Role of adjuvant therapy in intermediate-risk cervical cancer patients - Subanalyses of the SCCAN study.

OBJECTIVE: The "intermediate-risk" (IR) group of early-stage cervical cancer patients is characterized by negative pelvic lymph nodes and a combination of tumor-related prognostic risk factors such as tumor size ≥2 cm, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and deep stromal invasion. However, the role of adjuvant treatment in these patients remains controversial. We investigated whether adjuvant (chemo)radiation is associated with a survival benefit after radical surgery in patients with IR cervical cancer. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with IR cervical cancer (tumor size 2-4 cm plus LVSI OR tumor size >4 cm; N0; no parametrial invasion; clear surgical margins) who underwent primary curative-intent surgery between 2007 and 2016 and were retrospectively registered in the international multicenter Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) study. RESULTS: Of 692 analyzed patients, 274 (39.6%) received no adjuvant treatment (AT-) and 418 (60.4%) received radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (AT+). The 5-year disease-free survival (83.2% and 80.3%; PDFS = 0.365) and overall survival (88.7% and 89.0%; POS = 0.281) were not significantly different between the AT- and AT+ groups, respectively. Adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy was not associated with a survival benefit after adjusting for confounding factors by case-control propensity score matching or in subgroup analyses of patients with tumor size ≥4 cm and <4 cm. In univariable analysis, adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy was not identified as a prognostic factor in any of the subgroups (full cohort: PDFS = 0.365; POS = 0.282). CONCLUSION: Among patients with IR early-stage cervical cancer, radical surgery alone achieved equal disease-free and overall survival rates to those achieved by combining radical surgery with adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy.

Survival associated with extent of radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer: a subanalysis of the Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) collaborative study.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend tailoring the radicality of hysterectomy according to the known preoperative tumor characteristics in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether increased radicality had an effect on 5-year disease-free survival in patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy. The secondary aims were 5-year overall survival and pattern of recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: This was an international, multicenter, retrospective study from the Surveillance in Cervical CANcer (SCCAN) collaborative cohort. Patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage IB1 and IIA1 who underwent open type B/C1/C2 radical hysterectomy according to Querleu-Morrow classification between January 2007 and December 2016, who did not undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy and who had negative lymph nodes and free surgical margins at final histology, were included. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed. Patients were stratified according to pathologic tumor diameter. Propensity score match analysis was performed to balance baseline characteristics in patients undergoing nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. RESULTS: A total of 1257 patients were included. Of note, 883 patients (70.2%) underwent nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, and 374 patients (29.8%) underwent non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. Baseline differences between the study groups were found for tumor stage and diameter (higher use of non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for tumors >2 cm or with vaginal involvement; P<.0001). The use of adjuvant therapy in patients undergoing nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 27.3% vs 28.6%, respectively (P=.63). Five-year disease-free survival in patients undergoing nerve-sparing vs non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 90.1% (95% confidence interval, 87.9-92.2) vs 93.8% (95% confidence interval, 91.1-96.5), respectively (P=.047). Non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was independently associated with better disease-free survival at multivariable analysis performed on the entire cohort (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.81; P=.004). Furthermore, 5-year overall survival in patients undergoing nerve-sparing vs non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was 95.7% (95% confidence interval, 94.1-97.2) vs non-nerve-sparing 96.5% (95% confidence interval, 94.3-98.7), respectively (P=.78). In patients with a tumor diameter ≤20 mm, 5-year disease-free survival was 94.7% in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy vs 96.2% in non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (P=.22). In patients with tumors between 21 and 40 mm, 5-year disease-free survival was 90.3% in non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy vs 83.1% in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (P=.016) (no significant difference in the rate of adjuvant treatment in this subgroup, P=.47). This was confirmed after propensity match score analysis (balancing the 2 study groups). The pattern of recurrence in the propensity-matched population did not demonstrate any difference (P=.70). CONCLUSION: For tumors ≤20 mm, no survival difference was found with more radical hysterectomy. For tumors between 21 and 40 mm, a more radical hysterectomy was associated with improved 5-year disease-free survival. No difference in the pattern of recurrence according to the extent of radicality was observed. Non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was associated with better 5-year disease-free survival than nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy after propensity score match analysis.

