Outcomes of a Standardized Pain Pathway for Transgender Patients Undergoing Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To establish and evaluate a multimodal, opioid-minimizing pathway for gender-affirming vaginoplasty (GAVa) and vulvoplasty (GAVu) in treating postoperative pain. METHODS: A standardized pain pathway including opioids, non-opioid analgesics, and patient counseling was implemented at a single academic institution with a center for transgender care. Postoperative pain levels, analgesia methods, and opioid use for 84 GAVa and 64 GAVu patients were prospectively gathered during inpatient postoperative days 2-4 and outpatient follow-up at 2 weeks. Pertinent patient, operative, and medication administration data were extracted from patient charts and outpatient pain was measured with the Brief Pain Inventory short form (BPI-sf). RESULTS: On average, GAVa patients used 89.3 MME and GAVu patients used 41.8 MME during inpatient stay. MME decreased daily for both groups. There was no difference in MME between open and robotic GAVa. Forty-nine percent of GAVa patients and 54% of GAVu patients used ketorolac with decreasing daily inpatient use. Postoperative pain levels were similar between GAVa and GAVu patients. Fifty percent of respondents denied postoperative pain in the 24 hours preceding the survey. Forty-four percent of GAVa and of GAVu patients did not use any opioid medications in the outpatient setting, while 81% of GAVa and 83% of GAVu patients used fewer than 20 of 30 prescribed opioid tablets. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen were rated the most effective outpatient analgesics among GAVa and GAVu patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The multimodal pathway demonstrated effective postoperative pain control for GAVa and GAVu patients while minimizing opioid use and has changed institutional prescribing practice.

Minimizing opioids after gender affirming orchiectomy - a multimodal pain pathway.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized multimodal pain pathway for gender affirming orchiectomy (GAO) in adequately addressing postoperative pain while reducing the prescribing of unnecessary opioids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standardized discharge pain pathway for GAO +/- scrotectomy or testicular implants was implemented between May 2020 and March 2022. A retrospective analysis was performed on all consecutive patients who underwent GAO with a single surgeon. Patients answered five questions on postoperative pain management at their 3 week follow up. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 34.3 years (SD ± 10.5; IQR 26-39) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.1 (SD ± 7.5; IQR 22.3-31). No patients were taking narcotics preoperatively. Mean 4.7 tablets (SD ± 4.5; range 0-30) oxycodone tablets taken by GAO patients without concurrent procedures, with 33 patients (47.8%) taking fewer than 4 tablets. Thirteen patients (18.8%) required no narcotics. Four patients (5.8%) requested an additional narcotic prescription, none of whom underwent a concurrent procedure. There was no significant association between BMI and the number of oxycodone tablets taken. All patients used at least one recommended alternative therapy (acetaminophen, ibuprofen and ice packs) with 41 patients (59.4%) using all three. CONCLUSION: Most patients achieved adequate postoperative pain control as requests for additional narcotic prescriptions were low. Almost half of patients used < 4 tablets, and all patients employed at least one alternative non-narcotic analgesic. Based on these findings, we plan to decrease the quantity of opioids on discharge.

Perceptions of Gender Equity by Urologic Subspecialty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how urologists in various subspecialties view the climate for female urologists, comparing perceptions of gender inequity based on characteristics including gender, subspecialty training, faculty status, parental status, and years in practice. Despite growth in female representation in urology, gender inequalities in career opportunities and compensation continue to exist. METHODS: An IRB approved survey was sent out to the following list-serves: Society of Urological Oncology (SUO), Society of Endourology (ENDO), Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS), Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU), Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU), and American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS). A validated study, the Culture Conducive to Women's Academic Success (CCWAS) was used, and scores analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Kruskal-Wallace tests. RESULTS: There were 430 survey responses (35.3% female, 64.7% male). There was a statistically significant difference in CCWAS score for gender, parental status, and society. On multiple regression analysis controlling for gender, parental status and society were not statistically significant. Years in practice and practice type were not significant. Male urologists perceived practice culture toward women as more equitable than their female colleagues, (median [interquartile range] CCWAS score, 203.5 [184.25, 225.0] vs 162.5 [130.75, 188.0]; P < .0001). This discrepancy in perception between genders was consistent across all subcategories; equal access, work-life balance, freedom of gender bias, and leadership support. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there are gender-based differences in how gender inequities are perceived and experienced in urology. Acknowledgment of these differences is the first step in identifying opportunities for improvement.

