Subhasis Misra

Is surgical resection superior to transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To compare outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with either liver resection or transplantation. Methods:A retrospective, single-institution analysis of 413 HCC patients from 1999 to 2009. Results:A total of 413 patients with HCC underwent surgical resection (n = 106) and transplantation (n = 270) or were listed without receiving transplantation (n = 37). Excluding transplanted patients with incidental tumors (n = 50), 257 patients with suspected HCC were listed with the intent to transplant (ITT). The median diameter of the largest tumor by radiography was 6.0 cm in resected, 3.0 cm in transplanted, and 3.4 cm in the listed-but-not-transplanted patients. Median time to transplant was 48 days. Recurrence rates were 19.8% for resection and 12.1% for all ITT patients. Overall, patient survival for resection versus ITT patients was similar (5-year survival of 53.0% vs 52.0%, not significant). However, for HCC patients with model end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores less than 10 and who radiologically met Milan or UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) criteria, 1-year and 5-year survival rates were significantly improved in resected patients. For patients with MELD score less than 10 and who met Milan criteria, 1-year and 5-year survival were 92.0% and 63.0% for resection (n = 26) versus 83.0% and 41.0% for ITT (n = 73, P = 0.036). For those with MELD score less than 10 and met UCSF criteria, 1-year and 5-year survival was 94.0% and 62.0% for resection (n = 33) versus 81.0% and 40.0% for ITT (n = 78, P = 0.027). Conclusions:Among known HCC patients with preserved liver function, resection was associated with superior patient survival versus transplantation. These results suggest that surgical resection should remain the first line therapy for patients with HCC and compensated liver function who are candidates for resection.

Thrombophilic state in cancer, part I: biology, incidence, and risk factors.

The association between malignancy and thrombosis has long been appreciated but remains incompletely understood. This is the first of a two‐part review of the complex, integral relationship between these two entities, and addresses the mechanisms and pathogenesis of this relationship and the clinical risk factors for thromboembolism in cancer patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:316–322.

The relationship between baseline nutritional status with subsequent parenteral nutrition and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BackgroundThe combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising treatment option for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This retrospective study investigated the relationship between baseline nutritional assessment with subsequent parenteral nutritional (PN) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC.MethodsA consecutive series of 60 patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC at our institution between January 2009 and May 2011. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was used to assess nutritional status. Patients were classified preoperatively as: well nourished (SGA-A), mildly-moderately malnourished (SGA-B), and severely malnourished (SGA-C). For PN, patients were divided into 2 groups: those who received PN (PN+) and those who did not receive PN (PN-). The primary outcomes of interest were length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, ECOG performance status (PS) and survival. LOS was calculated as the number of days in the hospital post surgery. Performance status was measured on a scale of 0-4. Survival was calculated from the date of first visit to the date of death/last contact.ResultsOf 60 patients, 19 were males and 41 females. The mean age at presentation was 50.3 years. The most common cancer types were colorectal (n = 24) and gynecologic (n = 19) with the majority of patients (n = 47) treated previously before coming to our institution. 33 patients were SGA-A, 22 SGA-B and 5 SGA-C prior to surgery. Of a total of 60 patients, 31 received PN. Mean LOS for the entire cohort was 16.2 days (SD = 9.8). Mean LOS for preoperative SGA-A, SGA-B and SGA-C were 15.0, 15.2 and 27.8 days respectively (ANOVA p = 0.02). Overall incidence of complications was 26.7% (16/60). Complications were recorded in 9 of 33 (27.3%) preoperative SGA-A patients and 7 of 27 (25.9%) SGA-B + C patients (p = 0.91). The median overall survival was 17.5 months (95% CI = 13.0 to 22.1 months). Median survival for preoperative SGA-A and SGA-B + C cohorts was 22.4 and 10.4 months respectively (p = 0.006).ConclusionsThe preoperative SGA predicts LOS and survival in cancer patients undergoing HIPEC. Future randomized clinical trials in this patient population should investigate the systematic provision of PN to all malnourished patients in the preoperative period for a minimum of 7-10 days with the continuation of PN in the postoperative period.

Current management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Surgery, current biomarkers, mutations, and therapy

In the past decade, the addition of molecular diagnosis of mutations and use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), either as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy with surgery or as primary therapy in nonresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), has improved patient outcomes markedly. Additional therapeutics also are on the horizon. The goal of this review is to identify the current incidence, diagnostic modalities, and trends in personalizing the medical and operative management for patients with GIST. Medline, PubMed, and Google scholar were queried for recently published literature regarding new molecular mechanisms, targeted therapies, and clinical trials investigating the treatment of GIST. The objective of this review is to highlight the biomarkers under development, newly discovered mutations, and newer therapies targeting specific mutational phenotypes which are continually improving the outlook for patients with this disease.

