Local recurrence after surgery for primary extra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis.

BACKGROUND: Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a locally aggressive soft tissue tumour with a biological behaviour that varies between relatively indolent and progressive growth. Although there is a trend towards conservative treatment, surgery remains the standard treatment for extra-abdominal desmoid tumours. METHODS: Databases of three hospitals were searched to identify patients who had been treated for desmoid-type fibromatosis between November 1989 and May 2011. The risk of local recurrence was evaluated and predictive factors were assessed in patients who underwent surgical resection as initial treatment for a primary tumour. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients had surgical treatment for a primary tumour. A complete resection (R0) was achieved in 87 patients (65.9 per cent). In addition to surgery, 54 patients received radiotherapy. During a median follow-up of 38 months, 18 local recurrences were detected. The estimated 5-year cumulative risk of local recurrence was 17.6 per cent. Univariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of local recurrence increased for extremity lesions compared with desmoids on the trunk (odds ratio 6.69, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.42 to 31.54). No significant influence of age, resection margins or adjuvant radiotherapy on the risk for local recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: Following surgical treatment of a primary extra-abdominal desmoid tumour, the 5-year risk of local recurrence is modest and not influenced by microscopically clear resection margins or adjuvant radiotherapy.

A possible role for Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of pleural effusion.

A high percentage of pleural effusions remain unexplained despite an intensive diagnostic workup. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections occur worldwide and affect the majority of the population. The present study investigated the prevalence and clinical relevance of EBV in pleural effusions. A prospective study was performed in which 60 consecutive patients with pleural effusion were enrolled. Real-time quantitative EBV-PCR was performed on pleural fluid and serum. Pleural fluid was further evaluated using standard biochemical, cytological and microbiological procedures. Demographic data, medical history and medication were recorded. A total of 24 (40%), from 60 pleural fluids tested, were positive in the EBV-PCR. Median EBV-DNA levels for positive samples was 454 genome equivalents (geq).mL-1 (range 36-163,446 geq.mL-1). A total of 20 (59%) out of 34 unexplained pleural effusions were EBV-PCR positive. Serological analysis of all patients with a positive PCR revealed a previous infection. Patients with a positive EBV-PCR on pleural fluid were more likely to have a positive EBV-PCR on serum than patients with a negative PCR on pleural fluid. Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in pleural fluid is a frequent event and the absence of an alternative diagnosis to explain the nature of the effusion in the majority of cases suggests an aetiological role for Epstein-Barr virus in the development of pleural effusion.