ABSTRACT
AIMS: Ovarian cancer is the principal cause of gynaecological cancer death in developed countries, yet overall survival in the UK has been reported as being inferior to that in some Western countries. As there is a range of survival across the UK we hypothesised that in major regional centres, outcomes are equivalent to the best internationally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients treated in multicentre international and UK-based trials were obtained from three regional cancer centres in the UK; Manchester, University College London and Leeds (MUL). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were calculated for each trial and compared with the published trial data. Normalised median survival values and the respective 95% confidence intervals (ratio of pooled MUL data to trial median survival) were calculated to allow inter-trial survival comparisons. This strategy then allowed a comparison of median survival across the UK, in three regional UK centres and in international centres. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the trial-reported PFS was the same in the UK, in the MUL centres and in international centres for each of the trials included in the study. Overall survival was, however, 45% better in major regional centre-treated patients (95% confidence interval 9-73%) than the median overall survival reported in UK trials, whereas the median overall survival in MUL centres equated with that achieved in international centres. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that international survival statistics are achieved in UK regional cancer centres.
Subject(s)
Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy , Aged , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Desmoids tumors are rare fibrous tumors of soft tissue. These tumors are located in the abdominal wall, abdomen or extra abdominal. Parietal location is very common among pregnant women and in postpartum period. Hormonal factors are implicated as well. Starting from the observation of 30-year-old patient, in whom a soft tissue mass in the abdominal wall was discovered in the post-partum period, we then emphasize the potential role of cross sectional imaging (ultrasound, CT and especially MRI) in the diagnostic approach, which was confirmed by postoperative pathological examination.
Subject(s)
Fibromatosis, Abdominal/pathology , Fibromatosis, Abdominal/surgery , Adult , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Pregnancy , Puerperal Disorders/pathology , Puerperal Disorders/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Illustrate the specific and nonspecific aspects of myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) in standard imaging, cross-sectional imaging (sonography, CT, and MRI), and bone scintigraphy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients presenting with MOC (three men and five women) were explored using standard radiography (eight cases), sonography (seven cases), scintigraphy (four cases), CT (six cases), and MRI (four cases). RESULTS: Standard x-rays and sonography of the soft tissue showed a well-defined mass containing calcifications in 75% of the cases. The CT scan diagnosed MOC in four cases, showing calcified masses separated from the adjacent bone by a clear radiotransparent border or afferent peripheral tumoral calcifications highly suggestive of MOC. MRI was nonspecific. Bone scintigraphy showed hyperfixation in the four cases imaged. CONCLUSION: Standard x-rays were useful to demonstrate the calcifications of MOC and to identify their relation with the subjacent bone. Sonography and bone scintigraphy were interesting in monitoring the lesion's maturation. In addition to early detection of calcifications, CT can precisely localize the lesion before surgical ablation. MRI is a very sensitive technique in detecting small lesions at an early stage, but it is nonspecific and does not remove the necessity of biopsy to eliminate the possibility of a malignant disease.
Subject(s)
Myositis Ossificans/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Myositis Ossificans/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Three cases of hydatid disease of the soft tissues are reported. All presented as soft tissue lesions in the neck and lower extremities. All three cases were studied with ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques. Two patients presented with multivesicular lesions, which were considered diagnostic for hydatid disease. The third showed a lesion with hypoechoic solid and lobulated pattern mimicking lymph node. MR outlined the cystic pattern with intense peripheral enhancement and was suggestive of an infected cystic lesion. Surgery was performed in all three cases. Hydatid disease presenting in the soft tissues can be diagnosed with confidence, when US and/or MR shows multivesicular lesions. MR appears to be the most useful imaging technique when a complex or solid pattern is present. Enhancement of the peri-cystic soft tissues can be considered as a suggestive MR feature of soft tissue hydatid disease.
