[Update on precursors of vulvar carcinoma]. / Lésions vulvaires précancéreuses : mise au point.

Vulvar carcinomas represent 4% of all gynaecological cancers with 838 new cases in France in 2018. The precursor lesions of vulvar carcinomas are differentiated vulvar intraepithelial lesion (dVIN) in a context of lichen sclerosus and vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) link to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Three typical clinical forms of HSIL are described: the Bowenoid papulosis, the Bowen's disease and the confluent VIN. Histopathology cannot differentiate effectively these two types of lesions. P16 and P53 immunostaining are valuable tools to respectively assess HPV infection and divide different types of dVIN. However, P53 immunostaining is still lacking sensibility to detect dVIN. First line therapies are medical treatment excluding the cases with a doubt of invasion. The gold standard treatment for dVIN and vulvar HSIL are respectively topical corticosteroids and imiquimod. Primary prevention for vulvar HSIL and dVIN are respectively HPV vaccination and early treatment of lichen sclerosus. Destructive therapy can be used in case of medical treatment failure such as CO2 laser, cryotherapy, dynamic phototherapy. Surgical indications should be carefully assessed between the risk of recurrence, the spread of the lesions, the aesthetic and functional aspect. Surgical procedures consist in either superficial vulvectomy or radical vulvectomy with or without flap reconstruction. Recurrence rate after surgery is around 20%.

Radiation therapy after sentinel lymph node biopsy for early stage breast cancer using a magnetic tracer: Results of a single institutional prospective study of tolerance.

PURPOSE: . The aim of the study was, through a single institutional analysis of a large population of breast cancer patients, to assess the feasibility of and the tolerance to radiotherapy after the use of magnetic detection method for sentinel lymph node biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The super paramagnetic iron oxide particles database was collected prospectively and identified 520 cases from October 2013 to December 2016 at our institution. All of them received super paramagnetic iron oxide particles injection 20minutes before the surgical procedure and some of them received also isotope technique. Injection site for super paramagnetic iron oxide particles and isotope was periareolar. Among them, 288 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. In our study, we evaluated the tolerance of postoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 64 years. The median follow-up period was 16 months (range: 1-42 months). Double detection of sentinel lymph node was done in the first 30 patients (10.4%). The sentinel lymph node identification rate was 99.7% (287 out of 288). There were 34 axillary lymph node dissections, of which 58.8% were realized straightaway. The total radiation dose was 50Gy EQD2 (range: 28.5-66Gy). Regarding the occurrence of radiodermatitis, 95.8% of patients had grade 0-2 radiodermatitis and 1% had grade 3. During follow-up, 19.4% of patients developed grade 1-2 post-therapeutic fibrosis (of which 92.9% grade 1). CONCLUSION: The results of this large-scale study show that the radiotherapy after sentinel lymph node biopsy using super paramagnetic iron oxide particles is feasible, and that no increase of the toxicity was observed.

Radiofrequency-induced Thermo-chemotherapy Effect Versus a Second Course of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin or Institutional Standard in Patients with Recurrence of Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Following Induction or Maintenance Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy (HYMN): A Phase III, Open-label, Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no effective intravesical second-line therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) when bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) fails. OBJECTIVE: To compare disease-free survival time (DFS) between radiofrequency-induced thermo-chemotherapy effect (RITE) and institutional standard second-line therapy (control) in NMIBC patients with recurrence following induction/maintenance BCG. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: Open-label, phase III randomised controlled trial accrued across 14 centres between May 2010 and July 2013 (HYMN [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01094964]). INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to RITE (60min, 40mg mitomycin-C, 42±2°C) or control following stratification for carcinoma in situ (CIS) status (present/absent), therapy history (failure of previous induction/maintenance BCG), and treatment centre. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Primary outcome measures were DFS and complete response (CR) at 3 mo for the CIS at randomisation subgroup. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 104 patients were randomised (48 RITE: 56 control). Median follow-up for the 31 patients without a DFS event was 36 mo. There was no significant difference in DFS between treatment arms (hazard ratio [HR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-2.10, p=0.23) or in 3-mo CR rate in CIS patients (n=71; RITE: 30% vs control: 47%, p=0.15). There was no significant difference in DFS between treatment arms in non-CIS patients (n=33; RITE: 53% vs control: 24% at 24 mo, HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.22-1.17, p=0.11). DFS was significantly lower in RITE than in control in CIS with/without papillary patients (n=71; HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.17-3.62, p=0.01; treatment-subgroup interaction p=0.007). Disease progression was observed in four patients in each treatment arm. Adverse events and health-related quality of life between treatment arms were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: DFS was similar between RITE and control. RITE may be a second-line therapy for non-CIS recurrence following BCG failure; however, confirmatory trials are needed. RITE patients with CIS with/without papillary had lower DFS than control. HYMN highlights the importance of the control arm when evaluating novel therapies. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study did not show a difference in bladder cancer outcomes between microwave-heated chemotherapy and standard of care treatment. Papillary bladder lesions may benefit from microwave-heated chemotherapy treatment; however, more research is needed. Both treatments are similarly well tolerated.

