Evaluating the effects of preoperative treatment with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Patients treated with HoLEP are frequently treated with previous treatments, including 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). We investigated the impact of pretreatment with 5-ARIs on perioperative and immediate postoperative parameters in patients treated with HoLEP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using a prospectively collected database including all patients treated with HoLEP at our center between January 2017 and January 2023. The resected tissue weight, enucleation and morcellation efficiency (enucleation weight/time and morcellation weight/ time), postoperative complications, hospital stay and hemoglobin drop have been analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients were included. Of these, 173 (52.9%) were treated with 5-ARIs. No differences were found among the perioperative parameters investigated to determine efficiency. No differences were observed in peri- or postoperative complications, hospital stay or hemoglobin drop. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with 5-ARIs had no impact on the immediate postoperative outcomes of patients treated with HoLEP. In our cohort, we observed that the use of 5-ARIs did not affect surgical efficiency, enucleation or morcellation. Further multicenter studies will be necessary to validate these findings.

First-line mFOLFOX plus cetuximab followed by mFOLFOX plus cetuximab or single-agent cetuximab as maintenance therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Phase II randomised MACRO2 TTD study.

BACKGROUND: This multicentre, randomised, and phase II study evaluated mFOLFOX+cetuximab followed by maintenance mFOLFOX+cetuximab or single-agent cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (NCT01161316). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously, untreated mCRC patients (wild-type KRAS) were randomised to receive cetuximab+mFOLFOX-6 (8 cycles for 2 weeks) followed by maintenance therapy: single-agent cetuximab (Arm-A) or mFOLFOX-6 + cetuximab (Arm-B) until progression. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 9 months. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three patients (median [range] age 60 [33-74] years) were randomised (2:1): 129 Arm-A versus 64 Arm-B. PFS at 9 months (95% confidence interval) showed non-inferiority between arms (Arm-A/Arm-B: 60 [52, 69]%/72 [61, 83]%, p [non-inferiority]<0.1). There were no statistically significant differences in the PFS (Arm-A/Arm-B: 9 [95% CI 7, 10] months/10 [7,13] months, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.19 [0.80, 1.79]) or overall survival (23 [19, 28] months/27 [18, 36] months, HR = 1.24 [0.85, 1.79]) between arms. The objective response rate was also similar (48 [39, 57]%/39 [27, 52]%). The safety profile was similar between arms, and all patients experienced at least one adverse event (AE) (Arm-A/Arm-B grade ≥III AEs: 70%/68%). The most common grade ≥III AEs were as follows: neutropenia (Arm-A/Arm-B: 28%/26%), rash acneiform (15%/24%) and sensory neuropathy (2%/15%) in any group. Arm-A was associated with less grade ≥III rash and sensory neuropathy and a lower rate of serious AEs (20%/27%). CONCLUSION(S): This phase II exploratory trial with a non-inferiority design suggests that maintenance therapy with single-agent cetuximab following mFOLFOX+cetuximab induction could be a valuable option compared with mFOLFOX+cetuximab treatment continuation. We await phase III trials to confirm single-agent cetuximab as maintenance therapy in mCRC patients.

Bevacizumab for recurrent, persistent or advanced cervical cancer: reproducibility of GOG 240 study results in "real world" patients.

PURPOSE: Bevacizumab is the only therapeutic target approved for patients with persistent, recurrent or advanced cervical cancer from a phase III study that combined with chemotherapy; it proves a significant increase in overall survival. To retrospectively assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab as the first-line treatment in patients from usual clinical practice with recurrent/persistent or advanced cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treatment consisted of cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 5 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 for 6-8 cycles and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks up to progression or unacceptable toxicity. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), response rates (RR) and toxicity. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included from January 2014 to June 2017, with a median follow-up 10, 1 months. Eleven percent had recurrent/persistent disease and 89% had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The prior exposition to platinum was 70%. The median PFS and OS were 9, 6 and 21, 5 months, respectively. There was an increase of fistula formation (22%). All of them had pelvic and peritoneal disease at the beginning of treatment and previous treatment with chemoradiotherapy; non-incidence differences were found according to the type of platinum agent used. There were two treatment-related deaths, one from intestinal perforation and another from severe sepsis. CONCLUSION: Finally, although our study does have certain limitations, we believe that it can provide useful information and encouraging evidence that the routine use of bevacizumab as part of first-line treatment of patients with advanced cervical cancer may be associated with outcomes comparable with those obtained in GOG240 study.

