Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. Guide to the selection and decision-making process in a context of multimodal strategy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent malignant tumour and the third leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide [1]. Surgical treatment is the only long-term curative therapy. But the resection rate remains low in cirrhotic patients due to contraindications imposed mainly by hepatic insufficiency and excessively advanced tumoral stages. In recent years, however, due to the extended use of screening programmes in high-risk patients, tumours are smaller at presentation, making treatments easier. In the current context of shortage of organs for transplantation, surgical resection remains the best available treatment option for most patients with HCC in cirrhotic livers. Despite the encouraging results reported by several groups in terms of overall survival, the high recurrence rate is still an unsolved problem. Recently, a large, randomised, placebo-controlled trial has shown that a multikinase inhibitor targeting Ras-kinase and VEGFR-2, sorafenib, improves survival of patients with advanced HCC. Sorafenib was approved by regulatory agencies during 2007 and is likely to become the new standard therapy for HCC patients with advanced disease.

Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. Guide to the selection and decision-making process in a context of multimodal strategy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent malignant tumour and the third leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide [1]. Surgical treatment is the only long-term curative therapy. But the resection rate remains low in cirrhotic patients due to contraindications imposed mainly by hepatic insufficiency and excessively advanced tumoral stages. In recent years, however, due to the extended use of screening programmes in high-risk patients, tumours are smaller at presentation, making treatments easier. In the current context of shortage of organs for transplantation, surgical resection remains the best available treatment option for most patients with HCC in cirrhotic livers. Despite the encouraging results reported by several groups in terms of overall survival, the high recurrence rate is still an unsolved problem. Recently, a large, randomised, placebo-controlled trial has shown that a multikinase inhibitor targeting Ras-kinase and VEGFR-2, sorafenib, improves survival of patients with advanced HCC. Sorafenib was approved by regulatory agencies during 2007 and is likely to become the new standard therapy for HCC patients with advanced disease (AU)

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Effect of surgical resection of metastatic disease on immune tolerance to cancer. How a systemic disease could be controlled by a local therapy.

Surgery represents the only chance of cure for patients with colorectal liver metastases. The results of expanded indications for surgical treatment revealed that even advanced disease can be cured in a significant percentage of cases. What is the explanation for this systemic impact of a local treatment such as surgery? What is different in those patients who can be cured by resection? In this review we analyse the available evidence of the complex relationship between the growing tumour and the immune system. Special attention is directed to the role of T regulatory cells (Tregs) recruited by the tumour to construct a tolerogenic microenvironment in which to grow. Based on the published data we developed the hypothesis that surgery breaks the tumour immune tolerance status because it not only removes the tumour, but also the protective shield of T regulatory cells.

Surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma in elderly patients. When is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: The elderly are under-represented in series of patients operated on for colorectal liver metastases (LM). OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influence of age on surgery of colorectal LM, and the identification of factors that could be used as exclusion criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six hundred and forty-eight patients underwent liver resection between 1990 and 2006. Demographic data, primary tumour related variables, stage of the disease, morbidity, mortality, survival and recurrence were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty of 648 patients (25%) were 70 years old or older. Postoperative mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients (8% vs. 3%, p=0.008). Morbidity was also higher (41% vs. 34%, p=0.008). Survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 88%, 62% and 45% respectively in patients younger than 70 years, and 82%, 48% and 36% in the elderly (p=0.007). Excluding the postoperative mortality, the figures were 90%, 64% and 46%. 90%, 53% and 38% (p=0.061). Disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years excluding postoperative mortality were 68%, 32% and 25% in younger patients, compared to 68%, 34% and 30% (p=0.71) in the elderly. Major liver resections increased mortality in the elderly. In the multivariate analyses only a tumour size equal to or more than 10 cm significantly increased the postoperative mortality risk in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly have a higher mortality. In recent years that difference has been markedly reduced. Excluding the postoperative mortality, the overall survival and disease-free survival are similar between both groups. The criteria to indicate surgery must be the same in both groups.

Surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma in elderly patients. When is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: The elderly are under-represented in series of patients operated on for colorectal liver metastases (LM). OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influence of age on surgery of colorectal LM, and the identification of factors that could be used as exclusion criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six hundred and forty-eight patients underwent liver resection between 1990 and 2006. Demographic data, primary tumour related variables, stage of the disease, morbidity, mortality, survival and recurrence were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty of 648 patients (25%) were 70 years old or older. Postoperative mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients (8% vs. 3%, p=0.008). Morbidity was also higher (41% vs. 34%, p=0.008). Survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 88%, 62% and 45% respectively in patients younger than 70 years, and 82%, 48% and 36% in the elderly (p=0.007). Excluding the postoperative mortality, the figures were 90%, 64% and 46%. 90%, 53% and 38% (p=0.061). Disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years excluding postoperative mortality were 68%, 32% and 25% in younger patients, compared to 68%, 34% and 30% (p=0.71) in the elderly. Major liver resections increased mortality in the elderly. In the multivariate analyses only a tumour size equal to or more than 10 cm significantly increased the postoperative mortality risk in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly have a higher mortality. In recent years that difference has been markedly reduced. Excluding the postoperative mortality, the overall survival and disease-free survival are similar between both groups. The criteria to indicate surgery must be the same in both groups (AU)

Mechanisms of induction of typical and reversed atrial flutter.