ICUD-SIU International Consultation on Bladder Cancer 2017: management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To provide a summary of the Third International Consultation on Bladder Cancer recommendations for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: A detailed review of the literature was performed focusing on original articles for the management of NMIBC. An international committee assessed and graded the articles based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine system. The entire spectrum of NMIBC was covered such as prognostic factors of recurrence and progression, risk stratification, staging, management of positive urine cytology with negative white light cystoscopy, indications of bladder and prostatic urethral biopsies, management of Ta low grade (LG) and high risk tumors (Ta high grade [HG], T1, carcinoma in situ [CIS]), impact of BCG strain and host on outcomes, management of complications of intravesical therapy, role of alternative therapies, indications for early cystectomy, surveillance strategies, and new treatments. The working group provides several recommendations on the management of NMIBC. RESULTS: Recommendations were summarized with regard to staging; management of primary and recurrent LG Ta and high risk disease, positive urine cytology with negative white light cystoscopy and prostatic urethral involvement; indications for timely cystectomy; and surveillance strategies. CONCLUSION: NMIBC remains a common and challenging malignancy to manage. Accurate staging, grading, and risk stratification are critical determinants of the management and outcomes of these patients. Current tools for risk stratification are limited but informative, and should be used in clinical practice when determining diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of NMIBC.

Intravesical device-assisted therapies for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the most prevalent type of bladder cancer, accounts for ~75% of bladder cancer diagnoses. This disease has a 50% risk of recurrence and 20% risk of progression within 5 years, despite the use of intravesical adjuvant treatments (such as BCG or mitomycin C) that are recommended by clinical guidelines. Intravesical device-assisted therapies, such as radiofrequency-induced thermochemotherapeutic effect (RITE), conductive hyperthermic chemotherapy, and electromotive drug administration (EMDA), have shown promising efficacy. These device-assisted treatments are an attractive alternative to BCG, as issues with supply have been a problem in some countries. RITE might be an effective treatment option for some patients who have experienced BCG failure and are not candidates for radical cystectomy. Data from trials using EMDA suggest that it is effective in high-risk disease but requires further validation, and results of randomized trials are eagerly awaited for conductive hyperthermic chemotherapy. Considerable heterogeneity in patient cohorts, treatment sessions, use of maintenance regimens, and single-arm study design makes it difficult to draw solid conclusions, although randomized controlled trials have been reported for RITE and EMDA.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma - From diagnosis to treatment.

Breast lymphomas comprise a rare group of malignant breast tumors. Among these, a new entity has emerged as a potentially under-diagnosed disease. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BI-ALCL) most often manifests as a late periprosthetic effusion between 1 and 10 years after the implantation of silicone or saline-filled breast prostheses. BI-ALCL is an anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative T-cell lymphoma that has a distinctively different clinical course than other breast lymphomas or ALCLs. Diagnosis is based on aspiration of the effusion around the implant and CD30 positivity of the sample. Every periprosthetic effusion after breast augmentation or reconstruction using implants should be considered as potential BI-ALCL until proven otherwise. The majority of cases at diagnosis are in the in situ stage, i.e., confined to the lumen around the prosthesis. Most patients have an excellent prognosis when complete removal of the capsule and prosthesis with negative margins is achieved surgically. Some patients, however, develop infiltrative disease with a potentially life-threatening clinical course. Treatment planning regarding the extent of surgery and role of adjuvant therapy, especially in advanced cases, requires further investigation.

Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Intravesical Chemohyperthermia with Mitomycin C Versus Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for Adjuvant Treatment of Patients with Intermediate- and High-risk Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite adjuvant intravesical therapy, recurrences in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are still high; therefore, new treatment options are needed. The use of chemohyperthermia (CHT) as an alternative treatment is expanding in Europe. To date, however, there has been a lack of prospective randomised data. OBJECTIVE: To compare CHT using mitomycin C (MMC) with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as adjuvant treatment for intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between 2002 and 2012, 190 NMIBC patients were randomised in this controlled, open-label, multicentre trial for 1-yr CHT (six weekly treatments and six maintenance treatments) and 1-yr BCG immunotherapy (six weekly treatments and three weekly maintenance treatments at months 3, 6, and 12). Patients and physicians giving the interventions were aware of assignment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00384891). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary end point was 24-mo recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses in all papillary NMIBC patients (n=147). Analyses were done with the log-rank test and Fisher exact test. All tests were two-sided. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The 24-mo ITT RFS was 78.1% in the CHT group compared with 64.8% in the BCG group (p=0.08). The 24-mo RFS in the PP analysis was 81.8% in the CHT group compared with 64.8% in the BCG group (p=0.02). Progression rates were <2% in both groups. Regarding the side-effects, no new safety concerns were identified. A concern is that this study closed prematurely and thus is underpowered. Furthermore, blinding of treatment for patients and physicians was impossible; this may have resulted in unavoidable bias. CONCLUSIONS: CHT is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with intermediate- and high-risk papillary NMIBC. A significantly higher 24-mo RFS in the CHT group was seen in the PP analysis. Based on the results above, CHT is an option for BCG therapy as adjuvant treatment for intermediate- and high-risk papillary NMIBC. PATIENT SUMMARY: Recurrences in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer are common, despite adjuvant therapies. We compared 24-mo recurrence-free survival (RFS) with chemohyperthermia (CHT) versus bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. According to these data, CHT therapy appears to be safe and has higher 24-mo RFS than BCG therapy.

Clinical outcomes in patients with isolated serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC): A comprehensive review.

OBJECTIVE. Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) is currently considered the precursor lesion of pelvic (i.e., ovarian or peritoneal) high-grade serous carcinoma. The incidence of STIC has been reported to range from 0.6% to 7% in BRCA mutations carriers. However, the clinical outcome of patients with 'isolated' STIC remains elusive. The aim of this study is to review the published literature on isolated STIC to determine outcomes of these ients and present a summary of management strategies. METHODS. A systematic English-language literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE-Ovid, Scopus, EBSCO host, Cochrane Library of articles published from February 2006 to April 2015. Study inclusion criteria for review were the following: risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), BRCA mutation carriers, non-BRCA mutation carriers, and benign surgical indication. Exclusion criteria were as follows: the presence of synchronous gynecological cancers, concurrent non-gynecological malignancies, the presence of ovarian intraepithelial lesions, and articles that did not include any clinical information and were restricted to pathology information only. RESULTS. A total of 78 patients with isolated STIC were included in our analysis. The median age for all patients was 53.7 years (range; 37-83). Surgical indication was RRSO in 67 patients with BRCA mutations or high-risk personal or family history. In the other 11 patients, an incidental STIC was detected after surgery for non-cancerous indications. Eleven (16.4%) patients received chemotherapy after the diagnosis of STIC. The follow-up time ranged from 2 to 150 months. Three (4.5%) patients with BRCA mutations were diagnosed with primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) during the follow-up at 43, 48 and 72 months after RRSO. CONCLUSIONS. The rate of primary peritoneal carcinoma in patients with BRCA mutations and isolated STIC is 4.5%. The role of adjuvant therapy remains elusive and routine surveillance with tumor markers and imaging is not warranted.