Young-Onset Breast Cancer Outcomes by Time Since Recent Childbirth in Utah.

Importance: Breast cancer diagnosed within 5 to 10 years after childbirth, called postpartum breast cancer (PPBC), is associated with increased risk for metastasis and death. Whether a postpartum diagnosis is an independent risk factor or a surrogate marker of cancer features associated with poor outcomes remains understudied. Objective: To determine whether diagnostic temporal proximity to childbirth is associated with features of breast cancer associated with poor outcomes, including tumor stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status, and risk for distant metastasis and breast cancer-specific mortality, using a population database from the state of Utah. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study using the Utah Population Database (UPDB) included individuals with stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger between 1996 and 2017, followed-up until February 2020. Participant data were analyzed from November 2019 to August 2022. Exposure: The primary exposures were no prior childbirth or time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis. Patients were grouped by diagnoses within less than 5 years, 5 to less than 10 years, or 10 years or more since recent childbirth. Main Outcomes and Measures: The 2 primary outcomes were distant metastasis-free survival and breast cancer-specific death. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate associations between exposures and outcomes adjusting for diagnosis year, patient age, tumor stage, and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Results: Of 2970 individuals with breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger (mean [SD] age, 39.3 [5.0] years; 12 Black individuals [0.4%], 2679 White individuals [90.2%]), breast cancer diagnosis within 5 years of recent childbirth was independently associated with approximately 1.5-fold elevated risk for metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0) and breast cancer-specific death (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1) compared with nulliparous individuals. For cancers classically considered to have tumor features associated with good outcomes (ie, stage I or II and ER-positive), a postpartum diagnosis was a dominant feature associated with increased risk for metastasis and death (eg, for individuals with ER-positive disease diagnosed within <5 years of childbirth: age-adjusted metastasis HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1; P = .01; age-adjusted death HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1; P = .04) compared with nulliparous individuals. Furthermore, liver metastases were specifically increased in the group with diagnosis within 5 years postpartum and with positive ER expression (38 of 83 patients [45.8%]) compared with the nulliparous (28 of 77 patients [36.4%]), although the difference was not statistically significant. Overall, these data implicate parity-associated breast and liver biology in the observed poor outcomes of PPBC. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of individuals with breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger, a postpartum breast cancer diagnosis was a risk factor associated with poor outcomes. Irrespective of ER status, clinical consideration of time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis could increase accuracy of prognosis in patients with young-onset breast cancer.

Selecting patients for magnetic resonance imaging cognitive versus ultrasound fusion biopsy of the prostate: A within-patient comparison.

Objectives: To compare overall agreement between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound (US) fusion biopsy (FB) and MRI cognitive fusion biopsy (CB) of the prostate and determine which factors affect agreement for prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent both modalities in a prospective within-patient protocol. Patients and Methods: From August 2017 to January 2021, patients with at least one Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) 3 or higher lesion on multiparametric MRI underwent transrectal FB and CB in a prospective within-patient protocol. CB was performed for each region of interest (ROI), followed by FB, followed by standard 12 core biopsy. Patients who were not on active surveillance were analysed. The primary endpoint was agreement for any PCa detection. McNemar's test and kappa statistic were used to analyse agreement. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to analyse disagreement across clinical and MRI spatial variables. A multivariable generalized mixed-effect model was used to compare the interaction between select variables and fusion modality. Statistics were performed using SAS and R. Results: Ninety patients and 98 lesions were included in the analysis. There was moderate agreement between FB and CB (k = 0.715). McNemar's test was insignificant (p = 0.285). Anterior location was the only variable associated with a significant variation in agreement, which was 70% for anterior lesions versus 89.7% for non-anterior lesions (p = 0.035). Discordance did not vary significantly across other variables. In a mixed-effect model, the interaction between anterior location and use of FB was insignificant (p = 0.411). Conclusion: In a within-patient protocol of patients not on active surveillance, FB and CB performed similarly for PCa detection and with moderate agreement. Anterior location was associated with significantly higher disagreement, whereas other patient and lesion characteristics were not. Additional studies are needed to determine optimal biopsy technique for sampling anterior ROI.

