Annals of surgical oncology
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Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a major regulator of tumorigenesis in hypoxic conditions and therefore represents a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer (CRC). Clinical significance of HIF-1α expression in liver metastases has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of HIF-1α expression in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). ⋯ Our results suggest a possible induction of HIF-1α expression by mutant PIK3CA. The expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver metastases significantly correlated with those in the corresponding primary tumor. Overexpression of HIF-1α was an independent risk factor for recurrence after curative resection of CRLM, suggesting that HIF-1α represents an important candidate for the treatment of CRLM in a subset of patients with high HIF-1α expression.
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Clinical decision making for patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas is challenging. Even with strict criteria for resection, most resected lesions lack high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or invasive carcinoma. ⋯ Based on the analysis of patients selected for resection, two nomograms were created that predict a patient's individual likelihood of harboring HGD or invasive malignancy in radiologically diagnosed IPMN. External validation is ongoing.
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Multicenter Study
Irreversible electroporation in locally advanced pancreatic cancer: potential improved overall survival.
Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAC) is characterized by poor survival despite chemotherapy and conventional radiation therapy. We have recently reported on the safety of using irreversible electroporation (IRE) for the management of LAC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall survival in patients with LAC treated with IRE. ⋯ IRE ablation of locally advanced pancreatic tumors remains safe and in the appropriate patient who has undergone standard induction therapy for a minimum of 4 months can achieve greater local palliation and potential improved overall survival compared with standard chemoradiation-chemotherapy treatments. Validation of these early results will need to be validated in the current multi-institutional Phase 2 IDE study.
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American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 demonstrated that eligible breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) could be spared an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) without sacrificing survival or local control. Although heralded as a ‘‘practice-changing trial,’’ some argue that the stringent inclusion criteria limit the trial’s clinical significance. The objective was to assess the potential impact of ACOSOG Z0011 on axillary surgical management of Medicare patients and examine current practice patterns. ⋯ Widespread implementation of ACOSOG Z0011 trial results could potentially spare 38 % of older breast cancer patients who undergo SLN mapping with positive lymph nodes an ALND. However, 54 % of these patients are already managed with SLN biopsy alone, lessening the impact of this trial on clinical practice in older breast cancer patients.
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Comparative Study
Interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: does delayed surgery impact outcome?
Although esophagectomy traditionally is recommended to perform within 8 weeks after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), data from neoadjuvantly treated rectal cancer patients demonstrate that delayed surgery ([8 weeks) can maximize the effect of CRT. Despite these promising data, investigators are concerned that delayed surgery may lead to tumor repopulation. We report the impact of delayed surgery in patients with esophageal cancer who were treated with nCRT. ⋯ After nCRT, esophagectomy should be performed within 8 weeks, especially in patients with good response.