Recurrence rates and risk factors in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), defined in 2010, involves bleeding from the GI tract that remains unexplained after standard diagnostic procedures. OGIB, which accounts for about 5% of all GI bleeds, poses diagnostic and management challenges, particularly due to the anatomical features of the small intestine. Advances in capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted endoscopy have improved the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape for small intestinal lesions. Objective: To determine the recurrence rate and identify risk factors for recurrence following diagnostic and therapeutic interventions using CE and balloon-assisted endoscopy in patients with OGIB. Methods: A retrospective cohort study at Gifu University Hospital analyzed CE procedures for patients with OGIB from 2008 to 2022. Patients underwent CE with subsequent treatments based on the findings. Statistical analyses, including Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models, were used to estimate cumulative recurrence rates and identify recurrence risk factors. Results: Out of 417 patients, 65.2% had positive CE findings, leading to therapeutic interventions in 16.3% of cases. The cumulative recurrence rates at 12, 24, and 36 months were 4.3%, 9.0%, and 13.9%, respectively. Liver cirrhosis (hazard rate: 4.15, 95% confidence interval 1.88-9.18, p < 0.01) was identified as a significant risk factor for recurrence. Conclusions: A significant recurrence rate in OGIB patients, with liver cirrhosis being a major risk factor. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, a comprehensive approach including careful follow-up and consideration of risk factors is essential for management.

A dramatic response to an immune checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy in a patient with metastatic metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: A case report.

We present a unique case of metastatic metaplastic breast carcinoma responding dramatically to immunochemotherapy. A 46-year-old Japanese woman with primary metaplastic carcinoma of the breast, which was immunohistochemically confirmed to be triple-negative breast cancer, underwent radical surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with an anthracycline and a taxane. Since multiple lung metastases were detected two months post-chemotherapy and the primary site was shown to be PD-L1-positive, the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) pembrolizumab plus gemcitabine/carboplatin was initiated. While the treatment was discontinued after 15 days due to suspected drug-induced pneumonitis, the lung metastases significantly shrank with no development of new lesions for three months. The patient remained alive as of approximately 15 months after the recurrence date. This case highlights the potential of immunochemotherapy in treating metaplastic breast carcinomas.

Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Recurrent Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: While numerous studies have explored treatment outcomes for the overall ACC patient cohort, data on the subpopulation of patients with recurrent disease are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess treatment outcomes in patients with recurrent ACC. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included 18 patients median age 49 years (42-62); 67% female) diagnosed with recurrent ENSAT stage I-III ACC who underwent either R0 (n = 16) or Rx (n = 2) surgical resection of the tumor. RESULTS: The median time from the initial surgery to ACC recurrence was 29 months (IQR 18-50). Seven patients (39%) manifested local recurrence, while 11 patients (61%) developed distant metastases. The median follow-up duration after tumor recurrence was 32 months (IQR 25-53). Regarding the treatment of ACC recurrence, 10 patients underwent a second surgery either as an alone procedure (n = 4), or in combination with mitotane (n = 4), mitotane and chemotherapy (n = 1), or mitotane combined with radiotherapy (n = 1). The remaining patients received treatment involving chemotherapy±mitotane (n = 4) and locoregional therapy ±chemotherapy (n = 3). One patient chose not to proceed with further management and follow-up. The median PFS was 17 (95% CI 8-26) months while the median OS was not reached. In the multivariate model, increased mortality was associated with advanced age (p = 0.04) and a shorter interval to ACC recurrence (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with ACC recurrence experience disease progression or second recurrence, despite all treatment efforts. Nevertheless, by integrating diverse treatment modalities, many patients have the potential to attain long-term survival.

