Clinical Analysis of 80 Patients of Multiple Primary Lung Cancers Undergoing Simultaneous Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) through summarizing and analyzing the clinical data of 80 patients with MPLCs. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 80 patients who were diagnosed with MPLCs according to the Martini-Melamed criteria and who underwent simultaneous video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariate analysis to evaluate the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of MPLCs. Results: Among the 80 patients, there were 22 cases with MPLCs and 58 cases with double primary lung cancers. The surgical approach was mainly pulmonary lobectomy and pulmonary segmental or wedge resection (41.25%, 33/80), and lesions occurred predominantly in the upper lobe of the right lung (39.8%, 82/206). The pathology of lung cancers was mainly adenocarcinoma (89.8%, 185/206), with invasive adenocarcinoma as a dominant pathological type (68.6%, 127/185), in which acinar subtype was found to be predominant (79.5%, 101/127). The proportion of MPLCs with the same histopathological type (96.3%, 77/80) was higher than that with different histopathological types (3.7%, 3/80). Postoperative pathological staging showed stage I in most patients (86.25%, 69/80). Univariate analysis revealed that the maximum tumor diameter, highest pathological stage and lymph node metastasis were correlated with disease-free survival (P < .05). The overall median survival time of patients was 50 months. Cox multivariate regression analysis indicated that lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of MPLC patients (P < .05). Conclusion: MPLCs occur principally in the upper lobe of the right lung and pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most dominant pathological type, with acinar type as the predominant pathological subtype. Lymph node metastasis is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of MPLC patients. A favorable prognosis can be achieved through early diagnosis and active surgical treatment for individuals who are highly suspected of MPLCs indicated by imaging examination.

Multiple Primary Tumors Originating From the Prostate and Colorectum A Clinical-Pathological and Therapeutic Challenge.

Considering that the incidence of colorectal (CRC) and prostatic cancer (PC) increases with age, metachronous and synchronous tumors can often affect the same patient. Despite the importance of this subject for the diagnosis and management of oncologic patients, in medical literature the data are scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and the characteristics of double/multiple primary malignant tumors (D/MPMTs) with colorectal and prostatic origin, in patients admitted to a reference hospital in West Romania. A 4-year retrospective observational study (2016-2019) was conducted by analyzing the medical records of all patients admitted in the hospital. Demographic and clinical data, as well as tumor-related parameters, were extracted. We identified 413 consecutive hospitalized patients with PC, and 21 (5%) of them also had a primary CRC. At the time of diagnosis, the mean age of the patients with PC was 71.2 ± 6 years, and 71.8 ± 10 years for patients with CRC. Synchronous PC and CRC tumors were identified in 3/21 cases and metachronous tumors in 18/21 cases. Prostate cancer was the first tumor to be diagnosed in 13/18 cases and CRC in 5/18 cases. The most frequent subtype of PC was acinar adenocarcinoma (90%) and for CRC cases, conventional adenocarcinoma (90%). Prostate and colorectal cancers tend to co-occur in a single patient. The diagnosis of one of these two types of tumors should imply the screening for the other one, because these patients require a multidisciplinary and personalized approach.

Concurrent development of HIV-negative Kaposi's sarcoma and mycosis fungoides in an elderly Inuit from Canada.

An 88-year-old Inuit man from Northern Canada presented with an extensive skin rash associated with numerous violaceous skin nodules on his palms and lower extremities. Biopsy of a skin nodule revealed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)-associated malignancy, whereas biopsy of the erythematous skin showed an atypical infiltrate of CD4-positive T-cells that, together with TCR gene rearrangement and presence of clonal T-cells in peripheral blood by flow cytometry, was consistent with a T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides (MF) subtype. Serology was negative for HIV and HTLV-I/II and no immunodeficiency syndrome was identified. The patient was successfully treated with an oral retinoid for KS, and with topical hydrocortisone and ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy for MF. This case highlights the existence of HHV8-related lesions in native persons of Northern Canada, and also that MF-induced immunosuppression combined with immunosenescence may play a role in the development of non-HIV-related KS.

