Exploring the added value of pretherapeutic MR descriptors in predicting breast cancer pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between pretreatment MRI descriptors and breast cancer (BC) pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with BC treated by NAC with a breast MRI between 2016 and 2020 were included in this retrospective observational single-center study. MR studies were described using the standardized BI-RADS and breast edema score on T2-weighted MRI. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess variables association with pCR according to residual cancer burden. Random forest classifiers were trained to predict pCR on a random split including 70% of the database and were validated on the remaining cases. RESULTS: Among 129 BC, 59 (46%) achieved pCR after NAC (luminal (n = 7/37, 19%), triple negative (n = 30/55, 55%), HER2 + (n = 22/37, 59%)). Clinical and biological items associated with pCR were BC subtype (p < 0.001), T stage 0/I/II (p = 0.008), higher Ki67 (p = 0.005), and higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes levels (p = 0.016). Univariate analysis showed that the following MRI features, oval or round shape (p = 0.047), unifocality (p = 0.026), non-spiculated margins (p = 0.018), no associated non-mass enhancement (p = 0.024), and a lower MRI size (p = 0.031), were significantly associated with pCR. Unifocality and non-spiculated margins remained independently associated with pCR at multivariable analysis. Adding significant MRI features to clinicobiological variables in random forest classifiers significantly increased sensitivity (0.67 versus 0.62), specificity (0.69 versus 0.67), and precision (0.71 versus 0.67) for pCR prediction. CONCLUSION: Non-spiculated margins and unifocality are independently associated with pCR and can increase models performance to predict BC response to NAC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A multimodal approach integrating pretreatment MRI features with clinicobiological predictors, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, could be employed to develop machine learning models for identifying patients at risk of non-response. This may enable consideration of alternative therapeutic strategies to optimize treatment outcomes. KEY POINTS: • Unifocality and non-spiculated margins are independently associated with pCR at multivariable logistic regression analysis. • Breast edema score is associated with MR tumor size and TIL expression, not only in TN BC as previously reported, but also in luminal BC. • Adding significant MRI features to clinicobiological variables in machine learning classifiers significantly increased sensitivity, specificity, and precision for pCR prediction.

Lumbar MR-based radiomics nomogram for detecting minimal residual disease in patients with multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a standard for assessing treatment response in multiple myeloma (MM). MRD negativity is considered to be the most powerful predictor of long-term good outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics nomogram based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine to detect MRD after MM treatment. METHODS: A total of 130 MM patients (55 MRD negative and 75 MRD positive) who had undergone MRD testing through next-generation flow cytometry were divided into a training set (n = 90) and a test set (n = 40). Radiomics features were extracted from lumbar spinal MRI (T1-weighted images and fat-suppressed T2-weighted images) by means of the minimum redundancy maximum relevance method and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm. A radiomics signature model was constructed. A clinical model was established using demographic features. A radiomics nomogram incorporating the radiomics signature and independent clinical factor was developed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen features were used to establish the radiomics signature. The radiomics nomogram included the radiomics signature and the independent clinical factor (free light chain ratio) and showed good performance in detecting the MRD status (area under the curve: 0.980 in the training set and 0.903 in the test set). CONCLUSIONS: The lumbar MRI-based radiomics nomogram showed good performance in detecting MRD status in MM patients after treatment, and it is helpful for clinical decision-making. KEY POINTS: • The presence or absence of minimal residual disease status has a strong predictive significance for the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. • A radiomics nomogram based on lumbar MRI is a potential and reliable tool for evaluating minimal residual disease status in MM.

