparathyroidism, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. RESULTS: Over the last several years, great interest has been generated about the interaction of vitamin D and the parathyroid glands, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and bone in relation to calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Vitamin D has an important role in calcium and parathyroid hormone metabolism. Likewise, the vitamin D axis appears to be involved with the development of both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The specific mechanism by which vitamin D interacts with the parathyroid gland to bring about observed effects is not yet fully understood. CONCLUSION: Future studies investigating the relationship of the vitamin D receptor, calcium-sensing receptor, and parathyroid glands are needed to enhance our knowledge of vitamin D deficiency and primary and secondary vitamin D deficiency.

Robot assisted transaxillary surgery (RATS) for the removal of thyroid and parathyroid glands.

BACKGROUND: Robotic assisted transaxillary surgery (RATS) is a minimally invasive approach for the removal of the thyroid and/or parathyroid glands through the axilla. This anatomically directed technique, popularized by Chung, eliminates a visible scar and affords excellent high definition optics of the cervical anatomy. We report an initial series of single access RATS in the U.S. METHODS: The prospective endocrine surgery database at a tertiary care center was used to capture all patients who underwent RATS between October 2009 and March 2010. All procedures were performed using a single transaxillary incision. RESULTS: Fourteen operations were performed on 13 patients. Indications for RATS were indeterminate thyroid nodules in 11 patients, the need for completion thyroidectomy in 1 patient, and primary hyperparathyroidism in 2 patients. For patients who underwent robotic assisted thyroid lobectomy, the median thyroid nodule size was 2.1 cm (range, 0.8-2.8 cm), and the median body mass index was 25.33 (range, 21.3-34.4). Mean and median total operative times for robotic assisted thyroid lobectomies were 142 minutes and 137 minutes respectively (range, 113-192 minutes). Operative time for the 2 patients who underwent robotic assisted parathyroidectomy was 115 and 102 minutes. Minor complications occurred in 4 patients (28.5%), with no significant perioperative morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSION: RATS is feasible. We believe that further study of the RATS technique for removing thyroid lobes and parathyroid glands is warranted. This initial series suggests that careful, continued investigation is necessary prior to routine implementation into clinical practice across the U.S.

Cystic lymph nodes in the lateral neck as indicators of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether radiographic findings portend to metastatic disease in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and whether cystic lymph node metastasis can be recognized by preoperative, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with cystic lymph nodes in the lateral neck identified on preoperative ultrasonography between March 1996 and December 2009. Factors examined included demographic information; stage; cytologic and final pathologic findings; and imaging characteristics including location, size, and presence of vascularity and calcifications. Time of cystic node identification in relationship to initial diagnosis was also recorded. RESULTS: Thirty patients had cystic lymph nodes in the lateral neck on cervical ultrasonography during the study period. Among this group, 28 (93%) had PTC, 1 (3%) had papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary, and 1 (3%) had poorly differentiated thyroid cancer. Median age at initial cancer diagnosis was 41 years (range, 16-64 years). Twenty-one patients (70%) were women, and median lymph node size was 1.8 cm (range, 0.6-4.8 cm). Twenty-three patients (77%) had a solitary cystic lymph node, and the remainder had more than 1 cystic lymph node. Cystic lymph nodes were identified at initial presentation in 11 patients (37%), while cystic lymph nodes were discovered in 19 patients (63%) after the initial operation. FNA was performed on the cystic lymph nodes of 23 patients (77%). Cytologic findings were positive for metastatic disease in 18 of 23 patients (78%). Among the 5 of 23 patients with negative cytologic findings, thyroglobulin aspirate was obtained in 1 patient, confirming metastatic PTC. Final pathologic review after surgical resection of cystic lymph nodes with negative cytologic findings from FNA was consistent with metastatic disease in 4 of 5 patients (80%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PTC, the presence of a cystic lymph node by ultrasonographic examination is highly suggestive of locally metastatic disease. Confirmation of metastatic PTC may sometimes be achieved with thyroglobulin aspirate from cystic lymph nodes when cytologic findings are negative. Clinicians should strongly consider surgical lymph node resection of cystic lymph nodes regardless of the preoperative cytologic findings by FNA.

