Multidisciplinary Management of Phyllodes Tumours and Breast Sarcoma: A Cross-sectional Survey of Clinical Practice across the UK and Ireland.

AIMS: Phyllodes tumours and breast sarcomas are uncommon tumours and their rarity poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the multidisciplinary clinical practice for these tumours across the UK and Ireland, with the aim of identifying gaps in knowledge and providing direction for establishing national guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An international survey was adapted and circulated to breast and/or sarcoma surgeons and oncologists in the UK and Ireland through national organisations. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) responses were analysed anonymously. RESULTS: Twenty-eight MDTs participated in this study, predominately from high-volume units (85.5%). Although only 43% of the surveyed units were part of a trust that holds a sarcoma MDT, 68% of units managed malignant phyllodes and angiosarcoma, whereas 64.5% managed soft-tissue sarcoma of the breast. Across all subtypes, axillary surgery was recommended by 14-21% of the MDTs and the most recommended resection margins for breast surgery were 'no tumour on ink' in benign phyllodes (39%) and 10 mm in the remaining subtypes (25-29%). Immediate breast reconstruction was supported by 11-18% of MDTs for breast sarcoma subtypes, whereas 36% and 32% advocated this approach in benign and borderline phyllodes tumours, respectively. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were recommended by up to 29% and 11% of the MDTs, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a wide variation in clinical practice across the surveyed MDTs. As only 28 MDTs participated in our study, with under-representation from low-volume units, our results might be an underestimation of the variability in practice across the UK and Ireland. This multi-institutional study sheds light on controversial aspects in the management of phyllodes tumours and breast sarcoma, identifies the need for national guidelines to inform best practice, and calls for the centralisation of the management of breast sarcoma within specialist centres.

Retrospective observational study of patient outcomes with local wound infusion vs epidural analgesia after open hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epidural analgesia is conventionally used as the mainstay of analgesia in open abdominal surgery but has a small life-changing risk of complications (epidural abscesses or haematomas). Local wound-infusion could be a viable alternative and are associated with fewer adverse effects. METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis of individuals undergoing open hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery over 1 year was undertaken. Patients either received epidural analgesia (EP) or continuous wound infusion (WI) + IV patient controlled anaesthesisa (PCA) with an intraoperative spinal opiate. Outcomes analyzed included length of stay, commencement of oral diet and opioid use. RESULTS: Between Jan 2016- Dec 2016, 110 patients were analyzed (WI n=35, EP n=75). The median length of stay (days) was 8 in both the WI and EP group (p=0.846), the median time to commencing oral diet (days) was 3 in WI group and 2 in EP group (p=0.455). There was no significant difference in the amount of oromorph, codeine or tramadol (mg) between WI and EP groups (p=0.829, p=0.531, p=0.073, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous wound infusion + IV PCA provided adequate analgesia to patients undergoing open hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. It was non-inferior to epidural analgesia with respect to hospital stay, commencement of oral diet and opioid use.

Surgical margins for borderline and malignant phyllodes tumours.

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumours represent less than 1% of all UK breast neoplasms. Histological features allow classification into benign, borderline or malignant, which has a significant impact on prognosis and recurrence. Currently, there is no consensus for the optimal surgical excision margin. This systematic review aims to provide a comparative summary of outcomes (local recurrence, metastasis and survival) for borderline and malignant phyllodes tumours resected with either ≥1cm or <1cm margins. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched (1990 to July 2019), in line with PRISMA guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies were included (Newcastle-Ottawa scale mean score: 5.6, range: 8-4). Nine reported local recurrence rates, four reported distant metastasis and four reported survival. Meta-analysis pooling demonstrated no statistically significant difference between <1cm and ≥1cm margins in terms of local recurrence rates (relative risk [RR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.70 - 2.93; p=0.33, n=456), distant metastasis (RR 1.93, 95% CI 0.35 - 10.63; p=0.45, n=72) or mortality (RR 1.93, 95% CI 0.42 - 8.77; p=0.40, n=58) for borderline and malignant tumours. Additionally, two studies demonstrated no significant difference in local recurrence for borderline tumours excised with <0.1cm margins compared to ≥1cm. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that margins <1cm may provide adequate tumour excision. This could enable breast conservation in patients with smaller breast-to-tumour volume ratios, with improved cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction. A prospective, multi-institutional trial would be appropriate to further elucidate the safety of smaller margins.

