Sinziana Dumitra

Pretransplantation α-fetoprotein slope and milan criteria: strong predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after transplantation.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of orthotropic liver transplantations (OLT). However, tumor recurrence remains a concern. Our group has shown that a rising natural &agr;-fetoprotein (AFP) slope (NAS) correlates with tumor characteristics. We want to assess if a rising NAS predicts tumor recurrence. Methods We reviewed first OLT for HCC (n=144) at our center from 1992 to 2010. Patients with less than two AFP values before treatment were excluded (n=52). A rising NAS (>0.1 &mgr;g/L/day) was found in 28 patients whereas 64 presented a stable or dropping NAS. Demographics, pre-OLT therapy, and tumor characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, chi-square or Fisher’s test, and logistic regression for recurrence after OLT. Results Demographics were similar among the recurrence (n=12) and nonrecurrence (n=80) groups. Patients who recurred received more treatment (P=0.017), had a higher number of lesions (P=0.025), a greater total tumor size (P=0.001), and a higher incidence of microvascular invasion (P=0.013). More patients exceeded the Milan criteria (75.0% vs. 31.3%, odds ratio [OR] 6.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45–4.05, P=0.008) and had a rising NAS (58.3% vs. 26.3%, OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.11–9.22, P=0.024) among the recurrence group. NAS was also a strong predictor of microvascular invasion (P=0.040). After correcting for age and sex, both a rising NAS (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.01–15.81, P=0.039) and nonadherence to Milan criteria (OR 5.69, 95% CI 1.14–28.38, P=0.034) were strong predictors of recurrence after OLT. Conclusion The NAS is a predictor of microvascular invasion, a finding exclusive to pathology and in itself a predictor of HCC recurrence after OLT. The NAS and Milan criteria are good predictors of recurrence. These results encourage a frequent monitoring of AFP variations before OLT.

Hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in liver transplantation: a 20-year experience

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C infection (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the two main causes of liver transplantation (LT), have reduced survival post-LT. The impact of HCV, HCC and their coexistence on post-LT survival were assessed. METHODOLOGY All 601 LT patients from 1992 to 2011 were reviewed. Those deceased within 30 days (n = 69) and re-transplants (n = 49) were excluded. Recipients were divided into four groups: (a) HCC-/HCV-(n = 252) (b) HCC+/HCV- (n = 58), (c) HCC-/HCV+ (n = 106) and (d) HCC+/HCV+ (n = 67). Demographics, the donor risk index (DRI), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, survival, complications and tumour characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis included anova, chi-square, Fishers exact tests and Cox and Kaplan-Meier for overall survival. RESULTS Groups were comparable with regards to baseline characteristics, but HCC patients were older. After adjusting for age, MELD, gender and the donor risk index (DRI), survival was lower in the HCC+/HCV+ group (59.5% at 5 yrs) and the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI),1.24-2.95, P = 0.003] and 1.45 (95% CI, 0.99-2.12, P = 0.054) for HCC-/HCV+. HCC survival was similar to controls (HR 1.18, 95% CI, 0.71-1.93, P = 0.508). HCC+/HCV- patients exceeded the Milan criteria (50% versus 31%, P < 0.04) and had more micro-vascular invasion (37.5% versus 20.6%, P = 0.042). HCC+/HCV+ versus HCC+/HCV- survival remained lower (HR 1.94, 95% CI, 1.06-3.81, P = 0.041) after correcting for tumour characteristics and treatment. CONCLUSION HCV patients had lower survival post-LT. HCC alone had no impact on survival. Patient survival decreased in the HCC+/HCV+ group and this appears to be as a consequence of HCV recurrence.

Yoga therapy for breast cancer patients: a prospective cohort study.

We sought to study the impact of yoga therapy on anxiety, depression and physical health in breast cancer patients. Stage I-III post-operative breast cancer patients were recruited with twelve 1-h weekly yoga sessions completed with an experienced yoga instructor. Before and after each module completion, assessments were obtained with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), the Dallas pain scale and shoulder flexibility measurements. Fourteen patients completed the entire yoga session with 42.8% having a total mastectomy and 15.4% having breast reconstruction. Both right and left shoulder abduction flexibility significantly improved (p = 0.004; p = 0.015 respectively) as well as left shoulder flexion (p = 0.046). An improvement trend in scores for the HADS and Dallas questionnaires pre- and post-intervention was found, although it was not statistically significant. Our data indicates an improvement in physical function in addition to a consistent amelioration in anxiety, depression and pain symptoms after a yoga intervention.