Factors associated with emergency room readmission after elective surgery for ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmission is a quality metric of hospital care and has been studied in ovarian carcinoma, but its evaluation has several limitations. Also, emergency room (ER) readmission is considered an adverse effect because it represents patient costs. Therefore, our objective was to determine the rate of ER readmission, its causes, and associated factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of 592 patients with ovarian carcinoma who underwent upfront surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, or surgery for recurrent disease. An analysis of factors associated with ER readmission, hospital readmission, and surgical complications was performed, including multivariate analysis to assess for case-mix factors. RESULTS: Of 592 patients, the median age was 51 years, and the predominant type of treatment was the neoadjuvant approach (52.9%); 46% underwent upfront surgeries and six surgeries for recurrence. The ratio to ER readmission was 11.8% (70 patients), of whom 12 patients were admitted more than once. The factors associated with ER readmission were prolonged surgery, intraoperative bleeding, extended hospital stay, the time of the day when the surgery was performed, and post-surgical complications. The hospital readmissions were 4.2%, and the overall morbidity was 17.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with ER readmission was the presence of surgical complications (OR = 39.01). The factors independently associated with hospital readmission were the entrance to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.37), the presence of surgical complications (OR = 2.85), and ER readmission (OR = 1.45). CONCLUSION: ER readmission is an adverse event representing the presence of symptoms/complications in patients. Evaluating the ER readmission independently of the readmission to the hospital is critical because it will allow modifying medical care behaviors to prevent patients from unnecessarily returning to the hospital after a hospital discharge to manage preventable medical problems. TRIAL REGISTRATION: researchregistry7882.

Analysis of Mexican young women with primary ovarian insufficiency induced by gynaecological and haematological cancer management.

This was a retrospective study that included 114 women younger than 40 years with induced primary ovarian insufficiency. Patients who presented vasomotor symptoms had a higher proportion (26 [63.41%] versus 58 [79.45%], OR 2.23, 95% CI 0.95-5.23, p = .065) to initiate hormone replacement therapy. Vasomotor symptoms were present in patients with ovarian cancer (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.8, p = .18), haematologic cancer (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.2-0.65, p = .014), radiotherapy (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.04-6.54, p = .039) and chemotherapy with radiotherapy (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.01-7.35, p = .049). Having ovarian or haematological cancer, being managed with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, and having follicle-stimulating hormone parameters higher than 35 mUI/mL are factors that significantly increase the risk of presenting vasomotor symptoms.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? In young women with cancer, induced primary ovarian insufficiency can result as an ovarian surgery or as an adverse effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Regardless of aetiology, patients are going to manifest early climacteric symptoms with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.What do the results of this study add? Patients who presented vasomotor symptoms had initially a higher proportion of hormone replacement therapy. Patients that were treated exclusively with radiotherapy or with chemotherapy and concomitant radiotherapy have a significantly increased risk to manifest vasomotor symptoms.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or future research? Having ovarian or haematological cancer, being managed with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and having follicle-stimulating hormone parameters higher than 35 mUI/mL are factors that significantly increase the risk of presenting vasomotor symptoms.

Recurrence rate and survival implications of surgical margins in patients with acral melanoma. Is a wide margin necessary?

