Racial and Other Healthcare Disparities in Patients With Extensive-Stage SCLC.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic treatment with chemotherapy is warranted for patients with extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC). The objective of this study was to determine whether racial and other healthcare disparities exist in receipt of chemotherapy for ES-SCLC. METHODS: Utilizing the National Cancer Database, 148,961 patients diagnosed to have stage IV SCLC from 2004 to 2016 were identified. Adjusted ORs with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were computed for receipt of chemotherapy using multivariate logistic regression modeling. Cox regression modeling was used to perform overall survival analysis, and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 82,592 patients were included, among which chemotherapy was not administered to 6557 (7.9%). Higher education, recent year of diagnosis, and treatment at more than one facility were associated with increased odds of receiving chemotherapy. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving chemotherapy were increasing age, race, nonprivate insurance, and comorbidities. On multivariate analysis, black patients had lower odds of receiving chemotherapy compared with white patients (adjusted OR, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77-0.93, p = 0.0004). Furthermore, black patients had better survival compared with white patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.89-0.94, p = 0.91). The 1-year survival (median survival) for black and white patients was 31.7% (8.3 mo) and 28.6% (8 mo), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with ES-SCLC were less likely to receive chemotherapy, as were elderly, uninsured, and those with nonprivate insurance. Further studies are required to address underlying reasons for lack of chemotherapy receipt in black patients with ES-SCLC and guide appropriate interventions to mitigate disparities.

Tools to Promote Shared Decision-Making in Lung Cancer Screening Using Low-Dose CT Scanning: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about lung cancer screening are inherently complex and create a need for methods to convey the risks and benefits of screening to patients. RESEARCH QUESTION: What kind of decision aids or tools are available to support shared decision-making for lung cancer screening? What is the current evidence for the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of those tools? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies and searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to December 2019 for studies that evaluated the effectiveness and acceptability of tools to promote shared decision-making for patients who are considering lung cancer screening. RESULTS: After screening 2,427 records, we included one randomized control trial, two observational studies, 11 before/after studies of a decision aid or an educational tool. Fifteen distinct tools in various formats were evaluated in 14 studies. Most studies were of fair quality. Studies reported improvement in patients' knowledge of lung cancer screening (n = 9 studies), but improvements in specific areas of knowledge were inconsistent. Decisional conflict was low or reduced after the administration of the tools (n = 7 studies). The acceptability of tools was rated as "high" by patients (n = 7 studies) and physicians (n = 1 study). Low dose CT scan completion rates varied among studies (n = 6 studies). INTERPRETATION: Evidence from 14 studies suggests that some elements of existing tools for lung cancer screening may help to prepare patients for decision-making by improving knowledge and reducing decisional conflict. Such tools generally are acceptable to patients and providers. Further studies that use consistent measures and reporting methods and assess relevant decisional and clinical outcomes are needed to determine the comparative effectiveness and feasibility of implementation of these tools. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2018 CRD4201874814.

Early trends and predictors of renal function following computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass in patients with and without prior renal impairment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends and predictors of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after renal mass cryoablation in patients with and without history of renal impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 39 patients who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass, divided into two groups: those with prior renal impairment (PRI+); and those without prior renal impairment (PRI-). The GFR trend and the chronic kidney disease stage were evaluated at baseline, as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months after cryoablation. Predictors of GFR at 1 and 6 months were modeled with linear regression. RESULTS: In both groups, the mean GFR at 1 month and 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Although the GFR was lower across all time points in the PRI+ group (-26.1; p < 0.001), the overall trend was not statistically different from that observed in the PRI- group (p = 0.89). Univariate analysis showed that the decline in GFR at 1 and 6 months correlated with the baseline GFR (0.77 and 0.63; p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively) and with the size of the ablation zone (-7.6 and -12.84, respectively; p = 0.03 for both). However, in the multivariate model, baseline GFR was predictive only of GFR at 1 month (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The trend in GFR decline after cryoablation is similar for patients with and without a history of renal impairment. Baseline GFR predicts the mean GFR in the early post-cryoablation period.