Calibrated Regression Models Based on the Risk of Clinical Nodal Metastasis Should be Used as Decision Aids for Prostate Cancer Staging to Reduce Unnecessary Imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Radionuclide imaging will change the role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) for prostate cancer (CaP) staging. Current guidelines recommend abdominopelvic imaging for new cases of CaP categorized as unfavorable intermediate risk (UIR) or higher. We assessed the performance characteristics of CT/MRI based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and developed a model that predicts cN1 disease using conventional imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with CaP from 2010 to 2016 with available age, prostate specific antigen, clinical locoregional staging, biopsy Gleason grading, and core information. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) was used on a undersampled training dataset using cN1 as the outcome. Performance characteristics were compared to those of the three most recent versions of the NCCN guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 443,640 men were included, and 2.5% had cN1 disease. Using CT/MRI only, the current NCCN guidelines have a sensitivity of 99%, and the number needed to image (NNI) is 24. At the same sensitivity, the cN1 risk was 1.6% using the MLR. The NNI for UIR alone is 341. Using the MLR model and a threshold of 10%, the PPV is 10.3% and 64% of CTs/MRIs could be saved at a cost of missing 6% of cN1 patients (or 0.15% of all patients). CONCLUSION: The NCCN guidelines are sensitive for detecting cN1 with CT/MRI, however, the number needed to image is 24. Obtaining CT/MRI for nodal staging when patients have a cN1 risk of 10% would reduce total imaging while still remaining sensitive. As novel PET tracers becomes increasingly used for initial CaP staging, well calibrated prediction models trained on the outcome of interest should be developed as decision aids for obtaining imaging.

Neoadjuvant Therapy Is Associated with Improved Chemotherapy Delivery and Overall Survival Compared to Upfront Resection in Pancreatic Cancer without Increasing Perioperative Complications.

The role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (neoCHT) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poorly defined. We hypothesized that patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) would have improved systemic therapy delivery, as well as comparable perioperative complications, compared to patients undergoing upfront resection. This is an IRB-approved retrospective study of potentially resectable PDAC patients treated within an academic quaternary referral center between 2011 and 2018. Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record using an institutional cancer registry and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Three hundred and fourteen patients were eligible for analysis and eighty-one patients received NAT. The median overall survival (OS) was significantly improved in patients who received NAT (28.6 vs. 20.1 months, p = 0.014). Patients receiving neoCHT had an overall increased mean duration of systemic therapy (p < 0.001), and the median OS improved with each month of chemotherapy delivered (HR = 0.81 per month CHT, 95% CI (0.76-0.86), p < 0.001). NAT was not associated with increases in early severe post-operative complications (p = 0.47), late leaks (p = 0.23), or 30-90 day readmissions (p = 0.084). Our results show improved OS in patients who received NAT, driven largely by improved chemotherapy delivery, without an apparent increase in early or late perioperative complications compared to patients undergoing upfront resection.