Conjunctival squamous cell neoplasia: the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre experience.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of patients with conjunctival squamous cell neoplasia (CSCN)--including conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), conjunctival squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (C-SIN) and carcinoma in situ (CIS)-treated at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre (LOOC). METHODS: Patients treated between January 1993 and September 2011 were identified and categorised as having 'primary' or 'salvage' treatment, according to whether they had undergone a surgical procedure before referral to our centre. Invasive SCC was treated by excision with adjunctive ruthenium plaque radiotherapy. C-SIN or CIS was treated with topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and in a few cases, cryotherapy. RESULTS: Primary treatment was administered to 20 patients (16 males, four females). Mean age was 62 years (range, 33-85). Histological examination revealed C-SIN/CIS in ten patients and invasive SCC in nine. Median follow-up was 69 months (range, 34-168). Three patients required further topical chemotherapy for persistent/recurrent C-SIN. Salvage therapy was administered to 21 patients (15 males, six females). Mean age was 63 years (range, 26-82). Histology showed C-SIN/CIS in 11 patients and invasive SCC in ten. Median follow-up was 54.5 months (range, 36-120). At the close of this audit, there was no recurrence of invasive or metastatic disease in either the primary or salvage groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our established protocol for treatment of CSCN has proven successful in local tumour control, and avoids ocular complications. We advocate adjunctive radiotherapy in patients with invasive SCC and chemotherapy in C-SIN/CIS. For improved patient outcome, prompt referral to a specialist centre is encouraged.

Can photodynamic therapy be the preferred treatment option for anal intraepithelial neoplasia? Initial results of a pilot study.

Anal intra-epithelial neoplasia (AIN) is a pre-malignant condition, which over time may progress to invasive anal squamous cell carcinoma. There is no standard treatment for AIN, but one of the therapeutic options available is photodynamic therapy (PDT). There are very few published studies of the efficacy of PDT, but it has been shown to produce downgrading of high-grade dysplasia in the anal region. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of PDT in the treatment of AIN. Fifteen patients who received anal PDT between 2004 and 2013 were identified; twelve of these had AIN, two had intra-epithelial adenocarcinoma and one had dysplasia with high-risk human papillomavirus. After a median follow-up of nineteen months, ten of these have had at least one follow-up with aceto-white staining. Six of these ten patients had a complete response to PDT, although three subsequently had some recurrence. Three further patients had a partial response to PDT. There were no major therapeutic complications. Our findings suggest that PDT is a safe and feasible treatment option for AIN, associated with reasonable response rates and relatively little morbidity. Further research into the efficacy of PDT for AIN is required.

Anal squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.

Diagnosis, follow up, and treatment of anal intraepithelial neoplasia are complex and not standardized. This may be partly caused by poor communication of biopsy and cytology findings between pathologists and clinicians as a result of a disparate and confusing terminology used to classify these lesions. This article focuses on general aspects of epidemiology and on clarifying the current terminology of intraepithelial squamous neoplasia, its relationship with human papilloma virus infection, and the current methods that exist to diagnose and treat this condition.

Bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS) in Australia: a rising incidence for an under-reported malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in Australia and examine implications for its diagnosis and management, as CIS of the urinary bladder is a non-reportable disease in Australia. METHODS: Analysis of annual hospitalisation data using Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) datasets showed an increase in CIS from 2001 onwards. To determine whether the increase seen with AIHW data represented a true increase in the rates offices, patient level data was examined using the Centre for Health record linkage (CHeReL) datasets. RESULTS: CHeReL linked data of 13,790 males and 5902 females, calculated the average incidence of CIS to be 20.9 per 100,000 and 6.5 per 100,000 respectively in those aged > 50 years, showing a rapid increase in the rates of CIS from 2001. There was an 11% (P = 0.04) and 14% (P = 0.02) annual increase in incidence of CIS in men and women and these rates increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: National data (AIHW) substantially underestimate the incidence of CIS in the Australian population. Patient level data suggest CIS rates are rapidly increasing in Australia despite high treatment rates. Closer surveillance and awareness of these high rates warrants further study and we recommend that CIS be considered a reportable disease.

Medical and surgical approaches to vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a precursor to invasive vulvar carcinoma. The two major types of VIN, usual and differentiated, differ in epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, pathology, and malignant potential. Usual VIN commonly occurs in younger women. It is associated with human papillomavirus and tends to have multifocal and multicentric involvement. Differentiated VIN is frequently associated with benign vulvar dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus and lichen simplex chronicus. It occurs in older women and typically is unifocal and unicentric. Clinicians must have a high suspicion for VIN, which is diagnosed by biopsy. Surgical excision has been the standard treatment in order to prevent progression to invasive disease. The objectives of treatment have expanded to include preservation of normal vulvar function and anatomy. Therefore, management options are being investigated, including topical therapy, laser excision and vaporization, and photodynamic therapy. All can be effective in both eliminating disease and maintaining relatively normal-appearing and functioning anatomy.

Intravesical hyperthermia and mitomycin-C for carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder: experience of the European Synergo working party.