OBJETIVO: Medir as tendências iniciais da função renal pela taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) em pacientes com e sem comprometimento renal prévio após crioablação renal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo retrospectivo de 39 pacientes submetidos a crioablação percutânea guiada por tomografia computadorizada de massa renal. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: com comprometimento renal prévio (CRP+) e sem comprometimento renal prévio (CRP-). As tendências da TFG foram avaliadas nos tempos 0, 1, 6 e 12 meses com o estadiamento de doença renal crônica. Preditores da TFG em 1 e 6 meses foram modelados usando regressão linear. RESULTADOS: Em ambos os grupos houve declínio da TFG média após 1 e 6 meses (p < 0,001 e p = 0,01, respectivamente). Apesar de o grupo CRP+ demonstrar média menor da TFG em cada um dos tempos (−26,1; p < 0,001), a tendência de forma geral não foi estatisticamente diferente do grupo CRP- (p = 0,89). Análise univariada mostrou correlação da TFG no tempo 0 (0,77 e 0,63; p < 0,001 e p = 0,03, respectivamente) e tamanho da ablação (−7,6 e −12,84; p = 0,03), com declínio em 1 e 6 meses. Porém, no modelo multivariado, apenas a TFG no tempo 0 foi preditiva da TFG em 1 mês (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A curva de tendência de declínio da TFG após crioablação foi similar entre os pacientes dos grupos CRP+ e CRP-, sem mudanças no estadiamento de função renal. A TFG no tempo 0 foi preditiva da TFG média no período de crioablação inicial.

Early trends and predictors of renal function following computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass in patients with and without prior renal impairment / Tendências iniciais e preditores de função renal após crioablação percutânea guiada por tomografia computadorizada de massa renal em pacientes com e sem comprometimento renal prévio

Abstract Objective: To assess trends and predictors of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after renal mass cryoablation in patients with and without history of renal impairment. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 39 patients who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation of a renal mass, divided into two groups: those with prior renal impairment (PRI+); and those without prior renal impairment (PRI−). The GFR trend and the chronic kidney disease stage were evaluated at baseline, as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months after cryoablation. Predictors of GFR at 1 and 6 months were modeled with linear regression. Results: In both groups, the mean GFR at 1 month and 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Although the GFR was lower across all time points in the PRI+ group (−26.1; p < 0.001), the overall trend was not statistically different from that observed in the PRI− group (p = 0.89). Univariate analysis showed that the decline in GFR at 1 and 6 months correlated with the baseline GFR (0.77 and 0.63; p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively) and with the size of the ablation zone (−7.6 and −12.84, respectively; p = 0.03 for both). However, in the multivariate model, baseline GFR was predictive only of GFR at 1 month (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The trend in GFR decline after cryoablation is similar for patients with and without a history of renal impairment. Baseline GFR predicts the mean GFR in the early post-cryoablation period.

Resumo Objetivo: Medir as tendências iniciais da função renal pela taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) em pacientes com e sem comprometimento renal prévio após crioablação renal. Materiais e Métodos: Este é um estudo retrospectivo de 39 pacientes submetidos a crioablação percutânea guiada por tomografia computadorizada de massa renal. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: com comprometimento renal prévio (CRP+) e sem comprometimento renal prévio (CRP-). As tendências da TFG foram avaliadas nos tempos 0, 1, 6 e 12 meses com o estadiamento de doença renal crônica. Preditores da TFG em 1 e 6 meses foram modelados usando regressão linear. Resultados: Em ambos os grupos houve declínio da TFG média após 1 e 6 meses (p < 0,001 e p = 0,01, respectivamente). Apesar de o grupo CRP+ demonstrar média menor da TFG em cada um dos tempos (−26,1; p < 0,001), a tendência de forma geral não foi estatisticamente diferente do grupo CRP- (p = 0,89). Análise univariada mostrou correlação da TFG no tempo 0 (0,77 e 0,63; p < 0,001 e p = 0,03, respectivamente) e tamanho da ablação (−7,6 e −12,84; p = 0,03), com declínio em 1 e 6 meses. Porém, no modelo multivariado, apenas a TFG no tempo 0 foi preditiva da TFG em 1 mês (p < 0,001). Conclusão: A curva de tendência de declínio da TFG após crioablação foi similar entre os pacientes dos grupos CRP+ e CRP-, sem mudanças no estadiamento de função renal. A TFG no tempo 0 foi preditiva da TFG média no período de crioablação inicial.

Imaging manifestations of immune-related adverse effects in checkpoint inhibitor therapies: A primer for the radiologist.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies directed against cellular pathways on T-cells to treat different types of malignancies. This new therapy can cause immune-related adverse events that can involve almost any organ system. This article will review clinical presentations, molecular mechanisms and imaging manifestations of adverse events caused by checkpoint inhibitors and also illustrate the pseudoprogression tumor response pattern.