Women Are Underrepresented in Prestigious Recognition Awards in the American Urological Association.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of women who received awards from the American Urological Association (AUA) and evaluate whether this has changed over time as the proportion of practicing female urologists has increased. METHODS: A retrospective review of award recipients from the AUA website was performed. Gender of award recipient, type of award and year received were collected and the trend over time was compared with the AUA census. RESULTS: Of the 622 award recipients, 43 (6.9%) were women. There was a larger proportion of women who received early career awards (15/65; 23.1%) compared to women who received more prestigious mid (1/44; 2.3%) or senior (27/513; 5.3%) career awards. Additionally, 17/43 (39.5%) of female award recipients were not clinical urologists, compared to only 33/579 (5.7%) of male award recipients. CONCLUSION: Despite increased representation by women in the field of urology, women remain underrepresented in awards given by the AUA. Although the proportion of women receiving awards over time has increased, it remains less than expected given the increased proportion of practicing female urologists. Strategic initiatives should be employed to help advance women in academic urology.

A Prognostic Index for Predicting Survival of Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Spine Metastasis Using Recursive Partitioning Analysis.

Background: Physicians' estimate of life expectancy in patients with spine metastasis frequently impacts treatment decisions regarding surgery, radiation techniques, dose, and fractionation. Objective: We aimed to identify predictors of survival and generate a stratification schema that could guide clinical decision making. Materials and Methods: We identified 269 patients who have undergone surgery and/or radiation for spine metastasis from 2002 to 2013 at an academic medical institution in the United States. A univariate survival analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in survival by histology were assessed using the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model, then using the same variables, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was conducted to determine risk groups associated with survival. Results: The median overall survival was 4.76 months. Twenty percent, 40%, and 57% of patients died within one, three, and six months of radiation treatment, respectively. RPA analysis resulted in three classes; class I included patients with Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥80. Class II included patients with KPS <80 and radioresistant or favorable histologies. Class III included all other histologies. Median survival in months was 11.4, 6.3, and 2.0, respectively. Conclusion: We developed a stratification schema predictive of survival in patients with spine metastasis. This RPA classification should be validated in independent patient populations from several institutions and may ultimately identify patients who are good candidates for more complex treatment regimens, such as stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Addressing Burnout in Urology: A Qualitative Assessment of Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: We characterized physician burnout among urologists to determine the prevalence and efficacy of specific burnout interventions utilized and to determine involvement of workplaces in effective burnout interventions. METHODS: The Western Section of the American Urological Association created an electronic, 29 question workforce survey. Several questions focused on assessing the level of urologist burnout, prevalence of work sponsored burnout interventions and efficacy of specific interventions. RESULTS: A total of 440 responses were received (25.9% response rate); 82.2% of responders were male. The majority of urologists noted some level of burnout (79.5%) with no significant difference between those who reported no burnout vs some level of burnout (p=0.30). The most commonly tried interventions to reduce burnout were participating in regular physical exercise (76.6%), reading nonmedical literature (67.1%) and decreasing or modifying work hours (52.3%). The interventions most frequently cited as "very effective" were hiring a scribe (62.5%), regular exercise (56.1%) and participating in 1-on-1 gatherings with colleagues outside of work (44.6%). There were no significant differences noted when comparing "very effective" interventions by gender. The interventions most frequently cited as not effective were stress or burnout seminars (26.9%) and meditation/mindfulness training (11.5%); 42.5% reported workplace interventions to help prevent or reduce burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Certain practice-changing and personal burnout interventions were noted to be "very effective" in decreasing burnout. Fewer than half of responders noted workplace sponsorship of interventions. Organizational support may lead to increased participation and effectiveness of burnout interventions.

Gender Representation in American Urological Association Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To study patterns and factors associated with female representation in the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines. METHODS: We gathered publicly available information about the panelists, including the AUA section, practice setting, academic rank, fellowship training, years in practice, and H-index. The factors associated with the proportion of female panelists and trends were investigated. We also examined the proportion of female panelists in the European Association of Urology (EAU) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) urology guidelines. RESULTS: There were 483 non-unique panelists in AUA guidelines, and 17% are female. Non-urologist female panelists in AUA guidelines represented a higher proportion than female urologists (30% vs 13%, P<0.0001). Compared with male panelists, females had lower H-indices (median 23 vs 35, P<0.001), and fewer were fellowship-trained (77.2% vs 86.8%; P=0.042). On multivariate analysis, non-urologists and panelists with lower H-indices were more likely to be female but there was no association between guideline specialties, academic ranking, geographic section, years in practice, and fellowship training with increased female authorship. Overtime, the proportion of female participation in guidelines remained stable. In the EAU and NCCN guideline panels, 12.2% and 10.7% were female, respectively. CONCLUSION: Female representation among major urologic guidelines members is low and unchanged overtime. Female urologist participation was proportional to their representation in the urology workforce. Being a non-urologist and lower H-indices were associated with female membership in guideline panels.