INTRODUCTION: Appropriate size of resection margins in acral melanoma is not clearly established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether narrow-margin excision is appropriate for thick acral melanoma. METHODS: Three-hundred and six patients with acral melanoma were examined. Factors associated with recurrence and survival were analyzed according to surgical margin size (1 to 2 cm and > 2 cm). RESULTS: Out of 306 patients, 183 were women (59.8%). Median Breslow thickness was 6 mm; 224 cases (73.2%) were ulcerated, 154 patients (50.3%) had clinical stage III disease, while 137 were at stage II (44.8%) and 15 at stage IV (4.9%). All cases had negative margins, with a median of 31.5 mm. A Breslow thickness of 7 mm (p = 0.001) and clinical stage III (p = 0.031) were associated with recurrence; the factors associated with survival were Breslow index (p = 0.047), ulceration (p = 0.003), advanced clinical stage (p < 0.001), and use of adjuvant therapy (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A resection margin of 1 to 2 cm did not affect tumor recurrence or survival in patients with acral melanoma.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La extensión apropiada de los márgenes de resección en el melanoma acral no está claramente establecida. OBJETIVO: Investigar si la escisión con margen estrecho es adecuada en el melanoma acral grueso. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 306 pacientes con melanoma acral. Conforme a la extensión del margen quirúrgico (de 1 a 2 cm y > 2 cm), se analizaron los factores asociados a la recurrencia y la supervivencia. RESULTADOS: De 306 pacientes, 183 fueron mujeres (59.8 %). La mediana del grosor de Breslow fue 6 mm; 224 casos (73.2 %) fueron de tipo ulcerados, 154 pacientes (50.3 %) tenían enfermedad en estadio clínico III, 137 en II (44.8 %) y 15 en IV (4.9 %). Todos los casos presentaron margen negativo, con una mediana de 31.5 mm. Un grosor de Breslow de 7 mm (p = 0.001) y la etapa clínica III (p = 0.031) se asociaron a recurrencia; los factores asociados a la supervivencia fueron el índice de Breslow (p = 0.047), la ulceración (p = 0.003), la etapa clínica avanzada (p < 0.001) y el uso de adyuvancia (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIÓN: Un margen de resección de 1 a 2 cm no afectó la recurrencia tumoral ni la supervivencia en los pacientes con melanoma acral.

Tumor histology is an independent prognostic factor in locally advanced cervical carcinoma: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Even with different histologic origins, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are considered a single entity, and the first-line treatment is the same. Locally advanced disease at the diagnosis of cervical cancer is the most important prognostic factor, the recurrence rate is high, making it necessary to evaluate prognostic factors other than clinical or radiological staging; histology could be one of them but continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor histology as a prognostic factor in terms of treatment outcomes, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in a retrospective cohort of patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma (LACC). METHODS: The records of 1291patients with LACC were reviewed, all of them were treated with 45-50 Gy of external beam radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy and brachytherapy. A descriptive and comparative analysis was conducted. Treatment response was analyzed by the chi-square test; DFS and OS were calculated for each histology with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test; and the Cox model was applied for the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We included 1291 patients with LACC treated from 2005 to 2014, of which 1154 (89·4%) had SCC and 137 (10·6%) had AC. Complete response to treatment was achieved in 933 (80·8%) patients with SCC and 113 (82·5%) patients with AC. Recurrence of the disease was reported in 29·9% of SCC patients and 31·9% of AC patients. Five-year DFS was 70% for SCC and 62·2% for AC. The five-year OS rates were 74·3% and 60% for SCC and AC, respectively. The mean DFS was 48·8 months for SCC vs 46·10 for AC (p = 0·043), the mean OS was 50·8 for SCC and 47·0 for AC (p = 0·002). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that SCC and AC are different clinical entities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04537273 .

Abdominal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian cancer. A case series report.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal tuberculosis (abdominal tuberculosis) can be confused with a malignant neoplasm. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with abdominal tuberculosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer, diagnosed in a national reference cancer center. METHODS: Clinical and pathological characteristics of nine patients with abdominal tuberculosis that clinically resembled advanced ovarian cancer are described. RESULTS: Median age was 47 years; the most common socioeconomic status was low (44%). Abdominal pain and weight loss occurred in 77.7%; ascites, in 55.5%; 22.2% had a positive COMBE test, and 100% had no history of pulmonary tuberculosis. CA-125 elevation was reported in 77.7%, with levels > 500 U/mL in 57.1%. Tomography reported carcinomatosis in 50% and pelvic tumor and ascites in 37.5%. All patients underwent surgery, where 62.5% were diagnosed by intraoperative pathology study as neoplastic disease. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis is considered the great imitator, which is why abdominal tuberculosis diagnosis should be borne in mind when faced with a suspicious case, even when clinical presentation, imaging studies, and even intraoperative examination suggest ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La tuberculosis peritoneal (tuberculosis abdominal) puede ser confundida con una neoplasia maligna. OBJETIVO: Describir características clínicas y demográficas de pacientes con tuberculosis abdominal que semeja cáncer de ovario avanzado, diagnosticados en un centro oncológico de referencia nacional. MÉTODOS: Se describen las características clínicas y patológicas de nueve pacientes con tuberculosis abdominal que clínicamente semejaba cáncer de ovario avanzado. RESULTADOS: La mediana de edad fue de 47 años, el estrato socioeconómico más común fue bajo (44 %). El dolor abdominal y la pérdida ponderal se presentaron en 77.7 %, ascitis en 55.5 %, prueba COMBE positiva en 22.2 % y ausencia de antecedente de tuberculosis pulmonar en 100 %. La elevación de CA-125 se reportó en 77.7 %, con > 500 U/mL en 57.1 %. La tomografía indicó carcinomatosis en 50 % y tumor pélvico y ascitis en 37.5 %. Todas las pacientes fueron sometidas a cirugía; 62.5 % fueron diagnosticadas mediante estudio patológico transoperatorio como enfermedad neoplásica. CONCLUSIÓN: La tuberculosis es considerada como la gran imitadora, por ello se debe tener en mente el diagnóstico de tuberculosis abdominal ante un caso sospechoso, aun cuando la presentación clínica, estudios de imagen e, incluso, el examen transoperatorio sugieran cáncer de ovario.

