Annals of surgical oncology
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Improved survival is associated with an increased number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined. The aim of this study was to assess whether the examination of >or=12 LNs is associated with more accurate colon cancer staging. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that the proportion of LN-positive colon cancer is far higher when >or=12 LNs are examined. Examination of >or=12 LNs may improve staging accuracy and outcome with optimal use of systemic chemotherapy.
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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are well-known tumor markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of this study are to calculate the sensitivity/specificity of AFP and DCP measurement for the diagnosis of HCC, measure response rates of the markers following curative-intent resections, determine the correlations between the marker levels and clinicopathological prognostic variables, and determine the correlations between the marker levels before hepatectomy and those at diagnosis of recurrence. ⋯ DCP is a more accurate, albeit complementary, HCC marker than AFP. While the levels of both markers increased with advancing tumor growth, no specific associations were found. The marker values at recurrence indicated the type of recurrence.
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Invisible NIR fluorescent light can provide high sensitivity, high-resolution, and real-time image-guidance during oncologic surgery, but imaging systems that are presently available do not display this invisible light in the context of surgical anatomy. The FLARE imaging system overcomes this major obstacle. ⋯ We describe the successful clinical translation of a new NIR fluorescence imaging system for image-guided oncologic surgery.
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Patients with unilateral breast cancer have an increased risk of developing contralateral breast cancer. A recent population-based study demonstrated that the proportion of patients with unilateral breast cancer in the United States who underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has increased by 150% in recent years. The current study evaluated patients who underwent breast cancer surgery in a metropolitan-based hospital system to determine factors associated with CPM. ⋯ Our study is the first to evaluate specific surgeon characteristics associated with CPM use. Prospective studies are needed to examine factors affecting patient decision-making to develop resources that may assist patients in this process.
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The aim of this study was to asses quality of life (QoL) after axillary or inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with or without completion lymph node dissection (CLND) in patients with cutaneous melanoma by comparing patients to a norm group of the general population and by comparing QoL between four patient groups depending on surgical procedure and location, i.e., patients receiving an axillary or groin SLNB, or an axillary or groin CLND. ⋯ QoL in melanoma survivors after axillary or inguinal SLNB with or without CLND was better than that in a norm group. Patients who underwent CLND in the axilla after SLNB reported most problems.