Evaluation of the prognosis for N2 status in patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: The 8th edition AJCC Staging for small bowel neuroendocrine tumors created a novel N2 classification. This study investigates if it is independently prognostic. METHODS: Records of patients from 2008 to 2019 were reviewed. Survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank. The Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to determine factors associated with overall survival (OS) via multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 300 patients, 225 were N2 and 60 were N1. No differences were seen in pathologic markers for N1 compared to N2. N2 were more likely to have liver metastases (LM) (p = 0.048) but rates of resectability were similar. Median OS for N1 with >70% liver cytoreduction was not yet reached compared to 121 months for N2 (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, LM was associated with shorter survival (p = 0.028), but nodal status was not. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike LM, N2 status is not independently prognostic, but a marker for aggressive LM.

Perceptions of gender equity in pediatric urology.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Women constitute more than 50% of medical students in the United States. However, only 9.9% of practicing urologists are women, with much fewer numbers in high ranking appointments and positions of leadership. With a growing number of women in pediatric urology, we sought to evaluate how pediatric urologists perceive the climate for women physicians and compare perceptions and experiences of gender equity based on characteristics including gender, practice type, parental status, and years in practice. STUDY DESIGN: An IRB approved survey was sent out to the Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU) listserve of active members. We utilized a validated study, the Culture Conducive to Women's Academic Success questionnaire (CCWAS, higher scores indicating better perceived culture toward women). Subcategories (equal access, work-life balance, freedom of gender bias, and leadership support) were also analyzed. A comment section was provided for respondents to include their own experiences. Descriptive statistics were used for demographics and clinical characteristics. Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Kruskal-Wallace tests were used to compare CCWAS scores between groups. RESULTS: A total of 116 practicing physicians returned completed surveys for analysis (response rate, 116/355 (33%) [ n = 41,35.3%] female [n = 75,64.7%] male). There was a statistically significant difference in total CCWAS score between male and female genders, indicating male physicians perceived the culture of their department toward women more positively than their female counterparts (median [ interquartile range] CCWAS score, 208.0 [189.0-228.0] vs 164.0 [136.0-190.3]; P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in CCWAS scores based on years in practice, parental status, or academic versus private practice. DISCUSSION: Limitations of our survey include both participation and non-response bias. Those with strong opinions may have been more likely to respond to the survey. Male respondents comprised 64.7% (n = 75) of overall respondents, representing 25% active male SPU members. Whereas the response rate of active female members of the SPU was 70%. The survey was designed to assess gender equity in academia, and may not be as generalizable to the private practice community. Yet, the differences in perceptions and experiences of gender equity of this study have been noted by studies in other specialties, as well as the 2018 AUA Census report, and may provide insight into the presence and perpetuation of unconscious or systemic biases within medicine. CONCLUSION: In this study, male physician perceptions of gender equity were different from those reported by female physicians, suggesting there are gender-based differences in how gender inequities are perceived and experienced.

Feasibility of Treating Adults with Ewing or Ewing-Like Sarcoma with Interval-Compressed Vincristine, Doxorubicin, and Cyclophosphamide Alternating with Ifosfamide and Etoposide.

