Pathologic and survival outcomes following radical cystectomy for "progressive" and "de novo" muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A meta-analysis stratified by neoadjuvant chemotherapy status.

OBJECTIVE: To compare survival and pathologic outcomes in patients with progressive muscle-invasive bladder cancer (pgMIBC) and de novo muscle-invasive bladder cancer (dnMIBC) after radical cystectomy (RC), with a focus on the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify studies comparing pgMIBC to dnMIBC. Survival outcomes, including cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS), and pathologic outcomes (rates of ≤pT1, pT0, pT3/T4, and pN+ disease) were compared between pgMIBC and dnMIBC. RESULTS: The analysis included 19 cohorts from 16 studies, categorized into 3 groups based on NAC use: 1. patients who underwent RC and were all treated with NAC (RC + NAC only group); 2. patients who underwent RC, with or without NAC (RC +/- NAC group); 3. patients who only underwent RC without NAC (RC only group). Compared to dnMIBC, pgMIBC demonstrated worse outcomes for CSS, OS, and RFS. In the RC + NAC only group (3 cohorts), the hazard ratio (HR) for CSS was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-2.2), while the HR for OS was 1.46 (95%CI = 1.05-2.02). Similarly, in the RC +/- NAC group (6 cohorts for CSS and 3 cohorts for OS), the HR for CSS was 1.27 (95%CI = 1.05-1.55), and the HR for OS was 1.27 (95%CI = 1.08-1.51). There were no significant differences observed in pathologic outcomes, including rates of ≤pT1, pT0, and pT3/T4 disease, across all subgroups. However, pgMIBC was associated with a higher risk of nodal metastatic (pN+) disease in the RC + NAC only group (4 cohorts, relative risk [RR] = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.12-1.84). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the potentially worse prognosis in patients with pgMIBC compared to dnMIBC, even with the modern use of NAC. The study emphasizes the importance of careful patient counseling, further classification of patients for treatment selection, and the consideration of additional or innovative systemic therapies for pgMIBC.

Gastrojejunal stoma obstruction due to post-traumatic pancreatitis.

Gastrojejunostomy without gastric resection is performed to bypass the distal stomach or the duodenum. Gastrojejunal stoma (GJ) obstruction is an unusual complication. Pancreatic injuries are usually subtle to identify by different diagnostic imaging modalities or intraoperatively, as the classic features are absent during the first 24 h and even for several days. Symptoms of injury to other intra-abdominal organs or structures commonly mask or supersede that of pancreatic injury, both early and late in the course of trauma. Hence, these injuries are often overlooked. We present a case of gastrojejunal stoma obstruction after a primary repair of traumatic American Association for the Surgery of Trauma" (AAST) grade IV duodenal injury. The surgery included repair of the duodenum over a T-tube, a pyloric occlusion, a retrocolic loop gastrojejunostomy, and feeding jejunostomy. And thereafter, successful management of postoperative complication with adhesiolysis, necrosectomy, and revised antecolic isoperistaltic Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy for retrocolic GJ stoma obstruction due to post-traumatic pancreatitis.

Tumor hyaluronan as a novel biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Hyaluronan (HA) accumulation is associated with tumorigenesis and aggressive tumor behavior. AIMS: We investigated the biomarker potential of HA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: HA levels were scored using affinity histochemistry in 137 NSCLC samples stratified by HA score ≤10, 11-20, 21-30, and >30 with HA-high defined as ≥25% expression in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor surface area. Overall survival (OS) and time to progression from initiation of taxane therapy (TTP) were compared using log-rank tests based on HA score. RESULTS: Of 122 patients with recurrent/metastatic NSCLC, 93 had mean HA scores that were not significantly different across clinicopathologic variables. Frequency of HA-high tumors did not differ by histology (34/68 adenocarcinomas vs. 12/25 squamous tumors, Fisher's p = 1.0000). Median OS for recurrent/metastatic adenocarcinoma was 35.5 months (95%, 23.6-50.3) vs. 17.9 months for squamous (95%, 12.7-37.0, log-rank test, p = 0.0165). OS was not significantly different by HA quartiles, high or low (<25) HA score and tumor histology, and HA biopsy site (all p > 0.05). Median TTP (n = 98) significantly differed by HA quartile (2.8 months for HA score ≤10; 5.0 months for 11-20; 7.9 months for 21-30; 3.9 months for >30, p = 0.0265). Improved TTP trended in HA-high over HA-low tumors (n = 98, p = 0.0911). CONCLUSION: In this NSCLC cohort, tumor HA level represents a potential biomarker for TTP, which remains a cornerstone of NSCLC therapy. Further validation is warranted to identify the HA accumulation threshold associated with clinical benefit.