Effectiveness and safety of aflibercept for metastatic colorectal cancer: retrospective review within an early access program in Spain.

PURPOSE: In the VELOUR study, aflibercept + FOLFIRI regimen resulted in improved survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who progressed after oxaliplatin. The use of aflibercept outside the clinical trial framework needs to be further assessed in terms of effectiveness and tolerability. METHODS: Early access to aflibercept through a named patient programme (NPP) was provided to mCRC patients receiving FOLFIRI as second-line treatment in Spain. The effectiveness of aflibercept was assessed as progression-free survival (PFS) achieved within the NPP population. Post hoc analyses on PFS were done according to certain baseline characteristics (K-RAS mutation, prior targeted therapy) or prognostic factors. RESULTS: Registries from 71 mCRC patients included in the NPP were reviewed retrospectively. The median age for the NPP population was 64 years (19.7 % aged ≥70 years) and 63.4 % patients had ≥2 metastases. A median PFS of 5.3 months (95 % CI, 3.6-8.5 months) was achieved, which did not depend on K-RAS mutation status or prior targeted therapy received. The risk of progression or death increased in patients with a poor prognosis as per the GERCOR score (performance status [PS] 1-2 and increased baseline lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] level) compared with patients with a good prognosis (PS 0 and normal LDH level) (median PFS: 2.6 vs. 8.3 months, respectively; p = 0.0124). Aflibercept was well tolerated, with a manageable toxicity profile. CONCLUSIONS: Bearing in mind the differences in sample size, the PFS achieved with the aflibercept + FOLFIRI regimen in the real-life practice setting is comparable to that observed in the clinical trial setting.

Involvement of K-RAS mutations and amino acid substitutions in the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

The efficacy of epidermal growth factor-targeting therapies has been found to be limited in tumors with the wild-type K-RAS gene, suggesting a predictive value of K-RAS gene analysis in tumoral response. However, the prognostic value of K-RAS is controversial. This study included patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer. The presence of K-RAS mutations was analyzed, and the tumors positive for a K-RAS mutation were further analyzed to identify the mutation type. Similarly, the following clinical and pathological variables were also collected. The study was composed of 53.3 % of patients with wild-type K-RAS and 46.7 % of patients with mutated K-RAS (mutated codon 12 was the most frequent). With a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 1-45), the median survival of patients with wild-type K-RAS was 31.6 months. The median survival was 24.8 months for patients with K-RAS mutated in codon 12 and 17.8 months for patients with mutated codon 13 (p = 0.37). In a univariate analysis, K-RAS was associated with stage IV at diagnosis (p < 0.005). When K-RAS was mutated, a lower overall survival was observed in cases of G → A transition compared with G → T transversion (19.5 vs. 24.2 months, respectively; p = 0.47). When the amino acid change resulted in an acidic substitution, survival was lower, but it increased when the substitution resulted in a polar or nonpolar amino acid (19.5 vs. 23.2 vs. 24.4 months, p = 0.79). The type of K-RAS mutation or amino acid changes may have prognostic implications in metastatic colon cancer patients. Further research is needed in patients treated in prospective controlled trials.

[Development of a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy program in an university center]. / Implantación de un programa de prostatectomía radical laparoscópica.

The aim of this article is to report our experience in setting up a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy programme. We believe that knowledge of the difficulties we faced at the start will be useful for those who wish to implement a programme like ours. We hope that by explaining the steps we took as well as our conclusions and recommendations this difficult task can be made easier.

