Incidental Cancer Research Articles

Symptomatic Breast Cancers and Why Breast Pain May not Always Need Clinical Review.

Breast pain contributes a heavy burden to the symptomatic breast clinic, accounting for a large number of referrals due to patient/clinician subjective anxiety and unclear aetiology. We assess the link between breast pain and cancer with a view to easing the demand on breast services. All new breast cancer diagnoses were identified from the multidisciplinary team outcomes for the 12 months between October 2017 and October 2018. Presenting symptoms were identified from the General Practice referrals and consultant letters. Examination findings were checked with details on imaging requests. 436 new symptomatic cancer diagnoses were made in patients with a median age of 68 (range 25-97). 334 patients were referred by General Practice as two-week waits who formed the cohort selected for analysis (77%). New lumps accounted for 294 ipsilateral cancer diagnoses (88%), nipple symptoms for 28 (8%) and pain with normal examination for 12 (4%, all screening aged patients). All 12 cancers in the patients presenting with pain were correctly identified on mammography, including 4 cancers in the symptomatic breast and 8 Incidental cancers in the contralateral, non-symptomatic breast. Pain does not appear to be frequent symptom of breast cancer presentation. It was more common for patients to have incidental, contralateral asymptomatic cancer than it was for patients with pain alone to have underlying ipsilateral cancer. In such cases, new cancers were identified accurately on mammography. Patients presenting with pain as an isolated symptom, having been carefully assessed in Primary Care, may yield little benefit in repeat clinical examination by a Breast Specialist. Direct to test with mammography could be safe, effective and efficient alternative practice.

Multinodular goitre: a clinicopathological study from Kerala

Background: Multinodular goiter (MNG) occurs due to repeated hyperstimulation of thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency, goitrogens, antithyroid drugs and genetic defects. MNG can have different complications which include treacheal compression, retrosternal extension, malignancy and secondary thyrotoxicosis. The aim of the work was to study the clinical features and histopathology of MN in patients admitted for thyroidectomy in surgical wards of a tertiary care hospital in north Kerala.Methods: A prospective hospital based observational study in the patients in surgical wards of a tertiary care hospital in north Kerala from April 2011 to March 2012. The clinical data of patients who are subjected to thyroidectomy for MNG (clinical and fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis) were included in this study. Patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy for recurrence or malignancy were excluded from this study.Results: MNG is more common in females. Female to male ratio 24:1 Majority are in the age group of 30-50 years (64%) with a mean age of 41 years. 38% (38 cases) had pressure symptoms in the form of dysphagia or dyspnea. Secondary thyrotoxicosis seen in 17% (17 cases). Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is not an error-proof investigation in MNG. 14 % of our patients had malignancy inspite of being reported as benign in FNAC. Among the malignancies papillary carcinoma thyroid was found to be most common accounting for 12% of cases (12/100) followed by follicular carcinoma.Conclusions: FNAC is not an error proof investigation in MNG. Incidental thyroid cancer in MNG is about 14 % with papillary carcinoma thyroid being the commonest.

Incidental Cancers in Asymptomatic Adults: Role of Otorhinolaryngologist in Routine Health Checkup

Incidental Cancers in Asymptomatic Adults: Role of Otorhinolaryngologist in Routine Health Checkup

FDG-PET/CT Incidental Detection of Cancer in Patients Investigated for Infective Endocarditis.

Background: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an imaging technique largely used in the management of infective endocarditis and in the detection and staging of cancer. We evaluate our experience of incidental cancer detection by PET/CT during IE investigations and follow-up.Methods and Findings: Between 2009 and 2018, our center, which includes an “endocarditis team,” managed 750 patients with IE in a prospective cohort. PET/CT became available in 2011 and was performed in 451 patients. Incidental diagnosis of cancer by PET/CT was observed in 36 patients and confirmed in 34 of them (7.5%) (colorectal n = 17; lung n = 7; lymphoma n = 2; melanoma n = 2; ovarian n = 2; prostate n = 1; bladder n = 1; ear, nose, and throat n = 1; brain n = 1). A significant association has been found between colorectal cancer and Streptococcus gallolyticus and/or Enterococcus faecalis [12/26 vs. 6/33 for other cancers, p = 0.025, odds ratio = 3.86 (1.19–12.47)]. Two patients had a negative PET/CT (a colon cancer and a bladder cancer), and two patients, with positive PET/CT, had a benign colorectal tumor. PET/CT had a sensitivity of 94–100% for the diagnosis of cancer in this patient.Conclusions: Whole-body PET/CT confirmed the high incidence of cancer in patients with IE and could now be proposed in these cases.

