European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Subareolar injection for sentinel lymph node location in breast cancer.
Several different injection techniques are currently used for sentinel node (SN) identification in patients with breast cancer. Some studies suggest that the subareolar plexus drains lymph from the whole breast to the same axillary SN. In order to test this hypothesis, we ascertained whether subareolar blue dye injection and subdermal radioisotope injection close to the tumour identify the same axillary nodes. ⋯ Our findings suggest that subareolar injection and subdermal injection elsewhere in the breast usually identify the same SN. Subareolar injection appears to be particularly valuable in patients with multicentric or deep non-palpable breast tumours.
-
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and clinical impact of sentinel node biopsy, including preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative lymphatic mapping in patients with cutaneous melanoma of the head, neck, trunk or extremities. ⋯ Sentinel node biopsy provides accurate staging and important prognostic information. The final place of sentinel node biopsy is still undefined, and therefore sentinel node biopsy is still considered as an experimental surgical staging procedure.
-
Comparative Study
Lymph node dissection for clinically evident lymph node metastases of malignant melanoma.
A considerable number of melanoma patients present with clinically evident regional lymph node metastases. Factors influencing prognosis following therapeutic lymph node dissection (TLND) were evaluated. ⋯ TLND is worthwhile and offers a potential chance of cure in about one-third of melanoma patients with established regional lymph node metastases. There are subgroups with a particularly poor prognosis in whom the benefit of radical surgery alone is limited.
-
Comparative Study
Correlation of pre-operative nutritional condition with post-operative complications in surgical treatment for oesophageal carcinoma.
The relationship between the pre-operative nutritional condition and the outcome of the surgical treatment in patients with oesophageal carcinoma has been discussed diversely. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the relationship between pre-operative nutritional condition and post-operative complications and prognosis following surgical treatment for oesophageal carcinoma. ⋯ Pre-operative assessment of the nutritional condition could provide predictive information for post-operative complications in patients with oesophageal carcinoma.
-
We believe that conservative treatment of early breast cancer may not require radiotherapy that encompasses the whole breast in all patients. We have developed a novel therapeutic approach that allows targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (Targit) to be safely and accurately delivered in a standard operating theatre. We are currently recruiting for a randomized trial testing whether Targit can replace the whole 6 weeks of post-operative radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery. ⋯ As a tumour bed boost, this technique has the potential to reduce local recurrence by avoiding geographical misses and achieving excellent dosimetry. In patients with low risk of local recurrence, it has the potential to replace the full 6 weeks of post-operative radiotherapy with considerable implications to patients and hospitals.