Frequency and prediction of deep uterine involvement in advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer: is uterine preservation an option?

INTRODUCTION: Hysterectomy is traditionally part of the surgical treatment for advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinomas, although the incidence of uterine involvement has not been fully investigated. Some young patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinomas want uterine preservation. We aimed to determine the frequency of non-serosal (deep) uterine involvement in patients with high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinomas and to establish predictive factors for such involvement. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of 366 consecutive patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinomas who had surgery between January 2012 and December 2019. Data collected included demographic and clinical details, and surgical and pathological reports to determine macroscopic and microscopic deep uterine involvement. The characteristics of the patients with and without deep uterine involvement were compared and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess correlations and determine risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 62±11.6 years, with 32 (10.3%) being younger than 45. Most (92.3%) had serous carcinoma. Uterine involvement, excluding superficial (serosa-only), was present microscopically in 194 patients (62.4%) but was detected macroscopically at surgery in only 166 patients. Deep involvement was missed at surgery in 28 patients (14.4%), including parametrial involvement (n=18), parametria plus cervix (n=2), cervical involvement (n=3), endometrium (n=3), and myometrium (n=2). Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with deep uterine involvement including residual disease at surgery (HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.48; p=0.004) and CA125 >1000 U (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.94; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of deep uterine involvement in high-grade epithelial ovarian carcinomas is high. It can be diagnosed in most but not all cases on gross examination at surgery and is associated with residual disease and CA125 >1000 U. Patients who desire uterine preservation should be advised on an individual basis, given these factors and the operative findings.

PET/MRI Versus PET/CT for Whole-Body Staging: Results from a Single-Center Observational Study on 1,003 Sequential Examinations.

Our purpose was to investigate differences between PET/MRI and PET/CT in lesion detection and classification in oncologic whole-body examinations and to investigate radiation exposure differences between the 2 modalities. Methods: In this observational single-center study, 1,003 oncologic examinations (918 patients; mean age, 57.8 ± 14.4 y) were included. Patients underwent PET/CT and subsequent PET/MRI (149.8 ± 49.7 min after tracer administration). Examinations were reviewed by radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians in consensus. Additional findings, characterization of indeterminate findings on PET/CT, and missed findings on PET/MRI, including their clinical relevance and effective dose of both modalities, were investigated. The McNemar test was used to compare lesion detection between the 2 hybrid imaging modalities (P < 0.001, indicating statistical significance). Results: Additional information on PET/MRI was reported for 26.3% (264/1,003) of examinations, compared with PET/CT (P < 0.001). Of these, additional malignant findings were detected in 5.3% (53/1,003), leading to a change in TNM staging in 2.9% (29/1,003) due to PET/MRI. Definite lesion classification of indeterminate PET/CT findings was possible in 11.1% (111/1,003) with PET/MRI. In 2.9% (29/1,003), lesions detected on PET/CT were not visible on PET/MRI. Malignant lesions were missed in 1.2% (12/1,003) on PET/MRI, leading to a change in TNM staging in 0.5% (5/1,003). The estimated mean effective dose for whole-body PET/CT amounted to 17.6 ± 8.7 mSv, in comparison to 3.6 ± 1.4 mSv for PET/MRI, resulting in a potential dose reduction of 79.6% (P < 0.001). Conclusion: PET/MRI facilitates staging comparable to that of PET/CT and improves lesion detectability in selected cancers, potentially helping to promote fast, efficient local and whole-body staging in 1 step, when additional MRI is recommended. Furthermore, younger patients may benefit from the reduced radiation exposure of PET/MRI.