Does Surgery or Radiation Therapy Impact Survival for Patients With Extrapulmonary Small Cell Cancers

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCC) are rare tumors where therapy remains poorly defined. We sought to determine the impact of surgical extirpation and radiation therapy for outcomes of EPSCC.

Adrenal myelolipoma: To operate or not? A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION Myelolipoma is a rare, benign neoplasm that predominantly occurs in the adrenal gland and is composed of mature adipose tissue and scattered islands of hematopoietic elements. Although usually small and asymptomatic, there are some cases of adrenal myelolipoma that cause symptoms such as chronic pain. Elective surgery can prevent a more severe symptom presentation and life threatening progression while also allowing accurate diagnosis in patients with tumors larger than 6 cm. PRESENTATION OF CASE This report presents an unusual case of a 28-year-old female who suffered with chronic pain from a growing left-sided adrenal myelolipoma. Without the financial means for additional testing along with many symptoms warranting a high suspicion for malignancy, this patient decided to have the mass surgically excised, which was both diagnostic and curative. DISCUSSION For this specific patient, surgery was the most cost effective option, as well as both diagnostic and curative. Surgery can also prevent complications such as spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage of the mass, which can lead to subsequent cardiovascular shock. CONCLUSION Management of adrenal myelolipoma should be considered on an individual basis. Although it is a benign tumor, surgery plays an important role for symptomatic cases and those lesions that cannot be distinguished reliably from malignancy.

Does neoadjuvant chemotherapy improve outcomes for patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy for gastric cancer remains undefined. We compared the outcomes for patients treated with surgery alone or with the addition of adjuvant or neaodjuvant treatment. METHODS A single-institution, retrospective evaluation of a prospective database of gastric cancer patients treated from 2000 to 2008 was performed. RESULTS Overall, 173 patients with gastric cancer underwent surgical extirpation. Of the 173 patients, 43% had early-stage disease (less than stage 2) and 57% had late-stage disease (stage 2 or greater; American Joint Committee on Cancer, 2010). The median survival from the date of diagnosis for those treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (n = 35), adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 21), adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (n = 18), both NAC and adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 11), or surgery alone (n = 88) was 26.3, 17.3, greater than 60, greater than 60, and 50.3 months, respectively. The addition of NAC to surgery was detrimental to survival in those with early-stage disease (P = 0.002) and did not improve survival in those with late-stage disease (P = 0.687). For those with late-stage disease, surgery with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy exhibited the best overall survival compared with surgery alone (P = 0.021) or surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.01). Patients treated with NAC had a greater rate of R0 resection compared with surgery alone (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS NAC for patients with gastric cancer does not significantly improve the overall outcomes for those with late-stage disease and could be detrimental to survival for those with early-stage disease. However, treatment with NAC resulted in an improved rate of R0 resection.

Effect of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Breast Conservation Therapy versus Mastectomy: A Review of the Literature.

The utilization of MRI in the workup of breast cancer has played a controversial role in the surgical treatment of this disease. With the higher resolution of breast tissue afforded, additional lesions are being identified that often warrant additional procedures, subsequently affecting the decision to proceed with breast conservation therapy versus mastectomy. In this paper, a literature review is presented to help illuminate some of the benefits and pitfalls of employing MRI as a diagnostic tool in the care of breast cancer, while additionally providing insight into the management alterations this imaging modality can engender. Though further research is required in a randomized prospective form to fully answer this question, evidence for and against its use continues to mount, especially for select patient groups.

The thrombophilic state in cancer part II: Cancer outcomes, occult malignancy, and cancer suppression

The association between malignancy and thrombosis has long been appreciated but remains incompletely understood. This is the second of a two‐part review of the complex, integral relationship between these two entities, and addresses the specifics of cancer outcomes, occult malignancy in the presence of thrombosis, and the possibilities of cancer suppression by modulating thrombogenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:517–523.

Value of screening endoscopy in evaluation of esophageal, gastric and colon cancers

Esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers are deadly diseases that continue to plague our world today. The value of screening endoscopy in evaluating these types of cancers is a critical area of discussion due to a potential reduction in morbidity and mortality. This article describes how to identify a good screening test and explains what are important criteria in the field of screening endoscopy. Furthermore, the current status and progress of screening endoscopy for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer will be evaluated and discussed. Mass screening programs have not been implemented for esophageal and gastric carcinomas in those with average or low risk populations. However, studies of high-risk populations have found value and a cost-benefit in conducting screening endoscopy. Colorectal cancer, on the other hand, has had mass screening programs in place for many years due to the clear evidence of improved outcomes. As the role of endoscopy as a screening tool has continued to develop, newer technology and techniques have emerged to improve its utility. Many new image enhancement techniques and computer processing programs have shown promise and may have a significant role in the future of endoscopic screening. These developments are paving the way for improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology.