Leveraging real-world data to predict cancer cachexia stage, quality of life, and survival in a racially and ethnically diverse multi-institutional cohort of treatment-naïve patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Cancer-associated cachexia (CC) is a progressive syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, and poor outcomes that affects most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The ability to identify and classify CC stage along its continuum early in the disease process is challenging but critical for management. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CC stage overall and by sex and race and ethnicity among treatment-naïve PDAC cases using clinical, nutritional, and functional criteria. Secondary objectives included identifying the prevalence and predictors of higher symptom burden, supportive care needs, and quality of life (QoL), and examining their influence on overall survival (OS). Materials and methods: A population-based multi-institutional prospective cohort study of patients with PDAC was conducted between 2018 and 2021 by the Florida Pancreas Collaborative. Leveraging patient-reported data and laboratory values, participants were classified at baseline into four stages [non-cachexia (NCa), pre-cachexia (PCa), cachexia (Ca), and refractory cachexia (RCa)]. Multivariate regression, Kaplan Meier analyses, and Cox regression were conducted to evaluate associations. Results: CC stage was estimated for 309 PDAC cases (156 females, 153 males). The overall prevalence of NCa, PCa, Ca, and RCa was 12.9%, 24.6%, 54.1%, and 8.4%, respectively. CC prevalence across all CC stages was highest for males and racial and ethnic minorities. Criteria differentiated NCa cases from other groups, but did not distinguish PCa from Ca. The most frequently reported symptoms included weight loss, fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression, with pain significantly worsening over time. The greatest supportive care needs included emotional and physical domains. Males, Black people, and those with RCa had the worst OS. Conclusions: Using clinical, nutritional, and functional criteria, nearly one-quarter of the PDAC cases in our diverse, multi-institutional cohort had PCa and 62.5% had Ca or RCa at the time of diagnosis. The PCa estimate is higher than that reported in prior studies. We recommend these criteria be used to aid in CC classification, monitoring, and management of all incident PDAC cases. Findings also highlight the recommendation for continued emotional support, assistance in alleviating pain, and supportive care needs throughout the PDAC treatment journey.

The Florida Pancreas Collaborative Next-Generation Biobank: Infrastructure to Reduce Disparities and Improve Survival for a Diverse Cohort of Patients with Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Well-annotated, high-quality biorepositories provide a valuable platform to support translational research. However, most biorepositories have poor representation of minority groups, limiting the ability to address health disparities. Methods: We describe the establishment of the Florida Pancreas Collaborative (FPC), the first state-wide prospective cohort study and biorepository designed to address the higher burden of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) in African Americans (AA) compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and Hispanic/Latinx (H/L). We provide an overview of stakeholders; study eligibility and design; recruitment strategies; standard operating procedures to collect, process, store, and transfer biospecimens, medical images, and data; our cloud-based data management platform; and progress regarding recruitment and biobanking. Results: The FPC consists of multidisciplinary teams from fifteen Florida medical institutions. From March 2019 through August 2020, 350 patients were assessed for eligibility, 323 met inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 305 (94%) enrolled, including 228 NHW, 30 AA, and 47 H/L, with 94%, 100%, and 94% participation rates, respectively. A high percentage of participants have donated blood (87%), pancreatic tumor tissue (41%), computed tomography scans (76%), and questionnaires (62%). Conclusions: This biorepository addresses a critical gap in PaCa research and has potential to advance translational studies intended to minimize disparities and reduce PaCa-related morbidity and mortality.

Laparoscopic gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor resection: the mayo clinic experience.

