Targeted axillary dissection using Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique in the clinically negative marked lymph node after neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To be aware of the feasibility of targeted axillary dissection (TAD) injecting 99mTechnetium-labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) preoperatively into the clipped lymph node of patients with axillary complete clinical response (ycN0), after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on N1 patients with a clipped positive node and a clinically negative axilla (ycN0) after NAC in one center. The pretreatment positive lymph node was injected with 99mTc-MAA the day before surgery and identified intraoperatively with a radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) technique. Patients were subjected to a TAD with the intent of identifying the clipped node and other/s sentinel nodes through a standard sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). RESULTS: 54 patients and 55 axillary clipped nodes were included. The clip was intraoperatively encountered in every patient, accomplishing a 100% detection rate, although in one case no lymphatic tissue could be found in the intraoperative frozen section. An axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was avoided in 62.9% of the cases (34/54). CONCLUSION: The use of the ROLL technique is a highly valuable tool since it allows a 100% success rate in retrieving the marker (and a 98.1% rate in detecting the clipped lymph node) in ycN0 breast cancer patients.

Vascular Resection in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Among the cholangiocarcinomas, the most common type is perihilar (phCC), accounting for approximately 60% of cases, after which are the distal and then intrahepatic forms. There is no staging system that allows for a comparison of all series and extraction of conclusions that increase the long-term survival rate of this dismal disease. The extension of the resection, which theoretically depends on the type of phCC, is not a closed subject. As surgery is the only known way to achieve a cure, many aggressive approaches have been adopted. Despite extended liver resections and even vascular resections, margins are positive in around one third of patients. In the past two decades, with advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, surgical outcomes and survival rates have gradually improved, although variability is the rule, with morbidity and mortality rates ranging from 14% to 76% and from 0% to 19%, respectively. Extended hepatectomies and portal vein resection, or even right hepatic artery reconstruction for the left side tumors are frequently needed. Salvage procedures when arterial reconstruction is not feasible, as well as hepatopancreatoduodenectomy, are still under evaluation too. In this article, we discuss the aggressive surgical approach to phCC focused on vascular resection. Disparate results on the surgical treatment of phCC made it impossible to reach clear-cut conclusions.

Radio-Pathological Correlations in Patients with Liver Metastases for Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most frequent gastrointestinal cancer. The liver is the organ most commonly affected by CRC metastases. Synchronous CRC liver metastases (CRCLM) are present in 15-25% at diagnosis, and metastases are confined to the liver in 70-80% of these cases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of significant correlations between the pathological features and computed tomography scan morpho-densitometric findings. SUMMARY: A retrospective study of prospectively collected data has been performed; all patients underwent curative-intent hepatic resection from January 2004 to December 2012 and had histologically confirmed CRCLM. Key Messages: Thirty-four (57%) patients were males; the mean age was 64.4 (±10.2) years. Statistically significant differences have been found with the percentages of intra-tumoral fibrosis (p = 0.038) and necrosis (p = 0.007); the values of fibrosis are higher in the absence of a peri-lesional ring, while those of necrosis are higher in the presence of a peri-lesional ring.There was a correlation between the histopathological response to treatments and the global attenuation levels observed in the computed tomography scan of CRCLM. Furthermore, the presence of a radiologically evidenced peripheral ring was associated with the amount of viable tumor cells in the periphery of the tumor, and with responses predominated by necrosis. More studies are needed to clarify the radiological and histological correlation and to be able to better select patients who are going to undergo surgery.

Reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy: Pancreatojejunostomy vs pancreatogastrostomy.

Pancreatic surgeons try to find the best technique for reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in order to decrease postoperative complications, mainly pancreatic fistulas (PF). In this work, we compare the two most frequent techniques of reconstruction after PD, pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) and pancreatogastrostomy (PG), in order to determine which of the two is better. A systematic review of the literature was performed, including major meta-analysis articles, clinical randomized trials, systematic reviews, and retrospective studies. A total of 64 articles were finally included. PJ and PG are usually responsible for most of the postoperative morbidity, mainly due to the onset of PF, being considered a major trigger of life-threatening complications such as intra-abdominal abscess and hemorrhagia. The included systematic reviews reported a significant difference only in the incidence of intraabdominal collections favouring PG. PF, delayed gastric emptying and mortality were not different. Although there was heterogeneity between these studies, all were conducted in specialized centers by highly experienced surgeons, and the surgical care was likely to be similar for all the studies. The disadvantages of PG include an increased incidence of delayed gastric emptying and of main pancreatic duct obstruction due to overgrowth by the gastric mucosa. Exocrine function appears to be worse after PG than after PJ, resulting in severe atrophic changes in the remnant pancreas. Depending on the type of PJ or PG used, the PF rate and other complications can also be different. The best method to deal with the pancreatic stump after PD remains questionable. The choice of method of pancreatic anastomosis could be based on individual experience and on the surgeon's preference and adherence to basic principles such as good exposure and visualization. In conclusion, up to now none of the techniques can be considered superior or be recommended as standard for reconstruction after PD.

Outcome of surgical resection in Klatskin tumors.

UNLABELLED: Cholangiocarcinomas are the second most frequent primary hepatic malignancy, and make up from 5% to 30% of malignant hepatic tumours. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCC) is the most common type, and accounts for approximately 60% to 67% of all cholangiocarcinoma cases. There is not a staging system that permits us to compare all series and extract some conclusions to increase the long-survival rate in this dismal disease. Neither the extension of resection, according to the sort of HCC, is a closed topic. Some authors defend limited resection (mesohepatectomy with S1, S1 plus S4b-S5, local excision for papillary tumours, etc.) while others insist in the compulsoriness of an extended hepatic resection with portal vein bifurcation removed to reach cure. As there is not an ideal adjuvant therapy, R1 resection can be justified to prolong the survival rate. Morbidity and mortality rates changed along the last decade, but variability is the rule, with morbidity and mortality rates ranging from 14% to 76% and from 0% to 19%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection continues to be the main treatment of HCC. Negative resection margins achieved with major hepatic resections are associated with improved outcome. Preresectional management with biliary drainage, portal vein embolization and staging laparoscopy should be considered in selected patients. Additional evidence is needed to fully define the role of orthotopic liver transplant. Portal and lymph node involvement worsen the prognosis and long-term survival, and surgery is the only option that can lengthen it. Improvements in adjuvant therapy are essential for improving long-term outcome. Furthermore, the lack of effective chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy approaches leads us to can consider R1 resection as an option, because operated patients have a longer survival rate than those who not undergo surgery.