Prognostic variables in patients with thick melanomas. Analysis of 362 cases.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma epidemiological and prognostic studies are based on Caucasian populations, in whom the predominant subtype is superficially-spreading melanoma and in whom thin melanomas (Breslow < 3 mm) predominate. Mexican patients show a predominance of thick melanomas (Breslow ≥ 3 mm), and the acral subtype is the most common. There are no publications on prognostic factors in thick melanomas. We hypothesize that we will identify factors that determine the prognosis in this group of patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical-pathological factors associated with the prognosis of patients with thick melanomas in the Mexican population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on melanomas with Breslow > 3 mm were collected from 2010 to 2015. The prognostic influence of various clinical-pathological factors was analyzed. RESULTS: The most common subtypes were acral melanoma in 271 patients (74.9 %) and nodular melanoma in 49 (13.5 %). Median Breslow thickness was 7 mm. 56.6 % of the patients had lymph node metastases (clinical stage [CS] III), 269 (74.3 %) had ulceration, and surgical margins were positive in 15 (4.1 %). Elevated neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (≥ 2) was found in 188 (51.9 %). The variables associated with lower overall survival were CS (p < 0.001), Breslow thickness (p = 0.044), ulceration (p = 0.004), mitotic activity (p < 0.001), < 2-cm margin (p < 0.001) and an increased neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.037). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with overall survival were CS, mitotic activity, and surgical margin. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with thick melanomas, overall survival is influenced by mitotic activity, a positive margin, and clinical stage.

ANTECEDENTES: Los estudios sobre factores pronóstico de melanoma están basados en poblaciones cau­cásicas, con predominio de melanomas delgados (Breslow < 3 mm). Los pacientes mexicanos muestran predominio de melanomas gruesos (Breslow ≥ 3 mm). OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asocia­dos al pronóstico de pacientes con melanomas gruesos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó la influencia pronóstica de factores clinico­patológicos en 362 melanomas gruesos. RESULTADOS: La mediana de Breslow fue de 7 mm, 271 (74.9 %) pacientes tuvieron melanoma acral y 49 (13.5 %) melanoma nodular. El 56.6 % de los pacientes se encontró en etapa clínica [EC] III), 269 (74.3 %) tenía ulceración y 15 (4.1 %) márgenes positivos. Las variables asociadas con menor supervivencia global [SG] fueron la EC (p < 0.001), Breslow (p = 0.044), ulceración (p = 0.004), mitosis (p < 0.001) y margen < 2 cm (p < 0.001) . En el análisis multivariante los factores que influyen en SG fueron la EC, mitosis y el margen quirúrgico. CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con melanomas gruesos la SG es influida por un margen positive, mitosis y EC.

Recommendations on the pharmacological treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer in Mexico.

Ovarian cancer is the third most frequent gynaecological malignancy worldwide and in Mexico, with a high mortality rate, due to that in many cases its diagnosis is made in advanced stages. Prognosis is important for determining the subtype and the degree of evolution. During lasts years, the management of ovarian cancer has undergone an important evolution with the incorporation of new therapeutic options, which in turn represent an increase in the survival of these patients. We present recommendations for the management of ovarian cancer developed by an expert panel Mexican based on available evidence so far and the characteristics of health care in the country.