INTRODUCTION: Typical flutter is due to reentry around caval veins and terminal crest. In patients with typical flutter, reversed (clockwise) reentry can be induced. We studied mechanisms of typical and reversed flutter induction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen patients (11 men) underwent 16 radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures for typical (12) or reversed flutter (1). High right atrium (RA) stimulation included 1 to 3 extrastimuli over cycle lengths 600 to 250 msec, and burst. We recorded simultaneously from three levels of septal and anterior RA. RF was delivered to the inferior vena cava-tricuspid isthmus (CTI). Of 25 inductions, 4 were a result of single, 9 double, and 11 triple extrastimuli, and 1 burst. Clinical basal flutter was induced (7 typical, 1 reversed). After RF, typical flutter was reinduced in 9 cases and reversed flutter in 7, with only typical flutter seen clinically. All flutters were interrupted by ablation or catheter pressure on the CTI. Typical flutter began by low RA septal activation block, preceded by repetitive responses in 12 instances, atypical flutter in 1, and directly from stimuli in 4. Reversed flutter started in 8 instances by low RA block of a stimulated front descending the anterior wall and in 1 by repetitive responses. CONCLUSION: Septal activation block was the usual mechanism of typical flutter induction by RA extrastimuli. Facilitation of reversed flutter after RF application is probably due to a new area of block in the CTI. Flutter induction without intermediate rhythms confirms the presence of block at the terminal crest at baseline.

Rinosporidiosis: reporte de un caso / Rhinosporidiosis: a case report

Mediante la presentación de un caso de rhinosporidiosis se hace una detallada revision de esta rara enfermedad. Se discute su frecuencia en Colombia comparándola con la de otros paises, asi como sus manifestaciones clinicas, su diagnostico, su tratamiento y su pronostico

Complicaciones post-amigdalectomía. Deficiencia del facto VII de la coagulación / Post-tonsillectomy complications. Deficiency of factor VII in coagulation

La amigdalectomia es hoy en dia un procedimiento relativamente seguro gracias a las tecnicas quirurgicas y de anestesia. Sin embargo, pese a los estudios prequirurgicos, usualmente recomendados para su ejecución tales como hemograma, pruebas de coagulación etc. se pueden presentar complicaciones como la expuesta en este caso, en un paciente con sangrado masivo de etiologia desconcertante

Atrial flutter mapping and ablation II. Radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter circuits.

The definition of the anatomical substrate of reentry in atrial flutter has allowed the recognition of narrow, critical areas of the circuit, where radiofrequency ablation can interrupt reentry. In common flutter the isthmus between the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve appears the best target, but ablation between the coronary sinus and tricuspid valve can also be effective in some cases. In atypical flutter using the same circuit as common flutter in a "clockwise" direction, ablation of the same isthmus is effective. Flutter interruption is the main objective, but it does not mean complete isthmus ablation. If flutter remains inducible, new applications are delivered in the isthmus, until it is made noninducible. Complications are rare. Despite attaining noninducibility, flutter may recur, and new procedures may be needed to prevent recurrence. Atrial fibrillation can occur in up to 30% of the cases during follow-up, but it is generally well controlled with antiarrhythmic drugs, that were ineffective to treat flutter before ablation. In reentry circuits based on surgical atrial scars, ablation of an isthmus between the scar and the inferior vena cava can also be effective. Left atrial circuits are not known well enough to guide successful ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter.

Activation mapping in common atrial flutter has shown circular (reentrant) activation of the right atrium around anatomic structures and areas of functional block. The direction of rotation is counterclockwise (in a frontal view), and in the low right atrium the myocardium between the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the tricuspid valve (TV) is critical to close the activation circle. The circuit can be interrupted by radiofrequency ablation of the myocardium between the TV and the IVC, and, in some cases, by ablation between the coronary sinus and TV. Flutter interruption does not mean complete isthmus ablation, as it may remain inducible, requiring further ablation. Despite attaining noninducibility, flutter may recur, and new procedures may be needed for complete ablation. Atrial fibrillation occurs in up to 30% of the cases during follow-up but is generally well controlled with antiarrhythmic drugs that were ineffective in treating flutter before ablation. Some noncommon atrial flutters show circular right atrial activation in a reversed (clockwise) direction, with the same critical areas in the low right atrium, and in these isthmus ablation is effective. Other noncommon flutters have different substrates in the right or left atrium, and mapping has to define specific critical isthmuses as ablation targets in each case. Left atrial flutter circuits remain inaccessible to ablation.

Miasis en otorrinolaringología: informe de un caso / Myosis in othorrinolaringology

Conjuntamente con la descripción de un caso de miasis otica se revisan en forma breve las manifestaciones, el diagnostico y el tratamiento de la miasis en otorrinolaringologia