Patrick D. Lorimer

Reporting of mitotic rate in cutaneous melanoma: A study using the national cancer data base: Mitotic Rate in Cutaneous Melanoma

The seventh edition of the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging manual (AJCC7, published 2009), updated thin cutaneous melanoma staging protocols with the incorporation of mitotic rate (MR). In these patients, higher MR is associated with decreased survival. This study utilizes the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to evaluate MR reporting since AJCC7.

Letter response: Reporting of mitotic rate in cutaneous melanoma

We appreciate the points raised by Roncati et al in their recent letter to the editor regarding our paper on reporting of mitotic rate in cutaneous melanoma. The primary aim of our paper was to determine whether or not physicians were following the guidelines as set forth in the AJCC 7th edition. We did not analyze or report the biological importance of mitotic rate based on data in the NCDB. As Roncati et al indicate, other patterns of behavior such as radial and vertical growth phase may be of use in understanding the metastatic potential of any given melanoma.

Robotic longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis: Comparison of clinical outcomes and cost to the open approach

This study compares clinical and cost outcomes of robot‐assisted laparoscopic (RAL) and open longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) for chronic pancreatitis.

Frequency of unplanned surgical intervention in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy: An analysis of SEER-Medicare.

640 Background: Patients (pts) with synchronous stage IV colorectal cancer commonly begin palliative chemotherapy while the primary tumor remains. Single institution series report low rates of surgical intervention, but this has not been examined nationally. The present study utilizes a large national dataset to examine the natural history of unplanned surgical intervention in stage IV colorectal cancer pts on palliative chemotherapy. Methods: SEER-Medicare was queried for pts with metastatic colorectal cancer (1998-2009) who underwent resection or diversion (ICD9 procedure/CPT). The cohort was separated into 3 groups: elective (surgery on admission without urgent/emergent flag), urgent (surgery not on day of admission but within hospitalization or with urgent flag) and emergent (emergent flag). Pts who underwent any procedure for curative intent (elective colorectal surgery, liver directed therapy or surgery for pulmonary metastases) at any time were excluded. Demographics, tumor grade and comorbidities ...