El cáncer de ovario es la tercera neoplasia maligna ginecológica más frecuente globalmente y también en México, con una elevada tasa de mortalidad debido a que en muchos casos su diagnóstico se realiza en etapas avanzadas. Para establecer su pronóstico es importante la determinación del subtipo y del grado de evolución. En los últimos años, el manejo del cáncer de ovario ha sufrido una importante evolución con la incorporación de nuevas opciones terapéuticas, que a su vez representan un incremento en la supervivencia de estas pacientes. Se presentan las recomendaciones para el manejo del cáncer de ovario elaboradas por un panel de expertos mexicanos basadas en la evidencia disponible hasta el momento y en las características de la atención sanitaria del país.

Prognostic impact of microsatellite instability in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a common and deadly cancer. Several factors are associated with its prognosis; however, controversy exists about the role of microsatellite instability (MSI). We aimed to determine the 5-year overall survival (OS) of MSI in gastric adenocarcinoma. A cross-sectional study was carried out on gastric adenocarcinoma in clinical stages I to III treated with D2 gastrectomy between 2010-2013. MSI was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. We performed a survival analysis comparing cases with and without MSI. From 102 cases, 9.8% showed MSI. The median age was 63 years (range 33-91 years), and 57.8% were men. The more prevalent site of occurrence was the antrum (46.1%), 78.5% of the cases presented in stage III, 47.1% were of the diffuse type, 45.1% were of an intestinal type, and 7.8% were mixed. MSI cases were associated with lower clinical stages (stages I-II) and with better 5-year OS (100 vs. 47 months, p = 0.017). In a multivariate analysis, MSI was independently associated with better survival (HR = 0.209, 95% CI: 0.046-0.945, p = 0.042). MSI gastric cancers presented in early clinical stages and had favourable prognosis compared with non-MSI cancers.

The influence of body mass index on the survival of patients with melanoma. A cross-sectional study of 707 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been linked with an increased incidence of melanoma; however, there are few data about its impact on melanoma prognosis. We aimed to determine if there is an association between body mass index (BMI) and overall survival (OS) in 707 patients with melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 707 patients with melanoma collected consecutively from 2005 to 2015 with a diagnosis of melanoma, who were been diagnosed and treated in our institution and who had clinical follow-up was carried out. Survival analysis was performed comparing patients according to their BMI. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis, factors influencing the 5-year OS were a positive margin (HR = 3.475, 95% CI: 1.829-6.600), the clinical-stage (HR = 2.565, 95% CI: 2.020-3.257, per switch to the upper stage), ulceration (HR = 3.475, 95% CI: 1.829-6.600), and BMI (HR .905, p = 0.018 for the overweight group; HR = 0.663, p = 0.021 for obesity grade I). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had a BMI between 25 and 34.9 kg/m2 had better survival.

Diagnostic performance of intraoperative assessment in grade 2 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. Grade 2 carcinoma is associated with pelvic lymph-node metastasis, depending on selected risk factors. Intraoperative assessment (IOA) can identify patients at risk for lymph node metastasis who should undergo staging surgery. Our objective was to establish the diagnostic precision of IOA in determining the need for surgical staging in grade 2 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two patients underwent IOA. Results were compared to the final pathology report. The accuracy of the IOA parameters was calculated. Variables were evaluated in patients with positive versus negative IOA. Overall and disease-free survivals were calculated according to IOA, lymphadenectomy, and nodal metastasis. RESULTS: IOA was positive in 80 patients. It showed an accuracy of 76.13% when compared with the postoperative assessment. The best individual parameter was myometrial invasion. Nodal metastasis was observed in 16 patients in the positive IOA group and 7 patients in the negative group. Patients with lymph node metastasis had a 5-year overall survival rate of 80.9%, whereas patients without metastasis had a 5-year overall survival rate of 97.9%. CONCLUSIONS: IOA is an adequate tool to identify high-risk patients in grade 2 endometrial carcinoma. Myometrial invasion is the individual parameter that yields the highest diagnostic precision.