BACKGROUND: Vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VDC) alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide (IE) administered every 2 weeks demonstrated a superior event-free survival compared with 3-week dosing in a landmark pediatric trial and is now standard of care for younger patients. Only 12% of patients enrolled in that trial were over 18 years of age; thus, the feasibility of interval-compressed VDC/IE in adults remains poorly described. We conducted a retrospective analysis of our institutional experience using this regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pharmacy administration records at Oregon Health and Science University were reviewed to identify patients with Ewing and Ewing-like sarcoma aged 18 years and older who received VDC/IE every 2 weeks. RESULTS: We identified 24 patients. Median age was 28 years (range 18-60 years). At diagnosis, 67% had localized disease. The most common primary sites were extremity (38%) and pelvis (17%); another 25% had extraosseous disease. The median interval between cycles was 15.0 days, with no difference between patients aged <30 years versus ≥30 years. The median number of admissions for toxicity per patient was two, primarily for febrile neutropenia. Early treatment discontinuation occurred in 17%. Dose reductions were minimal, with mean cumulative doses achieved comparable to original planned dose and no difference between patients aged <30 years versus ≥30 years. CONCLUSION: For adults with Ewing and Ewing-like sarcoma, administration of interval-compressed chemotherapy is feasible, without significant dose reductions required. Our results are comparable to prior studies involving a primarily pediatric population. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: For Ewing sarcoma, interval-compressed vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide administered every 2 weeks rather than every 3 weeks has been shown to improve event-free survival in pediatric patients. However, in adults, oncologists may be hesitant to pursue interval-compressed therapy because of concerns for feasibility. In the adult population in this study, a median interval between cycles of 15.0 days (mean 17.0 days) was achieved, comparable to the interval achieved in AEWS0031 (median 15.0, mean 17.3 days). Given that this was achieved without unexpected toxicity or substantial dose reductions and that clinical outcomes were favorable compared with adult historical controls, these results support the use of this regimen in adults.

Association Between Postpartum Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Metastasis and the Clinical Features Underlying Risk.

Importance: In women 45 years or younger, breast cancer diagnosis after childbirth increases the risk for metastasis and death, yet limited data exist to define this window of risk and associated prognostic factors. Objective: To assess the window of elevated risk for metastasis following a postpartum breast cancer (PPBC) diagnosis and whether clinical prognostic factors are associated with the increased risk. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter cohort study conducted using cases from the Colorado Young Women's Breast Cancer Cohort diagnosed between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 2014, included 701 women 45 years or younger with stage I to III invasive breast cancer for whom parity data, including time of last childbirth, were available. Data analysis was conducted from July 1 to September 30, 2017. This study involved a tertiary care academic hospital-based breast center and its regional affiliates with cases from the greater Rocky Mountain region. Exposures: Primary exposures were prior childbirth or no childbirth, time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis, and time between breast cancer diagnosis and metastasis. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was distant metastasis-free survival. Results: A total of 701 women 45 years or younger from the greater Rocky Mountain states region were included in the analysis; mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 37.9 (5.1) years. Breast cancer diagnosis within 10 years after parturition was associated with elevated risk for metastasis, particularly in women with stage I or II disease. In addition, women with PPBC diagnosed within 10 years of a completed pregnancy that was estrogen receptor-positive showed distant metastasis-free survival similar to that of nulliparous patients with estrogen receptor-negative cancer, and women with estrogen receptor-negative PPBC had further reduced metastasis-free survival. Moreover, women with PPBC had increased lymphovascular invasion and lymph node involvement. In addition, tumor-associated Ki67 positivity identified 129 patients with luminal B cancer in the cohort that, independent of parity status, had poorer prognosis compared with patients with luminal A cancer, although it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions and Relevance: Diagnosis of PPBC within 10 years post partum appears to be associated with an increased risk for metastasis. This increased risk was highest in stages I and II cancer at diagnosis and present in both patients with estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative cancer, persisting in estrogen receptor-positive cases for up to 15 years after diagnosis. Postpartum breast cancer diagnoses were not associated with increased Ki67 index but were associated with increased lymphovascular invasion and lymph node involvement compared with breast cancer in nulliparous patients.

Concurrent Radiosurgery and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition: Improving Regional Intracranial Control for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma.