Clinical significance of preoperative serum concentrations of interleukin-6 as a prognostic marker in patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical outcome of esophageal cancer has recently improved, the relapse rate remains high for all disease stages. At present, there is no diagnostic method to predict the long-term outcome for esophageal cancer. In this study, we evaluated serum preoperative proinflammatory cytokine levels and investigated the correlation between preoperative interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels and survival of patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2015, we evaluated preoperative serum cytokine levels in 122 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We investigated the relationship between serum cytokine levels and the response to chemotherapy and survival. RESULTS: The preoperative IL-6 levels were significantly associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS, p = 0.001) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.001) after esophagectomy. Higher IL-8 levels were significantly associated with RFS (p = 0.018). In the multivariate analysis, age, preoperative chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and serum IL-6 levels (hazard ratio (HR), 2.888; p = 0.049) were significantly independent prognostic factors of RFS. Additionally, age, pathological stage, and serum IL-6 levels (HR, 3.247; p = 0.027) were shown to be significantly independent prognostic factors of OS. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the non-responder group (pathological response pGrade0 and pGrade1) after neoadjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative serum IL-6 levels are associated with a poor response to chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and poor prognosis after esophagectomy. Preoperative serum IL-6 levels may be a useful independent prognostic marker for esophageal cancer patients.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer: Why We Fail? Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study on the Factors Associated with Failure of Node Mapping with Indocyanine Green.

BACKGROUND: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for endometrial cancer staging is gaining wide diffusion, but there is no definitive evidence on the factors associated with the failure of mapping. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the factors associated with the possible failure of bilateral SLN mapping with indocyanine green (ICG). METHODS: A prospective observational study without control on 110 patients with endometrial cancer apparently confined to the uterus, underwent laparoscopic surgical staging with SLN mapping with ICG. RESULTS: Possible risk factors associated with bilateral mapping failure were analyzed, and a multivariate analysis was performed. The bilateral detection rate for SLNs mapping was 72.7%, whereas at least one SLN was detected in 79.1% of patients. No SLNs were identified in 6.3%. None of the patients or features related to tumor were associated with a risk of failure of the method. The only factor analyzed that was significantly associated with the success of bilateral mapping was the surgeon (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Neither obesity nor the presence of lymph node metastases was associated with mapping failure. However, there remains a need for further studies to understand all the mechanisms linked to the unsuccessful method results and to reduce the use of systematic lymphadenectomy in the case of mapping failure.

Eficacia de la ultrasonografía endoscópica en la estadificación de tumores del recto / Endoscopic ultrasound efficacy in the staging of rectal cancer

Introducción: el cáncer rectal representa un problema de salud en el mundo y la estadificación clínica constituye la llave para definir la conducta a seguir. Objetivo: determinar la eficacia de la ecoendoscopia en el estadiaje T y N del cáncer rectal. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, desde enero del 2014 hasta marzo del 2016, se seleccionaron un total de 33 pacientes que se habían realizado ecoendoscopia y que luego fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Se comparó la estadificación mediante ecoendoscopia con el informe anatomopatológico de la pieza quirúrgica obtenida. Se calculó concordancia global y eficacia diagnóstica en los diferentes estadios del cáncer rectal. Resultados: la concordancia global para la etapa T fue 57,6 por ciento y 87,9 por ciento para N. La precisión diagnóstica en pacientes que recibieron adyuvancia resultó del 47,1 por ciento y 82,4 por ciento para las etapas T y N respectivamente. La eficacia diagnóstica por subetapas T resultó en valores respectivos de sensibilidad y especificidad de 71,43 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 64 por ciento-79 por ciento) y 84,6 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 82 por ciento-86 por ciento) en T1; 76,9 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 73 por ciento-81 por ciento) y 70,0 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 67 por ciento-73 por ciento) en T2; y 42,8 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 35,5 por ciento-50,2 por ciento) y 96,2 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 94,2 por ciento-98,1 por ciento) en T3. Conclusiones: la concordancia global en T resultó inferior a lo reportado en la literatura consultada así como la eficacia diagnóstica de la técnica, debido a que 17 pacientes tuvieron tratamiento adyuvante previo. No hubo resultados significativos en la evaluación de la etapa N(AU)

Introduction: Rectal cancer represents a health problem nowadays worldwide, for that reason an accurate clinical staging of the disease is fundamental to define the proper behavior to follow. Objective: To determine the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound for staging rectal cancer. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out, from January 2014 to March 2016 in Cuban National Center of Minimal Access Surgery in 33 patients (17 men and 16 women) who had undergone endoscopic ultrasound and who underwent surgery too. Their endoscopic ultrasound staging were compared with their anatomopathological reports of the surgical pieces obtained. Global concordance and diagnostic efficacy were calculated. Results: The overall concordance for stage T was 57.6 percent and 87.9 percent for N. The diagnostic accuracy in the patients that received adjuvant treatment previously was lower than the group of patients that not received it. The diagnostic efficacy by sub-steps T resulted in respective values of sensitivity and specificity of 71.43 percent and 84.6 percent in T1; 76.9 percent and 70.0 percent in T2; and 42.8 percent and 96.2 percent in T3. Conclusions: The overall concordance in T was lower than that reported in the literature consulted as well as the diagnostic efficacy of the technique, because 17 patients had previous adjuvant treatment. There were no significant results in the evaluation of stage N(AU)

The Adoption of Single-port Laparoscopy for Full Staging of Endometrial Cancer: Surgical and Oncology Outcomes and Evaluation of the Learning Curve.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the safety, feasibility, learning curve, and surgical outcome for single-port laparoscopic full staging of endometrial cancer. DESIGN: A retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: A university academic hospital. PATIENTS: Women with endometrial cancer undergoing single-port laparoscopic full surgical staging. INTERVENTIONS: This was a single-center, retrospective consecutive study of patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic full staging of endometrial cancer from March 2012 to December 2015. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred ten consecutive cases were included in the study. The mean age was 63 years (standard deviation = 14), and the mean body mass index was 34 kg/m2 (standard deviation = 7). Medical comorbidity was noted in 62% (68/110) of patients, and 55% (61/110) of patients had previous abdominal surgery. Preoperative histology included grade 1 (63%), grade 2 (23%), grade 3 (4%), papillary serous (6%), clear cell (3%), and mixed (1%). Postoperatively, 73% of patients were stage I, 2% were stage II, 21% were stage III, and 4% were stage IV. The conversion rate to multiple ports or to laparotomy was 6.3%. The average total surgical time was 186 minutes. Comparing the last 30 cases of our cohort with the first 20, there was a significant improvement in the reduction of the total operative time (191 vs 152 minutes, p = .036), estimated blood loss (389 vs 121 mL, p = .002), conversion rate (20 % vs 0%, p = .02), and rate of surgical complication (10% vs. 0%, p = .03). The readmission rate was 11% (12/110) with 75% of those patients being readmitted for surgical indications and 25% for medical indications. The rate of ventral hernia was 1.8% (2/110) with an average follow-up of 298 days (31-1085 days). CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic staging of endometrial cancer is a safe and feasible technique to introduce into a gynecologic oncology practice that is compatible with other minimally invasive modalities with similar complication rates, discharge timing, and operative times. Drastic improvement in surgical time can be seen after approximately the first 20 cases.

Adverse events during CT colonography for screening, diagnosis and preoperative staging of colorectal cancer: a Japanese national survey.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the frequencies and magnitudes of adverse events associated with computed tomographic colonography (CTC) for screening, diagnosis and preoperative staging of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A Japanese national survey on CTC was administered by use of an online survey tool in the form of a questionnaire. The questions covered mortality, colorectal perforation, vasovagal reaction, total number of examinations, and examination procedures. The survey data was collated and raw frequencies were determined. Fisher's exact test was used to determine differences in event rates between groups. RESULTS: At 431 institutions, 147,439 CTC examinations were performed. No deaths were reported. Colorectal perforations occurred in 0.014% (21/147,439): 0.003% (1/29,823) in screening, 0.014% (13/91,007) in diagnosis and 0.028% (7/25,330) in preoperative staging. The perforation risk was significantly lower in screening than in preoperative staging CTC procedures (p = 0.028). Eighty-one per cent of perforation cases (17/21) did not require emergency surgery. Vasovagal reaction occurred in 0.081% (120/147,439): 0.111% (33/29,823) in screening, 0.088% (80/91,007) in diagnosis and 0.028% (7/25,330) in preoperative staging. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of colorectal perforation and vasovagal reaction in CTC is low. The frequency of colorectal perforation associated with CTC is least in the screening group and greatest in the preoperative-staging group. KEY POINTS: • The colorectal perforation rate during preoperative-staging CTC was 0.028 %. • The perforation rates for screening and diagnosis were 0.003 % and 0.014 %, respectively. • The perforation risk is significantly lower in screening than in preoperative staging. • Eighty-one per cent of perforation cases did not require emergency surgery. • Use of an automatic colon insufflator can reduce the risk of bowel perforation.