Bilateral robotic-assisted transaxillary surgery.

HYPOTHESIS: Robotic-assisted transaxillary surgery (RATS) for the removal of thyroid glands is feasible by surgeons in the United States. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Academic research. Patient A 53-year-old woman. INTERVENTION: Total thyroidectomy via the transaxillary approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Successful completion thyroidectomy using bilateral RATS. RESULTS: Right thyroid lobectomy was performed via RATS to remove a 2.2-cm Hurthle cell neoplasm of the thyroid gland per cytologic analysis. Final pathologic analysis was consistent with minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma. The patient then underwent completion thyroidectomy via left-sided RATS. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral RATS to perform total thyroidectomy is a feasible option in properly selected patients. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of this technique in the United States.

Surgical management of nonmultiple endocrine neoplasia endocrinopathies: state-of-the-art review.

The development of genetic testing has given patients with familial endocrine diseases the opportunity to be identified earlier in life. The importance of this technological advancement cannot be underestimated, as some of these heritable diseases have significant potential for malignancy. This article focuses on the identification and surgical management of familial endocrinopathies of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. Familial endocrinopathies discussed include hereditary nonmedullary carcinoma of the thyroid, Cowden disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, Carney complex, Werner syndrome, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, Pendred syndrome, hereditary hyperparathyroidism jaw-tumor syndrome, familial isolated hyperparathyroidism, Beckwith- Wiedemann syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis I, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and tuberous sclerosis.

A proposed staging system for gastric carcinoid tumors based on an analysis of 1,543 patients.

The lack of a clinically relevant staging system for gastric carcinoid tumors creates a persistent challenge for clinicians trying to provide patients with meaningful prognostic information. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinicopathologic factors that affect survival for patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoid, and use this information to create a staging system. A search of 15,983 patients with carcinoid tumors from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database identified 1,543 patients with gastric carcinoid tumors from 1973 to 2004. Patients were analyzed according to various clinicopathologic factors, and a tumor (T1, T2, T3), lymph node (N0, N1), and metastasis (M0, M1) staging system was created according to these parameters. Gastric carcinoid was the only primary malignancy in 74% of patients; 24% presented with one additional primary malignancy, and 2.7% had two or more additional malignancies. On multivariate analysis, age and depth of invasion were significant for patients with one tumor. Four stages were created according to statistically significant prognostic factors: 60% of patients were classified into stage I, 7.6% into stage II, 6.5% into stage III, and 26% into stage IV. Five-year survival rates were 82, 63, 21, and 5.5% for stages I-IV, respectively. We conclude that this tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system accurately discriminates prognosis for all types of gastric carcinoid tumors, with size, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis having the greatest impact on survival. Incorporation of this staging system into clinical practice will allow better study of outcomes and development of stage-specific treatment recommendations.

Preoperative chemotherapy does not increase morbidity or mortality of hepatic resection for colorectal cancer metastases.

Hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer (mCRC) is best treated with a multidisciplinary approach. Conflicting data exist regarding the impact of preoperative chemotherapy on morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy. We hypothesized that preoperative chemotherapy does not adversely impact complications or mortality associated with hepatectomy. A retrospective analysis was performed and included patients with mCRC who underwent hepatectomy from 1996 to 2006. Patients were separated into two groups: those who received preoperative chemotherapy and those who did not. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with morbidity and mortality. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to determine disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). One hundred eighty-six patients were analyzed: 112 (60%) received preoperative chemotherapy for a median of 4.2 months. Eighty patients (43%) underwent major hepatectomy. When comparing the two groups, there were no differences in hepatic tumor size (median 3 cm; p = 0.35), type of resection (p = 0.62), stage (p = 0.44) or location (p = 0.10) of the primary tumor, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.80), or number of nodes in lymphadenectomy (p = 0.62). Only number of positive nodes after colectomy (p = 0.02), age (p < or = 0.0001), and combined resection/radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (p = 0.004) were statistically different between the two groups. There was no difference in rates of morbidity (p = 0.81), mortality (p = 0.29), DFS (p = 0.25) or OS (p = 0.30). We conclude that the use of preoperative chemotherapy did not increase the risk of complications or death for patients undergoing hepatectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Pre-hepatectomy chemotherapy appears to be safe and is an important part of the multidisciplinary approach for this disease.

