Association between primary tumor characteristics and histopathological growth pattern of liver metastases in colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The microarchitecture of liver metastases (LMs), or histopathological growth pattern (HGP), has been demonstrated to be a significant prognostic factor in patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). Currently, however, HGP can be only determined on the operative specimen. Therefore, the development of new tools to predict the HGP of CRLMs before surgery and to understand the mechanisms that drive these patterns is important for improving individualization of therapeutic management. In this study, we analyzed data from a retrospective series of patients who underwent surgery for CRLMs to compare primary tumor characteristics, including markers of local aggressiveness and migratory capacity, and HGP of liver metastases. METHODS: Data from a retrospective series of 167 patients who underwent curative-intent resection of CRLMs and in whom pathological samples from both primary tumor and liver metastases were available were reviewed. At the primary tumor level, KRAS mutational status, grade of differentiation, and tumor budding were assessed. HGP was scored in each resected CRLM, according to consensus guidelines, and classified as desmoplastic (dHGP) or non-desmoplastic (non-dHGP). Associations between primary tumor characteristics and HGP of CRLMs were evaluated using a binary logistic regression model. Overall survival and disease-free survival were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: CRLMs were classified as dHGP in 36% of the patients and as non-dHGP in 64%. Higher rates of moderately or poorly differentiated primary tumors were observed in the non-dHGP CRLM group (80%), as compared with the dHGP group (60%) (OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.6-7.05; p = 0.001). Higher rates of tumor budding were observed in the non-dHGP CRLM group, with a median tumor budding value of 4 as compared with 2.5 in the dHGP group (p = 0.042). In the entire series, 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 43% and 32.5%, respectively. The non-dHGP CRLM group had worse post-hepatectomy survival, with 5-year overall and disease-free survival of 32.2% and 24.6%, respectively, as compared with 60.8% and 45.9%, respectively, for the dHGP group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Colorectal tumors with moderate or poor differentiation and those with high tumor budding are more frequently associated with CRLMs with a non-dHGP. This suggests that primary tumor characteristics of local aggressiveness and migratory capacity could preferentially promote the development of CRLMs with an infiltrating pattern and that these parameters should be considered as part of new scores for predicting HGP before surgery. This finding may stimulate new lines of research for more individualized therapeutic decision in patients with CRLM candidate to surgery.

Esophageal cancer: Outcome and potential benefit of esophagectomy in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: This analysis evaluated the morbimortality and the potential benefit of esophagectomy for cancer in elderly patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC were divided into elderly (≥70 years) and nonelderly (<70 years) groups. The groups were compared regarding patient and tumor characteristics, postoperative morbimortality, and disease-free, overall and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were classified into elderly, and 187 into nonelderly groups. The elderly were characterized by a higher rate of WHO score (p < 0.0001), higher cardiac (p < 0.004) and renal (p < 0.023) comorbidities. The rate of neoadjuvant therapy and especially of neoadjuvant CRT was significantly lower in elderly patients (p < 0.018 and p < 0.007). Operative morbidity was also higher in this group (p < 0.024). The 30- and 90-day mortality was 8.2 and 11.5%, respectively in elderly patients and 0.5 and 3.2% in nonelderly patients (p < 0.004 and p < 0.012). This 90-day mortality decreased when specific surgery-related deaths were taken into consideration. OS and DFS were significantly better in the nonelderly group (p < 0.003 and p < 0.005) while no difference was observed for cancer-specific survival (CSS). CONCLUSION: No difference in CSS was observed. Although elderly patients with EC had higher postoperative morbimortality, the age should not be a criterion whether to perform, or not to perform, esophagectomy. This decision must be based on the balance between the patient's general condition and aggressive disease.