Impact of Surgical Route in Influencing the Risk of Lymphatic Complications After Ovarian Cancer Staging.

Lymphatic complications are a common occurrence after staging surgery for early-stage ovarian cancer (eEOC). We investigated whether the introduction of minimally invasive surgery influences the risk of developing lymphoceles and lymphorrhea in patients undergoing staging for eEOC. For this purpose, data of consecutive patients affected by eEOC undergoing staging surgery between January 1980 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed, and a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review. Among 341 patients included in the present study, 47 severe postoperative complications occurred (13.7%), including 40 lymphatic complications: 31 symptomatic lymphoceles (9%) and 9 cases of lymphorrhea (2.6%), respectively. Laparoscopic staging correlated with a lower risk of developing any severe lymphatic complications in comparison with open surgery (p = .02). In particular, the laparoscopic approach and para-aortic node involvement were associated with a trend toward lower lymphoceles (odds ratio, .13; 95% confidence interval, .07-2.20; p = .05) and a trend toward higher risk of lymphorrhea developing (odds ratio, 4.02; 95% confidence interval, .93-17.3; p = .06), respectively. In conclusion, the implementation of a minimally invasive approach might result in a slight reduction of lymphatic complications after eEOC staging.

[Preoperative prognostic factors and preoperative risk stratification of upper tract urothelial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the preoperative prognostic factors of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and construct preoperative risk stratification system. METHODS: A retrospective study including 686 patients who were diagnosed with UTUC and received radical nephroureterectomy or partial ureterectomy in Peking University First Hospital during 2003 and 2013. RESULTS: Of the 686 UTUC patients, 303 (44.2%) were male and 383 (55.8%) female. The postoperative pathological examination showed that 203 (29.6%) had high tumor stages (T3, T4), 300 (43.7%) had high tumor grades (G3) and 54 (7.9%) had lymph nodes metastasis (N1). After multivariate analysis, renal pelvic tumor, large tumor, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)≥30 mL/min, and male were associated with high tumor stage. Ureteral tumor, large tumor, and non-smoking history were associated with high tumor grade. Renal pelvis tumor, large tumor, and preoperative anemia were associated with positive N status. During the follow-up, 208 (30.3%) died for cancer and 210 (30.6%) developed intravesical recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed: large tumor (P=0.001), concomitant ipsilateral hydronephrosis (P=0.041), and preoperative anemia (P=0.001) were independently associated cancer-specific mortality after surgery, while ureteral tumor (P=0.04), multiple tumor (P=0.005), and high preoperative creatinine (P=0.036) were independent risk factors for intravesical recurrence. CONCLUSION: Of the preoperative clinical parameters of UTUC patients, the large tumor, concomitant ipsilateral hydronephrosis, and preoperative anemia were independently associated with cancer-specific mortality after surgery. Ureteral tumor, multiple tumor, and high preoperative creatinine were independently associated with intravesical recurrence after surgery.

