[Update of the S3 guidelines for pancreatic cancer. What is new for pathologists?]. / Update der S3-Leitlinie für das Pankreaskarzinom. Was ist neu für Pathologen?

The S3 guidelines for pancreatic cancer were revised in 2013. Besides the oncological and palliative therapy modalities and surgical therapy, the guidelines for pathologists in topic 3 were updated. The modifications essentially concern the histopathological assessment of surgical specimens and in particular the circumferential resection margin and the R classification. In addition, the current recommendations were amended by recommendations concerning the pathohistological records, which should include the lymph node ratio in the future.

Effects of intra-arterial octreotide on pancreatic texture: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Octreotide is suggested to harden the pancreas, thus facilitating the construction of a pancreatic anastomosis and lowering the risk of postoperative fistula. We tested the hypothesis that intra-arterial application of octreotide in the gastroduodenal artery during pancreatectomy may increase pancreatic hardness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with parallel assignment was conducted. Patients planned for a pancreatoduodenectomy or a total pancreatectomy, who had a palpatory and durometer proven (<40 Shore units) soft pancreas, were assigned to receive intraoperatively either 5 mL 500µg octreotide or 5 mL 0.9% saline solution as a bolus injection in the gastroduodenal artery. Pancreatic hardness was measured before, early, and late after intervention. The investigator performing the durometer measurements and pathologist were masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was increased pancreatic hardness. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (ID NCT01400100). RESULTS: A total of 12 patients received octreotide and 13 received saline solution. Pancreatic hardness marginally increased in the octreotide group: 0.67 ± 2.3 Shore units, whereas it decreased in the control group: -2.15 ± 2.7 Shore units. The difference was statistically significant, p = 0.029 (95% confidence interval = -4.87 to -0.77). Histology did not find any correlate for this clinically irrelevant hardening effect. CONCLUSIONS: A single bolus application of octreotide did not deliver a clinically relevant increase in pancreatic hardness. Future studies on the hardening effect of octreotide should employ repeated or continuous preoperative administration of this drug.

[Histological classification: evaluation of resection specimens of EMR/ESD--response evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy]. / Histologische Klassifikation: Beurteilung von Resektaten nach EMR/ESD - Regressionsstadien nach präoperativer Vorbehandlung.

The surveillance of patients with Barrett mucosa in the distal oesophagus leads to an increase of patients diagnosed with early cancer of the oesophagogastric junction and stomach with only superficial infiltration. Comparable to Asian countries where screening of patients at risk is recommended due to the high incidence of gastric cancer, endoscopic resection of early cancer in the stomach and distal oesophagus is increasing. In spite of the special endoscopic techniques--there are several requirements for the resected specimen which ensure its exact pathohistological evaluation. This is necessary to detect the exact depth of infiltration and the resection margins. To provide an exact pathohistological diagnosis is important for further therapeutic implications and prognosis. Advanced carcinomas of the oesophagus and stomach need multimodal treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. This has a special impact on the tumour which leads to pathohistological detectable changes as estimated in the so-called regression grading.

[Pathological anatomical characteristics of Klatskin tumors. Classification, current molecular biological aspects, prognosis factors]. / Anatomisch-pathologische Besonderheiten der Klatskin-Tumoren: Klassifikation, aktuelle molekular-biologische Aspekte, Prognosefaktoren.

Klatskin tumors are a distinct subgroup of cholangiocarcinomas which are a surgical challenge due to their special localization. Different localizations do not show great differences concerning histomorphology and precursor lesions. With respect to molecular alterations there are only small differences. Accurate clinical and histomorphological diagnosis is important for therapy and especially the prediction of prognosis as well as standardized processing of the resection specimen if the carcinoma is resectable. Additionally, accurate lymph node dissection is necessary. Concerning molecular markers further investigations are needed to develop individualized therapy regimes.