Prognostic impact of dysphagia scores in patients with advanced resectable esophageal cancer who underwent radical esophagectomy after preoperative treatment.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia caused by tumor strictures is a major symptom in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. However, the prognostic impact of dysphagia in resectable cases is insufficiently investigated. This study investigated the prognostic value of dysphagia scores in resectable advanced esophageal cancer who underwent radical esophagectomy after preoperative treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 302 consecutive patients with advanced resectable esophageal cancer who received preoperative treatment. The preoperative dysphagia score was used to assess the relationship between tumor stricture and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients had dysphagia scores of 2-4 (n=152, 50.3%). A lower body mass index (BMI), circumferential tumors, and non-curative resection were significantly more as dysphagia scores worsened. Patients with dysphagia had significantly more advanced ypT stage and worse histopathological response than those without dysphagia. The 5-year disease-free survival rates for dysphagia scores 0-1, 2-3, and 4 were 52.9%, 35.3%, and 26.7% and for overall survival were 60.7%, 40.4%, and 26.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified dysphagia score as an independent factor of overall survival, similar to surgical curability and ypN stage. The postoperative recurrence rate was significantly higher among patients with dysphagia scores of 2-3 (56%) and those of 4 (67%), compared to those with 0-1 (36%) (P<0.001 and 0.037, respectively). Furthermore, distant recurrence in dysphagia scores of 2-3 and 4 was higher than in 0-1 (26%, 46%, and 42%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dysphagia score before initial treatment is associated with postoperative survival in patients with resectable advanced esophageal cancer.

Surgical treatment of recurrent gynecological malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: A comprehensive overview of surgical treatment of recurrent gynecological malignancies. Recurrent breast malignancies are not included in this review. METHODOLOGY: A review providing overview of surgical treatment options for recurrent malignancies of adnexa of the uterus (ovary, fallopian tube), uterine corpus, uterine cervix, and carcinoma of the vagina and vulva. CONCLUSION: Optimal surgical treatment for patients with recurrent cancer is based on multidisciplinary approach with stratification according to individual prognostic markers. These include patient's performance status, outcome of primary surgery, current extent of recurrence, and histopathological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. Decision about choice of treatment should be individually discussed and evaluated by the multidisciplinary oncogynecological commission board.

Clinical outcome of salvage surgery in patients with recurrent oral cavity cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of salvage surgery on 5-year overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors in recurrent oral cavity cancer (rOCC) patients. Relevant literature before May 2022 was reviewed, including retrospective cohort studies and observational studies comparing salvage surgery to other treatments. Risk-of-bias assessments were conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Statistical and subgroup analyses assessed the impact of salvage surgery on 5-year OS and prognostic factors. 3036 documents were initially retrieved, with 14 retrospective cohort studies (2069 participants) included. Meta-analysis of 5-year OS in salvage surgery patients yielded a rate of 43.0%. Subgroup analysis showed higher OS in Asians (49.9% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.003) and late-relapse (63.8% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.004) groups. Prognostic factors revealed hazards associated with nodal recurrence, extranodal extension, and perineural invasion. Salvage surgery is a viable option for rOCC patients, showing favorable 5-year OS outcomes. Low publication bias enhances study reliability, but its single-arm design limits conclusions on salvage surgery superiority over other treatments.

Differences in Prognosis and Recurrence Patterns Between Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer and Sporadic Colorectal Cancer: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinicopathological differences exist between ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) and sporadic colorectal cancer (S-CRC). However, differences in the prognosis remain controversial, and the reason for these differences remains unclear. We therefore assessed the differences between patients with UC-CRC and S-CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a matched-pair analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with UC-CRC and S-CRC who underwent colorectal resection between January 2000 and December 2021 at two institutions. Patients were matched according to age, sex, date of surgery, tumor location, and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage. RESULTS: A total of 5992 patients underwent surgery for CRC at the two institutions, and 288 patients (48 with UC-CRC and 240 with S-CRC) were matched in this study. Patients with UC-CRC underwent more invasive surgery and had a longer operative time than those with S-CRC, but there was no marked difference in postoperative complications or perioperative mortality. Long-term outcomes showed a similar 5-year overall survival (OS) for UC-CRC and S-CRC (86.5% versus 88.8%, p = 0.742); however, in stage 3 patients, patients with UC-CRC had a poorer 5-year OS than those with S-CRC (51.4% versus 83.8%, p = 0.032). The first recurrence sites in stage 3 UC-CRC were peritoneal dissemination followed by the bones, while those in S-CRC were the liver and pulmonary system. CONCLUSIONS: Despite no significant differences in surgical outcomes, patients with UC-CRC had a poorer prognosis than those with S-CRC at stage 3. The recurrence patterns in UC-CRC differed from those in S-CRC, suggesting a possible prognostic difference.