THERAPEUTIC USE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINES IN CERVICAL LESIONS.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with the development of precancerous lesions of the cervix and cervical cancer (CC). Prophylactic HPV vaccination induces the development of a specific memory immune response that facilitates HPV elimination once the natural infection occurs. At present, in addition to the prophylactic vaccine, therapeutic vaccines are being developed and researched with the aim of inducing an immune response that allows the elimination of HPV-infected cells. The purpose of this study is to describe the current evidence on the use of therapeutic vaccines and their effect on cervical precancerous lesions, to establish recommendations on their clinical use. So far, the studies that have generated results have described a marginal beneficial effect of the prophylactic vaccine in the management of infection and pre-invasive lesions. Based on the evidence, continuing research on the efficacy and safety of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions is recommended. The use of the HPV prophylactic vaccine as treatment for pre-existing lesions is not advised, but it is recommended to prevent new lesions.

Overall survival of patients with colon cancer and a prolonged time to surgery.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with the time to surgery (TTS) and survival in colon cancer (CC) have not been well studied. Our aim was to find if the TTS has changed in our institution over time and to determine if it influences the survival. METHODS: Retrospective cross-section study of 266 CC analyzed between two periods, and according to the quartiles of TTS, we performed a survival analysis. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years; there was no predominance of sex, and about half of the patients were in stage III. The median TTS was 38 days, and 75% of the cases were operated before 60 days. The median TTS for 2005 to 2010 was 36 days, while for 2011 to 2015 was 41 days (P = 0.107). The survival was not statistically different between cases (1) operated with a delayed TTS or not, (2) operated in four cut-off points of TTS, (3) two different periods of attention, and (4) according to the clinical stage. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association between the TTS with low survival. TTS has increased in the last period so we must work to make the diagnostic process more efficient in our patients to meet international quality standards.

Stage I-III colon cancer patients with tumor deposits behave similarly to stage IV patients. Cross-section analysis of 392 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tumor deposits (TDs) are associated with adverse prognostic factors and decreased survival in colorectal cancer. However, controversy exists regarding their definition, evaluation, and staging categories. This study aimed to determine the survival and recurrence impact of the TD in colon adenocarcinomas; and to determine if TD patients behave similarly to stage IV patients. METHODS: Cross-section study from 392 patients with colon adenocarcinoma from 2005 to 2012. We performed survival analysis and further stratified patients considering TD patients as a "stage IV-TD" to demonstrate if they behave similarly than stage IV patients. RESULTS: From 392 patients, 204 (52%) were men, the mean age was 57.4 ± 13.9 years and 11.5% of cases had TD. In a multivariate analysis, TD failed to predict mortality and recurrence. Considering cases with TD as stage IV-TD, their mean survival was similar to stage IV patients (69.3 and 64.6 months, respectively) and different to those in stage III (110.5 months), II (135.7 months), and I (114.9 months) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TD failed to predict mortality and recurrence. Patients with TD in stage I-III shows similar mortality than stage IV patients; then, we suggest putting them into a substage IV category instead of the N1c category.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: Survival Analysis of 715 Cases.

INTRODUCTION:: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is an aggressive variant of melanoma; the incidence, prevalence, and prognosis differ among populations. We analyzed clinicopathological features and survival in Hispanics, a population with high ALM prevalence. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: From 1144 patients with melanoma, we analyzed 715 ALMs and 429 non-ALMs from the National Referral Cancer Centre and compared survival. RESULTS:: Of the ALM group, 62.8% were female; the median age was 58 years. The mean Breslow thickness was 3.56 ± 7.16 mm. ALM patients showed an estimated 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of 53.3%, 52.7%, and 40.8% for stage I, II, and III, respectively. For non-ALM patients, the DSS rates were 66%, 60.8%, and 48.4% for stage I, II, and III disease, respectively. Overall, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year DSS rates for patients with ALM were 85.1%, 59.4%, and 46.3%, respectively; for non-ALM patients, they were 81.3%, 64.8%, and 55.7%, respectively ( P = .168). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with decreased DSS were high Breslow thickness, recurrence, ulceration, male sex, and advanced stage. CONCLUSIONS:: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DSS rates of patients with ALM were not statistically different from those of non-ALM patients. In addition to known adverse prognostic factors, male sex was also associated with worse survival.

Prognostic factors associated with uterine sarcomas: the experience of a single institution.