PET-MRI for evaluation of response to radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the diagnostic test accuracy of positron emission tomography and a magnetic resonance imaging scan (PET-MRI) fusion in evaluating tumor response after radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients treated at two institutes between January 2008 and December 2016 were studied retrospectively. Re-evaluation by positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in a non-concurrent way 4-8 weeks after treatment. A nuclear medicine doctor and a radiologist (subsequently referred as "radiologists"), both experts in gynecological oncology, re-examined the post-treatment MRI and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) separately, and then performed a fusion of these examinations. In this study we describe this "a posteriori fusion methodology", with two levels, enabling limitation of anatomical shifts. The gold standard was anatomical pathology analysis of the surgical specimen, since all patients underwent surgery following this radiological re-evaluation. The radiologists' degree of certainty in their diagnoses, and the impact of fusion on their diagnostic confidence were assessed by the radiologists, using two Likert judgment scales. They also adjudicated on possible changes of interpretation after the fusion. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included. The PET-MRI fusion has a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 90%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 94%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 69%. In 45% of cases (n=13), radiologists reported an improvement in their degree of certainty in their diagnosis using a Likert judgment scale, due to inspecting the PET and MRI fused. A change in interpretation of tumor response was observed using a Likert judgment scale in 31% of cases. CONCLUSION: PET-MRI fusion improves the radiologist's own diagnostic confidence in assessing response to concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer. More studies using a latest generation hybrid system will be necessary to further compare to MRI and PET-CT.

Comparison of MRI response evaluation methods in rectal cancer: a multicentre and multireader validation study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare four previously published methods for rectal tumor response evaluation after chemoradiotherapy on MRI. METHODS: Twenty-two radiologists (5 rectal MRI experts, 17 general/abdominal radiologists) retrospectively reviewed the post-chemoradiotherapy MRIs of 90 patients, scanned at 10 centers (with non-standardized protocols). They applied four response methods; two based on T2W-MRI only (MRI tumor regression grade (mrTRG); split-scar sign), and two based on T2W-MRI+DWI (modified-mrTRG; DWI-patterns). Image quality was graded using a 0-6-point score (including slice thickness and in-plane resolution; sequence angulation; DWI b-values, signal-to-noise, and artefacts); scores < 4 were classified below average. Mixed model linear regression was used to calculate average sensitivity/specificity/accuracy to predict a complete response (versus residual tumor) and assess the impact of reader experience and image quality. Group interobserver agreement (IOA) was calculated using Krippendorff's alpha. Readers were asked to indicate their preferred scoring method(s). RESULTS: Average sensitivity/specificity/accuracy was 57%/64%/62% (mrTRG), 36%/79%/66% (split-scar), 40%/79%/67% (modified-mrTRG), and 37%/82%/68% (DWI-patterns); mrTRG showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity and accuracy (p < 0.001) compared to the other methods. IOA was lower for the split scar method (0.18 vs. 0.39-0.43). Higher reader experience had a significant positive effect on diagnostic performance and IOA (except for the split scar sign); below-average imaging quality had a significant negative effect on diagnostic performance. DWI pattern was selected as the preferred method by 73% of readers. CONCLUSIONS: Methods incorporating DWI showed the most favorable results when combining diagnostic performance, IOA, and reader preference. Reader experience and image quality clearly impacted diagnostic performance emphasizing the need for state-of-the-art imaging and dedicated radiologist training. KEY POINTS: • In a multireader study comparing 4 MRI methods for rectal tumor response evaluation, those incorporating DWI showed the best results when combining diagnostic performance, IOA, and reader preference. • The most preferred method (by 73% of readers) was the "DWI patterns" approach with an accuracy of 68%, high specificity of 82%, and group IOA of 0.43. • Reader experience level and MRI quality had an evident effect on diagnostic performance and IOA.

Prognostic predictive value of detecting minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia after 2 courses of hypomethylating agents combined with low-dose induction chemotherapy / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the prognostic predictive value of detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) after 2 courses of hypomethylating agents (HMA) combined with low-dose induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The data of 43 newly diagnosed AML patients treated by HMA combined with low-dose induction chemotherapy in Jingjiang People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province from January 2016 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the bone marrow MRD levels were detected by multiparametric 10-color flow cytometry (MFC) after 1 course and 2 courses of chemotherapy. Patients were divided into three groups according to MRD levels: the group with negative MRD after 1 course of induction chemotherapy (MRD-1 group), the group with negative MRD after 2 courses of induction chemotherapy (MRD-2 group), and the group without negative MRD after 2 courses of induction chemotherapy (MRD+ group). Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) curves of all patients and each group, and log-rank test was performed to compare them; the influencing factors for OS were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among the 43 patients, 17 patients (39.5%) were in the MRD-1 group, 14 patients (32.6%) were in the MRD-2 group, and 12 patients (27.9%) were in the MRD+ group. There were no statistical differences among the 3 groups in gender, age, hemoglobin level at initial diagnosis, white blood cell count, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase level, disease subtype, WT1 expression, karyotype, and genetic risk stratification (all P > 0.05). The median follow-up was 15 months (1-67 months). Survival analysis showed a median OS time of 21 months (95% CI 15 months -not reached) in 43 patients and a median PFS time of 12 months (95% CI 9-18 months) in 29 patients included in the PFS analysis; PFS and OS in the MRD-1 and MRD-2 groups were better than those in the MRD+ group (all P < 0.01), and the differences in PFS and OS between the MRD-1 and MRD-2 groups were not statistically significant (both P > 0.05); the median PFS time was 5 months (95% CI 2 months-not reached) in the MRD+ group, the median PFS time was 15 months (95% CI 7 months-not reached) in the MRD-1 group, and the median PFS time was 18 months (95% CI 11 months-not reached) in the MRD-2 group; the median OS time in the MRD+ group was 9 months (95% CI 7 months-not reached), the median OS time was not reached in the MRD-1 group, and the median OS time was 38 months (95% CI 38 months-not reached) in the MRD-2 group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age ( HR = 1.080, 95% CI 1.004-1.160, P = 0.038), MRD status (MRD-1 vs. MRD+: HR = 0.125, 95% CI 0.031-0.507, P = 0.004; MRD-2 vs. MRD+: HR = 0.146, 95% CI 0.037-0.577, P = 0.006) were independent influencing factors for OS in AML patients. Conclusions:The survival is good in AML patients with MRD negative conversion after both 1 course and 2 courses of HMA combined with low-dose induction chemotherapy, and both are better than that in patients with positive MRD after 2 courses of chemotherapy.

Symptomatic or asymptomatic recurrence of ovarian cancer: does it influence survival?

OBJECTIVE: The survival benefit of monitoring CA125 in ovarian cancer patients after primary treatment is debated due to findings varying from insignificant survival differences to prolonged median overall survival in favor of asymptomatic patients. Hence we aimed to compare ovarian cancer patients with and without symptoms at the time of the first diagnosed recurrence in terms of post-recurrence survival and overall survival, and to explore time to recurrence and common symptoms at recurrence. METHODS: We included 421 women with ovarian cancer from a prospective multi-institutional Norwegian study of first recurrence of gynecological cancer over the period from March 2012 to April 2016. Patients were interviewed by clinicians at participating hospitals, and patient reported and clinical variables were recorded in a standardized questionnaire. The Kaplan-Meier method and the multivariate Cox model were used to evaluate post-recurrence survival and overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 406 patients included, 183 (45%) patients were diagnosed with asymptomatic recurrence, and 223 (55%) patients had symptoms at recurrence. Asymptomatic patients had their recurrence detected 2 months later than symptomatic patients (14 vs 12 months, respectively, p=0.17). Median post-recurrence survival was significantly longer in asymptomatic patients compared with patients with symptoms at recurrence (33.9 vs 26.2 months, respectively, p=0.002). The post-recurrence survival rate remained higher for symptomatic patients in the adjusted analysis (hazard ratio (HR)=1.42, p=0.001). Median overall survival was 47.8 months for asymptomatic patients versus 44.0 months for symptomatic patients in the unadjusted analyses (p=0.056). Asymptomatic patients had a significantly longer survival in the adjusted analysis (HR=1.24, p=0.046). Pain was the most common symptom at recurrence (54%). CONCLUSION: Patients with asymptomatic recurrence had a better prognosis based on post-recurrence data and the multivariate Cox regression analysis of overall survival. However, a closer exploration of differences in development of recurrence is needed as these results may give rise to more individualized follow-up for ovarian cancer patients.

Active surveillance and response evaluation strategy after neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

A considerable proportion of esophageal carcinoma patients could achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, for whom accurate response evaluation and active surveillance rather than surgery-aiming to avoid the complications, mortality and reduced quality of life after surgery-has become a research hotspot. To detect residual disease and predict pCR accurately by appropriate method(s) is the key of active surveillance strategy. In this article, we elaborated the active surveillance strategy of esophageal cancer and characteristics of different evaluation methods in terms of radiology, pathology and combined detection.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of Ado-trastuzumab emtansine for the treatment of residual invasive HER2-positive breast cancer

ABSTRACT Objective Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression occurs in up to 30% of breast cancer cases. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is approved to treat residual HER2-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the quality-adjusted time with symptoms or toxicity and without symptoms or toxicity (Q-TWiST) of T-DM1 compared to trastuzumab for residual invasive HER2-positive breast cancer. Methods The authors developed an analytical model extracting individual patient data and estimated invasive disease-free survival and overall survival over a 30-year time horizon. Only direct costs from adjuvant treatment were considered as well as relapse treatment from Brazilian and American payer perspectives. Heart events were considered for utility and cost analysis. Results The 30-year projection utilizing the Weibull method estimated a mean invasive disease-free survival of 16.4 years for T-DM1 and 10.4 for Trastuzumab, in addition to a mean overall survival of 18.1 and 15.4 years, respectively. We determined a Q-TWiST gain of 3,812 years for the T-DM1 arm when compared to trastuzumab and an Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per Q-TWiST of US$ 11,467.65 in the United States and US$ 3,332.73 in Brazil. Conclusion Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is cost-effective from both Brazilian and American perspectives.

Analysis of therapeutic effect and influencing factors of radiofrequency ablation for colorectal cancer liver metastases / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy and influencing factors of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 281 patients (477 intrahepatic metastatic tumors) who received percutaneous RFA treatment in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2009 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Factors that may affect the efficacy of RFA were recorded, including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), differentiation, extrahepatic metastasis, tumor location and size, complications and other information. Patients were followed up through hospital admissions, telephone, etc. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of residual tumor. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify the influencing factors of LTPFS and OS. The median LTPFS and OS were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared by the log-rank test.Results:After RFA, 68 (14.3%) tumor residues were observed. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the risk factors for residual tumor were size ≥20 mm, high-risk and perivascular location, and minimal ablative margin<5 mm. During the follow-up period, the main complication rate was 4.3% (12/281) and the fatality rate was 31.3% (88/281). At the same time, local tumor progression was found in 167 (35.0%) lesions post-RFA. The median time of LTPFS and OS estimated by the Kaplan Meier method were 35.0 (95%CI 26.53-43.48) and 44.0 (95%CI 29.70-58.30) months, respectively. The cumulative proportion of LTPFS and OS were 37.2% and 40.4% respectively in the 5th year. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that CEA≥30 ng/ml, tumor size ≥20 mm, and minimal ablative margin<5 mm were risk factors for LTPFS; extrahepatic metastasis, tumor burden>30 mm, and lesion with minimal ablative margin<5 mm were independent risk factors for OS; re-intervention was an independent protective factor for OS.Conclusions:Adequate ablative margin and less tumor burden were beneficial to local tumor control and long-term survival of patients in the RFA treatment; the existence of extrahepatic metastasis was an important risk factor for OS, and re-interventional therapy was beneficial to extend OS.

Detección por citometría de flujo de la enfermedad mínima residual en las leucemias agudas / Detection of the minimal residual disease by flow cytometry in patients with acute leukemia

Introducción: La enfermedad mínima residual es la permanencia de células leucémicas residuales en niveles subclínicos luego de la remisión de la enfermedad. Esta condición incrementa el riesgo de recaída y mortalidad. Objetivo: Caracterizar factores clínicos y moleculares de pacientes con leucemias agudas y enfermedad mínima residual detectada por citometría de flujo en una institución de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia durante los años 2015 - 2017. Metodología: Este es un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, que incluyó pacientes con leucemia diagnosticada por citometría de flujo. Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos. La información recolectada fue digitada en una base de datos en Excel, y el análisis se realizó a través del programa IBM SPSS Versión 24, empleando según la naturaleza de cada variable frecuencias absolutas y relativas, promedio y desviación estándar o mediana y rangos intercuartílicos según su distribución. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 60 pacientes con predominio del sexo masculino 63,3 por ciento (38). El diagnóstico más frecuente fue la leucemia linfoide 78,3 por ciento (47). Del total de pacientes incluidos, 36,6 por ciento (22) fue positivo para enfermedad mínima residual; 28,3 por ciento recibió trasplante de médula ósea y el 10 por ciento (6) presentó compromiso de líquido cefalorraquídeo. En la segunda citometría en pacientes con enfermedad mínima residual, 90,9 por ciento (20) expresaba CD45+. El 31,8 por ciento (7) de los pacientes con enfermedad mínima residual presentó recaída. Conclusión: La enfermedad mínima residual es una condición frecuente en pacientes con leucemias agudas que requiere seguimiento y constituye un factor pronóstico relevante(AU)

Introduction: The minimal residual disease is the permanence of residual leukemic cells at subclinical levels after remission of the disease. This condition increases the risk of relapse and mortality. Objective: To characterize the clinical and molecular factors of patients with acute leukemias and minimal residual disease detected by flow cytometry in a highly complex institution in the city of Medellín, Colombia during the years 2015 - 2017. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive observational study, which included patients with leukemia diagnosed by flow cytometry. A non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases was carried out. The information collected was entered into a database in Excel, and the analysis was carried out through the IBM SPSS Version 24 program, using absolute and relative frequencies, average and standard deviation or median and interquartile ranges, according to the nature of each variable and its distribution. Results: 60 patients were included in which male sex predominated with 63.3 percent (38). The most frequent diagnosis was lymphoid leukemia with 78.3 percent (47). Of the total patients included, 36.6 percent (22) were positive for minimal residual disease; 28.3 percent received a bone marrow transplant and 10 percent (6) had a cerebrospinal fluid compromise. In the second cytometry of the patients with minimal residual disease, 90.9 percent (20) expressed CD45 +. 31.8 percent (7) of the patients with minimal residual disease relapsed. Conclusion: Minimal residual disease is a frequent pathology in patients with acute leukemias that requires follow-up and constitutes a relevant prognostic factor(AU)

Is routine neck dissection warranted at salvage laryngectomy?

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding management of the neck at salvage laryngectomy. The aim of this study was to perform an analysis to determine the incidence of occult node positivity in this group and analyse factors affecting it. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 171 patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy between 2000 and 2015 for recurrent or residual disease following definitive non-surgical treatment and were clinico-radiologically node negative at the time salvage laryngectomy was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers underwent concurrent neck dissection at laryngectomy. There were 162 patients (94.7 per cent) who underwent bilateral neck dissection, and 9 patients (5.3 per cent) who underwent ipsilateral neck dissection. The occult lateral nodal metastasis rate was 10.5 per cent. Of various factors, initial node positive disease was the only factor predicting occult metastasis on univariable and multivariable analysis (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Risk of occult metastasis is high in patients who have node positive disease before starting radiotherapy. This group should be offered elective neck dissection.

Tratamiento de la leucemia mieloblástica aguda con translocación (8; 21) en Hospital Base Valdivia: ejemplificado en un caso clínico / Management and follow-up of acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21): report of one case

We describe the management and follow-up of a 20-year-old male with acute myeloblastic leukemia with translocation (8; 21) [t (8; 21)]. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction for t(8; 21) in bone marrow was performed at diagnosis and after three consolidations with high doses of cytarabine. Currently, the management of this type of leukemias has been oriented towards the early detection of relapse. The concept of minimal or measurable residual disease, as the burden of leukemia cells that persist undetected, is an important tool in the therapeutic decision and follow-up of these patients.

Factors associated with overall survival in early gastric cancer patients who underwent additional surgery after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists about the benefit of additional surgery after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC). AIM: To examine risk factors for overall survival (OS) after additional surgery in patients with EGC who initially underwent ESD. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with EGC who underwent additional surgery after ESD at the Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between August 2012 and August 2019. OS was the primary outcome. Lymph node metastasis and residual tumor were secondary outcomes. Logistic regression models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for further analysis. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were evaluated, including 35 (83.3%) males and 7(16.7%) females. The mean age was 62 (range, 32-82) years. Male sex [hazard ratio (HR) = 21.906, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.762-229.250; P = 0.039), T1b invasion (HR = 3.965, 95%CI: 1.109-17.432; P = 0.047), undifferentiated tumor (HR = 9.455, 95%CI: 0.946-29.482; P = 0.049), lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.126, 95%CI: 0.002-13.266; P = 0.031), and residual tumor (HR = 4.275, 95%CI: 1.049-27.420; P = 0.043) were independently associated with OS. The follow-up duration was 4-81 mo (median: 50.7 mo). OS was 77.0 ± 12.1 mo (95%CI: 53.3-100.7 mo). The 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 94.1% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Male sex, T1b invasion, undifferentiated tumor, lymph node metastasis, and residual tumor are independently associated with OS in patients with EGC who underwent additional surgery after ESD.

