Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes worldwide.

The first Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery was published in 2015 and serves as a landmark paper in the field of cancer surgery. The Commission highlighted the burden of cancer and the importance of cancer surgery, while documenting the many inadequacies in the ability to deliver safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgical care. This Commission builds on the first Commission by focusing on solutions and actions to improve access to cancer surgery globally, developed by drawing upon the expertise from cancer surgery leaders across the world. We present solution frameworks in nine domains that can improve access to cancer surgery. These nine domains were refined to identify solutions specific to the six WHO regions. On the basis of these solutions, we developed eight actions to propel essential improvements in the global capacity for cancer surgery. Our initiatives are broad in scope, pragmatic, affordable, and contextually applicable, and aimed at cancer surgeons as well as leaders, administrators, elected officials, and health policy advocates. We envision that the solutions and actions contained within the Commission will address inequities and promote safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgery for every patient, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.

Entrustable professional activities in postgraduate general surgery training: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The competency-based medical education (CBME) movement continues to gain momentum in postgraduate physician training, resulting in increasing interest among surgical training programmes on how to implement it effectively. Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) were introduced to connect competencies (characteristics/abilities of learners) and the professional activities to be entrusted to them on qualification/graduation. Although reviews related to the field of general surgery have been published on specific aspects of CBME, for example, workplace-based assessment, there is a paucity of published guidance available for surgeon-educators to plan and implement CBME using an EPA framework. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the current use of EPAs in general surgery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will be based on the original five-stage approach described by Arksey and O'Malley with the addition of protocol-specific items from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews. The primary research question focuses on describing how EPAs have been used in general surgery and where potential gaps remain that warrant further study. The review will include peer-reviewed journal publications and an extensive review of grey literature sources. The following databases will be searched for published literature from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2022: PubMed; CINAHL, Africa-Wide Information, PsycInfo and ERIC (via EBSCOhost); Scopus; and SciELO (via Web of Science). Studies that describe the use of EPAs for curriculum design, teaching and/or assessment of competence in postgraduate general surgery training will be eligible for inclusion. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The institutional ethics board of the University of Cape Town has granted a waiver of formal approval requirement. The dissemination strategy includes publication of results in peer-reviewed journals, presentation at international conferences and presentation to relevant stakeholders as deemed appropriate.

Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis.

A palpable breast lump is a common presentation of breast disease to a general practitioner. Fortunately, investigation of most of these lumps will lead to a benign diagnosis. It is essential to have a clear and systematic approach when investigating a palpable breast lump to avoid over investigation with the resultant increase in healthcare cost and anxiety. This article will discuss an approach to evaluating and diagnosing a palpable breast lump in the primary care setting.

Trends in Diagnosis of Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm With Papillarylike Nuclear Features and Total Thyroidectomies for Patients With Papillary Thyroid Neoplasms.

Importance: Increasing detection of early-stage papillary thyroid neoplasms without improvements in mortality has prompted development of strategies to prevent or mitigate overtreatment. Objective: To determine adoption rates of 2 recent strategies developed to limit overtreatment of low-risk thyroid cancers: (1) a new classification, noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillarylike nuclear features (NIFTP), and (2) hemithyroidectomy for selected papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) up to 4 cm in size. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a cross-sectional analysis of 3368 pathology records of 2 cohorts of patients from 18 hospitals in 6 countries during 2 time periods (2015 and 2019). Participating hospitals were included from the US (n = 12), Canada (n = 2), Denmark (n = 1), South Korea (n = 1), South Africa (n = 1), and India (n = 1). The records of the first 100 patients per institution for each year who underwent thyroid-directed surgery (hemithyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, or completion thyroidectomy) were reviewed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Frequency of diagnosis of NIFTP, PTCs, and thyroidectomies during the study period. Results: Of the 790 papillary thyroid neoplasms captured in the 2019 cohort, 38 (4.8%) were diagnosed as NIFTP. Diagnosis of NIFTP was observed in the US, South Africa, and India. There was minimal difference in the total proportion of PTCs in the 2015 cohort compared with the 2019 cohort (778 [47.1%] vs 752 [44.5%]; difference, 2.6% [95% CI, -16.9% to 22.1%]). The proportion of PTCs eligible for hemithyroidectomy but treated with total thyroidectomy in the 2 cohorts demonstrated a decreasing trend from 2015 to 2019 (341 of 453 [75.3%] vs 253 of 434 [58.3%]; difference, 17.0% [95% CI, -1.2% to 35.2%]). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study showed that the 2 mitigation strategies for preventing overtreatment of early-stage thyroid cancer have had mixed success. The diagnosis of NIFTP has only been applied to a small proportion of thyroid neoplasms compared with expected rates. However, more patients eligible for hemithyroidectomy received it in 2019 compared with 2015, showing some success with this deescalation strategy.

