Annals of surgical oncology
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COX inhibitors and beta-blockers were recently suggested to reduce cancer progression through inhibition of tumor proliferation and growth factor secretion, induction of tumor apoptosis, and prevention of cellular immune suppression during the critical perioperative period. Here we evaluated the perioperative impact of clinically applicable drugs from these categories in the context of surgery, studying natural killer (NK) cell activity and resistance to experimental metastases. ⋯ Excess prostaglandin and catecholamine release contributes to postoperative immune-suppression. Treatment combining perioperative COX-2 inhibition and beta-blockade is practical in operated cancer patients, and our study suggests potential immunological and clinical benefits.
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Delayed massive bleeding is one of the leading causes of mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and is often preceded by sentinel bleed. Immediate and accurate diagnosis of sentinel bleed is essential to save patients from a delayed massive hemorrhage. Angiography is probably the procedure of choice for patients with sentinel bleed after PD, as it will localize the bleeding point and provide interventional embolization. The purpose of this study is to test the efficiency of angiography as the initial management for patients with sentinel bleed after pancreaticoduodenectomy. ⋯ Institution of angiography for every detected sentinel bleed after PD enabled us to embolize seven pseudoaneurysms before massive hemorrhage. Most importantly, bleeding-related mortality was significantly less than in the absence of angiography.
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A minority of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are considered for surgery. To achieve a microscopically radical resection, combination with other treatment modalities is mandatory. The most effective combination is unknown. In our institute we have retrospectively analyzed the results of two combined modality regimens containing surgery. ⋯ In highly selected patients local control can be achieved with combination therapy but is accompanied by a high rate of (surgical) complications. Distant failure rates warrant further studies exploring the role of systemic chemotherapy while the use of cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative chemoperfusion for MPM is not supported.
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Surgical resection for the treatment of esophageal cancer remains a high-risk procedure. To develop a model to predict risk of postoperative death, we sought to identify factors associated with postoperative mortality for Medicare patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. ⋯ Postoperative mortality (30-day and in-hospital) remains high after esophagectomy. Age, Charlson score, and hospital volume were identified as independent predictors of postoperative mortality. A simple risk prediction model that uses preoperative clinical data accurately predicted patient postoperative mortality for this SEER-Medicare population.