Synchronous Primary Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma and Colonic Adenocarcinoma Present in a Patient With History of Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The synchronous diagnosis of two or more primary malignancies in a patient is overall rare. This is a case report of a 70-year-old female with a history of skin squamous cell carcinoma presenting with occult hematochezia. Colonoscopy and biopsy results confirmed a microsatellite stable (MMS) adenocarcinoma in the ascending colon, and subsequent computed tomography (CT) scans identified a 3.2 cm right colonic mass and a 5.0 cm mass in the pancreatic body. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) confirmed the presence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The patient underwent neo-adjuvant FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy prior to the simultaneous distal pancreatectomy and right hemicolectomy for both pancreatic and colonic tumors. The pathology diagnoses included moderately differentiated pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) with histiocyte-like features (tumor stage: ypT3N1M0) and moderately differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma, intestinal type (tumor stage: ypT3N0M0). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of synchronous primary colonic adenocarcinoma and PDAC in the English literature.

Clinical outcomes of complete cytoreduction with concurrent liver resection followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for synchronous peritoneal and liver metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of concurrent liver resection with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver and peritoneal metastases. METHODS: Patients with colorectal liver and peritoneal metastasis who underwent complete cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with concurrent liver surgery between September 2014 and July 2018 were included. Perioperative outcomes, overall survival, and progression-free survival were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In total, 22 patients were included. The median peritoneal cancer index was 13 (range, 0-26), and the median number of liver metastases was 3 (range, 1-13). The mean total operative time was 11.4 ± 2.6 h. Minor postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade I-II) were reported in 10 patients (45.5%), and major postoperative complications (grade III-V) were reported in five patients (22.7%), including one mortality patient. The median overall survival since diagnosis with metastasis was 27.4 months. The median overall survival since surgical intervention and the progression-free survival were 16.7 months and 7.1 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This short-term follow-up study showed that, in an experienced center, combined resection with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal liver and peritoneal metastases was feasible and safe with acceptable oncologic outcomes.

Common habitual behaviors and synchronous colorectal cancer risk: a retrospective case-control study.

PURPOSE: The association of habitual behaviors with the prevalence of synchronous colorectal cancer (sCRC) is unknown. Here, we investigated whether these behaviors, which are known risk factors for colorectal polyps, may be related to sCRC risk. METHODS: We enrolled 17,093 patients who underwent cancer treatment between January 1995 and December 2016 and examined the association of age, sex, familial history of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC), and status of three common habitual behaviors (smoking and alcohol and coffee consumption) with the prevalence of sCRC. RESULTS: Of the enrolled patients, 960 (5.6%) patients had sCRC. The independent risk factors for sCRC prevalence included advanced age, male sex, hereditary CRC, smoking, and daily alcohol consumption of more than one bottle (> 600 mL). Contrary to these factors, daily coffee consumption of more than one cup seemed to provide a protection from sCRC. In the Kaplan-Meier test, the significantly worse 5-year overall survival (OS) was noted in smokers with stage 0-III CRC. The effect of alcohol consumption on 5-year OS was significant in stages II and III. Compared with those without daily coffee consumption, patients with daily coffee consumption had significantly higher 5-year OS in stages I (93.0% vs. 86.4%), II (87.1% vs. 77.2%), III (71.5% vs. 61.9%), and IV (18.0% vs. 13.0%). CONCLUSIONS: sCRC prevalence was significantly associated with habitual behaviors. Patients with smoking or with daily alcohol consumption of one bottle had higher sCRC prevalence than did those without these habits. Coffee consumption could be a protective factor for lowering sCRC risk.

Transarterial Chemoembolization in Treatment-Naïve and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity-Matched Outcome Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) improves the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, TACE treatment outcomes of patients with treatment-naïve HCC (TN-HCC) and those with recurrent HCC after curative resection (R-HCC) have not yet been compared. METHODS: We recruited 448 patients with TN-HCC, and 275 patients with R-HCC treated with TACE as first-line anti-cancer treatment. RESULTS: At first TACE, patients with TN-HCC showed a significantly lower proportion of male gender (74.9% vs. 84.3%), higher proportion of liver cirrhosis (61.9% vs. 49.3%), higher aspartate aminotransferase (median 48 vs. 31 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (median 38 vs. 26 IU/L), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (median 96.6 vs. 7.7 ng/mL), and total bilirubin (mean 1.0 vs. 0.8 mg/dL) levels, longer prothrombin time (median 1.05 vs. 1.01 international normalized ratio), higher tumor number (mean 2.1 vs. 1.7), larger tumor size (median 3.1 vs. 1.6 cm), and lower proportion of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0-A (55.6% vs. 71.9%) than patients with R-HCC (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that TACE for TN-HCC (vs. R-HCC) was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.328; P = 0.024) with AFP level and tumor number (all P < 0.05). However, treatment outcomes between TN-HCC and R-HCC became statistically similar after propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis using liver cirrhosis, tumor size, and multiple tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the similar TACE treatment outcomes observed with the PSM analysis, the current TACE treatment guideline for patients with TN-HCC might similarly be applied for patients with R-HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma macroscopic gross appearance on imaging: predictor of outcome after transarterial chemoembolization in a real-life multicenter French cohort.

