Role of thyroid surgery in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of thyroid surgery on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) evaluated by the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was studied. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the impact on the positional component of OSAS and to highlight possible predictors of improvement of OSAS after thyroidectomy. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with OSAS are included in this monocentric study: they underwent total thyroidectomy (n = 26) or left loboisthmectomy. Postoperative assessment involves a nocturnal control polysomnography as of 60 days after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery is 61.3 years (standard deviation ±7.3) and average body mass index is 29.6 kg/m2 (±7.3). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is introduced preoperatively in 82% of patients. The statistical analysis shows a significant decrease of 33% in postoperative AHI for the total population (p = 0.001), 77% in patients under CPAP (p = 0.05), and 27% in patients without CPAP (p = 0.02). CPAP therapy could be released in four patients. Given the limited number of subjects studied, the surgery did not impact on the positional component of the OSAS. Statistical analysis failed to link a predictive factor to AHI reduction. CONCLUSIONS: We propose thyroid surgery as an alternative or as a complement to CPAP treatment for the patients with goitre: it allows a significant decrease in postoperative AHI, allowing adaptation of the CPAP treatment downward, or even a release in some cases. These results need to be confirmed on a larger series of patients in a prospective study with standardized criteria for polysomnography and multivariate analysis.

Pure tubular carcinoma of the breast and sentinel lymph node biopsy: a retrospective multi-institutional study of 234 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pure Tubular Carcinoma (PTC) of the breast is a rare histological subtype of invasive breast cancer characterized by a low rate of lymph node involvement. Currently there is no consensus on less surgical axillary node staging according to this histological subtype. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multi-institutional study. Inclusion criteria were PTC, sentinel lymph node detection (SLND) and conservative breast surgery. RESULTS: From January 1999 to December 2006, 234 patients were included in the study from 9 institutions. The median pathological tumor size was 9.59 (1-22) mm. SLN were successfully detected in 98% (229/234) of patients. Among the 234 patients, a macrometastasis was found in 6 cases (2.5%), micrometastasis in 15 cases (6.4%), and isolated cells in 2 cases (0.8%). In the case of patients with SLND macrometastasis, half of them had macrometastasis in the complementary axillary lymphadenectomy, and none in the case of SLN only micrometastasis or isolated cells. Of the 122 patients with a pathological tumor size <10 mm, none had sentinel node macrometastasis. According to a multivariate analysis, pathological tumor size (>10 mm) was the only parameter significatively linked to the risk of lymph node involvement (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In a large multi-institutional series with SLND, we have shown that the risk of axillary lymph node involvement in PTC is very low. In the case of PTC <10 mm, we suggest that surgical axillary evaluation, even with SLND, may not be warranted.

A new optical probe for the detection of the sentinel lymph node using patent blue V dye in breast cancer: A preliminary study.

The present study presents a novel near-infrared optical probe for the sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in breast cancer patients, based on the recording of scattered photons. The aim of this study was to improve the detection of patent blue V (PBV), a dye routinely injected during clinical practice. A combined injection of the dye and radioactive colloid was used in the 24 patients enrolled in the study. The clinical results of the ex vivo detection of 70 dye-marked SLNs are reported, subsequent to the injection of various quantities of PBV (0.25-2 ml). The accuracy and success rate of an isotopic probe for the detection of radioactive colloid tracer, the eye visibility threshold of the surgeon and the use of a new optical probe were examined. The radio-labeled and dye-marked sentinel lymph nodes were all detected by the radio-isotopic probe, as opposed to the 75% detected by the eye visibility threshold of the surgeon. The optical probe detected all of the nodes, regardless of the volume of the dye injected. The relative PBV concentration computed by the probe facing SLNs with infravisible/visually undetectable dye-mark was relatively constant at 5.5±1.4 µmol/l. The optical detection of the sentinel lymph nodes using PBV and the probe presented in this study have the potential to reduce the false negative detection rate. This instrument is likely to provide surgeons with a simple diagnostic tool, without significantly changing their surgical procedures.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