[Preliminary investigation of intramural lateral spread distance in pull-through conformal resection of low rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intramural lateral spread distance in low rectal cancer in order to provide basis for safety lateral resection margin of pull-through conformal resection (PTCR). METHODS: The patients with low rectal cancer who received low anterior resection or abdominal-perineal resection in Changhai Hospital from December 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled and Surgical specimens were collected. After the specimens were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for 24 hours, a piece of tissue that was 1.5 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width from the edge of tumor was cut. The tissue was obtained in the direction of 3, 5, 7 and 9 o'clock clockwise. The distance of intramural lateral spread was measured in the specimens and the risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 83 specimens were collected and the overall proportion of intramural lateral spread was 71.1%(59/83). The rate of lateral spread from 3 to 9 o'clock was 34.9%(29/83), 26.5%(22/83), 32.5%(27/83) and 37.3%(31/83) respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=2.444 9, P=0.485 3). The median distance of lateral spread in each direction was all 0 mm and the quartile range was 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.55 mm and 1 mm respectively. The 5th percentile (P5) of each direction was all 0 mm and the 95th percentile(P95) of each direction was 2.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.5 mm, respectively and the difference was not statistically significant either(χ2=5.331 0, P=0.148 9). The rate of lateral spread of T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 0/4, 58.3%(14/24), 83.0%(44/53) and 1/2 respectively, and there was significant difference(P=0.005 0). The multivariate analysis indicated that T stage (P=0.002 2, OR=3.741, 95% CI: 1.606-8.716) was the risk factor of intramural lateral spread. CONCLUSIONS: The intramural lateral spread does exist in low rectal cancer and T stage is the risk factor of lateral spread. The lateral resection margin should be 5 mm from the tumor edge at least when PTCR is performed.

Orbitectomía en monobloque en un paciente con sarcoma neurogénico de la órbita / Single block orbitectomy in a patient with neurogenic orbital sarcoma

El sarcoma neurogénico es un tumor maligno que se origina en las células de Schwann de la vaina del revestimiento de los nervios periféricos y son poco frecuentes en la órbita. Se presenta un paciente de 23 años de edad, masculino, blanco, con antecedentes de neurofibromatosis tipo I, con desplazamiento anteroinferior del globo ocular izquierdo, dolor intenso y pérdida de la visión de 4 meses de evolución. Al examen oftalmológico se constató proptosis severa con descenso del globo ocular izquierdo, oftalmoplejia total, quemosis severa, hiperemia, opacidad corneal y aumento de volumen del párpado superior. En los estudios imagenológicos se evidenció lesión tumoral que ocupaba la totalidad del compartimiento orbitario sin infiltración de sus paredes óseas y con desplazamiento del globo ocular por fuera del reborde orbitario. Se realizó un abordaje quirúrgico combinado, y se logró una orbitectomía en monobloque con resección total del tumor y reconstrucción con colgajo rotado de músculo temporal ipsilateral. El estudio histopatológico informó la presencia de un sarcoma neurogénico de la órbita y se complementó con tratamiento adyuvante con radioterapia. El paciente se mantuvo controlado durante un año y a partir de esta fecha comenzó la aparición secuencial de varias lesiones a distancia(AU)

Neurogenic sarcoma is a malignant tumor that starts in Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves sheath and is rarely found in the orbit. Here is a 23 year old, male, Caucasian patient, with a history of Type-I Neurofibromatosis, and a left eye fore and lower side displacement of the left eyeball, intense pain and loss of vision for 4 months. A severe proptosis and the lowering of the left eyeball was detected during the ophthalmologic examination, as well as total ophthalmoplegia, severe chemosis, hyperemia, corneal opacity and increased upper eyelid volume. Imaging studies revealed a tumor lesion occupying the whole orbital compartment, with no bone wall infiltration, but causing the displacement of the eyeball out of the orbit border. A combined surgical approach was performed consisting in a single block orbitectomy with total tumor resection, as well as the reconstruction with the ipsilateral temporal muscle rotated flap. The histopathology study showed the presence of an neurogenic orbital sarcoma, so an adjuvant radiotherapy treatment was indicated. The patient was followed up for a year, after which the sequential occurrence of several lesions began(AU)