A proposed staging system for small bowel carcinoid tumors based on an analysis of 6,380 patients.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term prognosis of small bowel carcinoids because currently no staging system exists. METHODS: A search of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database identified 6,380 patients with small bowel carcinoid tumors from 1977 to 2004. Patients were analyzed according to various clinicopathologic factors and a tumor (T1, T2, T3), lymph node (N0, N1), and metastasis (M0, M1) staging system was created according to these parameters. RESULTS: Among the 6,380 patients, 2,985 women and 3,395 men, with a median age of 66 years (range 14-98), the median tumor size was 1.9 cm (range .1-30 cm). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, size of the primary tumor, and depth of invasion were significant factors. Four stages were created according to statistically significant prognostic factors: 13% of patients were classified into stage I, 31% into stage II, 16% into stage III, and 40% into stage IV. Five-year survival rates were 96%, 87%, 74%, and 43% for stages I through IV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed TNM staging system accurately discriminates prognosis for small bowel carcinoid tumors.

A proposed staging system for rectal carcinoid tumors based on an analysis of 4701 patients.

BACKGROUND: The lack of a clinically relevant staging system for carcinoid tumors of the rectum creates a persistent challenge for clinicians trying to provide patients with meaningful prognostic information. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinicopathologic factors that affect survival for patients diagnosed with carcinoid of the rectum, and to use this information to create a staging system. METHODS: A search of 15,983 patients with carcinoid tumors from the National Cancer Institute's SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) database identified 4701 patients with rectal carcinoid tumors from 1973 to 2004. Patients were analyzed according to various clinicopathologic factors and a tumor (T1, T2, T3), lymph node (N0, N1), and metastasis (M0, M1) staging system was created according to these parameters. The staging system was developed using log rank tests and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of the 4701 patients, 2329 females and 2372 males were identified with a median age of 56 years (14-94). Median size of primary tumor was 0.6 cm (0.1-25). Lymph node metastasis was found in 111 (4%), and distant metastatic disease was present in 97 (2.4%) patients. Rectal carcinoid was the only primary malignancy in 82% of patients; 17% presented with 1 additional primary malignancy, and 1% had two or more additional malignancies. Age, size, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis were significant predictors of survival. Four stages were created according to statistically significant prognostic factors: 83% of patients were classified into Stage I, 6.5% into Stage II, 2.8% into Stage III, and 7.4% into Stage IV. Five-year survival rates were 97%, 84%, 27%, and 20% for Stages I through IV, respectively. CONCLUSION: The newly developed TNM staging system accurately discriminates prognosis for carcinoid tumors of the rectum. Size of primary tumor, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis have the greatest impact on survival. Incorporation of this staging system into clinical practice will allow better study of outcomes and development of stage-specific treatment recommendations.

Analysis of 900 appendiceal carcinoid tumors for a proposed predictive staging system.

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal carcinoid tumors (ACTs) are rare, and little is known about the long-term prognosis for these tumors because no staging system exists. Therefore, we sought to investigate prognostic factors associated with ACTs and to create a predictive staging system to accurately estimate prognosis. HYPOTHESIS: In patients with ACTs, TNM staging will accurately predict prognosis. DESIGN: Retrospective review of 15 983 patients with carcinoid tumors in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from January 1, 1977, to December 31, 2004. SETTING: SEER database study. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred patients with ACTs (552 females and 348 males; mean age, 47.1 years [age range, 9-89 years]; mean size of the primary tumor, 2.4 cm [range, 0.1-11.5 cm]). Main Outcome Measure Clinicopathologic features in patients with ACTs that affect prognosis using a newly created TNM staging system incorporating these parameters. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was found in 137 patients (24%), and distant metastatic disease in 89 patients (10%). Stage-specific survival was statistically significant between stages (P < .001) but not within stages. At multivariate analysis, patient age, primary tumor size, histologic features, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis were significant factors predicting survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our newly developed TNM staging system accurately predicts prognosis in patients with ACTs. A TNM staging system for ACTs will be helpful not only for physician education about factors that affect the outcome with this disease but also to observe trends in prognosis.