Contraceptive needs and fertility intentions of women with breast cancer in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: No known studies have been undertaken in South Africa exploring the contraceptive and fertility needs and preferences of women of reproductive age (18-49) diagnosed with breast cancer. This study set out to understand the contraceptive needs and fertility intentions of women with breast cancer in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 4 health care providers at a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. We explored contraceptive use prior to diagnosis; the impact of breast cancer on future fertility intentions and contraceptive use; understanding of suitable contraceptive methods during and after treatment and women's fertility related counseling needs during their continuum of care. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, of those women using a contraceptive method, the non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) was the most commonly used method. However, women reported receiving limited information from health care providers about contraceptive use and future fertility planning post treatment when fertility desires might change. Many women reported limited information received from healthcare providers about the impact of cancer treatment on their future fertility. Most women did not receive information around fertility preservation options, and few were familiar with the concept. Providers focus was more on preventing pregnancy during treatment and ensuring a patient was on a non-hormonal contraceptive method. Providers supported a more holistic, multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer patient's contraceptive and future fertility needs. CONCLUSIONS: Limited contraceptive and future fertility counseling were reported by women despite many women being provided with the IUD. There is a need for improved information and counseling regarding the impact of treatment on contraceptive and fertility options. It is important that cancer care providers provide timely information regarding fertility options and communicate with patients about their fertility concerns prior to treatment and throughout the course of survivorship. The development of evidence-based information tools to enhance patient-provider communication and counseling could address knowledge gaps.

African Head and Neck Society Clinical Practice guidelines for thyroid nodules and cancer in developing countries and limited resource settings.

BACKGROUND: International thyroid nodule and cancer management guidelines generally fail to take into account potential limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources. METHODS: Thyroid cancer specialists from the African Head and Neck Society and American Head & Neck Society Endocrine Section developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion, with level of evidence defined. RESULTS: Using the ADAPTE process, diagnostic and treatment algorithms were adapted from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Low resource settings were simulated by systematically removing elements such as availability of laboratory testing, hormone replacement, imaging, and cytopathology from NCCN guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Successful management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings requires adaptation of treatment methodologies. These guidelines define specific scenarios where either more or less aggressive intervention for thyroid pathology may be advisable based on limited available resources.

An autologous dendritic cell vaccine polarizes a Th-1 response which is tumoricidal to patient-derived breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death worldwide. Conventional treatment is associated with substantial toxicity and suboptimal efficacy. We, therefore, developed and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of an autologous dendritic cell (DC) vaccine to treat breast cancer. We recruited 12 female patients with stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer and matured their DCs with autologous tumour-specific lysate, a toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 and 7/8 agonist, and an interferon-containing cocktail. The efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated by its ability to elicit a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to autologous breast cancer cells in vitro. Matured DCs (≥ 60% upregulation of CD80, CD86, CD83, and CCR7) produced high levels of the Th1 effector cytokine, IL12-p70 (1.2 ng/ml; p < 0.0001), compared to DCs pulsed with tumour lysate, or matured with an interferon-containing cocktail alone. We further showed that matured DCs enhance antigen-specific CD8 + T-cell responses to HER-2 (4.5%; p < 0.005) and MUC-1 (19%; p < 0.05) tetramers. The mature DCs could elicit a robust and dose-dependent antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (65%) which was tumoricidal to autologous breast cancer cells in vitro compared to T-lymphocytes that were primed with autologous lysate loaded-DCs (p < 0.005). Lastly, we showed that the mature DCs post-cryopreservation maintained high viability, maintained their mature phenotype, and remained free of endotoxins or mycoplasma. We have developed a DC vaccine that is cytotoxic to autologous breast cancer cells in vitro. The tools and technology generated here will now be applied to a phase I/IIa clinical trial.