Treatment Access and Survival Amongst British Asians with Pancreatic Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Despite increasingly mixed communities in large cities, there remains a paucity of absolute and comparative data concerning the treatment, access and survival of British Asians with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A prospective database of 1038 patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer from 2003 to 2012 was analysed. Asian/Asian British was defined as patients identifying themselves as originating from India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in gender split for both Asian/Asian British and White British (AAB and WB). The incidence of pancreas cancer was also equivalent between the two groups at 8.1 versus 8.8 per 100,000 of the population. Age at presentation was significantly younger in AABs when compared to WBs (67 vs. 70 years, p = 0.003). Whilst median maximal tumour diameter, node status and the incidence of metastases were not different between AABs and WBs, the AABs had a significantly greater median T-stage (3.0 versus 2.5, p = 0.0024). The percentage of patients referred for chemotherapy was significantly higher in the AAB group (70.5 vs. 47.7 %, p = 0.0015). Overall survival and survival for patients having palliative treatment were significantly greater in AABs (4.6 vs. 6.1 months and 3.7 vs. 5.1 months). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that AAB patients are present with pancreatic cancer at a younger age and that when receiving palliative chemotherapy their survival is significantly better. Further studies and larger data sets over a longer period are required. It is important to examine further the complexity of incidence and survival in ethnic minorities and investigate the underlying reasons when differences are demonstrated.

Effects of foot orthoses on Achilles tendon load in recreational runners.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon pathology is a frequently occurring musculoskeletal disorder in runners. Foot orthoses have been shown to reduce the symptoms of pain in runners but their mechanical effects are still not well understood. METHODS: This study aimed to examine differences in Achilles tendon load when running with and without orthotic intervention. Twelve male runners ran at 4.0 m·s(-1). Ankle joint moments and Achilles tendon forces were compared when running with and without orthotics. FINDINGS: The results indicate that running with foot orthotics was associated with significant reductions in Achilles tendon load compared to without orthotics. INTERPRETATION: In addition to providing insight into the mechanical effects of orthotics in runners, the current investigation suggests that via reductions in Achilles tendon load, foot orthoses may serve to reduce the incidence of chronic Achilles tendon pathologies in runners.

Serology and ultrasound for diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is not a routine investigation to exclude choledocholithiasis unless there is clinical or biochemical suspicion of common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study attempted to determine which radiological or serological parameters best predicted CBD stones. METHODS: All patients undergoing MRCP from 2005 to 2011 were selected. Patients with pancreatitis were excluded. Liver function tests (LFTs) at admission and prior to MRCP were recorded, as was abdominal ultrasonography and MRCP results. Parameters measured routinely on LFTs included alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin. Receiver operating characteristic curve area analysis (area under the curve [AUC]) and chi-squared analysis were undertaken. RESULTS: Overall, 195 patients were identified, 71 of whom had CBD stones on MRCP. Raised ALP levels on admission demonstrated a correlation with CBD stones (AUC: 0.619, odds ratio [OR]: 3.16, p=0.06). At ultrasonography, a dilated CBD (OR: 3.76, p<0.001) and intrahepatic duct dilation (OR: 5.56, p<0.001) were highly significant predictors. However, only 37% of patients had a dilated CBD on ultrasonography. Ongoing elevation of LFT parameters, particularly ALP (AUC: 0.707, OR: 4.64, p<0.001) and ALT (AUC: 0.646, OR: 5.40, p<0.001), displayed a significant correlation with CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing (even if minor) elevations of liver function test parameters should prompt the need to exclude CBD stones even in the presence of a normal CBD diameter on ultrasonography.

Cellular and plasma uptake of parenteral omega-3 rich lipid emulsion fatty acids in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Omega-3 rich fatty acids (n-3FA) have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties. Previous studies have investigated plasma and cellular uptake of oral and parenteral n-3FA regimens. These have shown that n-3FA undergo rapid uptake into cells which is sustained for the length of the treatment course. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term uptake of prolonged, regular treatment courses of parenteral n-3FA which has not been previously reported. METHODS: As part of a phase II single-arm trial, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were treated with gemcitabine plus parenteral n-3FA rich lipid emulsion (up to 100 g) each week for three consecutive weeks with a subsequent rest week. This was repeated for up to six months in total for each patient. Pre-treatment serum and erythrocyte cell membrane (ECM) pellet samples were obtained each week for the entire treatment course of each patient. Post-treatment samples were obtained for the first two cycles only to assess rapid uptake. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were produced and analysed using gas chromatography. FAME proportions as a total of sample lipid composition for each class were plotted and the results analysed using a linear regression coefficient model. RESULTS: There was rapid and significant uptake of EPA and DHA FAME into plasma Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) and EPA into ECM pellets in post-treatment samples (median increase of 1.06%, 0.65% and 0.05% respectively). There was significant reduction in n-6 fatty acid FAMEs and DHA in ECM pellets (decrease of 0.31% and 0.8% respectively- p = 0.031 for all). There was significant sustained uptake of EPA and DHA FAME into ECM pellets over the cohort's pooled treatment course with corresponding reduction in the n-6:n-3 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged regular parenteral n-3FA administration results in rapid and sustained cellular uptake. This regimen is appropriate for therapies aimed at increasing n-3FA content of cellular membranes and reduction of the n-6:n-3 ratio.