Exploring Individualized Follow-up of Gastric Cancer After Radical Surgery Based on pTNM Stage: A Retrospective Cohort Study From China.

Background: Patients with gastric cancer (GC) who underwent radical surgery require long-term follow-up (usually 5 years). The purpose of this study was to explore individualized follow-up strategies for patients with GC. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that established a clinicopathologic database of patients who underwent gastrectomy from January 2010 to December 2020 at Ningbo No. 2 Hospital. Follow-up was performed until March 2023. The rate of new-onset recurrence of patients with GC was explored annually according to different pTNM stages, defining a recurrence rate of less than 1% as adequate follow-up time. Results: Of the 1606 patients who were eligible, the total number of patients who completed the 5- and 10-year follow-up was 1107 and 586, respectively. A total of 444 cases were diagnosed with recurrence. The recurrence rate for stage IA patients was consistently less than 1% during the follow-up time. The adequate follow-up time (the rate of new-onset recurrence less than 1%) was 5 years for stage IB and IIA patients, and 8 years for stage IIB and IIIA patients, respectively. In contrast, stage IIIB patients were always at risk of recurrence during the follow-up time (>1%). Time to a new recurrence rate for stage IIIC patients was 6 years. Conclusion: Among patients who underwent radical gastrectomy, the rate of new-onset recurrence varied among patients with different pTNM stages. This study suggests that the follow-up of GC can be individualized and refer to pTNM stage.

Estimated incidence of disruptions to event-free survival from non-metastatic cancers in New South Wales, Australia - a population-wide epidemiological study of linked cancer registry and treatment data.

Introduction: Population cancer registries record primary cancer incidence, mortality and survival for whole populations, but not more timely outcomes such as cancer recurrence, secondary cancers or other complications that disrupt event-free survival. Nonetheless, indirect evidence may be inferred from treatment data to provide indicators of recurrence and like events, which can facilitate earlier assessment of care outcomes. The present study aims to infer such evidence by applying algorithms to linked cancer registry and treatment data obtained from hospitals and universal health insurance claims applicable to the New South Wales (NSW) population of Australia. Materials and methods: Primary invasive cancers from the NSW Cancer Registry (NSWCR), diagnosed in 2001-2018 with localized or regionalized summary stage, were linked to treatment data for five common Australian cancers: breast, colon/rectum, lung, prostate, and skin (melanomas). Clinicians specializing in each cancer type provided guidance on expected treatment pathways and departures to indicate remission and subsequent recurrence or other disruptive events. A sample survey of patients and clinicians served to test initial population-wide results. Following consequent refinement of the algorithms, estimates of recurrence and like events were generated. Their plausibility was assessed by their correspondence with expected outcomes by tumor type and summary stage at diagnosis and by their associations with cancer survival. Results: Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates indicated that 5-year cumulative probabilities of recurrence and other disruptive events were lower, and median times to these events longer, for those staged as localized rather than regionalized. For localized and regionalized cancers respectively, these were: breast - 7% (866 days) and 34% (570 days); colon/rectum - 15% (732 days) and 25% (641 days); lung - 46% (552 days) and 66% (404 days); melanoma - 11% (893 days) and 38% (611 days); and prostate - 14% (742 days) and 39% (478 days). Cases with markers for these events had poorer longer-term survival. Conclusions: These population-wide estimates of recurrence and like events are approximations only. Absent more direct measures, they nonetheless may inform service planning by indicating population or treatment sub-groups at increased risk of recurrence and like events sooner than waiting for deaths to occur.