Identifying Leukemia-associated Immunophenotypes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Using Multiparameter Flow Cytometry.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) in 50 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients at diagnosis using an eight-color multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) panel and to detect if they showed any alteration in relapsed/refractory cases. METHODS: We used the eight-color MFC panel with CD45/side scatter log gating strategy to analyze LAIPs in 50 AML patients presenting to Alexandria University Hospitals, Egypt at diagnosis and relapse and refractory cases. Twenty age and sex matched bone marrow samples from patients performing bone marrow aspirate for non-malignant hematological indications were included as controls. RESULTS: LAIPs were observed in 43 (86.0%) cases. Only one aberrant immunophenotype was identified in four cases (9.3%), while two to 12 aberrant immunophenotypes were found in the other 39 (90.7%) cases. Strong LAIPs were obtained by combining CD2, CD4, CD56, with either CD34 or CD117, in contrast to CD19, which has to be combined with CD117. Refractory cases showed the presence of the same LAIPs at both initial diagnosis and persistent disease. One case showed the acquisition of new LAIPs after relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The good choice of LAIPs depends on their specificity rather than their frequency. The results of this study can help in increasing the sensitivity of LAIPs strategy in minimal residual disease using MFC in AML patients, which is considered an important post-diagnosis parameter associated with prognosis and clinical outcome.

Response evaluation of cervical lymph nodes after chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancer - does additional [18F]FDG-PET-CT help?

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced high-resolution computed tomography (contrast-CT) is a standard imaging modality following primary concurrent radiochemotherapy (RCT) for response evaluation in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We investigated the additional benefit of Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) - positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT), if complete response (CR) in the neck based on contrast-CT was considered unsafe by the interdisciplinary tumor board (ITB). METHODS: In a retrospective observational study, patients recorded in the institutional tumor registry with incident advanced HNSCC following first line treatment with RCT were eligible. If contrast-CT results of the neck were equivocal or positive at response evaluation, a neck dissection (ND) was scheduled. While waiting for the ND, a [18F]FDG-PET-CT was performed in addition. The histopathological outcome of ND served as reference criterion. Accuracy parameters including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for both, contrast-CT and PET-CT, served as main outcome parameters. RESULTS: A total of 41 HNSCC patients with positive or equivocal posttreatment contrast-CT were eligible for post-RCT-ND. Of these, 33 received an additional [18F]FDG-PET-CT prior to surgery. Median interval between completion of RCT and the ([18F]FDG)-PET-CT was 10 weeks. Vital persistent tumor in the neck was histopathologically found in 13 of 33 patients with positive or equivocal posttreatment contrast-CT. For contrast-CT and [18F]FDG-PET-CT, sensitivity was 92.3 and 69.2% and did not differ statistically significantly (p = 0.250) whereas specificity was significantly higher for [18F]FDG-PET-CT compared with contrast-CT (80% vs. 25%, p = 0.001). For contrast-CT and [18F]FDG-PET-CT accuracy, PPV and NPV was 31.7, 12.0,96.7 and 78.9, 27.8,95.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A negative [18F]FDG-PET-CT did not improve the exclusion of persistent vital tumor in the neck after primary RCT in comparison with contrast-CT alone. However, a positive [18F]FDG-PET-CT was a considerably better indicator of persistent, vital tumor in the neck than contrast-CT. If, based on the [18F]FDG-PET-CT result, the ND in patients with an uncertain or positive neck response in contrast CT had been omitted, the treatment of persistent nodal disease would have been delayed in 3 of 13 patients. On the other hand, if ND would have only been performed in [18F]FDG-PET-CT positive patients, an unnecessary ND would have been avoided in 11 of 20 patients.

