Supportive use of platelet-rich plasma and stromal vascular fraction for cell-assisted fat transfer of skin radiation-induced lesions in nude mice.

BACKGROUND: External radiotherapy has become indispensable in oncological therapies. Unfortunately, radiation is responsible for serious side effects, such as radiodermatitis. The skin is weakened and ulcerated. Our study aimed to evaluate the subcutaneous transfer of microfat (MF) alone and two mixes: MF+Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and MF+stromal vascular fraction (SVF) to treat radiation-induced skin lesions. METHOD: We defined randomly five experimental groups of nine mice: 1 healthy control group and 4 irradiated (60 Grey) and treated groups. The skin lesions were treated 3 months after irradiation by MF, MF+PRP (50%-50%), MF+SVF (90%-10%) or Ringer-lactate subcutaneous injections. Wound healing was evaluated at 1, 2 and 3 months post-injection and histological wound analysis at 3 months, after euthanasia. RESULTS: All the irradiated mice presented with wounds. After sham-injection, the wound area increased by 91.1±71.1% versus a decrease of 15.9±23.1% after MF alone (NS), 27.3±23.8% after MF+SVF (NS) and 76.4±7.7% after MF+PRP (P=0.032). A significative reduction of skin thickness in wound periphery was measured for the three treated groups compared to sham-injection (P<0.05) but not in the healed wounds (NS). The most important subcutaneous neo-vessel density was shown after MF+SVF injection. CONCLUSION: The MF+PRP mix was the most efficient product to increase healing. The MF+SVF mix showed the highest rate of neo-angiogenesis but was disappointing in terms of healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not gradable.

Reassessment of scoring systems and prognostic factors for metastatic spinal cord compression.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The incidence of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is increasing, paralleling increasing life expectancy of patients. However, management of MSCC and relevance of scoring systems remain controversial. PURPOSE: The aims of our study were to analyze the feasibility and outcomes of spinal surgery, to identify prognostic factors for survival, and to assess the accuracy of scoring systems in patients with malignancies associated with MSCC. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of all patients with MSCC operated in our institution. METHODS: Outcomes of surgery, prognostic factors for survival, and relevance of Tomita and Tokuhashi scores were investigated. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight patients were included: 66% were hyperalgic (pain score >6) and Frankel score (FS) was decreased in 49%. Seventy-three percent of patients had laminectomy with spinal fixation. After surgery, pain decreased in 75% of cases, FS was improved in 31%, and 92% of patients were ambulatory. Postoperative complication rate was 16%. Median overall survival (OS) was 8.9 months (95% confidence interval, 4.4-13). Only Tokuhashi score was relevant, but predictive accuracy of survival was just 51%. In univariate analyses, hyperalgia (p=.001), primary tumor site, extrabone metastases (p<.001), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) less than 70 (p<.001), poor American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) score (p<.001) or FS (p=.01), and absence of postoperative chemotherapy (p<.001) were associated with shorter OS. In multivariate analysis, only extrabone metastases (p=.004), KPS (p=.001), and ASA score (p=.007) remained significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for MSCC is associated with limited morbidity, improved autonomy, and pain relief. Usual scores do not seem relevant, whereas ASA score, KPS, and extrabone metastases are significantly associated with OS.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the seminal vesicle: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the seminal vesicle is exceedingly rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 59-year-old man with tumour detected by rectal symptoms and ultrasonography. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested an origin in the right seminal vesicle. Transperineal biopsy of the tumour revealed leiomyosarcoma. A radical vesiculo-prostactectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed a grade 2 leiomyosarcoma of the seminal vesicle. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. He developed distant metastases 29 months after diagnosis, and received chemotherapy. Metastatic disease was controlled by second-line gemcitabine-docetaxel combination. Fifty-one months after diagnosis of the primary tumour, and 22 months after the first metastases, the patient is alive with excellent performance status, and multiple asymptomatic stable lung and liver lesions. CONCLUSIONS: We report the eighth case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the seminal vesicle and the first one with a so long follow-up.