Feasibility and efficacy of enteral tube feeding on weight stability, lean body mass, and patient-reported outcomes in pancreatic cancer cachexia.

BACKGROUND: Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by progressive weight loss and nutritional deterioration. This wasting has been linked to poor survival outcomes, alterations in host defenses, decreased functional ability, and diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pancreatic cancer patients. There are currently no standardized approaches to the management of pancreatic cancer cachexia. This study explores the feasibility and efficacy of enteral tube feeding of a peptide-based formula to improve weight stability and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in advanced PDAC patients with cachexia. METHODS: This was a single-institution, single-arm prospective trial conducted between April 2015 and March 2019. Eligible patients were adults (>18 years) diagnosed with advanced or locally advanced PDAC and cachexia, defined as greater than 5% unexplained weight loss within 6 months from screening. The study intervention included three 28 day cycles of a semi-elemental peptide-based formula, administered through a jejunal or gastrojejunal feeding tube. The primary outcome was weight stability at 3 months (Cycle 3), defined as weight change less than 0.1 kg/baseline BMI unit from baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in lean body mass, appendicular lean mass, bone mineral density, fat mass, and percent body fat, as measured with a DEXA scan, HRQOL (EORTC QLQC30) and NIH PROMIS PROs assessed at each cycle. Daily activity (steps, distance, active minutes, heart rate, and sleep) were remotely monitored using a wearable activity monitor (Fitbit) over the 3 month study period. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were screened for eligibility, 31 patients consented onto study and underwent jejunal tube placement, and 16 patients completed treatment: mean age 67 years (SD 9.3), 43.8% male. Among evaluable patients (n = 16), weight stability was achieved in 10 patients (62.5%), thus completing the trial early. Increases in lean body mass (1273.1, SD: 4078, P = 0.01) and appendicular lean mass (0.45, SD: 0.6, P = 0.02) were observed. Statistically significant improvements at Cycle 3 from baseline were also observed for QLQC30 role function [mean difference (MD): 20.1, P = 0.03], appetite (MD: 27.4, P = 0.02), and global health scores (MD: 13.3, P = 0.05) as well as for NIH PROMIS t-scores for depression (MD: -10.4, P = 0.006) and pain interference (MD: -7.5, P = 0.05). Objectively monitored (Fitbit) activity levels increased, although statistical significance was not reached. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that enteral nutrition support may improve weight stability, lean body mass, appendicular lean mass and PROs in PDAC patients with cachexia who completed treatment, representing a subsample of the study population. The feasibility and role of enteral feeding in routine care remain unclear, and larger and randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Corrigendum to "Gender and Ethnicity Based Differences in Clinical and Laboratory Features of Myasthenia Gravis".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2015/197893.].

Lymphangiofibrolipomatous hamartomaous polyp of tonsil.

Benign tumours of the tonsils are rare. Majority of these lesions are diagnosed as squamous papilloma. Hamartoma is a benign tumor-like malformation. Hamartoma in tonsils is unique and only a few anecdotal cases are reported until now. Tonsillar hamartoma usually presents as unilateral or bilateral polyp with clinical features of dysphagia or foreign body sensation. Histopathologically, normal tissues are noted in a haphazard or disorganised way. We hereby present a case of 31-year-old male patient with tonsillar hamartomatous polyp presenting with the symptom of a foreign body sensation in the throat. The diagnosis of this entity and its distinction from other clinico-pathological mimickers require histopathological examination and awareness. A complete surgical excision is curative without any evidence of disease recurrence.

Gender and Ethnicity Based Differences in Clinical and Laboratory Features of Myasthenia Gravis.

Background. Previous reports describe ethnicity based differences in clinical and laboratory features between Caucasians and African Americans with myasthenia gravis. However, it is not known whether these findings apply to other ethnicities. Methods. Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for myasthenia gravis during a three-year period at a community based medical center. Results. A total of 44 patients were included, including 19 of Hispanic, 16 of African American, 6 of Caucasian, and 3 of Asian ethnicities. Female gender was more common among those with Hispanic, Asian, and African American ethnicities compared to Caucasian ethnicity (p = 0.029). Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody subtypes demonstrated no significant ethnicity based differences in either generalized or ocular myasthenia gravis. A trend was noted towards greater frequency of blocking antibodies among Hispanics (52.6%) compared to African American (37.5%) and Caucasian (33.3%) patients (p = 0.059). Generalized but not ocular myasthenia patients showed greater frequency of anti-muscle specific kinase antibodies in Asians and Hispanics compared to African Americans and Caucasians (p = 0.041). Conclusions. The results of this study support the existence of ethnicity based differences in clinical and laboratory features of myasthenia gravis. Further study of genetic factors influencing clinical features of myasthenia gravis is indicated.