Commentary on Incidental Skin Cancers in Debulked Rhinophymatous Tissue.

*Surgical Dermatology Group, Vestavia Hills, Alabama The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Is Bethesda classification sufficient to predict thyroid cancer in endemic regions?

Aim: Bethesda classification is widely used to determine the risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules and in many guidelines, treatment algorithms are determined according to this classification. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of malignancy predictions of Bethesda classification in patients who underwent surgery. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2013 and 2017 were analyzed. Patients’ demographic characteristics, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results, ultrasonographic findings, number of nodules, diameter of nodules, type of surgeries performed, and the terminal pathology results were recorded. Malignancies that were detected in Bethesda 1-2 patients and in nodules other than the nodule to which FNAB was performed in other Bethesda categories were defined as incidental cancer. Results: Nine hundred sixty-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 46.9 (12.4) years and 82.4 % (n=797) were female. Mean nodule diameter was 29.7(13.9) mm and 64.3% (n=622) of the patients had 3 or more nodules. In our series, the rate of malignancy was 24.2% for Bethesda 1, 24.7% for Bethesda 2, 35 % for Bethesda 3, 52.1 % for Bethesda 4, 91.2 % for Bethesda 5 and 100 % for Bethesda 6. In all categories, the malignancy rate was higher than the expected range, but statistical significance was determined in Bethesda 1, 2, 4 and 5 groups. When compared to the whole series, rate of incidental cancer was 18.2%, whereas the incidental cancer rate was 49.5 % of all cancers. The tumor was multicentric in 34.6 % of malignant cases. Conclusion: In endemic regions, higher rates of malignancy are detected than that predicted by the Bethesda classification. Therefore, updates on guidelines in patient selection for surgery and in choosing the surgical technique may be necessary for endemic areas.

Incidental Skin Cancer Detection in a Hospital Department: A Prospective Study

Background and objectivesSkin cancer is a common cause for referral to dermatology, but it may also be an incidental finding during examination of patients referred for other reasons. The objective of the study was to compare the characteristics of skin cancer lesions (squamous skin carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma) diagnosed at a dermatology department over 1 year between patients referred for suspected skin cancer and those referred for another reason but in whom skin cancer was detected as an incidental finding. Pearson’s χ2 test was used to compare different study variables between the 2 groups. ResultsData were collected from 433 patients with a mean age of 72 years; 233 (51.3%) of the patients were female. The most common skin types were Fitzpatrick types II and III. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent cancer in all the analyses and accounted for 68.4% of all cancers diagnosed (296/433). Twenty-six percent of the malignant skin tumors were detected incidentally. Statistical analysis revealed that these tumors tended to be located in nonvisible areas and were smaller and of more recent onset than tumors initially suspected to be malignant. ConclusionsThe high rate of skin cancer diagnosed incidentally by dermatologists highlights the need to carry out thorough examinations of patients in order to facilitate early detection and treatment.

Incidental bladder cancer at initial urological workup of spinal cord injury patients.

Retrospective descriptive study. To compare histopathological findings and the long-term course of SCI patients with bladder cancer found incidentally at the initial urological workup to those diagnosed with bladder cancer many years after the onset of SCI. Spinal cord injury center in Germany. Data and follow-up of consecutive in- and out-patients with SCI admitted at a tertiary spinal cord injury center between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2018 were screened retrospectively. All patients with acquired SCI were evaluated for pathological findings in the urinary bladder present at the time of SCI on the initial urological workup. Data of 37 long-term SCI patients from the same center with diagnosed bladder cancer and data of the general German population served as reference groups. Descriptive statistics were applied. In total, four patients with bladder cancer at initial urological workup were assessed. They all had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Two of the patients were cystectomized 34 and 106 months after first bladder cancer diagnosis, due to relapsing tumor and progressive renal failure, respectively. In both cases no tumor was found in the resected bladder. All four patients are currently alive with no tumor and a mean follow-up of 105 months. In incidental bladder cancer observed at the initial urological workup after acquired SCI, the duration of SCI, at least in the first 5 years, does not noticeably contribute to a poor prognosis, i.e., progression to muscle invasive bladder cancer (≥T2) or a higher grading (G3).