Metastatic disease and major adverse cardiovascular events preceding diagnosis are the main determinants of disease-specific survival of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: long-term follow-up of 303 patients.

Purpose: The natural history in unselected cohorts of patients with pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma (PPGL) followed for a period >10 years remains limited. We aimed to describe baseline characteristics and outcome of a large cohort and to identify predictors of shorter survival. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 303 patients with newly diagnosed PPGL from 1968 to December 31, 2023, in 199 prospectively supplemented since July 2020. Mean follow-up was 11.4 (range 0.3-50) years, germline genetic analyses were available in 92.1%. The main outcome measures were overall (OAS), disease-specific (DSS), recurrence-free (RFS) survival and predictors of shorter survival evaluated in patients with metastases at first diagnosis (n=12), metastatic (n=24) and nonmetastatic (n=33) recurrences and without evidence of PPGL after first surgery (n=234). Results: Age at study begin was 49.4 ± 16.3 years. There were 72 (23.8%) deaths, 15 (5.0%), 29 (9.6%) and 28 (9.2%) due to PPGL, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and malignant or other diseases, respectively. Median OAS, DSS1 (tumor-related) and DSS2 (DSS1 and death caused by CVD) were 4.8, 5.9 and 5.2 years (patients with metastases at first diagnosis), 21.2, 21.2 and 19.9 years, and 38.0, undefined and 38.0 years (patients with metastatic and with nonmetastatic recurrences, respectively). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) preceded the first diagnosis in 15% (n=44). Shorter DSS2 correlated with older age (P ≤ 0.001), male sex (P ≤ 0.02), MACE (P ≤ 0.01) and primary metastases (P<0.0001, also for DSS1). Conclusion: The clinical course of unselected patients with PPGL is rather benign. Survival rates remain high for decades, unless there are MACE before diagnosis or metastatic disease.

A novel nomogram for predicting the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients treated with first-time radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients after first-time radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) and to develop a nomogram predictive model that can provide valuable information for determining the ablation strategy. Methods: In total, 500 patients who had received first-time RFCA for AF were retrospectively enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into a training cohort (n = 300) and a validation cohort (n = 200) randomly at a 6:4 ratio. Lasso and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen the predictors for AF recurrence during a 2-year follow-up. The C-index and a calibration plot were used to detect the discriminative ability and calibration of the nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was assessed compared with the APPLE score, CAAP-AF score, and MB-LATER score using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), integrated discrimination index (IDI), and net reclassification index (NRI). Results: A total of 78 patients experienced the recurrence of AF after first-time RFCA in the training cohort. The six strongest predictors for AF recurrence in the training cohort were persistent AF, duration of AF, left atrial diameter (LAD), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and autoantibody against M2-muscarinic receptor (anti-M2-R). Based on the above six variables, a nomogram prediction model was constructed with a C-index of 0.862 (95% CI, 0.815-0.909), while the C-index was 0.831 (95% CI, 0.771-0.890) in the validation cohort. DCA showed that this nomogram had greater net benefits compared with other models. Furthermore, the nomogram showed a noticeable improvement in predictive performance, sensitivity, and reclassification for AF recurrence compared with the APPLE score, CAAP-AF score, or MB-LATER score. Conclusion: We established a novel predictive tool for AF recurrence after the first-time RFCA during a 2-year follow-up period that could accurately predict individual AF recurrence.