Uterine sarcomas are infrequent and heterogeneous mesenchymal tumours, associated with aggressive characteristics and a poor clinical outcome. The aim of the study is to describe the prognostic factors associated with uterine sarcomas. The clinical records between 2000 and 2014 of women diagnosed with uterine sarcomas and initially treated surgically were reviewed. A histological comparison was performed. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated and compared. Seventy-three women had surgery (12.3% had endometrial stromal sarcomas, 24.7% undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas, 49.3% leiomyosarcomas and 13.7% other subtypes). Complete cytoreduction had a mean DFS of 25.1 months, while the incomplete cytoreduction averaged in a DFS of 4.33 months (p = .04). The median five-year OS with a complete cytoreduction was not reached; the incomplete cytoreduction OS was 10.1 months (p = .002). Our data suggests that undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas have the lowest DFS (p = .004); while OS was negatively influence by stage IV (p < .001). Impact statement What is already known about this subject? Uterine sarcomas compared with the more common endometrial carcinomas (epithelial neoplasms), behave aggressively and are associated with a poorer prognosis. The rarity of uterine sarcoma has made it difficult to perform large studies to identify risk factors. What do the results of this study add? Complete cytoreduction improves the DFS and OS and may be a valuable prognostic factor. Poorer DFS and OS prognosis was observed in undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our results demonstrate the importance of an early diagnosis, and thus an early identification of disease that benefits from complete cytoreduction regardless of histology. For the advanced clinical stage of uterine sarcomas further research is necessary and participation in clinical trials should be encouraged.

[Clasificación molecular del carcinoma de colon y recto. Una revisión corta].

Traditionally, carcinoma classifications have been based on clinical or pathological features. However, with the development of molecular biology in recent decades, more tumors are increasingly being genetically studied and, in several of them, molecular classifications have been created (the most widely studied and used is that for breast cancer). Colon and rectum cancer are no exception. In this short review, the evolution of colon and rectum cancer molecular classification is explained and the consensus conclusions on the subject are addressed.

Tradicionalmente las clasificaciones de los carcinomas se han basado en características clínicas o patológicas. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas, con el desarrollo de la biología molecular, cada vez más tumores se están estudiando genéticamente y en varios se han creado clasificaciones moleculares (la más estudiada y utilizada es la de cáncer de mama). El cáncer de colon y recto no es la excepción. En esta revisión corta se explica la evolución de la clasificación molecular del cáncer de colon y recto y se abordan los conclusiones consensuadas al respecto.

Tumour budding in rectal cancer. A comprehensive review.

A unique and fundamental characteristic of malignant neoplastic cells is their ability to invade other tissues and metastasise. The first step in this process is the dissociation of some of these cells from the tumour invasion front, named tumour budding (TB). This phenomenon has become increasingly relevant in recent years due to its association with adverse clinicopathological characteristics and with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. TB has been studied by mixing colon with rectal tumours, but it is clinically important to differentiate these types of tumours. A review in two databases without language restriction was performed from 1950 to 2017 about TB with an emphasis on rectal cancer. We present various aspects of TB, from its terminology and evaluation to its molecular aspects, through its clinical associations. TB is associated with adverse clinicopathological features, like lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and decreased survival. More studies of the clinicopathological, molecular, and epidemiological characteristics of TB in rectal cancer are needed.

Overweight but not obesity is associated with decreased survival in rectal cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyse the influence of overweight and obesity in disease-specific survival (DSS) in rectal cancers at stages I-III in a population with high prevalence of overweight/obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The population (N = 304) consisted of Mexican patients with stage I-III rectal cancer during the period between 2009 and 2015. Patients were divided based on their body mass index (BMI) into normal weight 18-25 kg/m2, overweight 25-29 kg/m2, and obesity BMI > 30 kg/m2 groups. Comparison of clinicopathologic features and survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 50-65) and the mean BMI was 26.03 ±4.06 kg/m2. Patients in the obesity and overweight groups received a lower proportion of preoperative treatment and had a higher proportion of patients in stage II. Overweight patients had a lower baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and lower survival rate than patients with normal weight and with obesity (mean survival of 69.5 months vs. 81.15 months and 86.4 months, respectively). The estimated five-year DSS was 51% for the overweight group, 81% for the normal group, and 82% for the obesity group (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage I-III rectal cancer in the overweight group showed a lower DSS compared to groups with normal weight and with obesity, with the last two being similar.