Estimation of risk posed by malignant polyps amongst colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand.

PURPOSE: The estimation of the risk posed by malignant polyps for residual or lymphatic disease plays a central role. This study investigated colorectal surgeons' assessment of these risks associated with malignant polyps. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was electronically administered to colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand in October 2022. The questionnaire contained 17 questions on demographics, when surgeons consider colorectal resection appropriate, and the risk assessment for 5 hypothetical malignant polyps. RESULTS: The mean risk of residual or lymphatic disease that would prompt surgeons to recommend colonic resection was 5%. However, this increased to a mean risk of 10% if the malignant polyp was located in the rectum, and the only resection option was abdominoperineal resection with end-colostomy. There was high concordance between the estimated risk of residual or lymphatic disease by colorectal surgeons and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) guidelines for the 5 hypothetical malignant polyps, with the ACPGBI estimated risk lying within the 95% confidence interval for 4 of the 5 malignant polyps. Nonetheless, 96.6% of surgeons felt that an online risk calculator would improve clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand accurately estimated the risk posed by malignant polyps. An online risk calculator may assist in better conveying risk to patients.

Sporadic Polyps of the Colorectum.

Colorectal polyps are common, and their diagnosis and classification represent a major component of gastrointestinal pathology practice. The majority of colorectal polyps represent precursors of either the chromosomal instability or serrated neoplasia pathways to colorectal carcinoma. Accurate reporting of these polyps has major implications for surveillance and thus for cancer prevention. In this review, we discuss the key histologic features of the major colorectal polyps with a particular emphasis on diagnostic pitfalls and areas of contention.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Expression Predicts Need for Early Treatment in Prostate Cancer Patients Managed with Active Surveillance.

Metabolic dysregulation is an early event in carcinogenesis. Here, we examined the expression of enzymes involved in de novo lipogenesis (ATP-citrate lyase: ACLY), glucose uptake (Glucose Transporter 1: GLUT1), and folate-glutamate metabolism (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen: PSMA) as potential biomarkers of risk for early prostate cancer progression. Patients who were managed initially on active surveillance with a Gleason score of 6 or a low-volume Gleason score of 7 (3 + 4) were accrued from a prostate cancer diagnostic assessment program. Patients were asked to donate their baseline diagnostic biopsy tissues and permit access to their clinical data. PSMA, GLUT1, and ACLY expression were examined with immunohistochemistry (IHC) in baseline biopsies, quantitated by Histologic Score for expression in benign and malignant glands, and compared with patient time remaining on active surveillance (time-on-AS). All three markers showed trends for elevated expression in malignant compared to benign glands, which was statistically significant for ACLY. On univariate analysis, increased PSMA and GLUT1 expression in malignant glands was associated with shorter time-on-AS (HR: 5.06, [CI 95%: 1.83-13.94] and HR: 2.44, [CI 95%: 1.10-5.44], respectively). Malignant ACLY and benign gland PSMA and GLUT1 expression showed non-significant trends for such association. On multivariate analysis, overexpression of PSMA in malignant glands was an independent predictor of early PC progression (p = 0.006). This work suggests that the expression of metabolic enzymes determined by IHC on baseline diagnostic prostate biopsies may have value as biomarkers of risk for rapid PC progression. PSMA may be an independent predictor of risk for progression and should be investigated further in systematic studies.

A qualitative study on healthcare professional and patient perspectives on nurse-led virtual prostate cancer survivorship care.

BACKGROUND: Virtual nurse-led care models designed with health care professionals (HCPs) and patients may support addressing unmet prostate cancer (PCa) survivor needs. Within this context, we aimed to better understand the optimal design of a service model for a proposed nurse-led PCa follow-up care platform (Ned Nurse). METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study exploring follow-up and virtual care experiences to inform a nurse-led virtual clinic (Ned Nurse) with an a priori convenience sample of 10 HCPs and 10 patients. We provide a health ecosystem readiness checklist mapping facilitators onto CFIR and Proctor's implementation outcomes. RESULTS: We show that barriers within the current standard of care include: fragmented follow-up, patient uncertainty, and long, persisting wait times despite telemedicine modalities. Participants indicate that a nurse-led clinic should be scoped to coordinate care and support patient self-management, with digital literacy considerations. CONCLUSION: A nurse-led follow-up care model for PCa is seen by HCPs as acceptable, feasible, and appropriate for care delivery. Patients value its potential to provide role clarity, reinforce continuity of care, enhance mental health support, and increase access to timely and targeted care. These findings inform design, development, and implementation strategies for digital health interventions within complex settings, revealing opportunities to optimally situate these interventions to improve care.