Systemic Sentinel Lymph Node Detection Using Fluorescence Imaging After Indocyanine Green Intravenous Injection in Colorectal Cancer: Protocol for a Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Nodal staging is a major concern in colorectal cancer as it is an important prognostic factor. Several techniques that could potentially improve patient treatment and prognosis have been developed to increase the accuracy of nodal staging. Sentinel lymph node detection has been shown to accurately reflect nodal status in various tumors and has become the standard procedure in nodal staging of breast cancer and melanoma. However, in colorectal cancer, sentinel lymph node detection techniques are still controversial as the sensitivity reported in the literature varies from one study to another. Recently, indocyanine green fluorescence-guided surgery has been reported to be a useful technique for detection of macroscopic and microscopic metastatic deposits in lymph nodes after intravenous administration of indocyanine green dye. However, no studies have focused on the potential role of sentinel lymph node detection after systemic administration of indocyanine green dye, so-called systemic sentinel lymph nodes, or on the correspondence between the identification of the sentinel lymph node by standard local injection techniques and the detection of fluorescent lymph nodes with this new approach. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this protocol is to validate the concept of sentinel lymph nodes identified by fluorescence imaging after intravenous injection of indocyanine green dye and to compare the sentinel lymph nodes identified by fluorescence imaging with sentinel lymph nodes detected by the standard blue dye technique. METHODS: This study (SeLyNoFI; Sentinel Lymph Nodes Fluorescence Imaging) is a diagnostic, single-arm, open-label feasibility study, including patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma with or without metastatic disease who are admitted for elective colorectal resection of the primary tumor. This study evaluates the feasibility of a new approach for improving the accuracy of nodal staging using fluorescence imaging after intravenous administration of indocyanine green dye. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of the classical blue dye technique and of the investigatory fluorescence imaging technique will be calculated. Translational research will be proposed, if applicable. RESULTS: As of June 2020, this study has been registered. Submission for ethical review is planned for September 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The potential correlation between the two different approaches to detect sentinel lymph nodes offers new strategies for improving the accuracy of nodal staging in colorectal cancer. This new concept of the systemic sentinel lymph node and a greater understanding of the interactions between systemic sentinel lymph nodes and standard sentinel lymph nodes may provide important information regarding the underlying mechanism of primary tumor lymphatic drainage. The enhanced permeability and retention effect can also play a role in the fluorescence of systemic sentinel lymph nodes, especially if these lymph nodes are inflamed. In this case, we can even imagine that this new technique will highlight more instances of lymph node-positive colorectal cancer. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/17976.

The lack of selection criteria for surgery in patients with non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of surgery in patients with non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine liver metastases (NCRNNELM) remains controversial. At the population level, several statistical prognostic factors and scores have been proposed but inconsistently verified. At the patient level, no selection criteria have been demonstrated to guide individual therapeutic decision making. We aimed to evaluate potential individual selection criteria to predict the benefit of surgery in patients undergoing treatment for NCRNNELM. METHODS: Data for 114 patients undergoing surgery for NCRNNELM were reviewed. In this population, we identified an early relapse group (ER), defined as patients with unresectable recurrence < 1 year postoperatively who did not benefit from surgery (N = 28), and a long-term survival group (LTS), defined as patients who were recurrence-free ≥ 5 years postoperatively and benefited from surgery (N = 20). Clinicopathologic parameters, the Association Française de Chirurgie (AFC) score, and a modified 4-point Clinical Risk Score (mCRS) (excluding CEA level) were analyzed and compared between LTS and ER groups. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female and a majority had an ASA score ≤ 2 at the time of liver surgery. The median age was 55 years. Almost half of the patients (46%) presented with a single-liver metastasis. Intermediate- and low-risk AFC scores represented 40% and 60% of the population, respectively. Five- and 10-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 56% and 27%, and 30% and 12%, respectively. Negative prognostic factors were the size of liver metastases > 50 mm and delay between primary and NCRNNELM <24 months for OS and DFS, respectively. AFC score was not prognostic while high-risk mCRS (scores 3-4) was predictive for the poorer OS. The clinicopathologic parameters were similar in the ER and LTS groups, except the presence of N+ primary tumor, and the size of liver metastases was significantly higher in the ER group. CONCLUSION: In patients with resectable NCRNNELM, no predictive factors or scores were found to accurately preoperatively differentiate individual cases in whom surgery would be futile from those in whom surgery could be associated with a significant oncological benefit.