Orbitectomía en monobloque en un paciente con sarcoma neurogénico de la órbita / Single block orbitectomy in a patient with neurogenic orbital sarcoma

El sarcoma neurogénico es un tumor maligno que se origina en las células de Schwann de la vaina del revestimiento de los nervios periféricos y son poco frecuentes en la órbita. Se presenta un paciente de 23 años de edad, masculino, blanco, con antecedentes de neurofibromatosis tipo I, con desplazamiento anteroinferior del globo ocular izquierdo, dolor intenso y pérdida de la visión de 4 meses de evolución. Al examen oftalmológico se constató proptosis severa con descenso del globo ocular izquierdo, oftalmoplejia total, quemosis severa, hiperemia, opacidad corneal y aumento de volumen del párpado superior. En los estudios imagenológicos se evidenció lesión tumoral que ocupaba la totalidad del compartimiento orbitario sin infiltración de sus paredes óseas y con desplazamiento del globo ocular por fuera del reborde orbitario. Se realizó un abordaje quirúrgico combinado, y se logró una orbitectomía en monobloque con resección total del tumor y reconstrucción con colgajo rotado de músculo temporal ipsilateral. El estudio histopatológico informó la presencia de un sarcoma neurogénico de la órbita y se complementó con tratamiento adyuvante con radioterapia. El paciente se mantuvo controlado durante un año y a partir de esta fecha comenzó la aparición secuencial de varias lesiones a distancia(AU)

Neurogenic sarcoma is a malignant tumor that starts in Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves sheath and is rarely found in the orbit. Here is a 23 year old, male, Caucasian patient, with a history of Type-I Neurofibromatosis, and a left eye fore and lower side displacement of the left eyeball, intense pain and loss of vision for 4 months. A severe proptosis and the lowering of the left eyeball was detected during the ophthalmologic examination, as well as total ophthalmoplegia, severe chemosis, hyperemia, corneal opacity and increased upper eyelid volume. Imaging studies revealed a tumor lesion occupying the whole orbital compartment, with no bone wall infiltration, but causing the displacement of the eyeball out of the orbit border. A combined surgical approach was performed consisting in a single block orbitectomy with total tumor resection, as well as the reconstruction with the ipsilateral temporal muscle rotated flap. The histopathology study showed the presence of an neurogenic orbital sarcoma, so an adjuvant radiotherapy treatment was indicated. The patient was followed up for a year, after which the sequential occurrence of several lesions began(AU)

Single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy as part of staging operation for early ovarian cancer and high grade endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the techiniqes of single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy as part of surgical staging procedure in case of early ovarian cancer and high grade endometrial cancer. METHODS: After left upper traction of rectosigmoid, a peritoneal incision was made caudad to inferior mesenteric artery. Rectosigmoid was mobilized, and then the avascular space of the lateral rectal portion was found by using upward traction of rectosigmoid mesentery. Inframesenteric nodes were removed without injury to the ureter and the left common iliac nodes were easily removed due to the upward traction of the rectosigmoid. The superior hypogastric plexus was found overlying the aorta and sacral promontory, and presacral nodes were removed at subaortic area. Peritoneal traction suture to right abdomen was needed for right para-aortic lymphadenectomy. After right lower para-aortic node dissection, operator was situated between the patient's legs. After upper traction of the small bowel, left upper para-aortic nodes were removed. To prevent chylous ascites, we used hemolock or Ligasure application (ValleyLab Inc.) to upper part of infrarenal and aortocaval nodes. RESULTS: Single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed without serious perioperative complications. CONCLUSION: Even though the technique of single-port surgery is still a difficult operation, the quality of single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic node dissection is excellent, especially mean number of para-aortic nodes. In cases of staging procedures for ovary and endometrial cancer, single-port transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy is acceptable as an oncologic procedure.