Functional tumour burden of peritoneal carcinomatosis derived from DWI could predict incomplete tumour debulking in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) quantification by DWI in determining incomplete tumour debulking in ovarian carcinoma (OC). METHODS: Prospective patients with suspected stage III-IV or recurrent OC were recruited for DWI before surgery. PC on DWI was segmented semi-automatically by k-means clustering, retaining voxels with intermediate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to quantify PC burden. A scoring system, functional peritoneal cancer index (fPCI), was proposed based on the segmentation of tumour volume in 13 abdominopelvic regions with additional point given to involvement of critical sites. ADC of the largest PC was recorded. The surgical complexity and outcomes (complete vs. incomplete tumour debulking) were documented. fPCI was correlated with surgical PCI (sPCI), surgical complexity, and its ability to predict incomplete tumour debulking. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with stage III-IV or recurrent OC were included with a mean age of 56.1 ± 11.8 years old. Complete tumour debulking was achieved in 38/53 patients (71.7%). Significant correlation was found between fPCI and sPCI (r > 0.757, p < 0.001). Patients with high-fPCI (fPCI ≥ 6) had a high surgical complexity score (p = 0.043) with 84.2% received radical or supra-radical surgery. The mean fPCI was significantly higher in patients with incomplete tumour debulking than in those with complete debulking (10.27 vs. 4.71, p < 0.001). fPCI/ADC combined with The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage achieved 92.5% accuracy in predicting incomplete tumour debulking (AUC 0.947). CONCLUSIONS: DWI-derived fPCI offered a semi-automated estimation of PC burden. fPCI/ADC could predict the likelihood of incomplete tumour debulking with high accuracy. KEY POINTS: • Functional peritoneal cancer index (fPCI) derived from DWI offered a semi-automated estimation of tumour burden in ovarian carcinoma. • fPCI was highly correlated with surgical PCI (sPCI). • fPCI/ADC could predict the likelihood of incomplete tumour debulking with high accuracy.

Attributes and risk factors of positive margins on 864 excisions of basal cell carcinomas: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Residual tumors increase the likelihood of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).Objective: We determined the attributes and risk factors for positive surgical margins (+SM) of excised BCC in a university hospital.Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we reviewed the histologic reports of BCC removed via conventional surgical excision (CSE) by specialists from different fields.Results: Among excised BCCs (n = 864), there was a predominance of nodular BCC (82.64%) in the facial H-area (72.81%; average diameter = 9.12 mm), which had the highest + SM rate (20.17%). Most cephalic (ce-BCC; 69.01%) and non-cephalic (91.11%) BCCs were excised by dermatologists, with low rates of + SM (4.53%; 1.46%, respectively); the overall + SM rate was 12.73%. Men had larger (p < .001) and more ulcerated (p = .04) BCC. An aggressive histologic pattern (Ag-P) (p < .04) and ulceration (p < .001) were correlated with tumor size on multivariate analysis. The risk for + SM increased in ulcerated ce-BCC (p = .02), BCC with Ag-P (p = .02), and in the H-area (p < .001), nasal (p = .007), and labial (p = .05) regions. ce-BCC excised by head-neck surgeons had a high chance of ulceration (p < .001) and Ag-P (p = .002).Conclusions: Ag-P and H-zone remain critical risk factors for + SM. Accordingly appropriate treatment protocols should be used to ensure low + SM rates via CSE.

[Impact of diverse shapes of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate and biochemical recurrence following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy].

Objective: To explore the effects of various forms of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate (PAM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 309 patients (aging (65±6) years) who were experienced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from January 2010 to December 2016 at the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. According to the relationship between prostate apex and membrane urethra at the mid-sagittal plane of preoperative MRI, all patients were classified into 4 categories. There were 31 patients for type 1, apex covering both anterior and posterior aspects of membranous urethra, 139 patients for type 2, apex covering anterior side of membranous urethra, 63 patients for type 3, apex covering posterior aspect of membranous urethra, 76 patients for type 4, apex not covering membranous urethra. PAM and BCR after operation were compared between this four groups respectively. The χ(2) test was used to compare PAM among the 4 types. Logistic regression analysis were undertaken to analyze the factors affecting PAM. Cox's proportional hazards regression model was undertaken to identify the variables influencing BCR. Results: There was no significant difference in the 4 groups concerning age, body mass index, prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage (P>0.05).The median follow-up time was 32 months (ranged from 12 to 60 months).The data showed that the apical type 3 patients has the highest PAM. There was statistical difference among the 4 groups in PAM (χ(2)=15.592, P=0.001). Preoperative level of PSA (OR=20.356, 95% CI: 2.440 to 169.810, P=0.005), postoperative Gleason score (OR=4.113, 95% CI: 1.911 to 8.849, P=0.001), pathological stage (OR=3.422, 95% CI: 1.600 to 7.319, P=0.002) and apical type 3 (OR=6.134, 95% CI: 2.196 to 17.132, P=0.001) were independent relactive factors of PAM. Preoperative level of PSA (HR=1.362, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.843, P=0.045), postoperative Gleason score (HR=1.920, 95% CI: 1.384 to 2.665, P=0.001), pathological stage (HR=1.476, 95% CI: 1.098 to 1.983, P=0.010), PAM (HR=3.497, 95% CI: 2.407 to 5.081, P=0.001)and apical type 3 (HR=1.828, 95% CI: 1.266 to 2.639, P=0.001) were independent prognosis factors of BCR. Conclusion: Prostate apical type 3 could be a significant independent predictor of PAM, and an independent prognosis factor for BCR.