Extrasphincteric anal fistula with intrarectal opening extended upto thigh, successfully treated with a minimally invasive, novel surgical technique- a rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fistula in ano is a complex disease, and the treatment for it is still a big challenge for surgeons because of the high recurrence rate (7 %-50 %) and incontinence, and to minimize these complications numerous surgical interventions are emerging daily in the conventional system of medicine. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 48- year- old male patient came with complaints of pus discharge from an external opening in the inner aspect of his right thigh, located about 22 to 25 cm away from the anal verge for the last 15 years and was diagnosed as long extrasphincteric fistula with intrarectal opening based on clinical and MRI findings. We successfully treated this case with a minimally invasive novel surgical technique, RetroGrade Probing and Application of KharaSutra and Division of the Fistulous Tract (RGPAKS- DFT). DISCUSSION: Ksharasutra is a well-known method in the treatment of anal fistula for preserving continence and a low recurrence rate. Performing retrograde probing in every single case of anal fistula can address the involved anal gland under direct vision, which is essential for preventing recurrence and pairing retrograde probing with the division of the fistulous tract significantly reduces the treatment duration with minimal tissue loss. CONCLUSION: In fistula surgery, successful treatment relies on identifying the internal opening and eradicating the involved anal glands. Based on the same principle, this rare and complex anal fistula was effectively treated with this RGPAKS-DFT, resulting in no recurrence and incontinence in two years of follow-up after complete recovery.

A dendritic cell-recruiting, antimicrobial blood clot hydrogel for melanoma recurrence prevention and infected wound management.

Surgical resection, the mainstay for melanoma treatment, faces challenges due to high tumor recurrence rates and complex postoperative wound healing. Chronic inflammation from residual disease and the risk of secondary infections impede healing. We introduce an innovative, injectable hydrogel system that integrates a multifaceted therapeutic approach. The hydrogel, crosslinked by calcium ions with sodium alginate, encapsulates a blood clot rich in dendritic cells (DCs) chemoattractants and melanoma cell-derived nanovesicles (NVs), functioning as a potent immunostimulant. This in situ recruitment strategy overcomes the limitations of subcutaneous tumor vaccine injections and more effectively achieves antitumor immunity. Additionally, the hydrogel incorporates Chlorella extracts, enhancing its antimicrobial properties to prevent wound infections and promote healing. One of the key findings of our research is the dual functionality of Chlorella extracts; they not only expedite the healing process of infected wounds but also increase the hydrogel's ability to stimulate an antitumor immune response. Given the patient-specific nature of the blood clot and NVs, our hydrogel system offers customizable solutions for individual postoperative requirements. This personalized approach is highlighted by our study, which demonstrates the synergistic impact of the composite hydrogel on preventing melanoma recurrence and hastening wound healing, potentially transforming postsurgical melanoma management.

Association of Shorter Time to Recurrence and Recurrence-free Survival with Transthoracic Lung Biopsy in Stage I Lung Cancer.

Purpose: We aim to determine whether preoperative percutaneous needle aspiration or biopsy (PCNA/Bx) increases recurrence risk and reduces survival in stage I lung cancer patients, using a nationwide lung cancer registry. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included 3,452 patients diagnosed with stage I lung cancer who underwent curative surgery between 2014 and 2019, as recorded in the Korean Association of Lung Cancer Registry. To balance the characteristics of patients with and without PCNA/Bx, we applied inverse probability of treatment weighting. We used cumulative incidence plots and a weighted subdistribution hazard model to analyze time to recurrence. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and weighted Cox proportional hazard ratio models. Results: In patients with adenocarcinoma, the use of PCNA/Bx was associated with a 1.9-fold increase (95% CI, 1.5-2.4) in the risk of recurrence and a 1.7-fold decrease (95% CI, 1.3-2.2) in recurrence-free survival. Subgroup analysis based on pathologic pleural invasion revealed that the risk of recurrence increased when PCNA/Bx was performed, with 2.1-fold (95% CI, 1.5-2.8) in patients without pleural invasion and 1.6-fold (95% CI, 1.0-2.4) in those with pleural invasion. No association was found between the use of PCNA/Bx and overall survival. Conclusion: Preoperative PCNA/Bx was associated with increased recurrence risks in stage I adenocarcinoma, regardless of pathologic pleural invasion status. In early lung cancer cases where adenocarcinoma is strongly suspected and curative surgery is feasible, the use of transthoracic biopsy should be approached with caution.