OBJECTIVES: The anti-CTLA-4 and antiprogrammed cell death-1 (PD-1) therapies have significantly improved survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. However, there is limited data regarding the interaction between immunotherapy (IT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with brain metastasis, particularly how combination therapy may affect toxicity and intracranial tumor control. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with metastatic melanoma who received immune check point inhibitors and SRS for brain metastasis from 2011 to 2017. We evaluated lesions receiving SRS concurrently (within 30 days) and sequentially with IT. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and regional progression free survival (RPFS) were determined. RESULTS: In total, 26 patients and 90 lesions were treated using pembrolizumab, nivolumab and/or ipilimumab, sequentially, or concurrently with SRS. Median follow-up was 18.9 months (range, 4.9 to 62.3 mo). Median overall survival was 26.1 months. There were 3 local failures, but no significant difference between the 2 groups. Following concurrent SRS and immunotherapy, patients had a significantly longer period of intracranial progression free survival than those treated with nonconcurrent therapy, 19 months versus 3.4 months (P<0.0001). No grade 4-5 toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with melanoma metastatic to brain treated with SRS and immune checkpoint inhibitors had favorable median survival of 26.1 months compared with historical controls. Patients receiving immunotherapy within 30 days of SRS had significantly improved regional intracranial progression free survival compared with patients receiving sequential therapy. Our findings suggest synergy between checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and radiosurgery. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Travel distance influences readmissions in colorectal cancer patients-what the primary operative team needs to know.

BACKGROUND: Many colorectal cancer patients receive complex surgical care remotely. We hypothesized that their readmission rates would be adversely affected after accounting for differences in travel distance from primary/index hospital and correlate with mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 48,481 colorectal cancer patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Travel distance was calculated, using Google Maps, and SAS. Multivariate negative binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with readmission rates. Overall survival was analyzed, using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-day readmissions occurred in 14.9% of the cohort, 27.5% of which were to a nonindex hospital. In the colon and rectal cancer cohorts, readmissions were 14.5% and 16.5%, respectively. Rectal cancer patients had an increase in readmission by 13% (incidence rate ratios [IRR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.21). Factors associated with readmission were male gender, advanced disease, length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, hospital volume, Charlson score, and poverty level (P < 0.05). Greater distance traveled increased the likelihood of readmission but did not affect mortality. Travel distance influences readmission rates but not mortality. Discharge readiness to decrease readmissions is essential for colorectal cancer patients discharged from index hospitals.

Modified HyperCVAD Versus Bortezomib-HyperCAD in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy, in which aggressive relapses might require salvage cytotoxic infusional chemotherapy. Several clinical trials that reported the efficacy of bortezomib led to institutional practice changes in which vincristine was replaced with bortezomib in the modified hyperCVAD regimen, creating a new treatment regimen, named "bortezomib-hyperCAD." PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively describe the effectiveness and tolerability of 2 chemotherapy regimens among 33 patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. Patients who received ≥ 1 cycle of modified hyperCVAD or bortezomib-hyperCAD between 2011 and 2015 were assessed. RESULTS: The median number of cycles administered in each arm was 2. The overall response rate was 40% (6 partial responses) in the modified hyperCVAD group and 44.4% (1 complete response, 1 very good partial response, and 6 partial responses) in the bortezomib-hyperCAD group (Fisher exact P = .80). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) for patients in the modified hyperCVAD group was 6.3 months and 11.1 months, respectively. This was comparable with patients in the bortezomib-hyperCAD group, who had a median PFS of 6.6 months and a median OS of 13.8 months (log rank P = .54 and .66, respectively). There was no statistically significant association between treatment arm and febrile neutropenia, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or peripheral neuropathy (all Fisher exact P values > .05). CONCLUSION: Overall effectiveness and tolerability outcomes were similar between modified hyperCVAD and bortezomib-hyperCAD, with both regimens showing an impressive response rate among refractory and heavily pretreated patients with relapsed MM.