Comparison of I-131 Biokinetics after Recombinant Human TSH Stimulation and Thyroid Hormone Withdrawal Measured by External Detector in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

The aim of this study was to compare radioactive iodine (I-131) biokinetics after recombinant human TSH stimulation (rhTSH) and thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). External effective dose rates were measured using external detectors and imaged quantitatively at the time of discharge from the isolation wards. We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who had been diagnosed with DTC, papillary or follicular, and underwent remnant ablation after either rhTSH stimulation (n=22) or THW (n=10). The uptake of I-131 by remnant thyroid tissue was measured from 20.0 cm, 100.0 cm and 200.0 cm distances using a handheld external detector. The remnant thyroid tissue measured by the whole body images two to five days from administration was 10.7+26.0% (range 0.5 to 60.0%). The values measured at 20 cm were best correlated to the thyroid residual uptake measured by SPECT/CT. The half-lives of I-131washout (T1/2) in rhTSH group measured by external detector were shorter than those of THW group. T1/2 becomes longer when it was measured over longer distances. They were 10.9, 12.3 and 13.1 hours at distances of 20, 100, and 200 cm in rhTSH group, respectively. The TWH group showed 12.8, 14.9 and 17.7 hours, respectively. We conclude that I-131 biokinetics can be measured by external detector after high dose I-131 therapy for DTC. It showed that washout of I-131 was faster after rhTSH stimulation than THW, and slower in patients with distant metastasis than those without metastasis.

[Relationship between various histological status of margins of LEEP and residual HSIL or worse at hysterectomy following conization].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between various loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) margin status and residual high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or worse at hysterectomy following conization. Methods: The relevant clinicopathological data were collected in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University from Jan. 2014 to Dec. 2015, including 947 cases who underwent hysterectomy within 6 months of LEEP. The residual HSIL or worse at hysterectomy were analyzed among the groups. (1) Clear margins, involved margins, and without 1 mm negative margins. (2) Only one positive margin, two positive margins and three positive margins. (3) A positive margin of internal ostium of cervix, of external ostium of cervix and of the basement. Results: (1) The histological evaluation of the uterine specimens showed residual HSIL or worse in 234 cases (24.7%, 234/947). The proportion of residual lesions was 7.3% (21/286) in population with clear margins, 33.2% (211/635) with involved margins, 7.7% (2/26) without 1 mm negative margins, respectively. The positive margins group had significant difference at the aspect of residual rate in contrast to the negative margins group and the without 1 mm negative margins group (P<0.01). Further studies conclusively showed that the proportion of residual lesions was very similar between the negative margins group and the without 1 mm negative margins group (P>0.05). (2) The involved margins were interpretable in 621 cases. This was detected in 25.3% (111/438) patients with only one positive margin, 47.4% (74/156) with two positive margins and 77.8% (21/27) among three positive margins, respectively (P<0.01). (3) Furthermore, there were 418 cases only one positive margin was definite, and the proportion of residual lesions was 31.0% (62/200) in population with a positive margin of internal ostium of cervix, 18.2% (31/170) of external ostium of cervix and 33.3% (16/48) of the basement. The residual rates were higher in the endocervical and basal margin groups than that in the ectocervical margin group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of residual HSIL or worse is significantly greater with involved margins at hysterectomy following LEEP. Both the positive endocervical and basal margin are excellent predictors of residual diseases, while the without 1 mm negative margin may be not. Clinicians should avoid treating it as positive margin and prevent overtreatment.