Alternative therapies have been sought to alleviate mutilation and morbidity associated with surgery for vulvar neoplasms. Our prime objective was to assess tumor absence in pathological vulvar and nodal specimens following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced vulvar neoplasms. Data were retrospectively collected from January 2001 to May 2009 from 22 patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of inguino-pelvic radiotherapy (50 Gy) in association with chemotherapy when possible. Surgery occurred at intervals of between 5 to 8 weeks. The median age of patients at diagnosis was 74.1 years. All patients were primarily treated with radiotherapy and 15 received a concomitant chemotherapy. Additionally, all patients underwent radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy. Tumor absence in the vulvar and nodal pathological specimens was achieved for 6 (27%) patients, while absence in the vulvar pathological specimens was only achieved for 10 (45.4%) patients. Postoperative follow-up revealed breakdown of groin wounds, vulvar wounds and chronic lymphedema in 3 (14.3%), 7 (31.8%) and 14 cases (63.6%), respectively. Within a median follow-up time of 2.3 years [interquartile range (IQR), 0.6-4.6], 12 (54.6%) patients experienced complete remission and 6 cases succumbed to metastatic evolution within a median of 2.2 years (IQR, 0.6-4.6), with 1 case also experiencing perineal recurrence. Median survival time, estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, was 5.1 years (IQR, 1.0-6.8). We suggest that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may represent a reliable and promising strategy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

[Acoustic study of sustained vowels made by patients with recurrent nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy]. / Etude acoustique de voyelles soutenues produites par des patients présentant une paralysie récurrentielle après thyroïdectomie.

The objective of this work is to evaluate the consequences of thyroid surgery on the voice of patients suffering from recurrent paralysis. The consequences of the surgery are evaluated using a corpus of sustained vowels in order to identify the various disruptions that this procedure may produce. This research also looks for possible compensatory and/or readjustment strategies that can be used by a patient alone and with the help of speech therapy. Acoustic measurements considered are fundamental frequency (F0), Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), and vowel space area. This is a longitudinal study, as all patients are recorded once a month during three months after surgery. Results reveal a modification of all parameters in the early recording stages. However, time and speech therapy contribute to obtaining expected values of the measured parameters, and thus to improvement of vocal quality.

Vulvar reconstruction by a "supra-fascial" lotus petal flap after surgery for malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report on our experience with the supra-fascial lotus petal flap following the resection of vulvar cancer. METHODS: The original lotus petal flap or gluteal-fold flap technique was initially described with fascial elevation. However, flap harvesting in a supra-fascial plane is feasible. Between 2008 and 2011, we performed and evaluated this modified flap technique for labia majora reconstruction on five elderly females (mean age: 72 years). RESULTS: Resection and reconstruction were performed in the same operative time with a median time procedure of 118 min. We observed neither flap failure nor partial necrosis. Functional evaluation beyond six months showed low donor site morbidity and good aesthetic results. CONCLUSION: Immediate vulvar reconstruction with supra-fascial lotus petal flap is a fast, easy and reliable procedure. It enables wide resection and safety margin following tumor removal with free tension suture, good aesthetic results and a favourable functional outcome.

Cost comparison of axillary sentinel lymph node detection and axillary lymphadenectomy in early breast cancer. A national study based on a prospective multi-institutional series of 985 patients 'on behalf of the Group of Surgeons from the French Unicancer Federation'.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the global cost of the sentinel lymph node detection [axillary sentinel lymph node detection (ASLND)] compared with standard axillary lymphadenectomy [axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)] for early breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multi-institutional, observational, cost comparative analysis. Cost calculations were realized with the micro-costing method from the diagnosis until 1 month after the last surgery. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty nine patients were included in the ASLND group and 146 in the ALND group. The cost generated for a patient with an ASLND, with one preoperative scintigraphy, a combined method for sentinel node detection, an intraoperative pathological analysis without lymphadenectomy, was lower than the cost generated for a patient with lymphadenectomy [€ 2947 (σ = 580) versus € 3331 (σ = 902); P = 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: ASLND, involving expensive techniques, was finally less expensive than ALND. The length of hospital stay was the cost driver of these procedures. The current observational study points the heterogeneous practices for this validated and largely diffused technique. Several technical choices have an impact on the cost of ASLND, as intraoperative analysis allowing to reduce rehospitalization rate for secondary lymphadenectomy or preoperative scintigraphy, suggesting possible savings on hospital resources.

[Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy and survival of patients treated for an advanced ovarian cancer: the CARACO trial]. / Impact des curages rétropéritonéaux sur la survie des patientes atteintes d'un cancer de l'ovaire à un stade avancé : le protocole CARACO.

The standard management for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is optimum cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum based chemotherapy. However, retroperitoneal lymph node resection remains controversial. The multiple directions of the lymph drainage pathway in ovarian cancer have been recognized. The incidence and pattern of lymph node involvement depends on the extent of the disease and the histological type. Several published cohorts suggest the survival benefit of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. A recent large randomized trial have demonstrated the potential benefit for surgical removal of bulky lymph nodes in term of progression-free survival but failed to show any overall survival benefit because of a critical methodology. Further randomised trials are needed to balance risks and benefits of systematic lymphadenectomy in advanced-stage disease. CARACO is a French ongoing trial, built to bring a reply to this important question. A huge effort for inclusion of the patients, and involving new teams, are mandatory.

A nomogram predictive of non-sentinel lymph node involvement in breast cancer patients with a sentinel lymph node micrometastasis.

PURPOSE: Predictive factors of non-sentinel lymph node (NSN) involvement at axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) have been studied in the case of sentinel node (SN) involvement, with validation of a nomogram. This nomogram is not accurate for SN micrometastasis. The purpose of our study was to determine a nomogram for predicting the likelihood of NSN involvement in breast cancer patients with a SN micrometastasis. METHODS: We collated 909 observations of SN micrometastases with additional ALND. Characteristics of the patients, tumours and SN were analysed. RESULTS: Involvement of SN was diagnosed 490 times (53.9%) with standard staining (HES) and 419 times solely on immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) (46.1%). NSN invasion was observed in 114 patients (12.5%), whereas 62.3% (71) had only one NSN involved and 37.7% (43) two or more NSN involved. In multivariate analysis, significant predictive factors were: tumour size (pT stage < or = 10 mm or >11 and < or = 20 or >20 mm [odds ratio (OR) 2.1 and 3.43], micrometastases detected by HES or IHC [OR 1.64], presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) [OR 1.76], tumour histological type mixed or not [OR 2.64]. The rate and probability of NSN involvement with the model are given for 24 groups, with a representation by a nomogram. CONCLUSION: One group, corresponding to 10.1% of the patients, was associated with a risk of NSN involvement of less than 5%, and five groups, corresponding to 29.8% of the patients, were associated with a risk < or = 10%. Omission of ALND could be proposed with minimal risk for a low probability of NSN involvement.

[A locally advanced intrathyroid metastasis of bronchial cancer]. / Métastase intrathyroïdienne localement avancée d'un cancer bronchique.

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics, the diagnosis and the treatment of intrathyroid metastasis. METHOD: The authors report a case of a locally advanced intrathyroid metastasis of a bronchial cancer. RESULTS: A 60-year-old woman, treated seven years before for a well-differentiated bronchial adenocarcinoma, developed enlargement of the thyroid gland. Metastatic disease was confirmed by a surgical biopsy. Following incomplete radiochemotherapy, a palliative surgical debulking was performed, associating an isthmolobectomy with a large skin excision and closure with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. CONCLUSION: Intrathyroid metastases are rare and usually treated by surgery. Surgical management is decided taking into account the type and the kinetics of the primary tumor, the location of the thyroid metastasis, and the extension of the metastatic disease. Except for isolated intrathyroid metastasis of kidney cancer, prognosis remains poor.

Breast specimen lumpectomy orientation: which technique is the best?

The authors report a cheap, simple, reliable and reproducible technique of breast specimen lumpectomy orientation.

Surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer: morbidity and outcome: results of a multicenter study of the GCCLCC (Groupe des Chirurgiens de Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the morbidity and therapeutic value of surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy in a multicentric series of patients with advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage IB2 to IVA cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy followed by brachytherapy and surgery from seven participating French comprehensive cancer centers were enrolled. The surgical treatment consisted of a hysterectomy, which ranged from radical hysterectomy to anterior pelvic exenteration, and lymph node resection. Acute toxicity, pathological response, overall, and disease-free survival were assessed for each pathological response to therapy. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients were enrolled from September 1987 to June 2002. The median age was 44 years [27;75]. Patients distribution according to clinical classification was as follows: 41 stage IB2, 18 IIA, 77 IIB, 12 IIIA, 14 IIIB, and 13 IVA. Forty-six patients experienced 51 postoperative complications. Thirty-three patients experienced grade 2 morbidity (18.9%, 33/175), among whom 19 experienced urinary complications (57.5%, 19/175). No post treatment mortality was observed. Grade 3 toxicity rate was 6.9% (12/175). Pathological complete response rate was 38% (67/175). After a median follow-up of 36 months, overall survival and disease-free survival were significantly better in patients who had a pathological complete response to therapy than those who achieved a partial pathological response (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy for advanced cervical cancer leads to an acceptable morbidity. Furthermore, surgery allows evaluation of the pathological response to therapy and improves local control in the case of partial pathological response.

[Squamous cell carcinoma arising in Verneuil's disease: two cases and literature review]. / Dégénérescence de maladie de Verneuil en carcinome épidermoïde: à propos de 2 cas et revue de la littérature.

Verneuil's disease (hidradenitis suppurativa) is a chronic inflammatory, suppurating, fistulizing and scar-producing disease of apocrine gland-bearing skin. Its transformation into epidermoid carcimona has been reported 38 times in literature. We describe two new cases - two males aged 67 and 68-years-old. The first one is still alive with no recurrence after one year and the second patient died 2 months after surgery, showing generalised scattering. This rare complication is interesting for two reasons. It only concerns perianal location and it targets mainly men. Surgical treatment consists of wide excision. However, it is often too late. The outcomes are critical for it has been reported a 50% rate of deaths within 2 years after surgery. It is therefore imperative that both general practitioners and dermatologists follow patients with Verneuil's disease so that they can propose a preventive excision at the right time.

Anal localization as first manifestation of metastatic ductal breast carcinoma.

The incidence of extrahepatic gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer is reported in the literature only as necroscopy studies (6-18%); they usually originate from lobular or a mixed ductal-lobular subtype. Nonspecific presenting symptoms, death of the patients caused by other more frequent metastases, and variable radiographic features mimicking primary neoplasms cause a clinical underestimation of this pathology. We report here a case of rectal metastasis from an invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This is to our knowledge, the first recorded instance of an anal metastasis from IDC.

Prevention of radiation enteritis by intrapelvic breast prosthesis.

Pelvic malignancies frequently require post-operative radiation therapy that may induce small bowel damage at an incidence of 5-25%. Various surgical techniques have been reported to prevent acute and chronic radiation enteritis. This article describes the technical aspects of pelvic exclusion by an intrapelvic silicone breast prosthesis.

[The sentinel node in invasive breast cancer. Unsolved questions and review of the national and international clinical trials]. / Le ganglion sentinelle dans les cancers invasifs du sein. Questions actuelles et essais cliniques nationaux et internationaux.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a major diagnostic procedure in breast cancer surgery. Although adopted worldwide, its routine practice has not been validated yet. This article proposes a review of national and international controlled clinical trials whose aims are definitely to answer remaining unsolved questions.

Comparative value of tumour grade, hormonal receptors, Ki-67, HER-2 and topoisomerase II alpha status as predictive markers in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of five different biological factors in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy: (1) tumour grade scored according to the Elston-Ellis classification, (2) hormonal receptor (HR) status; (3) tumour cell proliferation evaluated by Ki-67 staining, (4) HER-2 and topoisomerase II alpha (TopoIIalpha) expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), (5) HER-2 and TopoIIalpha amplification evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 119 patients with operable breast cancer were treated with six cycles of FEC (100 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2, Epirubicin 100 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2). Tumour response was assessed clinically and by computed tomography (CT) scan, then by pathological assessment. The clinical overall response (OR) was 80%, with 19% of complete responders (CR). The radiological OR was 71%, with 16% of CR. A pathological CR was demonstrated in 13% of the patients according to the Sataloff classification. In the multivariate analysis, the absence of HR expression and Ki-67 > or = 20% were predictive for a clinical CR. A high tumour grade was predictive for a pathological CR. Overexpression or amplification of HER2 or Topollcalpha were not predictive of response.