Oncology reports
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Five-hundred and twenty-six patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities treated at Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli from 1983 to 1995 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and limb salvage, were retrospectively studied to evaluate the rate of local and systemic control. At a mean follow-up of 9.5 years (3-17), 320 patients remained continuously free of disease and 206 relapsed. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 64% and 70% respectively. ⋯ Twenty-nine of the 31 patients (94%) with local recurrence also had metastases and died of the tumor. In comparison with patients who only had a systemic relapse, patients with local recurrences had a higher rate of metastases located in bones (41% vs. 7%; P<0.001), and a worse post-relapse outcome (5-year overall survival: 6% vs. 24%; P<0.04). We concluded that in osteosarcoma of the extremity treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: i) limb salvages procedures do not compromise the outcome of patients, provided the achievement of adequate surgical margins; ii) local recurrences are a marker either of the inadequacy of local treatment or of the high local and systemic aggressiveness of the tumor.
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Clinical Trial
Radiation therapy following mastectomy for axillary node-positive breast cancer: indication of chest wall irradiation.
This retrospective study was conducted to determine the indication of chest wall irradiation following mastectomy in axillary node-positive breast cancer patients. Between 1982 and 1993, 103 women with axillary node-positive breast cancer received postoperative radiation therapy following mastectomy using the hockey-stick field, which included the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa and internal mammary nodes, without the chest wall. Ages ranged from 33 to 73 years (median: 47). ⋯ Factors such as age, menopausal status, pathology, tumor location, extent of resection, estrogen receptor status, total dose, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy did not influence the development of chest wall recurrence. Among node-positive breast cancer patients following mastectomy, those with definite vascular invasion should be delivered chest wall irradiation regardless of the number of positive axillary nodes. In contrast, those without definite vascular invasion need not be administered chest wall irradiation.
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The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of surgery on the time length and quality of survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Two groups were compared; the first included 18 patients who underwent surgery at the time of tumour recurrence. The second group included 36 patients who did not undergo surgery at the time of tumour recurrence. ⋯ Even in a relatively favorable subgroup of reoperated patients, the survival benefit although significant was only 3 months. It was impossible to completely match the two groups of patients suggesting that the difference might have been even less. Although symptomatic improvement is modestly achieved by repeat surgery, its transient nature necessitates clear discussion with patient and family on an individual basis.
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Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT), and pigmented villo-nodular synovitis (PVNS) are the common names for a group of rare proliferative disorders that involve synovial joints and tendon sheaths. Considerable confusion exists about the surgical treatment and diagnosis of these disorders. This review evaluates the presentation, surgical therapy and recurrence of these three proliferative disorders. ⋯ If diffuse, complete synovectomy is indicated for disease confined to the joint, and resection of all gross disease is indicated for extra-articular disease. Radical resection with negative margins is not necessary in most instances. In rare aggressive cases, local recurrence may necessitate more extensive resection and radiation therapy.
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The authors describe a case of lung cancer in a 55-year-old man who complained of back pain. Initial isotopic bone scanning showed no abnormality, however, magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging revealed bone metastasis in thoracic vertebral bone. Even when there is no typical findings of metastasis in bone scintigraphy, MRI imaging would be useful if vertebral bone metastasis is suspected. MRI imaging is an important modality to evaluate extraosseous extension and marrow invasion of metastatic tumors.