Use of bilateral prophylactic nipple-sparing mastectomy in patients with high risk of breast cancer.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is being performed increasingly for risk reduction in high-risk groups. There are limited data regarding complications and oncological outcomes in women undergoing bilateral prophylactic NSM. This study reviewed institutional experience with prophylactic NSM, and examined the indications, rates of postoperative complications, incidence of occult malignant disease and subsequent breast cancer diagnosis. Women who had bilateral prophylactic NSM between 2000 and 2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Rates of postoperative complications, incidental breast cancer, recurrence and overall survival were evaluated. A total of 192 women underwent 384 prophylactic NSMs. Indications included BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations in 117 patients (60·9 per cent), family history of breast cancer in 35 (18·2 per cent), lobular carcinoma in situ in 29 (15·1 per cent) and other reasons in 11 (5·7 per cent). Immediate breast reconstruction was performed in 191 patients. Of 384 NSMs, 116 breasts (30·2 per cent) had some evidence of skin necrosis at follow-up, which resolved spontaneously in most; only 24 breasts (6·3 per cent) required debridement. Overall, there was at least one complication in 129 breasts (33·6 per cent); 3·6 and 1·6 per cent had incidental findings of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer respectively. The nipple-areola complex was preserved entirely in 378 mastectomies. After a median follow-up of 36·8 months, there had been no deaths and no new breast cancer diagnoses. These findings support the use of prophylactic NSM in high-risk patients. The nipples could be preserved in the majority of patients, postoperative complication rates were low, and, with limited follow-up, there were no new breast cancers.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: IBD-associated colonic dysplasia prognosis in the videoendoscopic era (1990 to present).

The prognosis of dysplasia in patients with IBD is largely determined from observational studies from the pre-videoendoscopic era (pre-1990s) that does not reflect recent advances in endoscopic imaging and resection. To better understand the risk of synchronous colorectal cancer and metachronous advanced neoplasia (ie high-grade dysplasia or cancer) associated with dysplasia diagnosed in the videoendoscopic era, and to stratify risk according to a lesion's morphology, endoscopic resection status or whether it was incidentally detected on biopsy of macroscopically normal colonic mucosa (ie invisible). A systematic search of original articles published between 1990 and February 2020 was performed. Eligible studies reported on incidence of advanced neoplasia at follow-up colectomy or colonoscopy for IBD-dysplasia patients. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. Thirty-three studies were eligible for qualitative analysis (five for the meta-analysis). Pooled estimated proportions of incidental synchronous cancers found at colectomy performed for a pre-operative diagnosis of visible high-grade dysplasia, invisible high-grade dysplasia, visible low-grade dysplasia and invisible low-grade dysplasia were 13.7% (95% CI 0.0-54.1), 11.4% (95% CI 4.6-20.3), 2.7% (95% CI 0.0-7.1) and 2.4% (95% CI 0.0-8.5) respectively. The lowest incidences of metachronous advanced neoplasia, for dysplasia not managed with immediate colectomy but followed up with surveillance, tended to be reported by the studies where high definition imaging and/or chromoendoscopy was used and endoscopic resection of visible dysplasia was histologically confirmed. The prognosis of IBD-dysplasia diagnosed in the videoendoscopic era appears to have been improved but the quality of evidence remains low. Larger, prospective studies are needed to guide management. PROSPERO registration no: CRD42019105736.

Percutaneous Renal Ablation

Incidental small renal cell cancers are increasingly being diagnosed on cross-sectional imaging. This review article describes the indications for percutaneous ablation of small renal cell cancers, choice of ablation technologies and imaging follow-up.

The rate of incidental atypical and malignant breast lesions in reduction mammoplasty specimens.