BACKGROUND: Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) with lipiodol is widely performed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unsuitable for curative treatment. Additional tumor parameters such as HCC macroscopic appearance based on imaging might be helpful for transarterial chemoembolization prognostication and management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 405 patients with HCC who underwent cTACE between 2008 and 2016 from a real-life multicenter French cohort were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were classified into two macroscopic types according to HCC gross appearance on imaging: nodular versus non-nodular. The study population was stratified into two groups: derivation and validation cohorts. Independent prognostic factors of survival based on multivariate cox regression models were determined and then assessed in the validation set. Thereafter, time to progression (TTP) and radiological response rate were investigated for each prognostic factors of survival. RESULTS: Median overall survival (OS) was 35 months for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A, 22 months for BCLC stage B and 12 months for BCLC stage C patients (P < 0.0001). The corresponding TTP for these patients was 12 (7-17) months, 5 (3-6) months and 1.2 (1.2-3) months (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumors size and number, non-nodular type, alpha-fetoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase serum levels and impairment of performance status-1 were independent predictors of survival among the study groups. Non-nodular type was the most powerful factor that influences OS, TTP and radiological response rate for the recommended transarterial chemoembolization candidates. TTP was consistent with OS within each stage. CONCLUSION: HCC macroscopic appearance on imaging is a determinant predictor of outcome after cTACE in a real-life multicenter cohort.

Synchronous primary cancers: Renal cell carcinoma and rectal cancer.

Although cancers of rectum and kidney are common malignancies, the occurrence of primary synchronous neoplasms of these organs has been reported rarely. Very few case reports are available in literature till date. The relationship between these two events remains unclear, probably because of the rarity of the association. In this report, we describe incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma in an elderly man, during staging workup of rectal adenocarcinoma and both malignancies were surgically managed simultaneously with curative intent.

Impact of Synchronous Versus Metachronous Onset of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases on Survival Outcomes After Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): A Multicenter, Retrospective, Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Careful selection of patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM) for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is crucial. It remains unknown whether the time of onset of colorectal PM (synchronous vs metachronous) influences surgical morbidity and survival outcomes after CRS with HIPEC. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven colorectal PM who underwent CRS with HIPEC between February 2006 and December 2017 in two Dutch tertiary referral hospitals were retrospectively included from a prospectively maintained database. The onset of colorectal PM was classified as synchronous (PM diagnosed at the initiational presentation with colorectal cancer) or metachronous (PM diagnosed after initial curative colorectal resection). Major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients with synchronous colorectal PM and those with metachronous colorectal PM using Kaplan-Meier analyses, proportional hazard analyses, and a multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The study enrolled 433 patients, of whom 231 (53%) had synchronous colorectal PM and 202 (47%) had metachronous colorectal PM. The major postoperative complication rate and median OS were similar between the patients with synchronous colorectal PM and those with metachronous colorectal PM (26.8% vs 29.7%; p = 0.693 and 34 vs 33 months, respectively; p = 0.819). The median DFS was significantly decreased for the patients with metachronous colorectal PM and those with synchronous colorectal PM (11 vs 15 months; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.26). CONCLUSIONS: Metachronous onset of colorectal PM is associated with early recurrence after CRS with HIPEC compared with synchronous colorectal PM, without a difference in OS or major postoperative complications. Time to onset of colorectal PM should be taken into consideration to optimize patient selection for this major procedure.