Proposed staging system for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine tumors with no staging system in existence. The goal of this study was to establish a staging system consistent with the American Joint Commission on Cancer Staging Systems using the TNM strategy. A retrospective review of our prospective database of 990 hepatopancreaticobiliary patients and our tumor registry identified 108 patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors from June 1990 to September 2006. Tumors were classified into our staging system by depth of penetration, size of primary tumor, nodal status, and the presence/absence of distant metastasis. Patients were staged as Stage 1, 22 per cent; Stage II, 29 per cent; Stage 3, 12 per cent; and Stage 4, 35 per cent. There were 41 men and 57 women with a median age of 58.5 years (range, 19-86 years). Primary tumors included 52 small bowel, 12 colon, 19 rectum, nine stomach, and seven of unknown primary origin. The use of our initial staging system demonstrated a trend in differences in survival across all four stages. The use of our initial staging proposal delineates the biology of the disease with accurate overall survival estimates. The addition of a dedicated American Joint Commission on Cancer staging system is needed for gastrointestinal carcinoids. Widespread use of this staging system may contribute to the future management and treatment of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

Management of hepatic metastasis of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection, radiofrequency ablation, intra-arterial radiation therapy, and chemoembolization are all potential therapies in the treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumors of the liver. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors in the management of hepatic metastases of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors. METHODS: We reviewed our prospective database of 1084 hepato-pancreatico-biliary patients for patients with the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoid to the liver from 6/1998 to 9/2006. RESULTS: We identified 54 patients, 21 men, 33 women, median age 59 years (range 37-86), median number of tumors 3 (range 1-27), and median size of hepatic metastasis of 4 cm (range 1-13). Hepatic resection was performed in 23 (43%) with 16 (70%) receiving additional hepatic directed therapy. Hepatic resection was found to have a statistically significant improved overall survival (P < 0.05) when compared to nonhepatic resection patients with an actuarial 5 years survival for surgical (75%) compared to nonsurgical (62%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use of tobacco was a significant factor in poor overall outcome (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Multimodality therapy in the management of hepatic carcinoid metastasis can be done safely and effectively. We recommend the use of hepatic resection when feasible as this treatment most likely offers the best long-term outcome.

Proposed staging system for colon carcinoid tumors based on an analysis of 2,459 patients.

BACKGROUND: Colon carcinoid remains an uncommon finding during screening endoscopy or operation, with little known about the longterm prognosis. The reason for this uncertainty is that no staging system exists to appropriately risk stratify or follow these patients for overall survival. We sought to investigate prognostic factors associated with colon carcinoid tumors and create a predictive staging system to accurately estimate prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: A search of the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database identified 15,983 patients with carcinoid tumors, with 2,459 from the colon, from 1973 to 2004. Patients were analyzed to various clinicopathologic factors and a tumor (T1, T2, T3), lymph node (N0, N1), and metastasis (M0, M1) staging system was created according to these parameters. RESULTS: Of the 2,459 patients, 1,287 (52%) women and 1,172 (48%) men were identified, with a median age of 63 years (range, 12 to 96 years). Lymph node metastasis was found in 820 (48%), and distant metastatic disease was present in 522 (24%) patients. On multivariate analysis, age, size, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, and location were significant. Four stages were created to statistically significant prognostic factors: 13% into stage I, 32% into stage II, 12% into stage III, and 43% into stage IV. Five-year survival rates were 97%, 69%, 21%, and 17% for stages I through IV (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed TNM staging system accurately discriminates prognosis for carcinoid tumors of the colon. Incorporation of this staging system into clinical practice will allow better study of outcomes and development of stage-specific treatment recommendations.

The evolution of the management of regional lymph nodes in melanoma.

The last two decades have seen sweeping changes in the surgical approach to melanoma. Traditionally, patients without evidence of nodal metastases were considered for elective lymph node dissection. This approach placed many patients at risk of morbidity while many derived no benefit. As investigators gained a deeper understanding of melanoma and lymphatic biology, newer methods of managing regional lymph nodes were sought. The advent of sentinel node biopsy has radically changed the approach to melanoma.