Real-World Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Pazopanib in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

PURPOSE: Pazopanib has been approved for treating soft tissue sarcomas (STS) after chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors, clinical outcomes, and tolerability of pazopanib in patients with STS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients treated between June 2015 and August 2019 were reviewed. Clinical outcome was measured by assessing the disease control rate (DCR) using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (version 1.1). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adverse effects were assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0). RESULTS: The median age of patients at diagnosis was 28 (interquartile range (IQR), 23-45) years. Pazopanib was used as the second-line treatment in 46.7% and the subsequent line in 53.3% of patients. The overall DCR was 55.6%, and at 8 and 12 weeks, it was 52.3% and 35.5%, respectively; the median duration of response was 7 (IQR: 2-18) months. Pazopanib-induced hypothyroidism was associated with DCR, with an odds ratio of 7 (95% confidence interval [95% CI: 1.7-27.5], p<0.01). The median PFS and OS were 4.1 (95% CI: 0.85-7.42) and 12.4 months (95% CI: 6.5-18.36), respectively. Hypothyroidism and response to pazopanib, better ECOG PS, histological subtypes desmoid tumor/aggressive fibromatosis (DT/AF), and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) were favorable prognostic factors for PFS. Hypothyroidism and response to pazopanib were significant favorable factors for OS. There was no statistical difference in the OS between patients using pazopanib as the second-line therapy and those using it as the subsequent-line therapy. CONCLUSION: Pazopanib is an effective treatment for STS. However, it showed variability in the clinical outcome in favor of ASPS and an outstanding response in the DT/AF subtype. Pazopanib-induced hypothyroidism is a good prognostic factor for disease control and is associated with prolonged PFS and OS.

Growth of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Dermoid Cyst from a Congenital Thoracic Dermal Sinus Tract after Negative Screening Ultrasound Imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary thoracic dermoid cysts are rare lesions that are associated with dermal sinus tracts (DSTs). Current recommendations advocate for imaging-based screening of suspected DSTs shortly after birth to exclude associated inclusion lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old male child presented with a 2-week history of progressive ataxia, lower limb weakness, and hyperreflexia. He was suspected to have a thoracic DST at birth, though initial screening ultrasound was negative for an inclusion lesion or intradural tract. On representation, MRI demonstrated a 3.9-cm intramedullary thoracic dermoid cyst causing significant spinal cord compression. Intraoperatively, a DST extending intradurally was found. The associated dermoid cyst was removed via intracapsular resection. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst dermoid cysts are presumed to progressively develop from DSTs, to our knowledge, this is the first case in English literature documenting a thoracic spinal cord intramedullary dermoid cyst following a negative screening ultrasound for a suspected DST. We use this case to highlight the false-negative rates associated with postnatal screening and advocate for early neurosurgical referral of suspected DSTs, regardless of imaging findings.

Early Weight Recidivism Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Although weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) can be substantial, weight recidivism is still a major concern. The aim of our work is to study early weight recidivism following LSG and to evaluate the role of gastric computed tomography volumetry (GCTV) in the assessment of patients experiencing early weight regain. METHODS: One-hundred and one morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG were prospectively studied. Patients were followed up for 2 years. Those who presented with weight recidivism were counseled for dietary habits and assessed for the amount of weight regain. Patients who regained weight were scheduled for GCTV. RESULTS: Twelve patients were excluded from the study. Weight recidivism was reported in 9/89 patients (10.1 %) [weight loss failure (n = 1), weight regain (n = 8)] and was almost always first recognized 1½-2 years after LSG. The amount of weight regain showed negative correlations with preoperative body weight and body mass index (r = -0.643, P = 0.086 and r = -0.690, P = 0.058; respectively) and positive correlations with the distance between the pylorus and the beginning of the staple line (r = 0.869, P = 0.005), as well as with the residual gastric volume (RGV) on GCTV 2 years after LSG (r = 0.786, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In the small group of patients who regained weight, a longer distance between the pylorus and the beginning of the staple line, as well as a higher RGV on GCTV 2 years after LSG, were both associated with increased weight regain. Gastric computed tomography volumetry with RGV measurement holds promise as a useful research tool after LSG.