Retrospective analysis of the immunogenic effects of intra-arterial locoregional therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma: a rationale for combining selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) and immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy represents a promising option for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients but its efficacy is currently inconsistent and unpredictable. Locoregional therapies inducing immunogenic cell death, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), have the potential to act synergistically with immunotherapy. For the development of new approaches combining locoregional treatments with immunotherapy, a better understanding of the respective effects of TACE and SIRT on recruitment and activation of immune cells in HCC is needed. To address this question, we compared intra-tumor immune infiltrates in resected HCC after preoperative treatment with TACE or SIRT. METHODS: Data fromr patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for HCC, without preoperative treatment (SURG, n = 32), after preoperative TACE (TACE, n = 16), or preoperative SIRT (n = 12) were analyzed. Clinicopathological factors, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and granzyme B (GZB) expression in resected HCC, and postoperative overall and progression-free survival were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Clinicopathological and surgical characteristics were similar in the three groups. A significant increase in TILs, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and GZB expression was observed in resected HCC in SIRT as compared to TACE and SURG groups. No difference in immune infiltrates was observed between TACE and SURG patients. Within the SIRT group, the dose of irradiation affected the type of immune infiltrate. A significantly higher ratio of CD3+ cells was observed in the peri-tumoral area in patients receiving < 100 Gy, whereas a higher ratio of intra-tumoral CD4+ cells was observed in patients receiving > 100 Gy. Postoperative outcomes were similar in all groups. Irrespective of the preoperative treatment, the type and extent of immune infiltrates did not influence postoperative survival. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT significantly promotes recruitment/activation of intra-tumor effector-type immune cells compared to TACE or no preoperative treatment. These results suggest that SIRT is a better candidate than TACE to be combined with immunotherapy for treatment of HCC. Evaluation of the optimal doses for SIRT for producing an immunogenic effect and the type of immunotherapy to be used require further evaluation in prospective studies.

The metabolic clinical risk score as a new prognostic model for surgical decision-making in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Selection for surgery in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains inaccurate. We evaluated if CRLM baseline metabolic characteristics, assessed by [18]F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 FDG-PET/CT), could predict postoperative outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective series of patients undergoing surgery for CRLM, we defined two groups: the long-term survival (LTS) and early relapse (ER) groups, where the postoperative recurrence-free survivals were ≥5 years or <1 year, respectively. We analyzed the patients in whom baseline 18 FDG-PET/CT was available. Clinicopathologic parameters, clinical risk score (CRS), and baseline 18 FDG-PET/CT characteristics were compared between LTS and ER groups. A metabolic CRS (mCRS) was implemented, adding one point to the standard five-point CRS when the highest tumor standardized uptake values (SUVmax )/normal liver mean SUV (SUVmean(liver) ) ratios were >4.3, defining low- and high-risk mCRS by scores of 0 to 2 and 3 to 6, respectively. RESULTS: From a series of 450 patients operated for CRLM (mean follow-up of 58 months), we included for analysis 23 and 30 patients in the LTS and ER groups, respectively. Clinicopathologic parameters and CRS were similar in the LTS and ER groups. Median SUVmax /SUVmean(liver) ratios were higher in ER vs LTS patients (4.2 and 2.8, P = .008, respectively). mCRS was increased in ER patients (P = .024); 61% of LTS patients had low-risk mCRS and 73% of the ER patients had high-risk mCRS (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: 18 FDG-PET/CT characteristics combined with traditional CRS may represent a new tool to improve selection for surgery in patients with CRLM.

Extended time interval between diagnosis and surgery does not improve the outcome in patients operated for resection or ablation of breast cancer liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) is considered a systemic disease with poorly defined selection criteria for surgery and little evidence for the appropriate timing of surgery. METHODS: Postoperative outcomes of patients operated for BCLM were retrospectively reviewed and compared based on the timing of surgery, with the early surgery (ES) group treated ≤12 months after BCLM diagnosis, and late surgery (LS) group operated >12 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with BCLM underwent liver surgery, including 37 and 35 in the ES and LS groups, respectively. Demographic and preoperative characteristics were similar between the groups, except that multifocal liver disease was more frequent in the LS group (p = 0.008). The LS group had a morbidity rate of 38%, compared to 11% in the ES group (p = 0.015). No postoperative deaths occurred. In the whole cohort, median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 19 and 50 months, respectively, and 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS and OS were 63%, 41%, 24% and 93%, 66%, 43%, respectively, with no significant difference observed between the ES and LS groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that breast cancer progesterone receptor negativity (HR = 3.34, p = 0.03) and a size of LM > 40 mm (HR = 3.11, p = 0.01) were significant negative prognostic factors for PFS. Only a size of LM > 40 mm (HR = 2.79, p = 0.008) was significantly associated with shorter OS. CONCLUSION: A prolonged preoperative observational period does not improve long-term outcomes after liver surgery in patients with resectable BCLM, suggesting that early management can safely be proposed to those patients, with good oncological outcomes.