Single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy as part of staging operation for early ovarian cancer and high grade endometrial cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the techiniqes of single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy as part of surgical staging procedure in case of early ovarian cancer and high grade endometrial cancer. METHODS: After left upper traction of rectosigmoid, a peritoneal incision was made caudad to inferior mesenteric artery. Rectosigmoid was mobilized, and then the avascular space of the lateral rectal portion was found by using upward traction of rectosigmoid mesentery. Inframesenteric nodes were removed without injury to the ureter and the left common iliac nodes were easily removed due to the upward traction of the rectosigmoid. The superior hypogastric plexus was found overlying the aorta and sacral promontory, and presacral nodes were removed at subaortic area. Peritoneal traction suture to right abdomen was needed for right para-aortic lymphadenectomy. After right lower para-aortic node dissection, operator was situated between the patient's legs. After upper traction of the small bowel, left upper para-aortic nodes were removed. To prevent chylous ascites, we used hemolock or Ligasure application (ValleyLab Inc.) to upper part of infrarenal and aortocaval nodes. RESULTS: Single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed without serious perioperative complications. CONCLUSION: Even though the technique of single-port surgery is still a difficult operation, the quality of single-port laparoscopic transperitoneal infrarenal para-aortic node dissection is excellent, especially mean number of para-aortic nodes. In cases of staging procedures for ovary and endometrial cancer, single-port transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy is acceptable as an oncologic procedure.

Errores de estadificación del carcinoma pulmonar no microcítico en la TC comparado con la PET-TC / No disponible

Introducción: La PET-TC parece ser más exacta que la TC en el estudio de extensión del carcinoma pulmonar no microcítico (CPNM). Nuestro objetivo fue comparar la utilidad diagnóstica de la TC y la PET-TC en la estadificación clínica y patológica del CPNM. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de CPNM. Se incluyeron 24 pacientes con diagnóstico y estudio de extensión mediante TC y PET-TC y que fueron sometidos a cirugía de resección pulmonar con intención curativa. Se compararon los datos de estadificación clínica prequirúrgica del estadio T y N con los de estadificación patológica posquirúrgica en ambas pruebas de imagen. También se comparó la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el VPP y el VPN de la TC y de la PET-TC en el estadio N preoperatorio. Resultados: Se observó una mayor tasa de discrepancias entre el estadiaje clínico y el patológico de la T por TC (41,6%) que por PET-TC (37,5%) y de la N por TC (37,5%) que por PET-TC (20,8%), ambas sin significación estadística. En el estadiaje de la N la PET-TC presentó mayor sensibilidad (50%) y especificidad (81%) que la TC (33% y 66%, respectivamente) y también mayor VPP (20% con PET-TC y 12% con TC) y VPN (94% con PET-TC y 87% con TC). Conclusiones: Los errores en la estadificación TNM del estudio de extensión del CPNM son menores con el uso de la PET-TC que con la TC. La principal aportación de la PET-TC está en la estadificación ganglionar

Introduction: PET-CT appears to be more accurate than CT in the extension study of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our goal was to compare the diagnostic utility of CT and PET-CT for clinical and pathological staging of NSCLC. Methods: Retrospective and observational study of patients diagnosed with NSCLC. We included 24 patients with a diagnosis and extension study using CT and PET-CT and who underwent lung resection with curative intent. Preoperative clinical data of T and N staging were compared with postsurgical pathologic stages in both imaging technics. We also compared sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of CT and PET-CT in preoperative N staging. Results: There was a higher rate of discrepancies between clinical and pathologic T staging with CT (41.6%) than with PET-CT (37.5%) and between N staging with CT (37.5%) than with PET-CT (20.8%), both without statistical significance. In the N staging, PET-CT had a higher sensitivity (50%) and specificity (81%) than CT (33% and 66%, respectively) and higher PPV (20% with PET-CT and 12% with TC) and NPV (94% with PET-CT and 87% for CT). Conclusions: Errors in TNM staging of NSCLC extension study are lower with the use of PET-CT than with CT. The main contribution of PET-CT is in nodal staging