Prostate cancer (PCa) survivors in Canada receive follow-up care after treatment through a specialist-led model, which is currently straining to meet patient needs. We interviewed healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients to investigate the design and development of a healthcare service that uses technology, also known as virtual care, to provide nurse-led follow-up care. Mixed experiences with virtual care informed participant feedback and concerns, including impacts of the pandemic and digital literacy considerations. We show that HCPs and patients see potential benefit in virtual nurse-led follow-up care if it can increase access to resources, clarify patient and provider care roles, and improve access and continuity of care. This type of approach to follow-up care may help to improve survivor quality of life and PCa follow-up care while extending the reach of healthcare systems with limited resources.

The oesophageal adenocarcinoma tumour immune microenvironment dictates outcomes with different modalities of neoadjuvant therapy - results from the AGITG DOCTOR trial and the cancer evolution biobank.

A plateau in treatment effect can be seen for the current 'one-size-fits-all' approach to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) management using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) or chemotherapy (nCT). In OAC, the tumour microenvironment (TME) is largely immunosuppressed, however a subgroup of patients with an immune-inflamed TME exist and show improved outcomes. We aimed to understand the overall immune-based mechanisms underlying treatment responses and patient outcomes in OAC, and in relation to neoadjuvant therapy modality. This study included 107 patients; 68 patients were enrolled in the Australian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group sponsored DOCTOR Trial, and 38 patients were included from the Cancer Evolution Biobank. Matched pre-treatment and post-treatment tumour biopsies were used to perform multi-modality analysis of the OAC TME including NanoString mRNA expression analysis, multiplex and single colour immunohistochemistry (IHC), and peripheral blood mononuclear cell analysis of tumour-antigen specific T cell responses. Patients with the best clinicopathological outcomes and survival had an immune-inflamed TME enriched with anti-tumour immune cells and pathways. Those with the worst survival showed a myeloid T regulatory cell enriched TME, with decreased CD8+ cell infiltration and increased pro-tumour immune cells. Multiplex IHC analysis identified that high intra-tumoural infiltration of CD8+ cells, and low infiltration with CD163+ cells was associated with improved survival. High tumour core CD8+ T cell infiltration, and a low tumour margin infiltration of CD163+ cells was also associated with improved survival. nCRT showed improved survival compared with nCT for patients with low CD8+, or high CD163+ cell infiltration. Poly-functional T cell responses were seen with tumour-antigen specific T cells. Overall, our study supports the development of personalised therapeutic approaches based on the immune microenvironment in OAC. Patients with an immune-inflamed TME show favourable outcomes regardless of treatment modality. However, in those with an immunosuppressed TME with CD163+ cell infiltration, treatment with nCRT can improve outcomes. Our findings support previous studies into the TME of OAC and with more research, immune based biomarker selection of treatment modality may lead in improved outcomes in this deadly disease.

