Donald A. McCain

Gastric adenocarcinoma: clinicopathologic differences among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. A single Institution's experience over 14 years.

Background Gastriccancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide and has significant ethnic and socioeconomic differences in distribution. The aim of this study was to compare clinicopathologic characteristics and survival between Hispanics (H) and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) with gastric cancer. Methods We reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between 1999 and 2013 at our institution. A total of 638 patients were studied. Demographics, tumor characteristics and survival rate were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results There were 101 H and 537 NHW. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years in H and 69 years in NHW. At diagnosis, 48 (48%) of H patients had stage IV disease compared with 195 (36%) of NHW (P<0.03). H were more likely to have distal cancers and poorly differentiated tumors compared to NHW (44% vs. 15%, P<0.0001; 70% vs. 50%, P<0.0002, respectively). There was a significant difference in median overall survival between the two groups, being 51 months for H (95% CI: 34.6-66.9) and 99 months for NHW (95% CI: 77.3-120.7) P<0.0001. In multivariate analysis, age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.02-1.03, P<0.0001), poor differentiation (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43, P<0.02), ethnicity (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.07-2.55, P<0.02), and stage (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.77-2.15, P<0.0001) were independent predictors of survival. Conclusions H patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer at a younger age, to present with advanced disease at diagnosis, and had shorter overall survival compared to NHW.

Massive malignant solitary fibrous tumor arising from the bladder serosa: a case report.

IntroductionSolitary fibrous tumors are rare neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. They are often of low malignant potential and rarely metastasize. While they frequently arise from the pleura, they can occur at any soft tissue site in the body. We present a case of a large (28 × 21cm) malignant solitary fibrous tumor arising from the bladder serosa. In addition, the clinicopathologic features, differential diagnosis, cytogenetics and management of this rare disease are discussed, along with a review of the existing literature on this topic.Case presentationAn otherwise healthy 41-year-old Caucasian man presented with weight loss and progressive abdominal bloating. A subsequent computed tomography scan of his chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed a 26.8 × 21cm intra-abdominal mass occupying most of his abdominal cavity. The inferior vena cava was compressed, and the mass extended inferiorly to his upper pelvis abutting the superior dome of his bladder. He underwent operative resection and the resected mass measured 28 × 21 × 18cm and weighed 4.8kg. The cut surface revealed a gray-white mass with an ill-defined whorled-like pattern, with randomly assorted tan fleshy nodules. A histologic evaluation revealed variable, alternating hypercellular and hypocellular areas, with areas of necrosis. The tumor cells varied from spindle to epithelioid within a hyalinized stroma. In the hypercellular areas, the tumor cells showed moderate atypia with high mitotic activity. The histological features combined with immunophenotyping were suggestive of a malignant solitary fibrous tumor that grossly appeared to be growing from the bladder serosa, specifically the intraperitoneal superior dome of the bladder. Our patient is currently eight months post-surgery without evidence of recurrence.ConclusionsExtrapleural occurrences of solitary fibrosis tumors are being increasingly observed. Malignant solitary fibrosis tumors of the urinary bladder, however, are very rare. As there are no pathognomonic features of malignancy, surgical resection is often both diagnostic and therapeutic, as was the case in our report.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: report of two cases of renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to microcystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas.

Metastatic cancer to the pancreas accounts for less than 2% of all pancreatic malignancies. In contrast to other metastatic tumors, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a propensity to metastasize as a solitary pancreatic lesion. While symptomatic patients may present with obstructive jaundice, abdominal pain, or gastrointestinal bleeding, the diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic involvement is often made in asymptomatic patients, during follow-up evaluation in the aftermath of an initial diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. Microcystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is an uncommon pancreatic exocrine neoplasm that morphologically resembles conventional (clear cell) RCC, in so far as both tumors are characterized by neoplastic cells with clear cytoplasm, relatively uniform nuclei and scant associated tumor stroma. Herein, we report 2 immunohistochemically confirmed cases of unsuspected metastatic RCC to the pancreas, with the metastatic tumor in each case confined to a preexisting microcystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support After Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Respiratory failure after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy results in poor outcomes. Limited treatment strategies are available to manage this severe complication. One possibility is extracorporeal support. We report the successful use of extracorporeal support as a successful strategy for refractory respiratory failure.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of early onset colon-rectal cancer: A single center experience.