Development and validation of a predictive model for atrial fibrillation recurrence post-catheter ablation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients based on hemodynamic parameters.

BACKGROUND: The influence of hemodynamic parameters on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) following catheter ablation is not well known, and it remains unclear whether a nomogram combining risk factors and hemodynamic parameters improves prediction accuracy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a nomogram based on echocardiographic hemodynamic parameters for predicting AF recurrence following catheter ablation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS: A total of 380 consecutive NVAF patients undergoing AF catheter ablation treatment were prospectively collected. Patients were divided into training and validation cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. The follow-up duration averaged 9 months with a median of 12 months, during which 132 patients (34.7%) experienced a recurrence of AF. RESULTS: LASSO regression and Cox regression analyses identified four significant predictors of AF recurrence: persistent AF (HR=1.63, 95% CI=1.02∼2.61, P=0.041), the systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio (HR=0.50, 95% CI=0.30∼0.84, P=0.009), left atrial acceleration factor α (HR=1.31, 95% CI=1.02∼1.68, P=0.032), and left atrial appendage peak emptying flow velocity (HR=0.98, 95% CI=0.97∼0.99, P=0.004). Based on these four variables, a predictive nomogram was constructed. The nomogram demonstrated C-indexes of 0.664 and 0.728 for predicting 1-year and 2-year AF recurrence, respectively, in the validation cohort. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that a Nomo-score greater than 128 was associated with a higher risk of AF recurrence. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic parameters may offer valuable insight in predicting AF recurrence following catheter ablation. Our study successfully developed a reliable nomogram based on echocardiographic hemodynamic parameters to estimate the risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation in NVAF patients.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyposis and Risk Factors of Recurrence in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has become the gold standard for treating patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) refractory to medical therapy. It is considered a relatively safe and effective procedure in all age groups, with overall success rates ranging from 76% to 97.5%. However, failure of primary endoscopic sinus surgery (PESS) occurs at a rate ranging from 2% to 24%. Patients who are still symptomatic after PESS and optimal medical therapy are candidates for revision endoscopic sinus surgery (RESS). Objectives: to study the outcomes of ESS and assess the risk factors of recurrence of nasal polyps, as well as to compare the outcomes of PESS and RESS at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: This study is conducted on patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) who underwent ESS at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) between May 2015 and December 2021. During this period, ESS was performed 470 times for CRSwNP. The Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire, the Lund-Kennedy (LK) score, the Lund-MacKay (LM) score, and the polyp grading system were used to evaluate subjective and objective outcomes. They were scored preoperatively and from 6 to 12 months postoperatively. Results: Out of the 470 endoscopic sinus surgeries, 321 (68.3%) were PESS and 149 (31.7%) were RESS. Asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and Samter's triad were observed more in the RESS group. The LK and LM scores were significantly different between primary and revision sinus surgeries, revealing that PESS patients had better postoperative LK and LM scores. The RESS patients had significantly worse postoperative SNOT-22 scores compared to PESS patients. Conclusion: Lund-MacKay, Lund-Kennedy, and SNOT-22 scores improved after ESS for both primary and revision ESS patients, with better outcomes observed after PESS compared to RESS. The presence of asthma, aspirin sensitivity, Samter's Triad, high-grade nasal polyps, and older age were identified as risk factors for CRSwNP recurrence, which may require RESS.

Potential value of detection of minimal residual disease in colorectal cancer following radical resection.