An Actionable Expert-System Algorithm to Support Nurse-Led Cancer Survivorship Care: Algorithm Development Study.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive models of survivorship care are necessary to improve access to and coordination of care. New models of care provide the opportunity to address the complexity of physical and psychosocial problems and long-term health needs experienced by patients following cancer treatment. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents our expert-informed, rules-based survivorship algorithm to build a nurse-led model of survivorship care to support men living with prostate cancer (PCa). The algorithm is called No Evidence of Disease (Ned) and supports timelier decision-making, enhanced safety, and continuity of care. METHODS: An initial rule set was developed and refined through working groups with clinical experts across Canada (eg, nurse experts, physician experts, and scientists; n=20), and patient partners (n=3). Algorithm priorities were defined through a multidisciplinary consensus meeting with clinical nurse specialists, nurse scientists, nurse practitioners, urologic oncologists, urologists, and radiation oncologists (n=17). The system was refined and validated using the nominal group technique. RESULTS: Four levels of alert classification were established, initiated by responses on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice survey, and mediated by changes in minimal clinically important different alert thresholds, alert history, and clinical urgency with patient autonomy influencing clinical acuity. Patient autonomy was supported through tailored education as a first line of response, and alert escalation depending on a patient-initiated request for a nurse consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The Ned algorithm is positioned to facilitate PCa nurse-led care models with a high nurse-to-patient ratio. This novel expert-informed PCa survivorship care algorithm contains a defined escalation pathway for clinically urgent symptoms while honoring patient preference. Though further validation is required through a pragmatic trial, we anticipate the Ned algorithm will support timelier decision-making and enhance continuity of care through the automation of more frequent automated checkpoints, while empowering patients to self-manage their symptoms more effectively than standard care. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045806.

Development of an in vivo murine model of perineural invasion and spread of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN) can metastasize by invading nerves and spread toward the central nervous system. This metastatic process is called perineural invasion (PNI) and spread (PNS). An in vivo sciatic nerve mouse model is used for cSCCHN PNI/PNS. Here we describe a complementary whisker pad model which allows for molecular studies investigating drivers of PNI/PNS in the head and neck environment. Methods: A431 cells were injected into the whisker pads of BALB/c Foxn1nu and NSG-A2 mice. Tumor progression was monitored by bioluminescence imaging and primary tumor resection was performed. PNI was detected by H&E and IHC. Tumor growth and PNI were assessed with inducible ablation of LOXL2. Results: The rate of PNI development in mice was 10%-28.6%. Tumors exhibited PNI/PNS reminiscent of the morphology seen in the human disease. Our model's utility was demonstrated with inducible ablation of LOXL2 reducing primary tumor growth and PNI. Discussion: This model consists in a feasible way to test molecular characteristics and potential therapies, offers to close a gap in the described in vivo methods for PNI/PNS of cSCCHN and has uses in concert with the established sciatic nerve model.

Pathological features associated with metastasis in patients with early invasive (pT1) colorectal carcinoma in colorectal polyps.

AIMS: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) arising in a colorectal polyp with invasion limited to the submucosa is sufficiently treated by complete endoscopic resection alone in many cases. Histological features of the carcinoma including tumour size, vascular invasion and poor tumour differentiation or evidence of de-differentiation, such as tumour budding, are associated with a higher risk for metastasis such that oncological resection is recommended. However, most malignant polyps with these features do not have lymph node metastases at the time of resection, so there is a need for better refinement of the histological risk features. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 437 consecutive colorectal polyps with submucosal invasive carcinoma from a single centre, 57 of which had metastatic disease, were supplemented by 30 cases with known metastatic disease from two additional centres. Clinical and histological features of the polyp cancers were reviewed looking for differences between the 87 cancers with metastatic disease and the remaining cases without metastasis. A subgroup of 204 polyps removed intact was also analysed to ensure maximum histological accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed larger invasive tumour size, vascular invasion and poor tumour differentiation as adverse predictive features. Prominent peritumoral desmoplasia and high cytological grade were additional adverse features. A predictive logistic regression model comprised of (i) presence of any form of vascular invasion; (ii) presence of high tumour budding (BD3); (iii) width of invasive tumour component > 8 mm; (iv) depth of invasive tumour > 1.5 mm; and (v) the finding of prominent expansile desmoplasia located within and beyond the deep invasive edge of the carcinoma, showed excellent performance in predicting metastatic disease.