[Analysis of a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy program with 544 cases]. / Prostatectomía radical laparoscópica. Revisión de la literatura. Nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: This article reviews the latest publications that refer to Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) up to 2005, and describes our series of patients for this type of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a search of the Internet and consulting journals of renowned prestige, we selected articles that refer to this technique and we summarise the latest developments in LRP. We also present our series of patients. RESULTS: In view of the good oncologic and functional results obtained with LRP, and the possibility of performing hernioplasty as in open surgery, this technique provides a high quality service for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the advances in the safety and quality of this technique, such as the use of robots, 3 CCD cameras, and the surgeon's experience, LRP should be offered to our patients, if it is within our means.

[Excess mortality due to tuberculosis and factors associated to death in and annual cohort of patients diagnosed of tuberculosis]. / Exceso de mortalidad por tuberculosis y factores asociados a la defunción en una cohorte anual de enfermos diagnosticados de tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate excess mortality in an annual cohort of tuberculosis patients and study the factors associated with death. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cases of tuberculosis reported in Catalonia (May 1996-April 1997). Patients were classified as completed treatment/cured (compliant), non-compliant, failures, transfers out and deaths. Excess mortality was defined as the ratio actual deaths/expected deaths (according to general mortality figures for Catalonia, May 1996-April 1997). Factors associated with death were determined by a comparative study of variables (demographic, substance abuse, comorbidity, tuberculosis-related disease) in deaths after diagnosis and survivors. Time from diagnosis to death was recorded. RESULTS: Patients included: 2,085. Patients classified as: completed treatment/cured (compliant), 1,406 (67.43 %); noncompliant, 165 (7, 91%); failures, 5 (0.24%); transfers out, 25 (1.21%); deaths, 133 (6.38%), 28 of which occurred before diagnosis and 105 after diagnosis. Insufficient data in medical record for classification, 351 (16.83%) patients. Excess mortality: 5.98 (95% CI: 4.96-7.0). Factors associated with death: treatment with non-standardized guidelines, 46%; OR: 10.3 (6.2-17.4); HIV infection, 40%; OR: 13.0 (6.6-25.8); age greater than 64 years, 40%; OR: 14.6 (3.0-69.8); alcoholism, 25%; OR: 2.0 (1.1-3.6); neoplasm, 16%; OR: 3.9 (1.8-8.6; renal failure, 8%; OR: 10.1 (3.1-32.3). The shortest time from diagnosis to death was in patients with only one risk factor, except for HIV infection, where the time passed was the longest observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found substantial excess mortality in tuberculosis patients. Death was associated with the efficacy of treatment, HIV coinfection, advanced age, alcoholism and the coexistence of neoplasms or renal failure.

Determinants of health system delay among confirmed tuberculosis cases in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Health system delay (HSD) is an important issue in tuberculosis (TB) control. This report investigates HSD and associated factors in a cohort of Spanish culture-confirmed TB patients. METHODS: Data were collected from clinical records. Using logistic regression with two different cut-off points to define HSD (median and 75th percentile), adjusted odds ratios were used to estimate the association between HSD and different variables. RESULTS: A total of 5184 culture-confirmed TB cases were included. Median and 75th percentile HSD were 6 and 25 days respectively. HSD significantly greater than the median was associated with: age >44 years, past or present intravenous drug use, diagnosis at a primary-care centre, prior preventive therapy, positive histology, request for drug-sensitivity testing, presence of silicosis or neoplasia in addition to TB, presence of non-TB related symptoms, and gastrointestinal site. HSD greater than the 75th percentile was related to the same variables, with the exception of diagnosis at a primary-care centre, positive histology, silicosis, non-TB-related symptoms and gastrointestinal site, for which the association disappeared; in contrast, an association with female gender emerged. CONCLUSION: Despite free health care being universally available in Spain, there are some groups of TB patients whose treatment is unduly delayed.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of smoking and tuberculosis: a study of 13,038 cases.