Pancreatic cancer and predictors of survival: comparing the CA 19-9/bilirubin ratio with the McGill Brisbane Symptom Score

INTRODUCTION Few tools predict survival from pancreatic cancer (PAC). The McGill Brisbane Symptom Score (MBSS) based on symptoms at presentation (weight loss, pain, jaundice and smoking) was recently validated. The present study compares the ability of four strategies to predict 9-month survival: MBSS, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) alone, CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio and a combination of MBSS and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio. METHODOLOGY A retrospective review of 133 patients diagnosed with PAC between 2005 and 2011 was performed. Survival was determined from the Quebec civil registry. Blood CA 19-9 and bilirubin values were collected (n = 52) at the time of diagnosis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine a cutoff for optimal test characteristics of CA 19-9 and CA19-9-to-total bilirubin ratio in predicting survival at 9 months. Predictive characteristics were then calculated for the four strategies. RESULTS Of the four strategies, the one with the greatest negative predictive value was the MBSS: negative predictive value (NPV) was 90.2% (76.9-97.3%) and the positive likelihood ratio (LR) was the greatest. The ability of CA 19-9 levels alone, at baseline, to predict survival was low. For the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio, the test characteristics improved but remained non-significant. The best performing strategy according to likelihood ratios was the combined MBSS and CA19-9 to the bilirubin ratio. CONCLUSION CA19-9 levels and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio are poor predictors of survival for PAC, whereas the MBSS is a far better predictor, confirming its clinical value. By adding the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio to the MBSS the predictive characteristics improved.

McGill Brisbane Symptom Score for patients with resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma

AIM To evaluate the ability of the McGill Brisbane Symptom Score (MBSS) to predict survival in resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (PHA) patients. METHODS All PHA patients (n = 83) undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at the McGill University Health Center, Quebec between 1/2001-1/2010 were evaluated. Data related to patient and cancer characteristics, MBSS variables, and treatment were collected; univariable and multivariable survival analyses were performed. We obtained complete follow-up until February 2011 in all patients through the database of the provincial health insurance plan of Quebec. The unique health insurance numbers of these patients were used to retrieve information from this database which captures all billable clinical encounters, and ensures 100% actual survival data. RESULTS Median survival was 23 mo overall: 45 mo for patients with low MBSS, 17 mo for high MBSS (P = 0.005). At twelve months survival was 83.3% (95%CI: 66.6-92.1) vs 58.1% (95%CI: 42.1-71.2) in those with low vs high MBSS, and 24 mo survival was 63.8% (95%CI: 45.9-77.1) and 34.0% (95%CI: 20.2-48.2) respectively. In the multivariate Cox model (stratified by chemotherapy), after addition of clinically meaningful covariates, MBSS was the variable with the strongest association with survival (HR = 2.63; P = 0.001). Adjuvant chemotherapy interacted with MBSS category such that only high MBSS patients accrued a benefit. In univariate analysis we found a lower mortality in high MBSS but not low MBSS patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. This interaction variable, on Cox model, resulted in an adjusted mortality HR for the high MBSS (compared to low MBSS) of 4.14 (95%CI: 1.48-11.64) without chemotherapy and 2.11 (95%CI: 1.06-4.17) with chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The MBSS is a simple prognostic tool for resectable PHA. Preoperative categorization of patients according to the MBSS allows effective stratification of patients to guide therapy.

Pancreatic fistulae after a pancreatico-duodenectomy: are pancreatico-gastrostomies safer than pancreatico-jejunostomies? An expertise-based trial and propensity-score adjusted analysis

BACKGROUND A pancreatic fistula (PF) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). There remains debate as to whether re-establishing pancreaticoenteric continuity by a pancreatico-gastrostomy (PG) can decrease the risk of a PF and complications compared with a pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ). The outcomes of patients undergoing these reconstructions after a PD were compared. METHOD Patients undergoing a PD between 1999 and 2011 were selected from a prospective database and having undergone either a PG or PJ reconstruction. A propensity-score adjusted multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the effect of surgical technique on outcomes of PF, delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and total complications. RESULTS Twenty-three out of 103 and 20 out of 103 (P = 0.49) patients had PF and 74 out of 103 and 55 out of 103 patients had all-grades DGE in the PG and PJ groups, respectively (P = 0.02). The groups did not differ with regards to Clavien-Dindo grade of complications (P = 0.29) but did differ with regards to the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) (38.4 versus 31.4 for PG versus PG, respectively, P = 0.02.) Propensity-score adjusted multivariate analysis showed no effect of PG on PF (P = 0.89), DGE grades B/C (P = 0.9) or CCI (P = 0.41). There remained an effect on all-grades of DGE (P = 0.012.) DISCUSSION Patients undergoing PG reconstruction had a similar rate of PF as those undergoing a PJ after a PD.