CT Texture Analysis and Machine Learning Improve Post-ablation Prognostication in Patients with Adrenal Metastases: A Proof of Concept.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the performance of pre-ablation computed tomography texture features of adrenal metastases to predict post-treatment local progression and survival in patients who underwent ablation using machine learning as a prediction tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a pilot retrospective study of patients with adrenal metastases undergoing ablation. Clinical variables were collected. Thirty-two texture features were extracted from manually segmented adrenal tumors. A univariate cox proportional hazard model was used for prediction of local progression and survival. A linear support vector machine (SVM) learning technique was applied to the texture features and clinical variables, with leave-one-out cross-validation. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess performance between using clinical variables only versus clinical variables and texture features. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (61% male, age 64.1 ± 10.3 years) were included. Mean time to local progression was 29.8 months. Five texture features exhibited association with progression (p < 0.05). The SVM model based on clinical variables alone resulted in an AUC of 0.52, whereas the SVM model that included texture features resulted in an AUC 0.93 (p = 0.01). Mean overall survival was 35 months. Fourteen texture features were associated with survival in the univariate model (p < 0.05). While the trained SVM model based on clinical variables resulted in an AUC of 0.68, the SVM model that included texture features resulted in an AUC of 0.93 (p = 0.024). DISCUSSION: Pre-ablation texture analysis and machine learning improve local tumor progression and survival prediction in patients with adrenal metastases who undergo ablation.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia presenting as necrotising fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier gangrene).

We present a case of an unusual presentation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML), which presented with Fournier gangrene (FG). A 38-year-old man presented with malaise, groin swelling, anal bleeding, fever and was found to have FG. Initial workup revealed pancytopaenia, borderline low fibrinogen, prolonged international normalized ratio (INR), which raised the suspicion for leukaemia. The peripheral blood differential revealed leucopaenia with absolute neutropaenia and a 5% abnormal promyelocytes but no blasts, suspicious for APML. Bone marrow biopsy was performed and fluorescence in situ hydridization (FISH), karyotype and PCR confirmed a t(15;17) translocation, establishing a diagnosis of APML. After 1 month of therapy for intermediate risk APML with All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), repeat chromosomal analysis and repeat bone marrow biopsy revealed no evidence of residual APML. After the consolidation phase was started with ATRA and ATO regimen, the wound healed after 2 months and the patient achieved complete remission.

Rare gene fusion rearrangement SPTNB1-PDGFRB in an atypical myeloproliferative neoplasm.

The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia recognizes a distinct class of myeloid and lymphoid tumors with eosinophilia-related proliferations associated with specific gene rearrangements, one of which involves rearrangements of platelet-derived growth factor receptor B (PDGFRB) gene. We report a case of a rare PDGFRB rearrangement with SPTNB1 (spectrin beta, nonerythrocytic 1) that presented as atypical myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Image-Guided Percutaneous Omental and Mesenteric Biopsy: Assessment of Technical Success Rate and Diagnostic Yield.

PURPOSE: To assess biopsy technique, technical success rate, and diagnostic yield of image-guided percutaneous biopsy of omental and mesenteric lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 186 patients (89 men, 97 women; mean [SD] age, 63 [13.8] y) who underwent percutaneous image-guided biopsy of omentum and mesentery between March 2007 and August 2015. Biopsies were performed with computed tomography (CT) (n = 172) or ultrasound (US) (n = 14) guidance using coaxial technique yielding core and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Biopsy results were classified as diagnostic (neoplastic or nonneoplastic) or nondiagnostic based on histopathology and cytology. Technical success rate and diagnostic yield of omental and mesenteric lesions were calculated. RESULTS: There were 186 image-guided percutaneous biopsies of omental (n = 95) and mesenteric (n = 91) lesions performed. Technical success rate was 99.5% for all biopsies, 100% for omental biopsies, and 98.9% for mesenteric biopsies. Overall sensitivity was 95.5%, specificity was 100%, negative predictive value was 78.3%, and positive predictive value was 100%, which was comparable for omental and mesenteric biopsies. Core biopsies had higher diagnostic yields compared with FNA: 98.4% versus 84% overall, 99% versus 88% for omental biopsies, and 97.7% versus 80% for mesenteric biopsies. Spearman rank correlation showed no correlation between lesion size and diagnostic yield (P = .14) and lesion depth and diagnostic yield (P = .29) for both groups. There were 5 complications. CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided percutaneous omental and mesenteric biopsies have high technical success rates and diagnostic yield regardless of lesion size or depth from the skin for both omental and mesenteric specimens.