The Burden of Uncontrolled Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men With Prostate Cancer: A RADICAL-PC Analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence is higher in men with prostate cancer (PC) than without. Objectives: We describe the rate and correlates of poor cardiovascular risk factor control among men with PC. Methods: We prospectively characterized 2,811 consecutive men (mean age 68 ± 8 years) with PC from 24 sites in Canada, Israel, Brazil, and Australia. We defined poor overall risk factor control as ≥3 of the following: suboptimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (>2 mmol/L if Framingham Risk Score [FRS] ≥15 and ≥3.5 mmol/L if FRS <15), current smoker, physical inactivity (<600 MET min/wk), suboptimal blood pressure (BP) (≥140/90 mm Hg if no other risk factors, systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg if known CVD or FRS ≥15, and ≥130/80 mm Hg if diabetic), and waist:hip ratio >0.9. Results: Among participants (9% with metastatic PC and 23% with pre-existing CVD), 99% had ≥1 uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factor, and 51% had poor overall risk factor control. Not taking a statin (odds ratio [OR]: 2.55; 95% CI: 2.00-3.26), physical frailty (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.51-3.71), need for BP drugs (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.84-3.03), and age (OR per 10-year increase: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.14-1.59) were associated with poor overall risk factor control after adjustment for education, PC characteristics, androgen deprivation therapy, depression, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group functional status. Conclusions: Poor control of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors is common in men with PC, highlighting the large gap in care and the need for improved interventions to optimize cardiovascular risk management in this population.

Malignant polyps in the COVID-19 era: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant polyps represent the early development of colorectal adenocarcinoma. During 2020, there was widescale rationing of health-care resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular there was deferral of some colonoscopy procedures required for timely malignant polyp detection. This study sought to assess how these deferrals affected the diagnosis of malignant polyps. METHODS: A population wide analysis was performed of 2079 malignant polyps, diagnosed in Queensland, Australia from 2011 to 2020. A regression analysis, with 95% prediction intervals, was produced to determine whether there was a significant impact on the number of malignant polyps diagnosed in 2020 compared to previous years. Univariate statistical analysis of patient, procedural, and pathological variables was also performed. RESULTS: In 2020 there were 211 malignant polyps diagnosed, which was significantly lower than was predicted by the univariate regression analysis (r2  = 0.85, 95% prediction interval: 255.07-323.91, P < 0.001). These malignant polyps were less likely to be diagnosed in a private setting (P < 0.001), and exhibited significantly less depth of submucosal invasion (P = 0.017). There was no significant difference in the management strategy (polypectomy, resection or trans-anal resection) between 2011 and 2019 and 2020. CONCLUSION: Because of the significant decrease in the number of malignant polyps, and the natural history of the disease, it is expected that there will be an increase in more advanced colorectal adenocarcinomas presenting in 2021 and beyond. This has implications for healthcare resources, particularly in light of the ongoing strain on health departments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In comparison with polypectomy, colorectal resection is associated with improved survival for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps.

AIM: Patients diagnosed with a malignant polyp generally have favourable overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). However, it is unclear how choice in management for malignant polyps may affect survival. METHODS: Data from the Queensland Oncology Repository was analysed to derive a population wide assessment of the impact of management strategy on OS and CSS for patients diagnosed with malignant polyps. Log-rank testing, Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were performed. Patients were matched using propensity score and Mahalanobis distance matching. RESULTS: A total of 1,646 patients were included with 240 deaths and 52 colorectal cancer related deaths until censor date. Following propensity score and Mahalanobis distance matching of patients undergoing polypectomy alone versus colorectal resection, there was no significant difference in the age groups (<60 years of age or ≥60 years of age), American Society of Anesthesiology score, comorbidity count or Association of ColoProctology of Great Britain and Ireland risk category. However, of note Log-rank testing demonstrated a significant difference in OS (p < 0.001) and CSS (p = 0.0061) between management strategies. Multivariable Cox-regression models in matched and un-matched patient cohorts demonstrated significantly lower hazards of death for OS with resection (p < 0.001). However, CSS was no longer significantly different between management groups in multivariable Cox-regression analysis (p = 0.073). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent colorectal resection had significantly improved OS and CSS compared with polypectomy alone. Improved OS was furthermore seen on multivariable analysis, and in matched cohorts. Future research should investigate why this unexpected finding may be the case and whether updates to guidelines should be considered.