Triaging TIA/minor stroke patients using the ABCD2 score does not predict those with significant carotid disease.

BACKGROUND: 'Rapid Access' TIA Clinics use the ABCD(2) score to triage patients as it is not possible to see everyone with a suspected TIA <24 h. Those scoring 0-3 are seen within seven days, while patients scoring 4-7 are seen as soon as possible (preferably <24 h). It was hypothesized that patients scoring 4-7 would have a higher yield of significant carotid disease. METHODS: Prospective study of correlation between Family Doctor (FD) or Emergency Department (ED) ABCD(2) score and specialist consultant Stroke Physician measured ABCD(2) score and prevalence of ≥50% ipsilateral carotid stenosis or occlusion in patients presenting with 'any territory' TIA/minor stroke or 'carotid territory' TIA/minor stroke. RESULTS: Between 1.10.2008 and 31.04.2011, 2452 patients were referred to the Leicester Rapid Access TIA Service. After Stroke Physician review, 1273 (52%) were thought to have suffered a minor stroke/TIA. Of these, both FD/ED referrer and Specialist Stroke Consultant ABCD(2) scores and carotid Duplex ultrasound studies were available for 843 (66%). The yield for identifying a ≥50% stenosis or carotid occlusion was 109/843 (12.9%) in patients with 'any territory' TIA/minor stroke and 101/740 (13.6%) in those with a clinical diagnosis of 'carotid territory' TIA/minor stroke. There was no association between ABCD(2) score and the likelihood of encountering significant carotid disease and analyses of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for FD/ED referrer and stroke specialist ABCD(2) scores showed no prediction of carotid stenosis (FD/ED: AUC 0.50 (95%CI 0.44-0.55, p = 0.9), Specialist: AUC 0.51 (95%CI 0.45-0.57, p = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: The ABCD(2) score was unable to identify TIA/minor stroke patients with a higher prevalence of clinically important ipsilateral carotid disease.

Factors associated with variations in general practitioner prescribing costs.

In this exploratory study information gathered from 520 patients of eight doctors in a city group practice was analysed to identify the collective and separate contributions of selected patient and doctor factors to script cost variations. Results suggested that variance in cost and item numbers was directly related to diagnosis. A principal diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes/endocrine/hormonal problems, or a multiple of diagnoses was associated most with high cost scripts. Other patient conditions, such as gravity of illness, accounted for a much smaller but still significant variance. Although there were only minor differences between males and females, the older age groups in both sexes were over-represented in the higher item and cost categories. Which doctor the patient saw accounted only for approximately half a percent of the total variance, and this was non-significant. The results indicated that doctor prescribing behaviour was related rationally to patient diagnosis, and suggested that peer review, as practised by these doctors, was operating to reduce both variance between doctor factors and prescribing costs.

Attempted suicide in Christchurch: three-year follow-up of 195 patients.

Of 195 consecutive patients who had been admitted to hospital for suicide attempt, five died later from a further attempt, and 144 were available for a three-year follow-up study. Twenty-nine patients made subsequent suicide attempts. On discharge from hospital psychiatric treatment was carried out and completed in 40.3 percent, partially completed in 11.1 percent and 18.8 percent did not complete treatment. On a self-rating basis, 8 percent thought they were worse, 32 percent unchanged and 42 percent were improved. There were extensive interpersonal disturbances and a high percentage of patients had changed relationships in the follow-up period. The high persistence of suicidal activity in these patients is discussed.

Survey of elderly day hospital patients during a period of industrial action.

The effect of a six-week closure of an active day hospital for the elderly was studied. The ill-effects were not marked and the implications are discussed.