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is safe and effective. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of gastric GISTs from April 1, 2000, to April 1, 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, diagnostic workup, operative technique, tumor characteristics, morbidity, mortality, and follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients underwent attempted laparoscopic resection of gastric GISTs, with 31 operations completed laparoscopically. The mean patient age was 68 years (age range, 35-86 years). The female to male ratio was 18:15. Sixteen patients (49%) were asymptomatic, and their tumors were found incidentally. Of 24 patients (73%) who underwent preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography, the results of fine-needle aspiration verified the diagnosis in 13 patients (54%). The mean operative time was 124 minutes (range, 30-253 minutes). A combined endoscopic-laparoscopic approach was used in 11 patients (33%). The mean tumor size was 3.9 cm (range, 0.5-10.5 cm). Two patients (6%) underwent conversion to an open procedure. The median hospital stay duration was 3 days. The mean follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-64 months). There were no local recurrences. Three patients (9%) experienced complications, including 1 wound infection and 2 episodes of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION: Although technically demanding, the laparoscopic approach to gastric GISTs is safe and effective, resulting in a short hospital stay duration and low morbidity.

Late gastric perforations after laparoscopic fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Late complications are rarely encountered after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. These complications include acute gastric herniation through the esophageal hiatus, port-site herniation, recurrent reflux, and anatomic failure of the fundoplication. Only three cases of late gastric perforation after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication have been reported, all associated with intrathoracic wrap herniation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of gastric perforation after laparoscopic antireflux procedures performed between July 1991 and March 2002 by a single surgeon. RESULTS: In this series of 1,600 laparoscopic antireflux procedures, we found six delayed gastric fundal perforations occurring in three patients at 1, 41, 48, 51, 68, and 72 months after surgery. All the perforations were on the anterior wall of the fundus of the stomach and were distant from the stitches of the fundoplication. None of the perforations was associated with severe peritoneal contamination. CONCLUSIONS: This series of late gastric fundal perforations in 0.2% of our patients after laparoscopic fundoplication may have been caused by medications, gastric stasis, ischemia, or a foreign body such as a stitch or Teflon pledget.

Colorectal lymphangioma.

Lymphangiomas of the colon are historically rare benign tumors. Only 331 cases have been reported in the world medical literature between 1931 and 2004. With widespread use of colonoscopy, however, they are being found more frequently. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman in whom a colonoscopy revealed a 3 x 4-cm submucosal lesion in the cecum that was eventually diagnosed as a lymphangioma. A CT of the abdomen showed a soft-tissue mass in the cecum and a low-density hepatic lesion. An endoscopic ultrasound of the colon showed a 3 x 4-cm hypoechoic lesion with internal septa arising from the submucosal layer of the cecum. This lesion resembled a vascular malformation; therefore a biopsy specimen was not taken. Pathologic findings of a specimen taken after a subsequent right hemicolectomy identified a submucosal lymphangioma. Published reports indicate that colonoscopy cures most lesions smaller than 2.5 cm in diameter. Resection should be reserved for larger lesions or those in patients exhibiting protein-losing enteropathy.

Gallbladder carcinosarcoma: a case report and literature review.

Carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder is a rare malignancy characterized by both malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. The clinical behavior of this tumor is extremely aggressive. Only 26 cases have been reported in the world literature to date. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman who had fever associated with a right upper quadrant mass. An exploratory laparotomy through a right upper quadrant incision was performed at another institution, and the patient was thought to have severe acute cholecystitis that would require additional antibiotic therapy before attempted resection. She was referred to our center, where abdominal CT showed a 6.4 x 8.2 cm pericholecystic mass involving the hepatic flexure of the colon. The patient underwent cholecystectomy and hepatic wedge resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and right hemicolectomy. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed two histologic components consisting of squamous cell carcinoma and spindle cell sarcoma of gallbladder origin, consistent with carcinosarcoma. All seven lymph nodes in the pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen were negative for tumor. We present this case and a review of the literature and current treatment recommendations.

Occult fifth gland intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma identified by gamma probe.

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman undergoing radioguided parathyroidectomy in whom four normal glands were identified on cervical exploration. The gamma probe was instrumental in guiding us to the adenoma in a fifth gland that was not visible and was localized to the parenchyma of the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Many surgeons do not advocate use of the gamma probe in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and rely solely on focused exploration on the basis of a preoperative sestamibi scan and intraoperative rapid parathyroid hormone assays. This case, however, illustrates the utility of the gamma probe in parathyroid adenoma localization.