Emergency department visit patterns in the recently discharged, violently injured patient: Retrospective cohort review.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the costs associated with emergency department (ED) visits after discharge for violent injury could highlight subgroups for the development of cost-effective interventions to support healing and prevent treatment failures in violently injured patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review was conducted of all patients with return ED visits within 90 days of discharge after treatment for a violent injury occurring between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018. Hospital costs were calculated for each incidence and analyzed against demographic and injury type variables to identify trends. RESULTS: 218 return ED visits were identified. Hospital costs showed a high frequency of low-cost visits. For more complex visits, distinct cost patterns were observed for Black and LatinX males compared to White males as a function of age. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of hospital cost per visit identified trends among different subgroups. Underlying etiologies presumably vary between groups, but hypothesis-driven further investigation and needs assessment is required. Understanding the driving forces behind these cost trends may aid in developing effective interventions.

High incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Northern Australia: a prospective community population-based Australian incidence study in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To determine the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region in Northern Queensland (-21.14° S) and to allow a comparison with Southern Australian and New Zealand data (Geelong, Australia -38.14° S; Tasmania -41.43° S and -42.88° S (Launceston and Hobart) and Canterbury, New Zealand -43.46 °S). DESIGN: A prospective observational community population-based IBD study was conducted between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary includes the crude annual incidence rate of IBD, Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory bowel disease-unclassified (IBDU), while secondary includes disease phenotype and behaviour. RESULTS: Fifty-six new cases of IBD were identified. Twenty-three were CD, 30 were UC and 3 were IBDU. The crude annual incidence rate per 100 000 for IBD, CD, UC and IBDU were 32.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 24.78-41.84), 13.23 (95% CI: 8.79-19.90), 17.25 (95% CI: 12.06-24.67) and 1.73 (95% CI: 0.56-5.35). When directly age-standardised to the World Health Organisation Standard Population Distribution, the overall CD, UC and IBDU incidence were 13.19, 17.34 and 1.85 per 100 000, with an overall age-standardised IBD incidence of 32.38. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to define the incidence of IBD in a Northern Australian cohort and to allow a comparison between North and Southern Australia. The IBD crude is the highest reported in Australia. Like others, we found a high and low incidence of upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease and complicated disease at diagnosis respectively, likely reflective of the increased availability and early uptake of endoscopic procedures.

Computed tomography rates in pediatric trauma patients among emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine physicians.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric trauma patients undergo fewer computed tomography (CT) scans when evaluated at pediatric trauma centers (PTC) versus adult trauma centers (ATC) with no change in clinical outcome. Factors contributing to this difference are unclear. We sought to identify whether the training background of physicians, specifically emergency medicine (EM) versus pediatric emergency medicine (PEM), affected the CT rate of pediatric trauma patients within one institution. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of CT utilization based on attending physicians' training in trauma patients <18 years between November 2018 and November 2020. Attendings were categorized into two groups: EM residency with no PEM fellowship, or pediatrics/EM residency with PEM fellowship. Primary outcomes measured were the proportion of patients receiving a CT and CT positivity rate. RESULTS: Of 463 study patients, CTs were obtained in 145/228 (64%) patients by EM, and 130/235 (55%) by PEM (p=.07). CT positivity rate was 21% and 19% in EM and PEM, respectively (p=.46). The mean number of CTs per patient in EM was 2.8 compared to 2.1 in PEM (p<.01), and for patients with an injury severity score (ISS) >15, mean number of CTs per patient increased to 4.9 in EM versus 2.4 in PEM (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mean number of CTs ordered per patient was statistically higher for EM attendings. The differences between CT rates highlight future opportunities for ongoing development of pediatric trauma imaging guidelines and radiation exposure reduction. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Study, Level III.

Management of high and low risk malignant polyps: a population-wide analysis.