The burden of low anterior resection syndrome on quality of life in patients with mid or low rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Low anterior resection (LAR) with total mesorectal excision (TME) for mid and low rectal cancer is standard of care, reducing local recurrence and enhancing long-term survival. However, this surgery is associated with a constellation of major defecatory problems that are collectively referred to as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of LARS in patients who have undergone LAR and to assess the impact of LARS on long-term quality of life (QoL). METHODS: This was a single-center prospective survey study on patients who underwent LAR and TME for low or mid rectal cancer between 2007 and 2015. LARS score and QLQ-C30 questionnaires were used to evaluate patient's bowel functions and quality of life, respectively. Associations between LARS and QoL were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients out of 65 eligible agreed to participate in the study. Forty-three (66%) patients returned complete questionnaires. Five patients (11.6%) had no LARS, 7 had minor LARS (16.3%), and 31 had major LARS (72.1%). In univariate analysis, BMI > 30 kg/m2 was predictive of major LARS (p = 0.047). Major LARS did not impair global QoL (p = 0.75), function scores, or social scales, and was not associated with any of the symptom scores except for diarrhea (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: LARS is a frequent occurrence after LAR and TME for rectal cancer (72.1%) and is more prevalent in morbidly obese patients. However, the occurrence of LARS does not appear to have a direct impact on QoL except for the occurrence of diarrhea.

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for sentinel lymph node detection in colorectal cancer: A systematic review.

Indocyanine green fluorescence-imaging (ICG-FI) has emerged as a potential tool for increasing the accuracy of staging of patients with primary colorectal cancer (CRC) through the detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Here, we report the results of a systematic review of the available literature in the clinical setting of ex vivo and in vivo ICG-FI for the detection of SLNs in primary colorectal cancer. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane literature databases were searched for original articles on the use of ICG in the setting of clinical studies of CRC. Eighty studies were identified and screened, 23 were assessed for eligibility and 10 were included for review. Both ex vivo and in vivo ICG-FI are reported to be feasible for the detection of SLNs in CRC. The reported sensitivity of both techniques remains low, varying from 0% to 100% for the in vivo technique and 57% for the ex vivo technique. ICG-FI has not yet been shown to perform better than the standard blue dye technique. In addition, large variability among reported studies in terms of techniques used (ICG dose, type of injection), type of pathologic analyses performed (HE, IHC, serial section), and definition of positive LN status for sensitivity calculations made them difficult to compare directly. ICG-FI is a promising technique for the detection of SLNs in the setting of CRC but more work needs to be done to clearly define protocols and indications for its use and to test its efficacy in larger patient populations.

The potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is not predicted by tumor regression grade.

INTRODUCTION: Recommended treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgery and total mesorectal excision (TME). The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in this regimen is still debated. Assessment of Dworak's tumor regression grade (TRG) after NACRT could potentially select patients who might benefit from ACT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for patients who underwent NACRT and TME for LARC between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved from the Bordet Institute database. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated for the whole population, according to whether or not they received ACT, and according to TRG. RESULTS: We included 74 patients (38 males) with a median age of 62.7 years (33-84 years). AJCC stage cIIIb disease was the most frequent (73%). Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 13 patients (17.6%). ACT was administered to 42 patients (56.8%). Five-year OS and DFS of patients who received ACT or not were 92 and 84.5% (p = ns), and 79.9 and 84.8% (p = ns), respectively. OS was related to TRG (cut-off value of 3) (p = 0.001). ACT administration was not correlated with improved outcomes in any TRG groups. CONCLUSION: TRG is a prognostic factor for both OS and DFS but does not appear to have a significant benefit for the selection of patients with LARC treated with NACRT who might benefit from the administration of ACT. Prospective randomized trials with larger populations are needed to identify factors that predict which patients may benefit from the administration of ACT.

Primary Hepatic Lymphoma Mimicking a Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Cirrhotic Patient: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hepatic lymphomas (PHLs) are rare liver tumors, frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively. As these tumors could be successfully treated with chemotherapy, their early recognition is essential, potentially, to avoid useless surgery. We report on the case of a cirrhotic patient with hemochromatosis who presented a PHL, initially diagnosed as a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and we analyze recent data from the literature on this subject. CASE PRESENTATION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: A 45 mm liver tumor was found is a 68-year-old man with alcohol cirrhosis and hemochromatosis. At imaging, the diagnosis of HCC was suspected according to vascular characteristics and the presence of cirrhosis. FDG PET scan showed a solitary hypermetabolic liver tumor. Tumor markers were negative. Surgery consisted in left lateral hepatectomy. At pathology, the diagnosis of the primary hepatic marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type was demonstrated. Twenty-two articles reporting 33 cases of true PHL of MALT type were found. Presentation lacked specific symptoms (70% asymptomatic). Half of patients were suspected to have other etiologies of liver mass (HCC, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma), and thus diagnosis was established postoperatively. In the patient, diagnosis was made by preoperative biopsy, and chemotherapy was first-line treatment. DISCUSSION: Preoperative diagnosis of PHL, and particularly of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma, is challenging. This case illustrates that PHL remains to be considered among the differential diagnosis of isolated solid liver tumors. Further, it indicates that biopsy could be still indicated in case of suspected HCC in cirrhotic patients, particularly in the presence of unusual findings such as the combination of a FDG PET scan positive tumor in the absence of elevated alpha-fetoprotein.

