Annals of surgical oncology
-
We reviewed single-institution experience using brachytherapy alone for primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity. ⋯ Adjuvant brachytherapy provides adequate local control and acceptable morbidity that compares favorably with data reported for external beam radiation. Shoulder tumor location was identified as an independent prognostic factor for poor local control, mandating further improvement in the local management of these tumors.
-
The degree of immunomodulation by perioperative blood transfusion and its resultant effects on cancer surgery are a subject of controversy. We evaluated the prognostic effects of perioperative blood transfusion on gastric cancer surgery. ⋯ These results suggest that perioperative transfusion is an unfavorable prognostic factor. It is thus better to refrain from unnecessary blood transfusion and to give the least amount of blood to patients with gastric cancer when transfusion is inevitable, especially for those with stage III and IV gastric cancers.