British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults.

Deaths from the majority of cancers are falling globally, but the incidence and mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United Kingdom and in other Western countries. HCC is a highly fatal cancer, often diagnosed late, with an incidence to mortality ratio that approaches 1. Despite there being a number of treatment options, including those associated with good medium to long-term survival, 5-year survival from HCC in the UK remains below 20%. Sex, ethnicity and deprivation are important demographics for the incidence of, and/or survival from, HCC. These clinical practice guidelines will provide evidence-based advice for the assessment and management of patients with HCC. The clinical and scientific data underpinning the recommendations we make are summarised in detail. Much of the content will have broad relevance, but the treatment algorithms are based on therapies that are available in the UK and have regulatory approval for use in the National Health Service.

The ASCENT Trial: a phase 2 study of induction and consolidation afatinib and chemoradiation with or without surgery in stage III EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: The role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in early-stage and metastatic oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is established, but it remains unknown how best to integrate TKIs with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) in locally advanced disease. The phase 2 ASCENT trial assessed the efficacy and safety of afatinib and cCRT with or without surgery in locally advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults ≥18 years with histologically confirmed stage III (AJCC 7th edition) NSCLC with activating EGFR mutations were enrolled at Mass General and Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Centers, Boston, Massachusetts. Patients received induction afatinib 40 mg daily for 2 months, then cisplatin 75 mg/m2 and pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks during RT (definitive or neoadjuvant dosing). Patients with resectable disease underwent surgery. All patients were offered consolidation afatinib for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) to induction TKI. Secondary endpoints were safety, conversion to operability, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Analyses were performed on the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (median age 56 years; 74% female) were enrolled. ORR to induction afatinib was 63%. Seventeen patients received cCRT; 2/9 previously unresectable became resectable. Ten underwent surgery; 6 had a major or complete pathological response. Thirteen received consolidation afatinib. With a median follow-up of 5.0 years, median PFS and OS were 2.6 (95% CI, 1.4-3.1) and 5.8 years (2.9-NR), respectively. Sixteen recurred or died; 6 recurrences were isolated to CNS. The median time to progression after stopping consolidation TKI was 2.9 months (95% CI, 1.1-7.2). Four developed grade 2 pneumonitis. There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: We explored the efficacy of combining TKI with cCRT in oncogene-driven NSCLC. Induction TKI did not compromise subsequent receipt of multimodality therapy. PFS was promising, but the prevalence of CNS-only recurrences and rapid progression after TKI discontinuation speak to unmet needs in measuring and eradicating micrometastatic disease.

Uterine Transposition.

In this video, we review the steps of uterine transposition, emphasizing robotic trocar placement and docking, how to optimize organ manipulation and tissue handling, and our pearls for successful perioperative management. The patient is a 27-year-old woman with T2 node-positive rectal cancer. Uterine transposition is a new surgical procedure with limited information regarding outcomes. Although evolving over time, we present our preferred patient selection criteria and identify key stakeholders, which include colorectal surgeons, radiation oncologists, fertility specialists, social workers, and radiologists.

Frailty Increases Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Oncological Liver Resections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Considered to reflect a patients' biological age, frailty is a new syndrome shown to predict surgical outcomes in elderly patients. In view of the increasing age at which patients are proposed oncological liver surgery and the morbidity associated with it, we attempted to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare morbidity and mortality between frail and nonfrail patients after liver resections. METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed for all comparative studies examining surgical outcomes after liver resections between frail and nonfrail patients. RESULTS: Ten studies were included based on the selection criteria with a total of 71,102 patients, split into two groups: frail (n = 17,167) and the control group (n = 53,928). There were more elderly patients with a lower preoperative albumin level in the frail group (p = 0.02, p = 0.001). Frail patients showed higher rates of morbidity with more major complications and a higher incidence of postoperative liver failure (p < 0.001). Mortality (p < 0.001) and readmission rate (p = 0.021) also was higher in frail patients. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty seems to be a solid predictive risk factor of morbidity and mortality after liver surgery and should be considered a selection criterion for liver surgery in at-risk patients.

The Top Ten Annals of Surgical Oncology Original Articles on Twitter/X: 2020-2023.