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) before partial hepatectomy or radiofrequency destruction for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: a feasibility and safety pilot study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Preoperative selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) may improve the results of partial hepatectomy (PH) or radiofrequency destruction (RF) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this combined approach. METHODS: Patients with cirrhosis and HCC selected for PH or RF were prospectively included and systematically proposed for preoperative SIRT. Feasibility and safety of SIRT and post-SIRT PH or RF were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. SIRT was contraindicated in seven, due to lack of access to tumour artery or to hepato-pulmonary shunts. SIRT was performed in 23 patients without significant complications. Post-SIRT, surgery was refuted in seven patients, due to tumour progression or the patient's deteriorating condition. After surgery, major complications were observed in 2/16 patients (12.5%) and one patient died 52 days post-surgery. A major tumour pathological response was seen in most patients who underwent surgery after SIRT. CONCLUSIONS: On intention-to-treat basis, the overall feasibility of combining preoperative SIRT and surgery was limited. Preoperative SIRT did not increase expected operative morbidity, but post-SIRT, a third of patients were refuted for surgery. Accurate selection criteria and potential long-term oncological benefit of this approach remains to be determined. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01686880.

Accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Potential Tool for Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Response.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be administered to patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of colorectal cancer (CRC) origin. This study evaluated the performance of 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) in detection of PC from CRC and correlated the most metabolically active quadrant with the most affected peritoneal area determined during surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study compared the performance of FDG-PET/CT for PC diagnosis in 26 patients with CRC with histopathologically-confirmed PC with a control group of 26 patients. An FDG-PET/CT score established for each patient diagnosed with PC was compared with the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) performed during surgery. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET/CT for PC detection were 85% (22/26) and 88% (23/26), respectively. The most scored quadrant by FDG-PET/CT corresponded to the most scored quadrant at surgery in 77.3%. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET/CT may represent a useful tool for evaluating response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with PC of CRC origin.

Sequential tumor-directed and lobar radioembolization before major hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Preoperative radioembolization may improve the resectability of liver tumor by inducing tumor shrinkage, atrophy of the embolized liver and compensatory hypertrophy of non-embolized liver. We describe the case of a cirrhotic Child-Pugh A patient with a segment IV hepatocellular carcinoma requiring a left hepatectomy. Preoperative angiography demonstrated 2 separated left hepatic arteries, for segment IV and segments II-III. This anatomic variant allowed sequential radioembolizations, delivering high-dose 90Yttrium (160 Gy) to the tumor, followed 28 d later by lower dose (120 Gy) to segments II-III. After 3 mo, significant tumor response and atrophy of the future resected liver were obtained, allowing uneventful left hepatectomy. This case illustrates that, when anatomic disposition permits it, sequential radioembolizations, delivering different 90Yttrium doses to the tumor and the future resected liver, could represent a new strategy to prepare major hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients, allowing optimal tumoricidal effect while reducing the toxicity of the global procedure.

