Annals of surgical oncology
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Comparative Study
Positron emission tomography is superior to computed tomography for metastatic detection in melanoma patients.
Whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) provides diagnostic information not currently available with traditional imaging and may improve the accuracy of staging melanoma patients. ⋯ PET is more sensitive and specific than CT for detection of melanoma metastasis and should be considered the primary staging study for recurrent disease. PET shows greater ability to detect soft tissue, small-bowel, and lymph node metastasis that do not meet criteria designated as abnormal by CT. PET is superior to CT even when sites not routinely evaluated by CT are excluded from comparative analysis.
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We prospectively compared the sensory morbidity and lymphedema experienced after sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary dissection (ALND) over a 12-month period by using a validated instrument. ⋯ Among women undergoing breast-conserving therapy, SLNB has significant sensory morbidity, although approximately half that of ALND. Sensory morbidity improves in the first 3 months after surgery, but patients continue to report sensory morbidity at 1 year. Longitudinal follow-up is required to further assess lymphedema.
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The aim of this study was to analyze the value of continuous leakage monitoring with radioactive iodine-131-labeled human serum albumin (RISA) in patients treated with hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and melphalan. ⋯ A good correlation between RISA leakage measurement and TNF alpha exposure during and after hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with TNF alpha and melphalan was demonstrated. RISA leakage measurement serves as a good guide for the effectiveness of isolation during perfusion. If leakage exceeds the 2% limit during perfusion, less exposure of the tumor-bearing limb to TNF alpha, increased exposure of the patient systemic circulation to TNF alpha, and more systemic side effects can be expected.
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Editorial Comment
Minimally invasive ablation techniques in breast cancer treatment.