Social media has become omnipresent in society, especially given that it enables the rapid and widespread communication of news, events, and information. Social media platforms have become increasingly used by numerous surgical societies to promote meetings and surgical journals to increase the visibility of published content. In September 2020, Annals of Surgical Oncology (ASO) established its Social Media Committee (SMC), which has worked to steadily increase the visibility of published content on social media platforms, namely X (formerly known as Twitter). The purpose of this review is to highlight the 10 ASO original articles with the most engagement on X, based on total number of mentions, since the founding of the SMC. These articles encompass a wide variety of topics from various oncologic disciplines including hepatopancreatobiliary, breast, and gynecologic surgery.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Oncological Surgeries: CORONAL Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on postoperative recovery from oncology surgeries should be understood for the clinical decision-making. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the postoperative cumulative 28-day mortality and the morbidity of surgical oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients consecutively admitted to intensive care units (ICU) of three centres for postoperative care of oncologic surgeries between March to June 2019 (first phase) and March to June 2020 (second phase). The primary outcome was cumulative 28-day postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative organic dysfunction and the incidence of clinical complications. Because of the possibility of imbalance between groups, adjusted analyses were performed: Cox proportional hazards model (primary outcome) and multiple logistic regression model (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: After screening 328 patients, 291 were included. The proportional hazard of cumulative 28-day mortality was higher in the second phase than that in the first phase in the Cox model, with the adjusted hazard ratio of 4.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15-8.82). The adjusted incidences of respiratory complications (odds ratio [OR] 5.35; 95% CI 1.42-20.11) and pulmonary infections (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.08-2.17) were higher in the second phase. However, the adjusted incidence of other infections was lower in the second phase (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical oncology patients who underwent postoperative care in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher hazard of 28-day mortality. Furthermore, these patients had higher odds of respiratory complications and pulmonary infections. Trials registration The study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under the code RBR-8ygjpqm, UTN code U1111-1293-5414.

Detection of Residual Peritoneal Metastases Following Cytoreductive Surgery Using Pegsitacianine, a pH-Sensitive Imaging Agent: Final Results from a Phase II Study.

BACKGROUND: For patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, extent of disease and completeness of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) are major prognostic factors for long-term survival. Assessment of these factors could be improved using imaging agents. Pegsitacianine is a pH-sensitive polymeric micelle conjugated to the fluorophore indocyanine green. The micelle disassembles in acidic microenvironments, such as tumors, resulting in localized fluorescence unmasking. We assessed the utility of pegsitacianine in detecting residual disease following CRS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: NCT04950166 was a phase II, non-randomized, open-label, multicenter US study. Patients eligible for CRS were administered an intravenous dose of pegsitacianine at 1 mg/kg 24-72 h before surgery. Following CRS, the peritoneal cavity was reexamined under near-infrared (NIR) illumination to evaluate for fluorescent tissue. Fluorescent tissue identified was excised and evaluated by histopathology. The primary outcome was the rate of clinically significant events (CSE), defined as detection of histologically confirmed residual disease excised with pegsitacianine or a revision in the assessment of completeness of CRS. Secondary outcomes included acceptable safety and pegsitacianine performance. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were screened, 50 enrolled, and 40 were evaluable for CSE across six primary tumor types. Residual disease was detected with pegsitacianine in 20 of 40 (50%) patients. Pegsitacianine showed high sensitivity and was well tolerated with no serious adverse events (SAEs). Transient treatment-related, non-anaphylactic infusion reactions occurred in 28% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pegsitacianine was well tolerated and facilitated the recognition of occult residual disease following CRS. The high rate of residual disease detected suggests that the use of pegsitacianine augmented surgeon assessment and performance during CRS.

Surgeon Perspectives on the Management of Aborted Cancer Surgery: Results of a Society of Surgical Oncology Member Survey.

BACKGROUND: While surgery is generally necessary for most solid-organ cancers, curative-intent resection is occasionally aborted due to unanticipated unresectability or occult metastases. Following aborted cancer surgery (ACS), patients have unique and complex care needs and yet little is known about the optimal approach to their management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define the practice patterns and perspectives of an international cohort of cancer surgeons on the management of ACS. METHODS: A validated survey assessing surgeon perspectives on patient care needs and management following ACS was developed. The survey was distributed electronically to members of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO). RESULTS: Among 190 participating surgeons, mean age was 49 ± 11 years, 69% were male, 61% worked at an academic institution, and most had a clinical practice focused on liver/pancreas (30%), breast (23%), or melanoma/sarcoma cancers (20%). Participants estimated that ACS occurred in 7 ± 6% of their cancer operations, most often due to occult metastases (67%) or local unresectability (30%). Most surgeons felt (very) comfortable addressing their patients' surgical needs (92%) and cancer treatment-related questions (90%), but fewer expressed comfort addressing psychosocial needs (83%) or symptom-control needs (69%). While they perceived discussing next available therapies as the patients' most important priority after ACS, surgeons reported avoiding postoperative complications as their most important priority (p < 0.001). While 61% and 27% reported utilizing palliative care and psychosocial oncology, respectively, in these situations, 46% noted care coordination as a barrier to addressing patient care needs. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this SSO member survey suggest that ACS is relatively common and associated with unique patient care needs. Surgeons may feel less comfortable assessing psychosocial and symptom-control needs, highlighting the need for novel patient-centered approaches.