OBJECTIVES: To study the results of chemotherapy combined with intravesical hyperthermia in patients with mainly BCG-failing carcinoma in situ (CIS). METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed CIS were included retrospectively. Outpatient thermochemotherapy treatment was done with mitomycin-C (MMC) and the Synergo system SB-TS 101 (temperature range between 41 and 44 degrees C), weekly for 6-8 weeks, followed by 4-6 sessions every 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were treated between 1997 and 2005 from 15 European centers. Thirty-four were pre-treated with BCG. Mean age was 69.9 years. Twenty-four patients had concomitant papillary tumors. The mean number of hyperthermia/MMC treatments per patient was 10.0. Of the 49 evaluable patients 45 had a biopsy and cytology proven complete response. In two patients CIS disappeared, but they had persistent papillary tumors. Follow-up of 45 complete responders showed 22 recurrences after a mean of 27 months (median 22): T2 (4), T1 (4), T1/CIS (1), CIS (5), Ta/CIS (2), Ta (5) and Tx (1). Side effects (bladder complaints) were generally mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary or BCG-failing CIS, treatment with intravesical hyperthermia and MMC appears a safe and effective treatment. The initial complete response rate is 92%, which remains approximately 50% after 2 years.

Women's experiences with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore women's experiences with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia during diagnosis and treatment. DESIGN: Two focus groups, each with 3 participants, were conducted as a pilot study. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences, quality of life, sexual functioning, body image, and well-being. Responses were audio taped, transcribed, and independently analyzed by 2 researchers to identify themes and develop categories of the participants' experiences. SETTING: Participants were recruited from an urban oncology clinic. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 6 White women ranging in age from 22 to 72 years. METHODS: Participants with a diagnosis of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia were recruited using flyers posted in their oncologist's office. An interview guide was used focusing on participants' experiences. RESULTS: Participants described a cyclic journey with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia related to the recurrent nature of the disease. Two internal influences on the journey were described: spirituality and time in life. Five external influences were discussed: significant others, health care providers, family, friends, and others with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Health care providers cannot alter the recurrent nature of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia; however, they can better understand a woman's experience and the variables that impact her experience in a negative or positive way.

Urothelial carcinoma in the prostatic urethra and prostate: current controversies.

We reviewed the literature on urothelial carcinoma in the prostatic urethra and prostate. We concluded that the incidence of urothelial carcinoma in the prostatic urethra and prostate is probably underestimated. This fact warrants thorough follow-up of patients with high-risk bladder cancers and also whole-mount examination of the prostate after cystectomy to recognize the true incidence and extent of such tumor involvement. Resectoscope loop biopsy is the method of choice to detect urothelial carcinoma in the prostatic urethra/prostate and such biopsies should include the area around the verumontanum to ensure optimal sensitivity. Carcinoma in situ in the prostatic urethra should be treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin and a transurethral resection of the prostate prior to that treatment might increase the contact of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin with the prostatic urethra, improve staging and in itself treat the prostatic involvement. Conservative treatment of carcinoma in situ in the prostatic ducts is an option, although radical surgery is probably best for treating extensive intraductal involvement, since data on the former strategy are inconclusive. Patients with stromal invasion should undergo radical surgery. It is necessary to take the route of prostatic involvement into account when estimating prognosis in each individual patient, since contiguous growth into the prostate is associated with worse prognosis. Prospective studies using a whole-mount technique to investigate the prostate are needed to clarify both the role of different routes of prostate invasion and the prognostic significance of different degrees of prostate invasion. At cystectomy, when urothelial carcinoma is present in the prostatic urethra and/or prostate, it is necessary to balance the risk of urethral recurrence and decreased sexual function against opinion and expectations expressed by the patient during preoperative counseling regarding urinary diversion and primary urethrectomy.

Variations in treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a population-based study in the East Netherlands.