538 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Early recognition of CRC in young patients (pts) is a challenge, and clinicopathologic features at the time of presentation are not well described. The aim of this study was to compare clinico-pathological characteristics and survival between early onset CRC (Age <50) and late onset CRC (Age ≥50). Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with CRC at our institution from 1999 to 2013. Total of 3,066 pts were studied. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and survival rate were analyzed. Patients with polyposis syndromes or genetic predisposition for CRC were excluded. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Of 3,066 pts, 425 pts (14%) under the age of 50 were identified (28-49). Hispanics (13% vs 8%, p<0.01) and African Americans (7% vs. 4%, p<0.009) were more prevalent in the early onset subgroup (EO) when compared to the late onset subgroup (LO). Pts w...

Advantage of adjuvant radiation therapy in octogenarians undergoing surgical resection of rectal cancer.

650 Background: Radiation in patients with rectal cancer is an important adjuvant therapy. It can be given either pre-operative or post-operative phase or both. However the optimum timing of the radiation in terms of pre-operative or post-op phase remains a question of debate in octogenarian patients as there is lack of enough evidence. Methods: In this study we aim to find the optimum time of radiation therapy in octogenarians with rectal cancer undergoing surgical resection. Octogenarians with rectal cancer were selected from surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database collected between 1998 and 2009. The data set contained 4,026 patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection and radiation therapy. They were divided into 3 groups. 1,586 (39%) patients had radiation before the surgery. 66 (2%) patients had radiation before and after the surgery, also called the combination group. 2,347(59%) patients had radiation after the surgery. Taking in the consideration of unequal sampl...

The role of surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in octogenarians: A population-based analysis.

202 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality amongst the elderly population. In appropriately selected patients, surgery is known to confer a survival advantage. Octagenarians, however, given their remaining life expectancy may receive limited benefit from surgery. Nevertheless, insufficient information is available in the literature on the survival benefit of surgery in octagenarians with HCC. Methods: Octogenarians with HCC were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 1998 and 2009. We evaluated patients who underwent surgical resection and those that declined to assess the impact surgery has on overall survival in this population. Results: A total of 8,614 with HCC were identified in the SEER database, of which surgery was recommended for 3,529 (41%). A total of 1,002 patients (28%) underwent surgery and 2,497 (71%) declined. Although there was a trend towards improved survival in the surgery group (7.91 ...

Survival difference in octogenarians with resectable gastric GIST: Surgery versus nonsurgical management.

171 Background: Surgical resection of gastric GIST (Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor) in octogenarians is a morbid procedure. There is limited data in literature about the survival of octogenarians after resection of gastric GIST. In this study we focused on the outcome in terms of survival in octogenarians with resectable gastric GIST. Methods: Our study demonstrates that octagenarians as a whole do not experience a survival benefit from surgical resection for HCC. Subgroup analysis, however, may ultimately identify benefit in specific disease stages or patients with fewer comorbidities. Results: The mean survival in the patient group undergoing surgery was 31.30 months and the mean survival in the patients opting for non-surgical management was 33.89 months. The survival benefit in avoiding surgery in this population was 2.59 months with a p-value of <0.0001 and a confidence interval of 1.35 to 3.83 months. Conclusions: The mean survival in the patient group undergoing surgery was 31.30 months and the me...

Ultrasound-Guided, Robotic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Resection

Introduction: Despite evolving experience with laparoscopic resections of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), there are few data describing robotic resections. Here we describe the robotic removal of a gastric GIST using laparoscopic ultrasonography for tumor localization. Case Description: The patient is a 46-year-old African-American man with a biopsy-proven 3.5 3.5-cm GIST along the greater curvature of the stomach, and with no evidence of metastatic disease on preoperative computed tomographic staging. Three robotic ports (12-mm umbilical, 8-mm left lower quadrant, and 8-mm subxiphoid) were combined with a 12-mm right lower quadrant assist port and a right midabdomen 8-mm port for the laparoscopic liver retractor. Mass localization was facilitated by intraoperative ultrasonography and dissection performed with bipolar electrocautery via dissecting forceps. Resection was performed using a stapled technique and the specimen removed via the assist port. Total operative time was 104 minutes and estimated blood loss was 25 mL. There was no significant morbidity. Length of stay was 3 days, and the patient returned to work within 1 week. The retrieved specimen was CD117- and DOG1-positive with 2 to 3 mitoses/hpf. At 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of disease. Discussion: This case report describes a novel and efficient technique for the robotic removal of a gastric GIST. This resection can be safely performed with the aid of intraoperative ultrasonography instead of gastroscopy or gastrotomy for identification of resection margins.