Tumour deposits are independently associated with recurrence in colon cancer.

AIM: Tumour deposits are focal aggregates of cancer cells in pericolic fat and mesentery, distinct from vessels, nerves and lymphatics. Their presence upstages lymph node negative patients but is ignored in lymph node positive patients. We investigated the clinicopathological factors associated with tumour deposits and their impact on recurrence in lymph node positive and negative patients. METHOD: Clinicopathological variables were collected from the medical records of patients with Stage I-III colon cancer who underwent resection in 2017-2019. Pathology was reviewed by a gastrointestinal pathologist. Patients with rectal cancer, metastasis, and concurrent malignancy were excluded. RESULTS: Tumour deposits were noted in 69 (9%) of 770 patients. They were associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis, advanced T category, poorly differentiated tumours, microsatellite stable subtype and lymphovascular and perineural invasion (p < 0.05). The presence of tumour deposits (hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.49-4.10) and of lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio 3.04, 95% CI 1.72-5.37) were independently associated with decreased time to recurrence. There was a weak correlation (0.27) between the number of tumour deposits and the number of positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: Tumour deposits are associated with more advanced disease and high-risk pathological features. The presence of tumour deposits and lymph node metastasis were found to be independent risk factors for decreased time to recurrence. A patient with both lymph node metastasis and tumour deposits is more than twice as likely to have recurrence compared with a patient with only lymph node metastasis. Tumour deposits independently predict recurrence and should not be ignored in lymph node positive patients.

Younger Patients with Colon Cancer are More Likely to Experience Financial Toxicity Than Older Patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of young-onset colon cancer is increasing. This study investigated the extent to which financial hardships associated with colon cancer care are associated with patient age. METHODS: A consecutive sample of patients with non-metastatic colon cancer who underwent resection at a comprehensive cancer center between 2017 and 2019 were retrospectively enrolled from a clinical database. Patients with one or more of the following events associated with their colon cancer care were categorized as having experienced financial toxicity: two or more bills sent to collections, application for a payment plan, settlement, bankruptcy, or enrollment in a financial assistance program. RESULTS: Of 764 patients identified, 157 (21 %) experienced financial toxicity. In a univariable analysis, financial toxicity was significantly associated with younger age, female sex, nonpartnered marital status, and median income by ZIP code area (p < 0.05). A multivariable analysis showed that with each 10-year decrease in patient age, the odds of financial toxicity increased by 30 % (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.48). With each $50,000 decrease in median income by ZIP code area, the odds of financial toxicity increased by 35 % (OR, 1.35; 95 % CI, 1.05-1.74). CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with colon cancer are at greater risk for financial toxicity than older patients. As this population continues to grow, so will the need for timely and effective financial support mechanisms.

Lymph Node Metastases and Associated Recurrence-Free Survival in Microsatellite Stable and Unstable Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to microsatellite stable (MSS) colon cancer, predictors of lymph node metastases and their association with recurrence are not well-defined in microsatellite instability (MSI) colon cancer. METHODS: A cohort of nonmetastatic colon cancer patients undergoing surgery between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated for predictors of lymph node metastases (LNMs) and their association with recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Of 1466 patients included in the analyses, 361 (25 %) had MSI. Compared with MSS, MSI was associated with earlier stage, fewer LNMs in the patients with N1 or N2 disease, and fewer high-risk features. Compared with the T3-T4 MSS patients, the odds ratios for LNM were 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.71) for the T3-T4 MSI patients, 0.27 (95% CI, 0.38-0.71) for the T1-T2 MSS patients, and 0.15 (95 % CI, 0.08-0.26) for the T1-T2 MSI patients. In both groups, LNMs were associated with T category, patient age, and venous, lymphatic, or perineural invasion. In the MSS patients, LNMs were additionally associated with patient sex and histologic grade. Compared with the MSS patients, the MSI patients with N0 and N1 disease had a better 3-year RFS. However, the MSI patients with N2 disease had a lower rate of 3-year RFS than the MSS patients (hazard ratio, 19.75 vs 4.49). CONCLUSIONS: In MSI colon cancer, LNMs are 50 % less prevalent, but the factors associated with LNM are like those in MSS colon cancer. The improved prognosis traditionally associated with early-stage MSI colon cancers dissipates with four or more LNMs. These findings should be taken into consideration by clinicians selecting the most appropriate course of treatment for MSI colon cancer.

Effects of a fragmenting handgun bullet: Considerations for trauma care providers.

INTRODUCTION: Expanding or fragmenting bullets have been known to cause extensive injuries since they became available in the late 19th century. Although these bullets are now banned from international warfare, their use by civilians and law enforcement is still legal in the US. In this case report, we describe the complex injuries and subsequent complicated hospital course of a civilian trauma patient who was shot with a newly-designed fragmenting bullet, known as a Radically Invasive Projectile (RIP) bullet. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old man presented as a trauma activation after a gunshot wound to his left chest. He subsequently underwent chest tube placement, an emergent thoracotomy, and an exploratory laparotomy. In the operating room, the patient had multiple ballistic fragments lodged within his left thoracic cavity and left upper abdomen. These fragments caused multiple penetrating injuries resulting in an 18 day hospital stay with numerous complications. He underwent 4 emergency operations, 2 separate admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU), and the placement of 4 chest tubes. He was ultimately discharged home in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Expanding or fragmenting bullets are designed to inflict significantly more tissue damage than non-deformable bullets. This type of ammunition is prohibited in international warfare on the basis that it does not serve a military advantage but can result in excessive wounding and unnecessary suffering. There is no such ban for handgun ammunition for domestic use in most countries including the United States. Ammunition manufacturers have recently released a fragmenting bullet that is designed to inflict a maximum amount of tissue damage. In this case report, we described the devestating effects of this bullet on a civilian trauma patient.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: How Do the Different Criteria for Diagnosis Match Up?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) affects up to 30 per cent of ICU patients and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We identified factors associated with prolonged latency of VAP and evaluated its effects on survival and additional outcomes. We also determined the sensitivity of various clinical definitions of VAP, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2013 criteria. We hypothesized that the CDC 2013 criteria would have poor sensitivity. We collected data on 102 subjects who developed VAP between 2012 and 2017. We conducted a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression and generalized linear models/ANOVA to look at predictor variables along with multivariate models for each outcome. White patients, nonsurgical patients, patients with renal failure, altered mental status, increased FiO2, and increased positive end-expiratory pressure had worse survival. Trauma patients, patients with positive sputum cultures, and patients with suspected pneumonia had better survival. Sensitivity of the CDC 2013 criteria was only 44.1 per cent. Our results emphasize the importance of having a high index of suspicion for VAP in ventilator-dependent patients. The 2013 CDC criteria failed to detect 55.9 per cent of confirmed VAP cases. These results are concerning because undetected VAP can have devastating consequences for patients.