Bradley B. Pua

Epidemiology and Staging of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Incidence and mortality trends attributed to kidney cancer exhibit marked regional variability, likely related to demographic, environmental, and genetic factors. Efforts to identify reversible factors, which lead to the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), have led not only to a greater understanding of the etiology of RCC but also the genetic and histologic characteristics of renal tumors. This article describes this evolution by discussing contemporary RCC incidence and mortality data, the risk factors for development of RCC, the histologic features, and anatomic and integrated staging systems that guide treatment.

Bedside sonography for detection of postprocedure pneumothorax.

Bedside sonography for diagnosis of pneumothorax has been well described in emergency and trauma medicine literature. Its role in detection of iatrogenic pneumothorax has not been well studied. We describe the performance of bedside sonography for detection of procedure‐related pneumothorax and highlight some limitations.

Characterization of In Vivo Ablation Zones Following Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of the Liver with Two Commercially Available Devices: Are Manufacturer Published Reference Values Useful?

PURPOSEnTo analyze in vivo ablation properties of microwave ablation antennae in tumor-bearing human livers by performing retrospective analysis of ablation zones following treatment with two microwave ablation systems.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnPercutaneous microwave ablations performed in the liver between February 2011 and February 2013 with use of the AMICA and Certus PR ablation antennae were included. Immediate postablation computed tomography images were evaluated retrospectively for ablation length, diameter, and volume. Ablation length, diameter, and volume indices were calculated and compared between in vivo results and references provided from each device manufacturer. The two microwave antenna models were then also compared versus each other.nnnRESULTSnTwenty-five ablations were performed in 20 patients with the AMICA antenna, and 11 ablations were performed in eight patients with the Certus PR antenna. The AMICA and Certus PR antennae showed significant differences in ablation length (P = .013 and P = .009), diameter (P = .001 and P = .009), and volume (P = .003 and P = .009). The AMICA ablation indices were significantly higher than the Certus PR ablation indices in length (P = .026) and volume (P = .002), but there was no significant difference in ablation diameter indices (P = .110).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn vivo ablation indices of human tumors are significantly smaller than reference ex vivo ablation indices, and there are significant differences in ablation indices and sphericity between devices.

Integrating smoking cessation into lung cancer screening programs

Early detection through low-dose computed tomographic screening for lung cancer and implementation of smoking cessation can reduce mortality related to lung cancer. While studies delineating the relationship between smoking cessation strategies and lung cancer screening programs remain sparse, we aim to review available data on their importance both individually and synergistically. Strategies and obstacles for implementation are also discussed.

Interventional Oncology: Keeping Out of Trouble in Ablation Techniques

Interventional radiologists provide an essential role in the therapy and management of cancer patients. Computed-tomography (CT) guided percutaneous procedures have enabled interventionalists to treat multiple solid organ malignancies with minimal risk, however, certain lesions may present challenges to physicians due to a difficult approach, or their close proximity to other vital structures. The following presents a brief summary of tips and tricks the interventionalist may use to provide their patients with safe and effective therapy.

Bone biopsy protocol for advanced prostate cancer in the era of precision medicine.

Metastatic biopsies are increasingly being performed in patients with advanced prostate cancer to search for actionable targets and/or to identify emerging resistance mechanisms. Due to a predominance of bone metastases and their sclerotic nature, obtaining sufficient tissue for clinical and genomic studies is challenging.

Clinical Outcomes after Pulmonary Cryoablation with the Use of a Triple Freeze Protocol

PURPOSEnTo elucidate clinical variables associated with safety and efficacy in patients after cryoablation of pulmonary tumors with the use of a triple freeze protocol.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnPercutaneous cryoablation of pulmonary tumors was performed using Galil Medical cryoprobes (Arden Hills, Minnesota) with a triple freeze protocol: 67 nodules in 42 patients were treated at a single institution from 2012 to 2016. Average nodule diameter was 1.6 cm (range 0.4-5.9); 13 nodules (19.4%) were pathologically determined to be a primary lung malignancy, whereas 54 (80.6%) were metastatic nodules of extrapulmonary origin. Average patient age was 68.1 years (range 39.6-89.6), and the male-female ratio was 1.3:1. Ipsilateral thoracic surgery, intervention, or radiotherapy had been performed before the first cryoablation in 18 patients (42.9%). Mean imaging follow-up was 326 days (range 9-1,152).nnnRESULTSnPneumothorax occurred in 19 cases (33.9%), 7 (12.5%) requiring chest tube, the likelihood of which was significantly greater in patients with 3 or more cryoprobes (P < .01). Local tumor recurrence/residual disease occurred in 6 cases (9.0%). Local tumor recurrence was not seen after ablation of nodules measuring <1.0 cm at the time of procedure, a significant difference from the recurrence ratee of 14.3% for nodules measuring ≥1.0 cm (P < .05). Likelihood of tumor recurrence/residual disease did not correlate with tumor pathology, tumor location, or procedural factors. The estimated marginal probabilities of local recurrence were 11.4%, 11.4%, and 38.1% at 1, 2, and 3 years after ablation, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCryoablation of pulmonary tumors with the use of a triple freeze protocol is a viable modality with low recurrence and complication rates.

The role of antibiotics in preventing totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) infections; is there a population that would benefit?

PURPOSEnTo assess the role for prophylactic antibiotics in preventing totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) infections and identify populations that may benefit from antibiotics.nnnMETHODSn1284 patients undergoing TIVAD placement were retrospectively reviewed to determine association between infection rate, prophylactic antibiotics, and clinical data including white blood cell (WBC) count, platelets, and coagulation profile. Patients were further sub-categorized based on hospital admission status and leukopenia. Patients who received antibiotics were compared to those who did not using chi-square test or Fishers exact tests and Students t-tests. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with infections.nnnRESULTSnA total of 7 infections were identified with an infection rate of 0.5%. 1010 patients received antibiotics (78.7%), and infection rate in these patients was 0.7% compared to 0% in patients who did not receive antibiotics. 21 patients were under the age of 18, eight of which received antibiotics. No infections occurred in the pediatric group. Upon multivariate analysis, developing TIVAD infection was significantly associated with inpatient placement (pu202f<u202f0.0001, OR 29.1, 95% CI 3.1-272.1), while utilization of double lumen ports was not (OR 3.0, 95% CI 0.5-17.4). There were no significant associations between infections and antibiotic use (pu202f=u202f0.36), leukopenia (pu202f=u202f0.47), pediatric patients (pu202f=u202f1) or other demographic or laboratory data.nnnCONCLUSIONnRoutine use of prophylactic antibiotics with TIVAD placement should be avoided. Antibiotics may not benefit even those with greater risk for infection.

Screening for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a global health burden and is among the most common and deadliest of all malignancies worldwide. The goal of screening programs is to detect tumors in earlier, curable stages, consequently reducing disease-specific mortality. The issue of screening has great relevance to thoracic surgeons, who should play a leading role in the debate over screening and its consequences. The burden is on thoracic surgeons to work in a multidisciplinary setting to guide and treat these patients safely and responsibly, ensuring low morbidity and mortality of potential diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.