From symptom discovery to treatment - women's pathways to breast cancer care: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Typically, women in South Africa (SA) are diagnosed with breast cancer when they self-present with symptoms to health facilities. The aim of this study was to determine the pathway that women follow to breast cancer care and factors associated with this journey. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape Province, SA, between May 2015 and May 2016. Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were interviewed to determine their socio-demographic profile; knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms; appraisal of breast changes; clinical profile and; key time events in the journey to care. The Model of Pathways to Treatment Framework underpinned the analysis. The total time (TT) between a woman noticing the first breast change and the date of scheduled treatment was divided into 3 intervals: the patient interval (PI); the diagnostic interval (DI) and the pre-treatment interval (PTI). For the PI, DI and PTI a bivariate comparison of median time intervals by various characteristics was conducted using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Cox Proportional-Hazards models were used to identify factors independently associated with the PI, DI and PTI. RESULTS: The median age of the 201 participants was 54 years, and 22% presented with late stage disease. The median TT was 110 days, with median patient, diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals of 23, 28 and 37 days respectively. Factors associated with the PI were: older age (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.59, 95% CI 0.40-0.86), initial symptom denial (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.97) and waiting for a lump to increase in size before seeking care (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.77). Women with co-morbidities had a significantly longer DI (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96) as did women who mentioned denial of initial breast symptoms (HR 4.61, 95% CI 1.80-11.78). The PTI was associated with late stage disease at presentation (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.15-2.76). CONCLUSION: The Model of Pathways to Treatment provides a useful framework to explore patient's journeys to care and identified opportunities for targeted interventions.

Detecting Breast Cancer with a Dual-Modality Device.

Although mammography has been the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer, if a woman has dense breast tissue, a false negative diagnosis may occur. Breast ultrasound, whether hand-held or automated, is a useful adjunct to mammography but adds extra time and cost. The primary aim was to demonstrate that our second-generation Aceso system, which combines full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) in a single platform, is able to produce improved quality images that provide clinically meaningful results. Aceso was first tested using two industry standards: a Contrast Detail Mammography (CDMAM) phantom to assess the FFDM images, and the CIRS 054GS phantom to evaluate the ABUS images. In addition, 25 women participated in a clinical trial: 14 were healthy volunteers, while 11 were patients referred by the breast clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital. The CDMAM phantom results showed the FFDM results were better than the European Reference (EUREF) standard of "acceptable" and were approaching "achievable". The ABUS results showed a lateral and axial spatial resolution of 0.5 mm and an adequate depth penetration of 80 mm. Our second-generation Aceso system, with its improved quality of clinical FFDM and ABUS images, has demonstrated its potential for the early detection of breast cancer in a busy clinic.

Understanding pathways to breast cancer diagnosis among women in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore and understand women's pathways to breast cancer diagnosis and factors influencing this journey. DESIGN AND SETTING: Indepth interviews were conducted with clients at a tertiary level breast cancer clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. A thematic analysis was performed underpinned by the theoretical concepts of the Model of Pathways to Treatment framework. PARTICIPANTS: 20 women were interviewed within 1 week of being diagnosed with breast cancer. RESULTS: The average time between discovery of bodily changes to breast cancer diagnosis was 8.5 months. Deficits in breast self-awareness and knowledge of breast cancer symptoms delayed women's interpretation of bodily changes as being abnormal. All women first noticed breast lumps; however, many did not perceive it as abnormal until additional symptoms were present. General good health, attribution of symptoms to ageing, and past benign breast disease resulted in women being complacent about bodily changes. Disclosure to family members served as a trigger to seek healthcare. The initial type of primary level care services women accessed was influenced by perceptions of care each service provided, finances, structural factors, and personal safety related to the physical location of services. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom appraisal and interpretation contributed significantly to delayed presentation. To improve timely diagnosis of breast cancer, interventions that increase women's confidence in detecting breast changes, improve knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, address myths, and encourage prompt help-seeking behaviour are required.