Sarcoma Size and Limb Dimensions Predict Complications, Recurrence, and Death in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the Thigh: A Multidimensional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Limb-sparing resections of thigh soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) can result in adverse outcomes. Identifying preoperative predictors for wound healing complications, tumor recurrence, and mortality is crucial for informed reconstructive decision-making. We hypothesized that preoperative measurements of thigh and tumor dimensions could serve as reliable indicators for postoperative complications, recurrence, and death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study conducted from March 2016 to December 2021, we analyzed patients undergoing thigh STS excisions followed by reconstruction. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans provided necessary thigh and tumor dimensions. Univariate and multivariate regression assessed relationships between these dimensions and postoperative outcomes, including complications, recurrence, and death. RESULTS: Upon the analysis of 123 thighs, we found thigh width to be highly predictive of postoperative complications, even surpassing body mass index (BMI) and retaining significance in multivariate regression [odds ratio (OR) 1.19; 95% CI 1.03-1.39; p = 0.03]. Sarcoma-to-thigh width and thickness ratios predicted STS recurrence, with the thickness ratio retaining significance in multivariate regression (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.001-1.05; p = 0.041). Notably, greater thigh thickness was independently protective against mortality in multivariate analysis (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.65-0.98; p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Thigh width outperformed BMI in association with postoperative complications. This may create an opportunity for intervention, where weight loss can play a role during the neoadjuvant therapy period to potentially reduce complications. Sarcoma-to-thigh width and thickness ratios, particularly the latter, hold substantial predictive value in terms of STS recurrence. Moreover, thigh thickness is an independent predictor of survival.

Heterogeneity of small duct- and large duct-type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

AIMS: The histological subtype of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is associated with different mutational characteristics that impact clinical management. So far, data are lacking on the presence of small duct iCCA (SD-iCCA) and large duct iCCA (LD-iCCA) in a single patient. The aim of the current study was to determine the presence and degree of intratumoural heterogeneity of SD- and LD-iCCA features in different tumour regions. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients treated with surgically resected iCCA at Frankfurt University Hospital between December 2005 and March 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Histomorphological features of SD- and LD-iCCA were evaluated by an expert hepatobiliary pathologist. Tissue samples suspicious for subtype heterogeneity were further investigated. Immunohistochemistry for N-cadherin, S100P, MUC5AC, MUC6, TFF1 and AGR2 and mutational profiling with the Illumina TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) assay were performed separately for the SD- and LD-iCCA regions. Of 129 patients with surgically resected iCCA, features of either SD- or LD-iCCA were present in 67.4% (n = 87) and 24.8% of the patients (n = 32), respectively; 7.8% (n = 10) had histomorphological features of both SD- and LD-iCCA, seven patients (5.4%) of which had sufficient formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue for further analysis. Heterogeneity of both subtypes could be confirmed with immunohistochemistry. In five of seven (71.4%) patients, molecular profiling revealed intratumoural differences in genetic alterations between the SD- and LD-iCCA region. In one patient, a BRAF mutation (p.V600E) was found in the SD-iCCA but not in the LD-iCCA region of the tumour. CONCLUSIONS: A marked portion of patients with iCCA exhibits both SD- and LD-iCCA in different tumour regions. In case of the presence of histopathological heterogeneity, mutational profiling should be considered to avoid missing therapeutically relevant genetic alterations.

