Annals of surgical oncology
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This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of indeterminate pulmonary nodules and specific radiological and clinical characteristics that predict malignancy of these at initial staging chest computed tomography (CT) in patients with colorectal cancer. A considerable number of indeterminate pulmonary nodules, which cannot readily be classified as either benign or malignant, are detected at initial staging chest CT in colorectal cancer patients. ⋯ It was found that 1 in 100 colorectal cancer patients subjected to preoperative staging chest CT will have an indeterminate pulmonary nodule that proves to be metastatic disease. Such a low risk suggests that indeterminate pulmonary nodules should not cause further preoperative diagnostic workup or follow-up besides routine regimens.
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Comparative Study
Discriminating pheochromocytomas from other adrenal lesions: the dilemma of elevated catecholamines.
Screening tests for pheochromocytoma involve measuring levels of catecholamines in the urine or plasma, which have significant false-positive rates. We reviewed patients with adrenal masses and elevated levels of catecholamines to determine the value of different preoperative tests in diagnosing pheochromocytomas. ⋯ We found that urine/serum normetanephrine levels were the most valuable screening tool; however, a score examining the size of adrenal mass on preoperative CT, age, and either plasma or urine norepinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine values leads to a higher positive predictive value, making this scoring system superior to individual lab tests.
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Comparative Study
Different recurrence pattern after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to surgery alone in esophageal cancer patients.
To evaluate the rate and pattern of recurrences after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in esophageal cancer patients. ⋯ The neoadjuvant CRT regimen we used offers a significant improvement in outcome, with a different recurrence pattern compared with surgery alone. This effect is probably due to both the pathologic complete response and eradication of micrometastases in CRT group.
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Comparative Study
Cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive versus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
A recent randomized trial comparing minimally invasive (MIE) and open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer reported improved short-term outcomes. However, MIE has increased operative costs, and it is unclear whether the short-term benefits of MIE outweigh the increased operative costs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of MIE compared to open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. ⋯ MIE is cost-effective compared to open esophagectomy in patients with resectable esophageal cancer.
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Comparative Study
International rates of breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Breast reconstruction is an option for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations who elect to undergo prophylactic mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. We report on the uptake of breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy in women with BRCA mutations from eight countries. ⋯ The majority of women elect for breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy. However, younger women and those without a previous diagnosis of breast cancer are more likely to have breast reconstruction than older women or those with a previous diagnosis of cancer.