Mesenteric Lymphadenectomy in Well-Differentiated Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumors

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the primary therapy for local and locally advanced appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors. The role of mesenteric lymphadenectomy in these patients is undefined. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the role and prognostic significance of mesenteric lymphadenectomy. DESIGN: This was a retrospective, observational study. SETTINGS: A population-based cohort from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (January 1988 to November 2013) was used. PATIENTS: Patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors and nonmixed histologies undergoing surgical resection were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The risk of lymph node metastases as a function of tumor size and overall survival with respect to lymph node count and tumor size was measured. Lymph node cut-point was determined using the Contal and O’Quigely method. RESULTS: Of the 573 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 64% were women, 79% were white, and 76% were <60 years of age. Seventy percent of the tumors were ⩽2 cm, and 77% were lymph node negative. Median lymph nodes retrieved were 0 (interquartile range, 0–14). The probability of nodal metastases was 2.7% in tumors ⩽1.0 cm, 31.0% in tumors 1.1 to 2.0 cm, and 64.0% in tumors >2.0 cm. The probability of a positive lymph node increased with increasing lymph node count up to 26 lymph nodes. An ideal cut-point of 12 lymph nodes was identified by statistical modeling. After adjustment in the multivariable model, the group with 12 or fewer lymph nodes examined had significantly worse overall survival (HR = 4.33 (95% CI, 1.54–12.15); p = 0.005; 5-year survival, 88% versus 96%) than the group with more than 12 lymph nodes examined. LIMITATIONS: Analysis was limited by the variables available in the database. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to date that looks at prognostic significance of lymph node count for well-differentiated appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors. Overall survival was worse where 12 or fewer lymph nodes were identified for tumors >1 cm. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A352.

Recurrence of non-invasive intraductal papillary municious neoplasm seven years following total pancreatectomy

INTRODUCTION Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is an increasingly recognized disease with varying premalignant potential and unclear incidence, characterized by a mucin-producing epithelium and dilation of the pancreatic duct. PRESENTATION OF CASE We present the first documented case of distant intestinal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm recurrence following total pancreatectomy for side-branch non-invasive borderline malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. DISCUSSION We review the current literature in order to try and answer important questions regarding our ability to predict intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm recurrence, our understanding of the potential for recurrence and what follow-up should be recommended to properly monitor recurrence after a benign, albeit borderline malignant, side-branch lesion resection. CONCLUSION Our case report confirms that the low risk classification of an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm lesion even after total pancreatectomy does not always predict recurrence and that definitive prognostic factors of recurrence in the setting of non-invasive disease have yet to be identified. A vigilant long-term approach to follow-up may thus be required even in low risk cases.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for sarcomatosis from uterine adenosarcoma

Uterine adenosarcoma has poor prognosis and management of this disease is controversial. We describe a case of sarcomatosis secondary to recurrent uterine adenosarcoma who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CS) and hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). A 52 year-old female presented with perimenopausal menometrorrhagia. She underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy with pathology showing uterine adenosarcoma. She developed a pelvic recurrence 2 years later. A pelvic exenteration was then performed and within 8 months, she recurred. CS/HIPEC with Cisplatin was performed. Six weeks post-operatively, the patient was found to have recurrence again. This case describes the use of CS/HIPEC as a treatment modality for uterine adenosarcoma with sarcomatosis. Despite CS and HIPEC, the patient developed an aggressive recurrence within six weeks of her surgery date. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach to this disease with the recognition that CS/HIPEC may offer little benefit as a salvage therapy based on this case.

Prognostic significance of lymph node sampling in node-negative appendiceal carcinoids.

678 Background: Surgical resection is the primary therapy for local and locally advanced carcinoid tumors of the appendix. The extent of surgery is largely dictated by the size of the tumor. Tumors >2 cm require a right hemicolectomy with associated mesenteric lymphadenectomy. What constitutes an adequate mesenteric lymphadenectomy is not known. Methods: This is a study of a contemporary cohort from NCI’s SEER database (Jan, 2004- Nov, 2012). Patients with non-metastatic appendiceal carcinoid tumors were included. Surgical extent was defined as limited (appendectomy or illeocecectomy) or extended (hemicolectomy). Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazards model. Results: Of the total 1,104 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 52% were female, 88% were white and majority were middle aged (40-60y) 45%. Majority of the tumors were <2 cm (49.3%) and lymph node(LN) negative 85%. Median LN retrieved were 10 (IQR 0-17). Medi...