A systematic methodology review of fluorescence-guided cancer surgery to inform the development of a core master protocol and outcome set.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence-guided precision cancer surgery may improve survival and minimize patient morbidity. Efficient development of promising interventions is however hindered by a lack of common methodology. This methodology review aimed to synthesize descriptions of technique, governance processes, surgical learning and outcome reporting in studies of fluorescence-guided cancer surgery to provide guidance for the harmonized design of future studies. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases from 2016-2020 identified studies of all designs describing the use of fluorescence in cancer surgery. Dual screening and data extraction was conducted by two independent teams. RESULTS: Of 13,108 screened articles, 426 full text articles were included. The number of publications per year increased from 66 in 2016 to 115 in 2020. Indocyanine green was the most commonly used fluorescence agent (391, 91.8%). The most common reported purpose of fluorescence guided surgery was for lymph node mapping (195, 5%) and non-specific tumour visualization (94, 2%). Reporting about surgical learning and governance processes incomplete. A total of 2,577 verbatim outcomes were identified, with the commonly reported outcome lymph node detection (796, 30%). Measures of recurrence (32, 1.2%), change in operative plan (23, 0.9%), health economics (2, 0.1%), learning curve (2, 0.1%) and quality of life (2, 0.1%) were rarely reported. CONCLUSION: There was evidence of methodological heterogeneity that may hinder efficient evaluation of fluorescence surgery. Harmonization of the design of future studies may streamline innovation.

Disparities in Survival and NCCN Guideline-Concordant Care in Patients With Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Based on the NCCN Guidelines for Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS), treatment of extremity STS (ESTS) includes radiation therapy (RT) and surgical resection for tumors that are high-grade and >5 cm. ​​The aim of this study was to describe the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), concordance with NCCN Guidelines recommendations, and outcomes in patients with ESTS. METHODS: Patients with ESTS diagnosed from 2006 through 2018 were identified in SEER registries. The analytic cohort was restricted to patients with high-grade tumors >5 cm without nodal or distant metastases who received limb-sparing surgery. Patient demographics and tumor characteristics associated with receipt of RT were analyzed using adjusted regression analyses. Kaplan-Meier curves and adjusted accelerated failure time models were used to examine disparities in cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Of 2,249 patients, 29.0% (n=648) received neoadjuvant RT, 49.7% (n=1,111) received adjuvant or intraoperative RT, and 21.3% (n=476) did not receive RT. In adjusted analyses, lower nSES was associated with lower likelihood of receiving RT (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.57-0.87]; P<.001). Low nSES was associated with worse cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.01-1.40]; P=.04). Race and ethnicity were not significant predictors of receipt of RT or cancer-specific survival in the fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from lower nSES areas were less likely to receive NCCN Guideline-recommended RT for their ESTS and had worse cancer-specific survival. Efforts to better define and resolve disparities in the treatment and survival of patients with ESTS are warranted.

Population-based survival analysis of primary spinal chordoma in the US from 2000 to 2020.

PURPOSE: Chordomas are rare malignant tumors that occur primarily in the axial skeleton. We seek to analyze trends affecting five-year overall survival (5y OS) among patients with primary spinal chordomas (PSC) of the vertebrae and sacrum/pelvis. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program was used to identify patients with PSC (ICD-O-3 histology codes 9370/3, 9371/3, and 9372/3) of the spine or sacrum/pelvis. Multivariate and univariate survival analyses were conducted to assess demographic, disease, or treatment characteristic trends. RESULTS: Eight-hundred-ninety-six patients diagnosed with PSC were identified. Patients 0-54 years at diagnosis had improved 5y OS compared to those either 55-69 years (HR = 1.78; p = 0.046) or those between 70 and 85 + years (HR = 3.92; p < 0.001). Histology impacted 5y OS: Cox regression demonstrated variance among the three histologies assessed (p < 0.001), while univariate analysis demonstrated patients with dedifferentiated chordoma (1.0% of cohort; 33.3% [1.9,64.7]) and chondroid chordoma (2.0% of cohort; 52.5% [26.1,78.9]) had decreased 5y OS compared to those with general chordoma (72.2% [68.8,75.6]; p < 0.001). Nonmarried patients had decreased 5y OS on univariate analysis (65.2% [59.4,71.0] versus 76.2% [72.0,80.4]), with widowed patients being the primary driver of this on subanalysis. Treatment with gross total resection was associated with increased 5y OS (HR = 0.22, p < 0.001), as was treatment with radiotherapy (HR = 0.69, p = 0.030). CONCLUSION: Patient age and marital status were significant demographic factors associated with changes in 5y OS among those with PSC. PSC histology is a potentially important prognostic factor in the management of disease.