Identifying Clonal Origin of Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Clinical Implications.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by high prevalence of multifocality. Multifocal HCC can arise synchronously or metachronously either from intrahepatic metastasis (IM) or multicentric occurrence (MO). To date, there have been no established criteria to accurately distinguish whether multifocal HCC originates from IM or MO. Histopathological features remain the most convenient strategy but with subjectivity and limited accuracy. Various molecular biological techniques involving assessment of TP53 mutation status, hepatitis B virus integration sites, and chromosomal alterations have been applied to determine the clonal origin. The introduction of next-generation sequencing facilitates a more comprehensive annotation of intertumor heterogeneity, resulting in more sensitive and accurate clonal discrimination. Generally, MO-HCC has better overall survival than IM-HCC after curative resection. Adjuvant antiviral treatment has been proved to decrease post-treatment recurrence probably by reducing MO-HCC recurrence, whereas adjuvant sorafenib treatment targeting prior micrometastasis failed to reduce IM-HCC recurrence. Recent studies recommended transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and traditional Chinese medicine Huaier granule as effective adjuvant treatments probably by preventing IM and both types of recurrences respectively. Immunotherapy that inhibits immune checkpoint interaction may be an optimal choice for both MO- and IM-HCC. In the future, effective personalized therapy against multifocal HCC may be achieved.

Dose to the dominant intraprostatic lesion using HDR vs. LDR monotherapy: A Phase II randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To present the dosimetric results of a Phase II randomized trial comparing dose escalation to the MRI-defined dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL) using either low-dose-rate (LDR) or high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients receiving prostate brachytherapy as monotherapy were randomized to LDR or HDR brachytherapy. Prostate and DILs were contoured on preoperative multiparametric MRI. These images were registered with transrectal ultrasound for treatment planning. LDR brachytherapy was preplanned using I-125 seeds. HDR brachytherapy used intraoperative transrectal ultrasound-based planning to deliver 27 Gy/2 fractions in separate implants. DIL location was classified as peripheral, central, or anterior. A student t-test compared DIL D90 between modalities and DIL locations. RESULTS: Of 60 patients, 31 underwent LDR and 29 HDR brachytherapy. Up to three DILs were identified per patient (100 total) with 74 peripheral, six central, and 20 anterior DILs. Mean DIL volume was 1.9 cc (SD: 1.7 cc) for LDR and 1.6 cc (SD 1.3 cc) for HDR (p = 0.279). Mean DIL D90 was 151% (SD 30%) for LDR and 132% (SD 13%) for HDR. For LDR, mean peripheral DIL D90 was 159% (SD 27%) and central or anterior 127% (SD 13%). HDR peripheral DILs received 137% (SD 12%) and central or anterior 119% (SD 7%). DIL D90 for peripheral lesions was higher than anterior and central (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DIL location affects dose escalation, particularly because of urethral proximity, such as for anterior and central DILs. HDR brachytherapy may dose escalate better when target DIL is close to critical organs.

More Synchronous Peritoneal Disease but Longer Survival in Younger Patients with Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended starting at age 50 years; however, CRC rates are increasing in the prescreening population. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been proven effective in select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from CRC, although it has not been evaluated specifically in patients < 50 years. METHODS: CRC patients aged < 50 years at diagnosis undergoing CRS/HIPEC 2007-2017 were compared with those aged ≥ 50 years. Age distribution was analyzed in patients undergoing colectomy alone versus CRS/HIPEC for CRC 1993-2013. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients underwent CRS/HIPEC, of which 44% were < 50 years. Younger patients were more likely to present with synchronous peritoneal metastases (p = 0.050). Receipt of perioperative chemotherapy was comparable (p = not significant [NS]). Charlson Comorbidity Index and ECOG score were similar (p = NS). Tumor grade was similar (p = NS). Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index, total organs resected, and anastomoses created were comparable (p = NS). Major Clavien-Dindo morbidity and LOS were similar (p = NS). Younger patients survived longer after CRS/HIPEC (p = 0.011). Demographic data from patients undergoing colectomy (n = 225) and CRS/HIPEC (n = 98) showed that age < 50 years was increasingly common with the more aggressive procedure (9% and 44% respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with PC from CRC presented more often with peritoneal metastases at the time of diagnosis. Yet despite similar perioperative features at CRS/HIPEC, they survived longer than older patients. Patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC are overall younger than those undergoing index colectomy.