SETTING AND OBJECTIVE: Smoking habit and tuberculosis (TB) appear to have common epidemiological and clinical links. The present study was to evaluate risk factors in TB patients with and without a smoking habit. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study of cases (TB with smoking) and controls (TB without smoking) from the same registry. Data were retrieved from case notes and interviews of patients registered in the Tuberculosis Control Programme in Cataluuña, Spain, between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2002. Statistical analyses included univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: There were 13,038 recorded patients. Social factors associated with TB in smokers were male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.2), age <64 years, alcohol use >30 g/day (aOR 7.4) and intravenous drug use (aOR 1.5). Smokers developed more pulmonary disease (aOR 1.5) and more cavitary lesions (aOR 1.9), and were more likely to require hospitalisation (aOR 1.8) which was more protracted. Differences in mortality and delay in diagnosis did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking leads to faster and more severe progression of TB. The cost of TB-related hospitalisation for smokers increases by approximately one million euros per year.

[Solitary fibrous tumor of the prostate]. / Tumor fibroso solitario de la próstata.

We report a new case of a solitary fibrous tumor. It is a tumor which involve to genitourinary system unusual time, and it is exceptional in the prostate. Our patient began with bladder compression symptoms. Radiological studies showed polilobed mass that moved out the bladder although the could not show the pelvic organ was involved. The definitive diagnosis was made by histology and inmunohistochemestry of the surgical piece.

Tuberculosis screening among immigrants holding a hunger strike in churches.

SETTING: In January 2001, approximately 600 immigrants held a sit-down and hunger strike in several churches in Barcelona to force the Spanish government to comply with demands to regulate their immigration status. Following the diagnosis of a case of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in one of the immigrants, we performed a large contact investigation. OBJECTIVES: To describe contact investigation procedures used in this setting and to evaluate contact investigation results. METHODS: Demographic variables were collected, and tuberculin skin tests (TST) and chest radiograph examinations were performed. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 541 TSTs were performed. Of these, 86% were read and 40.5% yielded a positive reaction with an induration >14 mm. In a multivariate analysis, the risk of presenting a TST induration >14 mm was found to be three times higher among those aged >35 years compared to those <24 years (OR 3.40; 95%CI 1.76-6.59), and for immigrants from Bangladesh (OR 3.14; 95%CI 1.16-6.10) and Pakistan (OR 2.04; 95%CI 1.11-3.73) compared to those from India. A total of 314 chest radiographs examinations were performed and three additional cases of TB were identified, yielding a TB prevalence of 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: By focusing efforts and conducting targeted TB screening in this high-risk population, it was possible to complete the intervention in only 3 days. A high prevalence of TB infection and TB disease was found.

Screening for tuberculosis upon admission to shelters and free-meal services.

BACKGROUND: The homeless are at very high risk of suffering tuberculosis (TB). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for tuberculosis infection and disease among the homeless in Barcelona and to evaluate the roles of case finding and contact investigation. METHODS: Observational prevalence study carried out between 1997 and 1998. PARTICIPANTS: 447 homeless patients (394 men and 53 women) were evaluated before admission to shelters and free-meal services. At the same time, 48 co-residents with smear-positive TB patients in 2 long-term shelters were evaluated too. A chest X-ray and Tuberculin Skin Test were performed on all subjects. Sputum smears were processed by the Ziehl-Neelsen and Löwenstein-Jensen procedures in patients with radiographic findings consistent with pulmonary TB. RESULTS: Of the 447 homeless examined, 335 (75%) were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Active pulmonary TB was diagnosed in five persons (1.11%), and 62 (13.8%) had radiographic evidence of inactive pulmonary TB. Tuberculosis infection was associated with age and smoking, but not with sex or alcohol abuse. No significant differences in infection rates were found between the main group and 48 homeless co-residents of smear-positive subjects. Only 16.9% of the homeless with active TB in Barcelona in the same period were diagnosed through active case-finding, the remainder being mainly detected in hospitals (69.8%) and other several centres (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Homeless individuals have a very high risk of TB infection and disease and contact investigation requires specific methods for them. Programmes of screening and supervised treatment should be ensured in this group.