A Preliminary Phenomenological Exploration of Experiences of the Empty Pelvis Syndrome Derived From a Modified-Delphi: The Price of Survival Following Pelvic Exenteration for Advanced Pelvic Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) is common after pelvic exenteration (PE), causing fluid collections, bowel obstruction, perineal sinuses, and fistulas. The best approach to fill the pelvis to mitigate this remains controversial, and the impact of EPS on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) is unknown. This study is the first to begin to explore lived-experiences of EPS complications. METHODS: Unstructured EPS virtual focus group meetings were conducted with a convenience sample of patients who underwent PE, as an extension of a modified-Delphi study. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on verbatim transcripts to generate group experiential themes. RESULTS: Twelve patients (eight UK, one Dutch, and three Belgian) participated in four focus groups. Eight EPS complications were reported, (two pelvic collections, five chronic perineal sinuses, and one bowel obstruction). Group experiential themes were 'Out of Options', depicting patients forced to accept complications or limited survival; 'The New Normal', with EPS potentially delaying adaptation to post-PE HrQoL; 'Information Influencing Adaptation,' emphasising the significance of patients understanding EPS to cope with its effects; and 'Symptoms,' reporting manifestations of EPS, the resultant physical limitations, and an intangible feeling that patients lost part of themselves. CONCLUSIONS: EPS may influence patient decision-making, regret, adaptation, and information-seeking. It can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms and physical limitations, which may include phantom phenomenon. This work supports ongoing purposeful HrQoL research to better define these themes.

MRI-based assessment of the mylohyoid muscle in oral squamous cell carcinoma, a 7-point scoring method.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate preoperative MRI evaluation of the features of the mylohyoid muscle (MM) predictive of its infiltration in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment planning, defining the most appropriate sequences to study its deep extension into the floor of the mouth (FOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied a 7-point score to retrospectively evaluate preoperative imaging of patients who underwent surgery for OSCC over 11 years. The results were compared with histopathological findings using Spearman's rank coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to assess the score's ability to predict MM infiltration, determining optimal thresholds for sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. The Mann-Whitney U-test confirmed that infiltration judgments did not overlap around this threshold. Cohen's K statistical coefficient was used to evaluate the interobserver agreement. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (mean age 66.4 ± 11.9 years, 36 men) were evaluated. Histopathological examination found MM infiltration in 21% of cases (n = 11), with 90% classified in the highest Score categories. A score > 4 proved to be the best cut-off for predicting the risk of MM infiltration, with a sensitivity of 91% (CI: 0.57-0.99), specificity 61% (CI: 0.45-0.76), PPV 38% (CI: 0.21-0.59), and NPV 96% (CI: 0.78-0.99). At the subsequent single-sequence assessment, the TSE-T2wi had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity 90% (CI: 0.57-0.99), specificity 70% (CI: 0.53-0.82), PPV 45% (CI: 0.25-0.67), and NPV 96% (CI: 0.80-0.99). CONCLUSION: The 7-point score is a promising predictor of safe surgical margins for MM in OSCC treatment, with the particular benefit of T2-weighted sequences. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our scoring system for tumor infiltration of MM, which is easy to use even for less experienced radiologists, allows for uniformity in radiological language, thereby ensuring crucial preoperative information for the surgeon. KEY POINTS: The relationship of the MM to an oral lesion may impact surgical planning. As the score increases, there is a greater incidence of infiltration in the MM. Our score system improves radiologists' reporting for MM involvement by tumor.

Development of a Predictive Nomogram for Circumferential Resection Margin in Rectal Cancer Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Circumferential resection margin (CRM) is a key quality metric and predictor of oncologic outcomes and overall survival following surgery for rectal cancer. We aimed to develop a nomogram to identify patients at risk for a positive CRM in the preoperative setting. METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2014 for patients with clinical stage I-III rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision. Patients were excluded for emergency operation, resection for cancer recurrence, palliative resection, transanal resection, and missing CRM status. The primary outcome was positive CRM. Secondary outcomes included overall survival. RESULTS: There were 28,790 patients included. 2245 (7.8%) had a positive CRM. Higher tumor grade, lack of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mucinous/signet tumor histology, open approach, abdominoperineal resection, higher T stage, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion were all significantly associated with positive CRM (P < 0.05) and were included in the nomogram. The C-statistic was 0.703, suggesting a good predictive model. CONCLUSIONS: Positive CRM is associated with specific patient demographics and tumor characteristics. These factors can be used along with preoperative MRI to predict CRM positivity in the preoperative period and plan accordingly.

Malpractice Claims Following Major Liver and Pancreatic Surgeries: What Can we Learn?