NIFT-P: Are they indolent tumors? Results of a multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma has recently been reclassified as noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features on the basis of its highly indolent behavior, as proposed by an international group of experienced thyroid pathologists. METHODS: All patients from 9 high-volume endocrine surgery departments who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2015 and whose final surgical pathology revealed noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (>10 mm) were included in this study. The primary outcome was to determine the potential for recurrent disease in these patients. RESULTS: Among the 363 patients with noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features, 76% were female with a median age of 50 years (5-86 years); 345 patients (95%) underwent total thyroidectomy. A total of 65 patients had an associated micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. In the group of 133 patients who underwent prophylactic lymph node dissection (37%), 1 patient had a micrometastasis but with an associated micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. Over a median follow-up period of 5 years, 1 patient with an associated micropapillary thyroid carcinoma had recurrent disease at 6 years. All patients with noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features without micropapillary thyroid carcinoma had no lymph node metastasis or recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: We found that noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features presents with indolent behavior. However, the identification of an associated micropapillary thyroid carcinoma should be carefully evaluated because it could be a factor for lymph node metastasis and/or of recurrence.

Keratinocyte cancers in South Australia: incidence, geographical variability and service trends.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, multiplicity, geographical variability and service trends of keratinocyte cancers (KC) in South Australia (SA). METHODS: Medicare Australia data with a unique identifier were used to assess the number of people treated over years 2010-2014. A maximum of one KC service claim per year was used to determine incidence. Age-standardised rates were estimated as were KC service activity trends. RESULTS: There were 497,581 services to 204,183 SA residents for KC, solar keratoses, locally aggressive skin tumours or suspicious skin lesions. Of these, n=159,137 services were for KC (77,502 people). The five-year (2010-2014) age-standardised rate of KC in SA was 1,466.6 (95%CI 1,458.3-1,474.8) per 100,000. Forty per cent of people had more than one KC removed. Men accounted for more incident cases (59.2%). Age-specific rates showed least variability over time in the youngest age group (15-44 years). For 26 geographical areas, higher age-standardised ratios of KC were seen in coastal and agricultural areas. There was a 59% increase in services for KC from 2000 to 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Age-standardised rates for KC are relatively stable in SA, but regional variations are evident. Services for KC continue to rise. Implications for public health: This is the first systematic report of KC in SA. We demonstrate the utility of using validated Medicare data for assessing KC incidence and trends.

Risk of Synchronous Distant Recurrence at Time of Locoregional Recurrence in Patients With Stage II and III Breast Cancer (AFT-01).

Purpose National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend systemic staging imaging at the time of locoregional breast cancer recurrence. Limited data support this recommendation. We determined the rate of synchronous distant recurrence at the time of locoregional recurrence in high-risk patients and identified clinical factors associated with an increased risk of synchronous metastases. Methods A stage-stratified random sample of 11,046 patients with stage II to III breast cancer in 2006 to 2007 was selected from the National Cancer Database for participation in a Commission on Cancer special study. From medical record abstraction of imaging and recurrence data, we identified patients who experienced locoregional recurrence within 5 years of diagnosis. Synchronous distant metastases (within 30 days of locoregional recurrence) were determined. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with synchronous metastases. Results Four percent experienced locoregional recurrence (n = 445). Synchronous distant metastases were identified in 27% (n = 120). Initial presenting stage ( P = .03), locoregional recurrence type ( P = .01), and insurance status ( P = .03) were associated with synchronous distant metastases. The proportion of synchronous metastases was highest for women with lymph node (35%), postmastectomy chest wall (30%), and in-breast (15%) recurrence; 54% received systemic staging imaging within 30 days of a locoregional recurrence. Conclusion These findings support current recommendations for systemic imaging in the setting of locoregional recurrence, particularly for patients with lymph node or chest wall recurrences. Because most patients with isolated locoregional recurrence will be recommended locoregional treatment, early identification of distant metastases through routine systemic imaging may spare them treatments unlikely to extend their survival.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: Management of advanced and high-stage tumors.