Whole-body MRI vs. CT for staging lymphoma: patient experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare patient experience of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to that of computed tomography (CT) for staging newly diagnosed lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma prospectively underwent whole-body MRI and CT for staging purposes. Patients were asked to fill in a short questionnaire with regard to the burden and experience of the examination on a Likert scale (range 1-4). Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to determine statistically significant differences in patient (dis)comfort between the two examinations. RESULTS: Patients reported to be significantly (P=0.007) less worried before undergoing whole-body MRI compared to CT. Patients also experienced whole-body MRI as significantly (P=0.010) less unpleasant and felt significantly (P=0.003) better shortly after the scan. The necessary preparations before CT scanning (i.e. insertion of intravenous line, drinking of contrast fluid), which are not required for whole-body MRI, were reported to be a considerable burden. CONCLUSION: In this study in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma, whole-body MRI was experienced as a more patient-friendly technique than CT.

Routine staging laparoscopy has no place in the management of colorectal liver metastases.

AIMS: Staging laparoscopy has been recommended in the management of patients with colorectal liver metastases prior to hepatectomy in order to reduce the incidence and associated morbidity of futile laparotomies. The utility of staging laparoscopy has not been assessed in patients undergoing CT, PET-CT and MRI as standard preoperative staging. METHODS: All patients undergoing attempted open hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases between 1/4/2008 and 31/3/2012 were identified from a prospectively maintained research database. All patients who underwent futile laparotomy were identified, with demographics and operative notes subsequently analysed. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients underwent attempted open hepatectomy during the study period. At laparotomy 12 (4.4%) patients were found to have irresectable disease. There were no unifying demographic factors within the patients undergoing futile laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: With modern imaging, the potential yield of staging laparoscopy is low. Staging laparoscopy should not be used routinely, but may have a role in the case of specific clinical concerns.

Analysis of a continuous series of 34 young patients with early-stage cervical cancer selected for a vaginal radical trachelectomy: should "staging" conization be systematically performed before this procedure?

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal radical trachelectomy (VRT) is the most widely evaluated form of conservative management of young patients with early-stage (IB1) cervical cancer. Patients with nodal involvement or a tumor size greater than 2 cm are not eligible for such treatment. The aim of this study is to report the impact of a "staging" conization before VRT. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 34 patients potentially selected for VRT for a clinical and radiologic cervical tumor less than 2 cm. Among them, 28 underwent finally a VRT (20 of them having a previous conization before this procedure) and 6 patients with macroscopic cervical cancer, confirmed by punch biopsies, "eligible" for VRT (<2 cm) had undergone "staging" conization (without further VRT) to confirm the tumor size and lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) status. RESULTS: Six patients having "staging" conization before VRT had finally been deemed contraindications to VRT due to the presence of a histologically confirmed tumor greater than 2 cm and/or associated with multiple foci of LVSI. Among 28 patients who underwent VRT, 1 received adjuvant chemoradiation (this patient recurred and died of disease). Two patients treated with RVT (without postoperative treatment) recurred. Ten pregnancies (9 spontaneous and 1 induced) were observed in 9 patients. Among 4 patients with macroscopic "visible" tumor who do not underwent a "staging" conization before VRT, 2 recurred. Among 11 patients who underwent VRT and having LVSI, 3 recurred. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that if a conization is not performed initially, it should then be included among the staging procedures to select patients for VRT.

Minimally invasive staging of endometrial cancer is feasible and safe in elderly women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcome of elderly and younger patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic surgical staging of endometrial cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients comprised the study group. Sixty patients were aged 65 years or older (elderly group), and 69 patients were younger than 65 years (younger group). INTERVENTION: Abdominal, laparoscopic, or robotic hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 109 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic staging, there were no differences in estimated blood loss, lymph node count, surgical time, complications, rate of blood transfusion, conversion to laparotomy, and mean postoperative stay between elderly and younger patients. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgical staging for endometrial cancer is both feasible and safe in the elderly population and offers similar outcomes as in younger patients.