Accelerated phase chronic myeloid leukemia: evaluation of clinical criteria as predictors of survival, major cytogenetic response and progression to blast phase

BACKGROUND: Published criteria defining the accelerated phase in chronic myeloid leukemia are heterogeneous and little is known about predictors of poor outcome.METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 139 subjects in the accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib at a single center in Brazil. The objective was to identify risk factors for survival, major cytogenetic response and progression to blast phase in this population. The factors analyzed were: blasts 10-29%, basophils ≥ 20%, platelets > 1 × 106/µL or <1 × 105/µL and white blood cells > 1 × 105/µL in the peripheral blood, as well as clonal evolution, splenomegaly, hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, time between diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia and imatinib treatment, and hematologic toxicity.RESULTS: Risk factors for poor survival in multivariate analysis were Grades 3-4 hematologic toxicity (p-value = 0.001), blasts 10-29% (p-value = 0.023), and hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (p-value = 0.04). Risk factors for not achieving major cytogenetic response were blasts 10-29% (p-value = 0.007), hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (p-value = 0.001), and previous use of interferon (p-value = 0.032). Risk factors for progression to the blast phase were hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (p-value = 0.005), basophils ≥ 20% (p-value = 0.023), and time from diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia to imatinib treatment > 12 months (p-value = 0.030).CONCLUSION: These data indicate that patients with the above risk factors have a worse prognosis. This information can guide the therapy to be used.

Accelerated phase chronic myeloid leukemia: evaluation of clinical criteria as predictors of survival, major cytogenetic response and progression to blast phase.

BACKGROUND: Published criteria defining the accelerated phase in chronic myeloid leukemia are heterogeneous and little is known about predictors of poor outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 139 subjects in the accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib at a single center in Brazil. The objective was to identify risk factors for survival, major cytogenetic response and progression to blast phase in this population. The factors analyzed were: blasts 10-29%, basophils≥20%, platelets>1×10(6)/µL or <1×10(5)/µL and white blood cells>1×10(5)/µL in the peripheral blood, as well as clonal evolution, splenomegaly, hemoglobin<10g/dL, time between diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia and imatinib treatment, and hematologic toxicity. RESULTS: Risk factors for poor survival in multivariate analysis were Grades 3-4 hematologic toxicity (p-value=0.001), blasts 10-29% (p-value=0.023), and hemoglobin<10g/dL (p-value=0.04). Risk factors for not achieving major cytogenetic response were blasts 10-29% (p-value=0.007), hemoglobin<10g/dL (p-value=0.001), and previous use of interferon (p-value=0.032). Risk factors for progression to the blast phase were hemoglobin<10g/dL (p-value=0.005), basophils≥20% (p-value=0.023), and time from diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia to imatinib treatment>12 months (p-value=0.030). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that patients with the above risk factors have a worse prognosis. This information can guide the therapy to be used.

Is San Francisco's "The Shaking Man" an urban depiction of parkinsonism?

Art and Medicine often mingle in the most unexpected ways. One can often find in pictorial art the representation of many medical conditions. The same can happen with sculptures; however, the finding of an urban sculpture in a public space with features of parkinsonism is unique. We reported how "The Shaking Man", an urban sculpture located in the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, USA, is a contemporary representation of parkinsonism and compared it with other art works in different media that also present such thing to laymen.

Is San Francisco's “The Shaking Man” an urban depiction of parkinsonism? / Seria o “Shaking Man” de São Francisco, Califórnia, uma representação urbana de parkinsonismo?

Art and Medicine often mingle in the most unexpected ways. One can often find in pictorial art the representation of many medical conditions. The same can happen with sculptures; however, the finding of an urban sculpture in a public space with features of parkinsonism is unique. We reported how “The Shaking Man”, an urban sculpture located in the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, USA, is a contemporary representation of parkinsonism and compared it with other art works in different media that also present such thing to laymen.

Arte e Medicina frequentemente interagem das mais inusitadas maneiras. Muitas condições médicas podem ser encontradas em pinturas acadêmicas. O mesmo pode ocorrer com esculturas; no entanto, encontrar uma escultura em um espaço público exibindo sinais clínicos de parkinsonismo é um achado único. Relatou-se como “The Shaking Man”, que é uma estátua urbana localizada no Yerba Buena Gardens em São Francisco, EUA, pode ser uma representação contemporânea de parkinsonismo e foram realizadas comparações com outras obras de arte em diferentes mídias, as quais também demonstram parkinsonismo para o público leigo.