Are the MIA and MSKCC nomograms useful in selecting patients with melanoma for sentinel lymph node biopsy?

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomograms were developed to help guide sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) decisions. Although statistically validated, whether these prediction models provide clinical benefit at National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline-endorsed thresholds is unknown. We conducted a net benefit analysis to quantify the clinical utility of these nomograms at risk thresholds of 5%-10% compared to the alternative strategy of biopsying all patients. External validation data for MIA and MSKCC nomograms were extracted from respective published studies. RESULTS: The MIA nomogram provided added net benefit at a risk threshold of 9% but net harm at 5%-8% and 10%. The MSKCC nomogram provided added net benefit at risk thresholds of 5% and 9%-10% but net harm at 6%-8%. When present, the magnitude of net benefit was small (1-3 net avoidable biopsies per 100 patients). CONCLUSION: Neither model consistently provided added net benefit compared to performing SLNB for all patients. DISCUSSION: Based on published data, use of the MIA or MSKCC nomograms as decision-making tools for SLNB at risk thresholds of 5%-10% does not clearly provide clinical benefit to patients.

Obesity is not associated with increased morbidity in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent single-institutional series have examined the relationship of body mass index (BMI) in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) generally without significant increase in serious complications with increasing BMI. This study evaluates the impact of BMI on complication rates using a national cohort. METHODS: The ACS NSQIP database was queried for patients undergoing concurrent CRS with IPC (2005-2012). Death and serious morbidity (DSM) was the primary outcome. Statistical analyses were performed to determine significant associations between peri-operative factors and DSM. RESULTS: Of 1,085 patients, there were 30.4% (n = 330) obese (BMI >30) and 32.1% (n = 348) normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) patients. DSM rates did not differ between these groups (P = 0.853). Obese patients were more likely to experience post-operative wound (P = 0.017) and renal (P = 0.002) complications. Hypoalbuminemia (OR 7.34; 95% CI 2.27-23.73), prolonged operative time (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.83-4.97) and concomitant liver resection (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.31-8.28) were independent risk factors for DSM among obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is not significantly associated with DSM in patients undergoing CRS/IPC, and should not be a major deterrence for surgery. However, obese patients are more likely to experience wound and renal complications and hypoalbuminemia is a strong preoperative risk factor. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:619-624. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Morbidity and mortality of cytoreduction with intraperitoneal chemotherapy: outcomes from the ACS NSQIP database.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreduction with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) for treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies is increasingly utilized. However, the described morbidity and mortality rates are based predominantly on the experience at high-volume centers. We analyzed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for a nationwide perspective on morbidity and mortality associated with IPC. METHODS: The NSQIP database was queried for all patients undergoing IPC and cytoreduction from 2005 to 2011. Univariate and forward stepwise multivariate regression identified factors associated with 30-day death and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 795 patients underwent IPC. Patients underwent a median of seven operative procedures (range 2-13). Median hospital stay was 9 days (range 2-79 days). A total of 521 complications occurred in 249 (31 %) patients, and there were 19 (2.3 %) mortalities. The most common complications were bleeding (15.1 %) and sepsis (14.6 %). Univariate analysis identified age ≥60 years, ascites, weight loss, recent prior operation, albumin <3 g/dl, bilirubin ≥2 mg/dl, hematocrit ≤30 %, colon, spleen, small bowel, liver, kidney, diaphragm, and gastric resections, wound classification, operative time, and intraoperative transfusion requirement as significantly associated with death and morbidity. By multivariate analysis, age ≥60 years, preoperative albumin <3 g/dl, gastrectomy, operative time, and intraoperative transfusion requirement remained significantly associated with death and morbidity. Particularly high death and morbidity rates were associated with preoperative albumin <3 g/dl (58 %), gastrectomy (62 %), and operative time of >500 min (46 %). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide cohort, the death and morbidity rate associated with cytoreduction and IPC is consistent with other large series. Age ≥60 years, albumin <3 g/dl, gastrectomy, operative time, and intraoperative transfusion requirement were associated with 30-day death and morbidity. These factors may help guide patient selection, counseling, and preoperative optimization before IPC.