Biomarkers of anti-angiogenic therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): original data and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Tumour angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential for promoting tumour progression and is overexpressed in colorectal cancer. The humanised monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab (Avastin®, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA) has shown activity in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) combined with conventional chemotherapy. The search for biomarkers to predict response to anti-angiogenic therapy in mCRC is of great interest. We investigated several potential predictive anti-angiogenic markers including circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in patients with mCRC receiving bevacizumab containing treatment within a randomised multicenter phase 2 study of the German AIO GI tumour study group. METHODS: We collected sequential blood samples and tumour tissues from patients participating in a clinical trial for patients with mCRC. We performed flow cytometry of mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood to assess CD 133 + or CD 34 + /KDR + EPC before the first bevacizumab containing chemotherapy and after 21 days. Circulating VEGF blood levels before a bevacizumab containing chemotherapy regimen and after 21 days and VEGF expression in tumour tissue were examined. RESULTS: Patients with mCRC and a partial remission after six months of immuno-chemotherapy containing bevacizumab showed a reduction of CD 34 negative KDR positive cells as early as 3 weeks after start of therapy. In contrast, no remarkable change in the number of CD 34 /KDR positive or CD 34 /CD133 positive cells was seen. Furthermore, there was no correlation between treatment response and VEGF expression within the tumour tissue. The mAb bevacizumab reduced serum-VEGF levels in patients independent of their treatment response to bevacizumab. DISCUSSION: We examined circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), serum-VEGF levels and the tumour tissue VEGF expression of patients with mCRC under a bevacizumab containing chemotherapy. The patients with a partial remission after six months of immuno-chemotherapy showed a reduction of CD 34 negative KDR positive cells as early as 3 weeks after start of therapy. Neither serum nor tissue markers were of significant predictive value in our pilot study. Furthermore, we review the current data on biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy of mCRC.

Solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas: a case series, comparison of histopathological and clinical data.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic tumors. They occur most frequently in young females and are often diagnosed accidentally. SPNs are characterized by an excellent clinical outcome. In our case series the clinical course, pathohistological data and clinical outcome of eight patients (7 female patients, 1 male patient) with SPN are described. Histological examination as well as immunohistochemical analysis shows similar results in all eight cases. Although in the literature a few cases of SPNs with bad prognosis have been reported, up to now none of our patients shows any signs of recurrence or metastasis. Moreover, we give in this case series a summary of SPNs in the literature, important clinical and pathological differential diagnosis, and additionally discuss relevant differential diagnosis occurring in daily routine work.

[R classification and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma--R 0 is R 0]. / Aktuelle Daten zur R-Klassifikation des Pankreaskarzinoms: der Abstand zum Resektionsrand als unabhängiger Prognosefaktor?

The ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is characterised by a very poor prognosis due to an early inoperability of the tumours. Even if operated under curative aspects, local recurrence of the disease is quite frequent with corresponding poorer prognosis. For a better assessment, standardised protocols for the pathohistological processing of resection specimens of the pancreas are needed urgently as well as a strict adherence to the R classification. In order to establish a reliable marker for the risk of recurrence, the smallest distance to the circumferential resection margin should be indicated in comparison to the circumferential resection margin (CRM) concept in colorectal carcinoma.

[Anatomy of the liver. What does the radiologist need to know?]. / Anatomie der Leber. Was muss der Radiologe wissen?

The liver is the largest unpaired parenchymatous organ in the human body and takes part in almost all important metabolic processes. Many patients show alterations of the whole organ due to vascular/cardiac disorders, metabolic or infectious diseases (congestion, fatty liver disease, fibrosis and cirrhosis). However the liver is also a common site for metastatic lesions of malignant tumors. Additionally, benign focal lesions, such as hemangioma or focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) occur quite frequently. To describe and diagnose these lesions in terms of dignity and location, knowledge of the macroscopic structure and the relative position of the organ in relation to neighbouring organs are important as well as the histology. The microstructure of the liver and its vascular and biliary vessels are determined by the embryonic development and its function as a central metabolic organ.

TME quality in rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The concept of total mesorectal excision has revolutionised rectal cancer surgery. TME reduces the rate of local recurrence and tumour associated mortality. However, in clinical trials only 50% of the removed rectal tumours have an optimal TME quality. PATIENTS: During a period of 36 months we performed 103 rectal resections. The majority of patients (76%; 78/103) received an anterior resection. The remaining patients underwent either abdominoperineal resection (16%; 17/103), Hartmann;s procedure (6%; 6/103) or colectomy (2%; 2/103). RESULTS: In 90% (93/103) TME quality control could be performed. 99% (92/93) of resected tumours had optimal TME quality. In 1% (1/93) the mesorectum was nearly complete. None of the removed tumours had an incomplete mesorectum. In 98% (91/93) the circumferential resection margin was negative. Major surgical complications occurred in 17% (18/103). 5% (4/78) of patients with anterior resection had anastomotic leakage. 17% (17/103) developed wound infections. Mortality after elective surgery was 4% (4/95). CONCLUSION: Optimal TME quality results can be achieved in all stages of rectal cancer with a rate of morbidity and mortality comparable to the results from the literature. Future studies should evaluate outcome and local recurrence in accordance to the degree of TME quality.