AIM: The management of malignant polyps is a treatment dilemma in selecting between polypectomy and colorectal resection. To assist clinicians, guidelines have been developed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) to provide treatment recommendations. METHODS: This study compared management strategy based on the ACPGBI risk categorization for malignant polyps. Univariable and multivariable statistical analysis was undertaken to assess the factors predicting management strategy. A population-wide analysis was performed of 1646 malignant polyps and the factors that predicted their management strategy, from Queensland, Australia, from 2011 to 2019. RESULTS: Overall, 31.55% of patients with very low or low risk disease proceeded to resection. Of those with high or very high risk disease, 36.69% did not proceed to resection. In very low and low risk polyps, age (P = 0.003) and polyp location (P < 0.001) were significantly different between the colorectal resection group and the polypectomy alone group. In those with very high or high risk polyps age (P < 0.001), type of facility (public or private) for the colonoscopy (P = 0.037), right colonic polyps compared to left colonic polyps (P = 0.015) and rectal polyps (P < 0.001) and mismatch repair mutations present (P = 0.027) were predictive of resection in high risk disease using a multivariable model. CONCLUSION: Over 30% of patients with very low and low risk malignant polyps proceeded to resection, against the advice of guidelines. Furthermore, over 35% of patients with very high or high risk malignant polyps did not proceed to resection. Education strategies may improve management decision choices. Furthermore, improvements in data collation will improve the understanding of management choices in the future.

Cystic lesions of the retrorectal space.

Cysts of the retrorectal space comprise a heterogeneous group of rare lesions. Most develop from embryological remnants and include tailgut cysts, dermoid cysts, rectal duplication cysts, anal canal duplication cysts, sacrococcygeal teratomas and anterior meningocoele. Tailgut cyst is the most common cyst of developmental origin, usually presenting as a multilocular cystic mass with mucoid content and lined by multiple epithelial types. Compared with tailgut cysts, rectal duplication cysts display all layers of the large bowel wall including a well-defined muscularis propria. Retrorectal cysts of non-developmental origin are far less common and represent lesions that either infrequently involve the retrorectal space or undergo extensive cystic change. This review provides an overview of the various histological types of cystic lesions of the retrorectal space, divided into cysts of developmental origin and those of non-developmental origin. A practical pathological and multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing these lesions is presented.

Missing parameters in malignant polyp histology reports: can appropriate decisions be made?

The treatment of colorectal malignant polyps is dependent upon quality reporting of the histopathological features known to predict the risk of residual disease or lymph node metastasis. The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has produced protocols covering mandatory and recommended pathological parameters to be included in the pathology reporting of malignant polyps. This paper aimed to assess the quality of the pathological reporting in a population-wide analysis from 2011-2019 in Queensland, Australia. A retrospective population-wide cohort study was performed using the Queensland Oncology Repository as a data source. The number of missing pathological parameters (assessed against the RCPA protocol standards and guidelines) for each patient was then summed. Demographic and other patient details were collated. The number of patients whose recommended treatment could theoretically be altered by the full reporting of missing parameters was calculated. A total of 1,646 histopathological reports of malignant polyps were reviewed. From this, 30.8% of all reports had a sufficient number of missing parameters that may have seen an alternate management strategy chosen. The most commonly under-reported parameter from the standards was either a Haggitt or Kikuchi level with 48.6% missing. Synoptic reporting significantly reduced the mean number of missing pathological parameters (p<0.001) There was a significant improvement in the number of missing pathological details over time (p<0.001). Accurate and complete pathology reports are essential to formulate appropriate surgical recommendations after the resection of malignant polyps. In this population-based study, pathology reports remain incomplete for the established parameters despite the introduction of an RCPA structured reporting protocol. Fortunately, the quality of pathological reporting has improved since the introduction of the first RCPA protocol covering reporting of malignant polyps.

Timing of surveillance colonoscopy following malignant colorectal polypectomy in Queensland.