Although there has been significant advancement in the identification and management of colorectal cancer (CRC) in recent years, there is still room for improvement in the current standard treatment regimen. One area of concern is the lack of reliable tumor markers to predict treatment efficacy and guide tailored care. Due to its dynamic, effective, and non-invasive benefits over tissue biopsy, the detection of minimal or molecular residual lesions (MRD) based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is beneficial to the clinical development of drugs for patients with CRC after radical treatment, as well as for continuous monitoring of tumor recurrence and malignancy molecular gene evolution. The detection of ctDNA can currently be used to guide individual postoperative auxiliary treatment decisions (upgrade or downgrade treatment) in CRC, stratify the risk of clinical recurrence more precisely, and predict the risk of recurrence in advance of imaging examination, according to a large number of observational or prospective clinical studies. With increasing clarity comes the possibility of selecting a regimen of treatment based on postoperative ctDNA, which also improves the accuracy of clinical recurrence risk assessment for CRC. Therefore, it is anticipated that the identification of ctDNA would alter the current framework for dealing with CRC and lead to individualized, stratified precision therapy; however, additional confirmation will require subsequent high-quality, prospective, large-scale randomized controlled studies. This article will provide an overview of the definition and clinical significance of MRD, the primary indications and technological challenges for MRD detection, along with the advancement in clinical research about ctDNA detection following radical resection of the CRC.

Comparative Efficacy of Novel Biologics, Antitumour Necrosis Factor Agents, and Immunomodulators to Prevent Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Our objective was to compare the efficacy of novel biologics (like vedolizumab and ustekinumab), anti-tumour necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs), and immunomodulators (IMMs) in preventing postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases up to December 2023 to identify placebo-controlled, no-treatment-comparison, or positive-controlled studies for the prevention of POR in CD. Endoscopic and clinical recurrence were the primary and secondary endpoint for the efficacy assessment. We conducted traditional direct and Bayesian network meta-analyses to evaluate the preventive effects of selected drugs. Additionally, we ranked interventions based on their scores under the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA). RESULTS: A total of 17 studies involving 2786 patients were included. In the direct meta-analysis, anti-TNFs, vedolizumab, and IMMs showed greater efficacy in preventing endoscopic POR, compared to controls (placebo or no treatment). When it came to preventing clinical POR, anti-TNFs and IMMs outperformed controls. The network meta-analysis revealed that the risk of endoscopic POR was considerably lower in patients receiving anti-TNFs, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab compared to controls. Regarding the reduction of clinical POR, only anti-TNFs showed significant efficacy compared to controls. Vedolizumab and anti-TNFs were ranked as the most effective strategies in preventing endoscopic and clinical recurrence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to direct and network meta-analysis, in CD patients after surgical resection, novel biologics, especially vedolizumab, were quite effective in decreasing the risk of endoscopic POR, whereas anti-TNFs appeared to perform best in reducing the risk of clinical POR.

Baseline platelet count and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute venous thromboembolism: a prospective cohort study.

An abnormal platelet count (PC) is common in acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) but its relationship with clinical outcomes remains ill-defined. We aimed to explore the association between baseline PC and the long-term risk of clinically relevant outcomes in a prospective cohort of 991 patients with acute VTE. We classified patients into four PC groups: very low (< 100 G/l), low (≥ 100 to < 150 G/l), normal (≥ 150 G/l to ≤ 450 G/l), and high (> 450 G/l). The primary outcome was major bleeding (MB), secondary outcomes were recurrent VTE and overall mortality. We examined the association between PC and clinical outcomes, adjusting for confounders, competing risk for mortality, and periods of anticoagulation. After a median follow-up of 30 months, 132 (13%) of patients experienced MB, 122 (12%) had recurrent VTE, and 206 (21%) died. Compared to patients with a normal PC, patients with a very low PC had a sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR) for MB of 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-2.91) and those with a high PC a SHR of 1.87 (95%CI 0.82-4.29). Patients with a low PC had a twofold increased VTE recurrence risk (SHR 2.05, 95%CI 1.28-3.28). Patients with low and very low PC had a hazard ratio for mortality of 1.43 (95%CI 0.99-2.08) and of 1.55 (95%CI 0.80-2.99), respectively. Our findings do not suggest a consistent relationship between baseline PC and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with VTE.