Procedures for developing a simple scoring method based on unsophisticated criteria for screening children for tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scoring system for screening children for tuberculosis (TB) and for selecting suspects for further investigation in tuberculosis control programmes. Application of the score model, which would not require sophisticated or expensive technology, would be directed towards resource-poor countries with high prevalences of tuberculosis, where health care workers have to deal with diagnostic problems away from district hospitals or diagnostic facilities. DESIGN: Based on contributions from members of an IUATLD task group from 10 countries on the use of diagnostic criteria in childhood tuberculosis, criteria were selected to be used as elements in a score model. Data were collected by standardised questionnaire on 879 subjects aged under 15 years. Of these, 794 were considered probable or confirmed cases of tuberculosis by the diagnosing doctors. From each record, the criteria/procedures used in the diagnosis of probable/confirmed TB and regarded by the doctors as relevant criteria were selected. Bacteriology, histology and chest radiography were used either singly or collectively as the definitive reference (gold standard) against which the more subjective criteria (symptoms, clinical signs, skin test) would be evaluated. The latter criteria cited as relevant were then ranked and further explored for inclusion in the score model. The relative importance of each criterion to every other criterion on the list was expressed as weights, determined by employing a logarithmic least squares method to solve the ratio scale estimation problem which underlies decision-making involving more than one criterion. The resultant values were then assigned to each criterion in the final score model. RESULTS: The five clinical criteria thought to be most relevant as predictors of disease in children were history of contact with a case of tuberculosis, positive skin test, persistent cough, low weight for age, and unexplained/prolonged fever. In selecting the optimal cut-off points for the model at which tuberculosis would be suspected, low sensitivity and specificity (below 70%) but reasonably good positive predictive values (60%-77%) were obtained, depending on age group and epidemiological setting. In low tuberculosis prevalence settings, heavy reliance is placed by the model on a history of contact with a household case of tuberculosis and on a positive skin test, both of which have to be true. For high prevalence settings, more or less equal weighting is assigned to all five elements. Case contact and skin tests are less important, with low body weight, prolonged fever and cough being more indicative of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: The model provides for epidemiological differences between target populations and should prove successful as a screening tool to select children for further investigation by radiography and bacteriology.

[Cost-benefit analysis of the active screening of pulmonary tuberculosis in a recluse population entering prison]. / Análisis coste-beneficio de la búsqueda activa de tuberculosis pulmonar en población reclusa a su ingreso en prisión.

BACKGROUND: In spanish prisons, tuberculosis is a serious problem of public health and health authorities don't take it seriously. OBJECTIVE: To prove the efficiency of pulmonary tuberculosis case-finding on arrival at prison in order to get location resources in this activity. METHODS: Cost-benefit analysis of a case-finding program compared with to wait for diagnostic to illness. The sensitivity of test was fixed in 80% and the specificity in 99.99%. The cost was based on market prices. Sensitivity analysis was done in every variables as well as tridimensional analysis in those one of more influence. RESULTS: The case-finding was efficient on prevalences of tuberculosis over 5 per mil. Its efficiency was hardly affected by discount social rates or the sensitivity of diagnostic tests. The prevalence of illness, the cost of diagnostic activities as well as the success of treatment and the specificity of diagnostic tests used had as influence on the efficiency model. The tridimensional analysis proved that the case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis has efficiency on low prevalences (1 per thousand), provided the number of people cured is a 5% higher than the alternative one and the costs of case-finding less than 1,000 pesetas per subject. CONCLUSIONS: The case-finding pulmonary tuberculosis on arrival at prisons is of high efficiency. In a cost-opportunity situation (location of available resources, penitentiary and extrapenitentiary) the program is very efficacious taking into account the fact of higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in this people.