INTRODUCTION: The management of malignant polyps presents a treatment challenge between a colorectal resection and polypectomy alone. Patients managed with polypectomy alone typically undergo surveillance for recurrent or metastatic disease, however, optimal timing of surveillance methods remains unclear. Guidelines recommend for completely resected malignant polyps, that a surveillance colonoscopy be perform 12 months from diagnosis. This study sought to clarify how patients with a malignant polyp were being colonoscopically surveilled if they did not undergo colorectal resection. METHODS: A retrospective, population-wide cohort analysis of all patients from 2011 to 2019 was performed using data from the Queensland Oncology Repository. Patient, procedural and pathological data were extracted for all patients diagnosed with a malignant polyp and timing of the first surveillance endoscopy was calculated. Statistical analysis comparing the timing of surveillance colonoscopy across multiple patients, procedural and histological characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1646 patients were identified with a malignant polyp, with 797 patients managed with polypectomy and surveillance alone. The median time to surveillance endoscopy was 182 days with the mean 220.01 days. This was substantially sooner than the recommended clinical guidelines of 365 days. There were no patient or procedural characteristics which predicted a difference in the timing of surveillance colonoscopy. No pathological factors appeared to change the timing for surveillance endoscopy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, patients had surveillance endoscopy procedures substantially earlier than guideline recommendations. However, evidence underlying these guidelines and other surveillance methods for malignant polyps are not strong. Future technological developments, including improvements in imaging techniques, may provide additional options for surveillance of malignant polyps.

Eribulin for the treatment of advanced breast cancer: A prospective observational registry study.

OBJECTIVE: Eribulin treatment improved overall survival with predictable toxicities in phase 3 trials of patients with previously treated, locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer. This study (NCT02443428) prospectively observed eribulin-treated patients in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: This observational multicentre registry study enrolled 76 patients with locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer who had ≤2 prior chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease. Eribulin was administered at a 1.23 mg/m2 dose (days 1 and 8 of every 21-day cycle). Adverse events (AEs) were monitored and effectiveness was assessed per local practice. RESULTS: AEs occurred in 98.7% of patients; 88.2% had eribulin-related AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue (64.5%), alopecia (36.8%), nausea (35.5%) and constipation (30.3%). Serious AEs occurred in 42.1% of patients. The most common grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (9.2%), febrile neutropenia (9.2%), dyspnoea (5.3%) and pleural effusion (5.3%). No fatal AEs occurred. Dose reductions occurred in 31.6% of patients, 42.1% experienced dose delays and 9.2% discontinued due to worsening condition. There were complete responses in 2.6% and partial responses in 15.8% of patients. Median time to progression and overall survival were 4.0 and 8.3 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Eribulin was well tolerated in real-world clinical practice, comparable to safety and effectiveness reported in other clinical trials.

A population-based study of the management of rectal malignant polyps and the use of trans-anal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal malignant polyps can be managed by use of trans-anal resections (TAR). Traditional techniques of resection have been replaced by use of platforms such as trans-anal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) or trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). This study reviewed the management of rectal malignant polyps, in particular focussing on when clinicians used TAR. METHODS: A population wide cohort study of all malignant rectal polyps diagnosed in Queensland, Australia from 2011 to 2018 was undertaken. Patient and pathological factors were compared across the management strategies of polypectomy, TAR and rectal resection. RESULTS: Overall 430 patients were diagnosed with a malignant rectal polyp during the study period, with 103 undergoing a TAR. There was increasing use of TAR across the study period as a management strategy (P < 0.001). Polypectomy alone was more likely to be the management strategy over TAR or rectal resection if there were clear margins (P < 0.001). The distance to the closest polypectomy margin was also significantly higher in the polypectomy group with mean clearance 2.09 mm in polypectomy group versus 0.86 mm in TAR group and 0.99 mm in resection group (P < 0.001). Rectal resection was more likely to be the management strategy over TAR if there was LVI (P < 0.001), depth of invasion was deeper (P < 0.001) and there was tumour budding (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: TAR is an effective management strategy for rectal polyps and is utilized particularly in rectal malignant polyps when there are close or involved margins. Future guideline development should consider incorporation of TAR given the advances in techniques afforded by TAMIS or TEM platforms.