Rahul Rajeev

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma: A systematic review.

The multi‐modal treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma has seen increased use of neoadjuvant radiation. However, its effect on local recurrence and survival remain controversial. We aimed to synthesize and evaluate the literature.

Comparative Effectiveness of Hepatic Artery Based Therapies for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-Analysis.

Background Patients with unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases (CRLM) are increasingly being managed using Hepatic Artery Based Therapies (HAT), including Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI), Radioembolization (RE), and Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE). Limited data is available on the comparative effectiveness of these options. We hypothesized that outcomes in terms of survival and toxicity were equivalent across the three strategies. Methods A meta-analysis was performed using a prospectively registered search strategy at PROSPERO (CRD42013003861) that utilized studies from PubMed (2003–2013). Primary outcome was median overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were treatment toxicity, tumor response, and conversion of the tumor to resectable. Additional covariates included prior or concurrent systemic therapy. Results Of 491 studies screened, 90 were selected for analyses—52 (n = 3,000 patients) HAI, 24 (n = 1,268) RE, 14 (n = 1,038) TACE. The median OS (95% CI) for patients receiving HAT in the first-line were RE 29.4 vs. HAI 21.4 vs. TACE 15.2 months (p = 0.97, 0.69 respectively). For patients failing at least one line of prior systemic therapy, the survival outcomes were TACE 21.3 (20.6–22.4) months vs. HAI 13.2 (12.2–14.2) months vs. RE 10.7 (9.5–12.0). Grade 3–4 toxicity for HAT alone was 40% in the HAI group, 19% in the RE group, and 18% in the TACE groups, which was increased with the addition of systemic chemotherapy. Level 1 evidence was available in 5 studies for HAI, 2 studies for RE and 1 for TACE. Conclusion HAI, RE, and TACE are equally effective in patients with unresectable CRLM with marginal differences in survival.

Impact of surgical volume of centers on post-operative outcomes from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemoperfusion

Complex surgical operations performed at centers of high volume have improved outcomes due to improved surgical proficiency, and betters systems of care including avoidance of errors. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC), which has been shown to be an oncologically effective strategy for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), is one such procedure with significant morbidity and mortality. The learning curve to reach technical proficiency in CRS + HIPEC is about 140-220 cases for a center. Focus on improving surgical proficiency through training, improving systems of care through partnerships and reporting mechanisms for quality could reduce the time to proficiency.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy and Cytoreductive Surgery in the Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND Malignant peritoneal disease can lead to significant debility due to bowel obstructions, ascites, and cancer cachexia. Moreover, inadequate imaging techniques can lead to the suboptimal detection of disease, and the poor vascularity of tumors can lead to a poor response to systemic chemotherapy. However, combination cytoreductive surgery/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising novel treatment for patients with this disease. METHODS The medical literature focusing on diagnostic updates and the management of peritoneal disease was reviewed. The application principles of HIPEC for use in peritoneal disease were also summarized. RESULTS Improvements in imaging and the application of laparoscopic techniques have significantly increased the rate of diagnosis of early peritoneal disease with consequently less morbid cytoreductive procedures. Appropriate patient selection based on prognostic scores along with complete cytoreduction can identify a cohort of patients likely to derive durable benefit from this combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, including surgical cytoreductive techniques, have demonstrated significant survival gains in patients with peritoneal disease. Although HIPEC can be used for the management of various types of histologies, further development of high-level evidence is necessary to advance the field.

Is long-term survival possible after margin-positive resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS)?

For various reasons, some patients undergo a gross margin positive resection (R2) leading to a dilemma in care. We hypothesized that there is a subset of patients who have long‐term survival (LTS, ≥5 years) after R2 resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS).

Cost Differential of Chemotherapy for Solid Tumors

PURPOSE A significant portion of national cancer expenditure is attributed to chemotherapy.Although the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has generated recommendations for the treatment of various solid tumors, the outlined chemotherapeutic strategies lack information about the cost differential for increasing effectiveness. METHODS Chemotherapy regimens (curative [adjuvant/neoadjuvant] and metastatic therapy) and dosages outlined in the 2013 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines were acquired for four common cancers: bladder, breast, colon, and lung. Baseline drug and treatment costs (in US dollars)were calculated for the average US adult male on the basis of the payment allowance in the 2013 Medicare Part B average sales price (ASP) drug pricing files. Costs were extrapolated for a treatment period of 6 months. RESULTS Of the 62 regimens included, the 6-month mean cost of chemotherapy was

Morbidity of curative cancer surgery and suicide risk

26,989 ±

Hepatic Perfusion Therapy

29,971, and the median cost was

Conditional probability of survival in gallbladder carcinoma as a prognostic tool for long term survivors.

9,611 (interquartile range,

Retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor: surgery as first line therapy

6,305-