INTRODUCTION: General surgery is a highly litigious specialty. Lawsuits can be a source of emotional distress and burnout for surgeons. Major hepatic and pancreatic surgeries are technically challenging general surgical oncology procedures associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality. It is unclear whether these operations are associated with an increased risk of lawsuits. The objective of the present study was to summarize the medical malpractice claims surrounding pancreatic and hepatic surgeries from publicly available court records. METHODS: The Westlaw legal database was searched and analyzed for relevant malpractice claims from the last two decades. RESULTS: Of 165 search results, 30 (18.2%) cases were eligible for inclusion. Appellant cases comprised 53.3% of them. Half involved a patient death. Including co-defendants, a majority (n = 21, 70%) named surgeons as defendants, whereas several claims (n = 13, 43%) also named non-surgeons. The most common cause of alleged malpractice was a delay in diagnosis (n = 12, 40%). In eight of these, surgery could not be performed. The second most common were claims alleging the follow-up surgery was due to negligence (n = 6). Collectively, 20 claims were found in favor of the defendant. Seven verdicts (23.3%) returned in favor of the plaintiff, two of which resulted in monetary awards (totaling $1,608,325 and $424,933.85). Three cases went to trial or delayed motion for summary judgment. There were no settlements. CONCLUSIONS: A defendant verdict was reached in two-thirds of malpractice cases involving major hepatic or pancreatic surgery. A delay in diagnosis was the most cited claim in hepatopancreaticobiliary lawsuits, and defendants may often practice in nonsurgical specialties. While rulings favoring plaintiffs are less frequent, the payouts may be substantial.

Pediatric Ewing Sarcoma Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes Across Sociodemographic Groups.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we evaluate the association between sociodemographics and disease presentation, treatment, and survival for children, adolescents, and young adults with Ewing sarcoma. METHODS: Case-level data were downloaded from The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cases included patients ages 0-24 who were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma between 2004 and 2020. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred forty four patients were included in the analysis. When compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients, Hispanic patients were more likely to present with tumors ≥8 cm (odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.24-2.36) and metastases (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.23-2.20). Black patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.07-0.97). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 73% for NHW patients, 65% for Black patients, 67% for Asian patients and 66% for Hispanic patients. When accounting for confounding factors, Hispanic and Asian patients had higher probabilities of death due to cancer compared to NHW patients (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10-1.81; HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.09-2.48, respectively). Young adults and adolescents were significantly more likely to present with metastases, experience ≥1 month between diagnosis and treatment, and had lower survival. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in Ewing sarcoma presentation, treatment, and survival were observed across age groups and race/ethnicity. Future work should focus on expanding access to care in underserved groups. Further qualitative studies could assist in determining the exact factors that prevent patients from accessing care or examine how genetic factors that contribute to Ewing sarcoma severity differ across demographic groups.

Racial Disparities in Surgical Oncologic Research Funding and Impact on Diverse Populations.

Racial disparities in surgical oncology research funding significantly impact minority researchers and diverse populations. This review explores historical factors contributing to the underrepresentation of minorities in academic medicine. Strategies for addressing these disparities include enhancing diversity in the physician workforce and improving funding opportunities for minority researchers, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing cancer care disparities.

Racial Inequities in Receiving Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Are Associated With Worse Outcomes in Louisiana.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In recent years, the approach to managing this malignancy has evolved toward embracing neoadjuvant treatment (NAT), backed by studies reporting its survival benefit. This study aimed to identify factors that contribute to disparities in NAT utilization and their impact on outcomes in patients with PDAC who underwent resection in Louisiana. METHODS: Data on diagnosed PDAC cases were obtained from the Louisiana Tumor Registry between 2000 and 2020. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding factors in assessing the covariate relationships with NAT use. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were associated with survival. Chained multiple imputation was performed on covariates with missing data in multivariable regressions. RESULTS: The study encompassed 2121 patients who underwent resection for PDAC. Upon controlling for potential confounding variables, Black patients were on average 5.7% less likely to receive NAT than their White counterparts (ATE = 5.7, aOR= 0.56, 95% CI = 0.40-0.80, p = 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, there was a significant decrease in the risk of overall death for patients who received NAT (aHR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71-0.94, p = 0.006). There was no significant interaction between race and NAT for the risk of death. CONCLUSION: Black patients with PDAC were less likely to receive NAT before resection in Louisiana. Overall survival improved in patients who underwent NAT. These differences were independent of insurance status and poverty zip codes, and future investigations should identify modifiable barriers to access and receipt of NAT in patients with PDAC.