Pathology
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The use of frozen section to assess resection margins intraoperatively during pancreaticoduodenectomy facilitates further resection. However, it is unclear whether this actually improves patient survival. We reviewed the overall survival and resection margin status in consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies performed for carcinoma. ⋯ Median survival for the R0(p), R0(s) and R1 groups were 29, 16, 23 months, respectively (p = 0.049; R0(p) versus R0(s) p = 0.040). Intra-operative frozen section increased the overall R0 rate by 7% but this did not improve survival. Our findings question the clinical benefit of intraoperative margin assessment, particularly if re-excision cannot be performed easily and safely.
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The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MPyV) and p63 positivity by immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of primary Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) from a region with high rates of actinic damage. We also aimed to determine whether there is any relationship between these markers and histological correlates of chronic sun exposure and to identify whether these markers have prognostic significance in our population. Ninety-five cases of primary cutaneous MCC were identified and stained with immunohistochemical markers for MPyV and p63. ⋯ Our data demonstrate a significant difference in rates of immunohistochemical positivity for MPyV between MCC in sun-damaged and non-sun-damaged sites. This may go some way to explaining previously identified geographical differences. When compared with a number of studies from Europe and North America, p63 positivity is less common in our population and does not show the strong prognostic significance that has been found in these other regions.