While the majority of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) can be treated surgically, the additional work-up and treatments indicated for high-risk cSCC remain undefined. In recent years, improvements in tumor staging systems have allowed for the more accurate stratification of tumors into high- and low-risk categories. This insight, along with the publication of cSCC guidelines, brings us closer to the development of a consensus approach. The second article in this continuing medical education series addresses in question and answer format the most common questions related to advanced and high-stage cSCCs, with a simplified flowchart. The questions include the following: 1) Does my patient have high-risk cSCC?; 2) What is the next step for patients with cSCC and palpable lymphadenopathy?; 3) In patients with no clinically evident lymphadenopathy, who are candidates for lymph node staging?; 4) What forms of radiologic imaging can help detect subclinical lymph node metastases?; 5) What is the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cSCC?; 6) Which patients with cSCC need adjuvant radiation therapy?; 7) Is adjuvant chemotherapy an option for patients with high-stage cSCC after surgery?; 8) Are targeted and immunologic therapies an option for advanced cSCC?; 9) How often should I follow up with my patient after he/she has been diagnosed with a high-risk cSCC?; 10) What are the options for chemoprophylaxis in a patient with an increased risk of cSCC?; and 11) What chemopreventive measures can be started in coordination with medical oncology or transplant physicians?

CONCORDANCE OF PRE-OPERATIVE CLINICAL STAGE WITH PATHOLOGIC STAGE IN PATIENTS ≥45 YEARS OLD WITH WELL-DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical stage (cStage) in thyroid cancer determines extent of surgical therapy and completeness of resection. Pathologic stage (pStage) is an important determinant of outcome. The rate of discordance between clinical and pathologic stage in thyroid cancer is unknown. METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base was queried to identify 27,473 patients ≥45 years old with cStage I through IV differentiated thyroid cancer undergoing surgery from 2008-2012. RESULTS: There were 16,286 (59.3%) cStage I patients; 4,825 (17.6%) cStage II; 4,329 (15.8%) cStage III; and 2,013 (7.3%) cStage IV patients. The upstage rate was 15.1%, and the downstage rate was 4.6%. For cStage II, there was a 25.5% upstage rate. The change in cStage was a result of inaccurate T-category in 40.8%, N-category in 36.3%, and both in 22.9%. On multivariate analysis, the patients more likely to be upstaged had papillary histology, tumors 2.1 to 4 cm, total thyroidectomy, nodal surgery, positive margins, or multifocal disease. Upstaged patients received radioiodine more frequently (75.3% vs. 48.1%; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Approximately 20% of cStage is discordant to pStage. Certain populations are at risk for inaccurate staging, including cT2 and cN0 patients. Upstaged patients are more likely to receive radioactive iodine therapy. ABBREVIATIONS: CI = confidence interval; cStage = clinical stage; DTC = differentiated thyroid cancer; NCDB = National Cancer Data Base; OR = odds ratio; pStage = pathologic stage; RAI = radioactive iodine.

Synchronous colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma with chest wall involvement: Is this a coincidence?

Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMNs) are rare malignant neoplasms that simultaneously or successively occur in the same patient as 2 or more primary malignancies. Currently, an increasing number of cases are being reported. In general, MPMNs more commonly occur as 2 solid tumors or 2 hematological malignancies. Cases of MPMN that involve a solid tumor and a hematological malignancy are rare. Here, we report a case of synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC) and multiple myeloma (MM) with chest wall involvement. After reviewing the literature, we believe that there may be a distinct syndrome involving CRC and MM. The patient in our case study suffered refractory anemia following surgery and 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Initially, the anemia was considered to be a common manifestation of CRC in this patient. Interestingly, although he received a blood transfusion, his hemoglobin levels remained low. He later developed hematuria, proteinuria, multiple osteoporosis in the costal bones, and thrombocytopenia. These new symptoms drew our attention, and we considered a diagnosis of synchronous primary CRC and MM, with the anemia as a symptom of MM. Based on the results of a bone marrow aspirate, MM was confirmed. Therefore, when CRC is associated with refractory anemia, we should not only assume that anemia is a classical symptom of CRC, a result of chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, or myelosuppression due to chemotherapy, but we should also consider that it may reflect the possibility of a coexisting hematologic malignancy. As the treatment of these 2 malignancies is different, early diagnosis and treatment based on definitive diagnosis as early as possible will be beneficial to overall prognosis.