Pre-operative diagnosis of thyroid cancer: clinical, radiological and pathological correlation.

AIM: Ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) are the mainstays of diagnosing thyroid cancer accurately and reducing the number of diagnostic lobectomies. No benchmark for diagnostic accuracy has been published in the South African context. This single-institution study addresses this deficit. METHODS: The oncology, pathology and surgical records of all patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma from 2004 to 2010 at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, were reviewed and data were recorded on a standardised confidential proforma. The findings on pre-operative clinical assessment, ultrasound and FNAB were correlated with the histopathology results. Diagnostic accuracy for thyroid cancer was determined by correlating pre-operative investigations with the final diagnosis. Sensitivity of ultrasound and FNAB were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients, 79 female and 30 male, were identified. The majority (99, 90.8%) had well-differentiated thyroid cancers (56 papillary, 30 follicular, 10 mixed and 3 Hurtle cell carcinomas). There were 6 anaplastic and 4 medullary carcinomas. Of the 109 patients 38 had a definite pre-operative diagnosis, in 61 a malignant tumour was suspected, and 10 had surgery for benign disease. FNAB was inadequate in 11 cases and the findings indicated a benign lesion in 47, a suspicious lesion in 13 and a malignant lesion in 38 patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma. FNAB diagnosed all patients with medullary and anaplastic carcinoma but less than half of those with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Ultrasound scans detected at least one suspicious feature in 44 patients. Microcalcification was the most common sign. CONCLUSION: The rate of pre-operative diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas in this unit is under 50%, well below international norms. Our standard practice needs to change to include ultrasound-guided FNAB and standardised reporting of high-resolution ultrasound and cytology, before reassessment of our diagnostic accuracy.

Kaposi sarcoma in children with HIV: a clinical series from Red Cross Children's Hospital.

AIM: The study aimed to assess the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Kaposi sarcoma in our HIV-positive paediatric population; analyse the increase in Kaposi sarcoma with the HIV epidemic; and look at unique surgical presentations and their implications for gastrointestinal surveillance. The incidence of Kaposi sarcoma, a herpesvirus 8-associated neoplasm of endothelial cells, has increased with the onset of the HIV epidemic. Surgical interest was prompted by a case of Kaposi sarcoma presenting with intussusception. METHODS: All HIV-positive children with Kaposi sarcoma from 2003 to 2007 were included in the study. A retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed. MAIN RESULTS: There were 9 children who ranged in age from 1 to 10 years (median, 7.1 years). Clinical presentations included oropalatal and laryngeal disease (5), pleural effusion (2), inguinoscrotal and skin disease (4), lymph node involvement (3), and gastrointestinal disease with haemorrhage (2), including one as a result of intussusception. Most patients presented with more than one clinical area involved. CD4 counts ranged from 14 to 2105. Two patients developed Kaposi sarcoma on antiretroviral treatment (ART); the remaining patients were started on antiretroviral treatment at presentation. Two patients died from overwhelming disseminated disease and one patient was lost to follow-up. Chemotherapy was required to achieve remission in the remaining 6. Before the HIV epidemic, this hospital treated one patient with Kaposi sarcoma every 4 years; the incidence has now increased to 2 patients per year. CONCLUSION: Kaposi sarcoma is an increasingly important paediatric cancer in the era of the HIV epidemic. The clinical presentation in children is commonly oropalatal and inguinoscrotal disease. Gastrointestinal involvement was highlighted by a presentation with intussusception. The surgeon's role in diagnosis and management includes clinical recognition, biopsy, and definitive treatment.