AIMS: Differences in treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast were analysed for a geographically defined population in the East Netherlands. METHODS: Data from the Cancer Registry of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre East Netherlands were analysed for treatment of DCIS in the period between January 1989 and December 2003. The study population consisted of 800 female patients with a first diagnosis of DCIS of whom 798 underwent surgical treatment. The distribution of tumour characteristics and treatment were compared for several time periods. RESULTS: Surgical treatment was specified for 648 patients: 51% underwent breast-conserving surgery. The proportion of patients treated with breast-conserving surgery increased: 43% in the period 1994-1998 and 55 after 1999 (p<0.01). An axillary staging procedure was performed in 149 patients (19%), of whom 2 (1%) had tumour-involved lymph nodes. Of patients treated with breast-conserving surgery, 133 (40%) received radiation therapy: 7% in the period 1994-1998 compared to 62% after 1999 (p<0.01). Patients (60%) of 50 years or younger were treated with mastectomy compared to 44% in patients aged 50-69 years and 50% in patients of 70 years and older (p<0.01). The rate in use of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery was comparable to both age groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows variability in the treatment of DCIS in a geographically defined region. Approximately half of all patients were treated with mastectomy and 19% underwent an axillary staging procedure; this may represent aggressive, unwarranted treatment. In contrast, 38% of patients treated with breast-conserving surgery were not treated with radiation therapy after 1999, which may represent under-treatment.

Combined surgery and chemoradiation as a treatment for the Buschke-Löwenstein tumour.

BACKGROUND: The Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT) or giant condyloma acuminata is a rare disease which affects the anogenital region. Although histologically benign, it behaves in a malignant fashion, infiltrating the surrounding tissues. The morbidity and mortality from this tumour is high, as is the risk of recurrence following treatment. It lies on the continuum between the benign condylomata acuminata and squamous cell carcinoma. The human papillomavirus is implicated in its aetiology. Treatment is controversial, with topical chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and radical surgery all having been employed. Chemoradiation remains the mainstay of treatment for anal cancers but has not been routinely employed in the management of the BLT without squamous cell carcinoma transformation. METHODS: Two cases of extensive perineal BLT treated with chemoradiation and subsequent surgical excision are presented. RESULTS: The first patient had a good symptomatic response to the chemoradiation but unfortunately died of recurrent disease following surgery. The second patient had a macroscopically complete response to chemoradiation and remains well following abdominoperineal excision. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative chemoradiation has proved to be useful in management for histologically proven benign BLT

[Compliance with the breast cancer guidelines in the region of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre South, 20031/'04]. / Naleving van mammacarcinoom-richtlijnen in de regio van het Integraal Kankercentrum Zuid, 2003/'04.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the level of compliance with the NABON-guidelines (i.e. breast cancer consensus recommendations) issued in 1999 with particular regard to the diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer in hospitals in the region covered by the Comprehensive Cancer Centre South (covering the Noord-Brabant and Noord-Limburg areas in the Netherlands). DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive. METHOD: Using the Cancer Registry, the average number ofbreast cancer patients in 16 general hospital locations in the region covered by the Comprehensive Cancer Centre South was determined. Then, from I July 2003 to 30 June 2004, at each hospital location, all successive patients in whom carcinoma of the breast (invasive or in situ) had been diagnosed were included until one-third of the annual total was reached. Data from the medical-case notes of these patients were collected in order to examine to what extent the hospital locations had complied with the NABON-norms. RESULTS: A total of 581 breast cancer patients were included. In general the diagnostics and treatment complied with the consensus recommendations in the NABON-policy document. Improvements were mainly indicated in the area of logistics. One hospital met the guideline's recommendation that in 90% of cases, the pathology department should ensure that the results ofa histological needle-biopsy are available within 2 days of the biopsy being carried out. In 62% of patients, surgery was performed within 3 weeks of the necessity of an operation being confirmed, although the target norm was 90%. The interval between the last operation and the start of radiotherapy treatment was 44 instead of the proposed 28 days. Inter-hospital differences in diagnostics were seen mainly in the application of sentinel-node biopsy (34-95%). Furthermore, broad diversity was observed in the percentage of patients treated in the proposed space oftime between pathology result and initial surgery (3-87%) and between the last operation and start ofradiotherapy (0-46%) or chemotherapy (0-100%).

Late occurrence of bilateral tuberculous-like epididymo-orchitis after intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin therapy for superficial bladder carcinoma.

We report a case of bilateral tuberculous-like epididymo-orchitis occurring 3 years after intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy in an 83-year-old patient with proven superficial bladder carcinoma. The patient had no previous history of tuberculosis. Because of persistent inflammation and painful swelling of the epididymides and testes, the patient underwent bilateral orchiectomy. This case demonstrates the late adverse effects that can occur after intravesical BCG therapy, which in our patient ended in surgical removal of both gonads.