Salvage esophagectomy after failure of definitive radiochemotherapy for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Definitive radiochemotherapy (dRCT) in locally advanced esophageal cancer is associated with a high rate of loco-regional recurrence. In this condition, salvage esophagectomy may be considered as a therapeutic option. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the feasibility and the morbi-mortality of this strategy. METHODS: Between January 2006 and April 2014, 208 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at ULB-Erasme-Bordet. Thirty-two patients received a preoperative radiochemotherapy (pRCT) followed by planned esophagectomy (Group 1) for locally advanced disease. Sixteen patients underwent salvage esophagectomy for recurrence or failure after dRCT (Group 2). Data on post-operative morbidity and mortality and survival were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: An increase of overall morbidity was detected in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (43% vs. 37.5%), mainly related to respiratory complications (35.5% vs. 28%) and anastomotic leak (25% vs. 3%). No 90-days mortality was observed in the two surgical groups. The 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates after surgery were respectively 89%, 80%, and 71% for Group1 and 84%, 73%, and 63% for Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, both salvage esophagectomy and esophagectomy after pRCT showed good survival results with low postoperative morbidity and mortality. Salvage surgery remains a therapeutic indication in selected patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:833-837. © 2016 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection by Blue Dye Versus Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Nodal staging is used in colorectal cancer (CRC) to determine which patients should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection compared to the standard technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with CRC admitted for elective colectomy were included (NCT01995591). Ex vivo SLN detection was performed using patent blue (PB) and free ICG injected around the tumor. RESULTS: Identification rates were 95% (19/20) for both techniques. Sensitivity was 43% for PB and 57% for ICG. Correlation between the techniques was 83%. FI was more sensitive in patients with body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2) Serial section analysis did not allow for up-staging of patients. CONCLUSION: The use of ICG-FI is superior to the blue dye technique in patients with a BMI >25 kg/m(2) However, the sensitivity of ICG-FI in SLN detection remains low, with a high rate of false-negative results.

Evaluation of the perceptions and cosmetic satisfaction of breast cancer patients undergoing totally implantable vascular access device (TIVAD) placement.

PURPOSE: Totally implantable vascular access devices (TIVADs) are widely used to administer chemotherapy to cancer patients. While great progress has been made with respect to breast surgical reconstruction to take into account both aesthetics and patients' perceptions of body integrity, these aspects have not been considered with regard to the impact of TIVAD. In order to address this practice gap, we have adapted our TIVAD implantation technique to improve cosmetic results. The aim of this study was to assess breast cancer patients' comfort level and aesthetic satisfaction with regard to TIVAD insertion. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer admitted for chemotherapy at an outpatient clinic completed a previously validated survey evaluating three main domains: symptoms (pain, discomfort) related to the TIVAD itself in daily activity, information received before and during the surgical procedure, and cosmetic aspects regarding the port insertion site (scar, port, and catheter location). RESULTS: Between September 2010 and June 2011, 232 patients were evaluated. Cosmetic satisfaction with scar location was high (93.3 %). Information given to patients before and during the procedure had a major impact on both symptom perception in daily activity and on cosmetic satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining a more aesthetic scar by placing the TIVAD in the deltopectoral groove contributed to a high rate of cosmetic satisfaction. Furthermore, the relevance of information given to patients before and/or during surgery had a major impact on symptom perception. Therefore, we suggest including a pre-operative information session in the care pathway.

Radioembolisation and portal vein embolization before resection of large hepatocellular carcinoma.

Resectability of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease is dramatically limited by the need to preserve sufficient remnant liver in order to avoid postoperative liver insufficiency. Preoperative treatments aimed at downsizing the tumor and promoting hypertrophy of the future remnant liver may improve resectability and reduce operative morbidity. Here we report the case of a patient with a large hepatocellular carcinoma arising from chronic liver disease. Preoperative treatment, including tumor downsizing with transarterial radioembolization and induction of future remnant liver hypertrophy with right portal vein embolization, resulted in a 53% reduction in tumor volume and compensatory hypertrophy in the contralateral liver. The patient subsequently underwent extended right hepatectomy with no postoperative signs of liver decompensation. Pathological examination demonstrated a margin-free resection and major tumor response. This new therapeutic sequence, combining efficient tumor targeting and subsequent portal vein embolization, could improve the feasibility and safety of major liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver injury.

Surgical strategy in abnormally increased Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in an asymptomatic lower esophageal submucosal tumor - Report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Leiomyoma is the most common benign tumor of the esophagus (67-80%), it represents 0.4-1% of all esophageal tumors. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An incidentally discovered gastro-esophageal submucosal tumor was found to have increased fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT). After laparoscopic surgical exploration and local enucleation the tumor turned out to be a benign esophageal leiomyoma. DISCUSSION: There are few reports of esophageal leiomyomas with a positive uptake on (PET/CT) and even fewer adopting our combination of a minimally invasive approach and frozen section examination as a management plan. Our approach avoided excessive morbid surgical resections and underestimation of a malignant disease. CONCLUSION: We report this case hoping to expand the existing literature on the topic and to highlight the limitations of PET/CT in guiding the diagnosis and subsequently the management of esophageal submucosal tumors.