Passive smoking and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in children immediately following infection. A case-control study.

SETTING: Passive smoking-related respiratory disorders in children. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of passive smoking on the development of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children immediately following infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the family. DESIGN: An unmatched case-control study in which 93 contacts who became cases (active PTB diagnosed) and 95 contacts who did not became cases (tuberculin-positive children without evidence of active disease) were included. All were household contacts of a new case of pulmonary bacillary tuberculosis. Smoking habits were investigated by a questionnaire. Urinary cotinine was analysed. Odds Ratio (OR) was adjusted for age and socio-economic status using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Passive smoking was a risk factor for PTB (OR: 5.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.33-12.82; P < 0.00005). The adjusted OR was 5.39 (95% CI: 2.44-11.91; P < 0.00001). The risk increased when contacts were passive smokers both at home and outside the home within the family (OR: 6.35; 95% CI: 3.20, 12.72; P < 0.00001). Contacts 0-4 and 5-9 years old showed a significantly higher risk than those aged > or = 10. There was a dose-response relationship between the risk of developing active PTB immediately following infection and the number of cigarettes smoked daily by the household adults (P < 0.001). Mean (SD) urinary continine detectable concentrations (ng/ml) were different between disease contacts (119.46 [68.61]) and non diseased contacts (91.87 [73.10]). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Passive exposure to tobacco smoke in children was associated with an increased risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis immediately following infection. This is an association of great concern requiring health education programmes and antitobacco medical advice.

Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for tuberculosis in young adults: a case-control study.

SETTING: The association between smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis has not often been studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of cigarette smoking on the development of active pulmonary tuberculosis in young people who were close contacts of new cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. DESIGN: A case-control study in which 46 'cases' (patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis: isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or clinical and/or radiographic evidence of current pulmonary tuberculosis, with a positive tuberculin skin test) and 46 'controls' (persons with positive tuberculin reaction, negative bacteriological test and without clinical and/or radiological evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis) were included. Smoking habits were investigated by questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed, and odds ratio (OR) was adjusted for age, gender and socio-economic status. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in active smokers (occasional and daily smokers) (OR: 3.65; 95% CI, 1.46 and 9.21; P < 0.01), daily smokers (OR: 3.53; 95% CI, 1.34 and 9.26; P < 0.05), and individuals who were both passive and active smokers (OR: 5.10; 95% CI, 1.97 and 13.22; P < 0.01) and passive and daily smokers (OR: 5.59; 95% CI, 2.07 and 15.10; P < 0.001). There was a dose-response relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the risk of active pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data studied show that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis in young people, with a dose-response relationship with the number of cigarettes consumed daily.

Both class I and class II HLA antigens are thyroid cancer susceptibility factors.

It has been established that HLA antigens are susceptibility factors for different cancers, including thyroid tumors. However, the diversity and sometimes weak and contradictory associations found have frequently led to the view that the HLA and tumorigenesis links might be the result of statistical errors. However, it has recently been established that it is indeed a currently complex and unexplained but real phenomenon, which may be crucial in preventing several types of cancer. In the present work we have found in a relatively large series of thyroid cancer patients (n = 161) that both HLA class I (B35) and class II (DR11) antigens are susceptibility factors only in the papillary tumor group of patients, B35 association p value is found at the limit of significance (pc(120) = 0.05); the follicular group did not show any HLA association, suggesting that the etiopathogenesis of each type of cancer is different. HLA-B35 and DR11 are not working together to induce tumorigenesis and each of them seems to confer susceptibility by using different pathways or by being markers of distinct neighboring susceptibility genes. DR4 has also been found in 86% (n = 6) of Hürthle cell carcinoma. No association has been found between HLA and disease activity. HLA mechanisms of association to cancer are discussed and a world-wide HLA/tumorigenic study is proposed to obtain a clear picture of the puzzling and controversial susceptibility markers found in different tumors and in different ethnic groups.