Reduction mammoplasty (RM) is one of the most common plastic surgeries in the United States. We aimed to demonstrate the rate of incidental atypical and malignant breast lesions (AMBL) found in RM specimens and the impact of the number of submitted tissue sections on the rate of AMBL. We analysed our database for patients who had undergone reduction mammoplasty between 2000 and 2018. Patients with a history of breast cancer were excluded from the study. All pathology reports were analysed for AMBL (ALH, LCIS, FEA, ADH, DCIS, invasive carcinoma). The grossing protocol was to submit 10sections from each breast between 2000 and 2013 and six sections between 2014 and 2018. One hundred and sixty-nine of 5208 patients (3.3%) and 216 of 10340 RM specimens (2.1%) showed at least one AMBL. Nineteen (0.36%) patients had incidental cancer. The median age of patients with AMBL was significantly higher than patients without ABL (aged 59years versus 45years). There was no cancer in patients aged <30years. The age-controlled rate of overall AMBL as well as atypia and cancer only did not decrease by submitting fewer sections during the 2014-18 period compared to the 2010-13 period. Decreasing the number of tissue sections from 10 to six did not lead to a significant decrease in the rate of overall AMBL or cancer. Our data suggest that submitting six tissue sections from each breast for patients aged >30years and two sections from each breast for patients aged <30years would be sufficient.

SUN-LB77 Incidental Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Uncommon Entity

Background:Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an aggressive thyroid malignancy with a median survival of 3 to 9 months. It is rare and represents 2-5% of all thyroid tumors. Even more uncommonly in about 2%–6% of all ATC cases, it is identified as a small, incidental finding after surgical resection of a predominantly non-anaplastic tumor.Clinical Case:We report a case of 67 year old Caucasian male who presented with history of hoarseness of voice for one month. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of right dominant thyroid nodule revealed papillary thyroid cancer. Pre-operative imaging was negative for involvement of surrounding structures or distant metastasis. He underwent total thyroidectomy and final pathology revealed Anaplastic carcinoma arising in papillary carcinoma measuring 3.6cm in greatest dimension. Undifferentiated (Anaplastic) Carcinoma comprised approximately 5% of the tumor. Areas from anaplastic and papillary tumor were dissected separately. DNA separated from these two specimens were analyzed by PCR amplification and both were positive for BRAF mutation. External beam radiation and radioactive iodine therapy were administered after surgery. Given absence of invasion or metastasis adjuvant therapy was not initiated. His positron emission tomography, computed tomography imaging and whole-body scan has been negative for residual/ recurrent or metastatic disease. He remains disease free at 18 months after diagnosis.Discussion:Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare but highly aggressive tumor. In most cases it develops from a pre-existing well differentiated thyroid cancer. ATC incidence typically peaks at the 6-7th decade of life, predominantly in women. The median survival is between 3 to 9 months with less than 10% of patients alive 3 years after the time of diagnosis. Because of its aggressive behavior, the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual classifies all Anaplastic thyroid cancer Stage IV tumors. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the conventional therapeutic strategies performed in the attempt to improve survival.However, incidental anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare variant with very few reported cases. American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines for Management of Patients with ATC do not include specific recommendations for this form of ATC. There is no consensus to define best treatment approach as to whether intrathyroidal incidentally detected ATC is best treated with surgery alone, surgery followed by radiotherapy, or surgery followed by chemotherapy plus radiation therapy.Conclusion:Based on review of our case as well as outcomes of similar reported cases, prognosis is favorable for incidental anaplastic thyroid cancer. Hopefully, with more data from similar cases to demonstrate difference in disease free survival we should be able to define the role of chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy for incidental ATC better. The question remains open, as to whether incidental anaplastic thyroid cancer should be considered as a separate entity from aggressive form of ATC.

Incidental Testicular Pathologies in Patients With Idiopathic Hydrocele Testis: Is Preoperative Scrotal Ultrasound Justified?

Hydrocele testis is a common disease with a prevalence of 1% in adults. Although it can be diagnosed by physical examination, scrotal ultrasound represents a standard diagnostic tool, to exclude underlying pathologies among them testicular or scrotal malignancies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 156 patients aged between 20 and 60 years who underwent surgical hydrocelectomy between 2003 and 2018. Pre-surgical ultrasound, histological results, complications and patients' characteristics were analysed. Malignancies were found in 0% of patients in the pre-surgical ultrasound. Interestingly, we found a higher incidence of hydrocele testis in patients with increasing age and 27% presented with symptoms other than painless enlargement of the scrotum. Among them recurrent pain was the most common. Surgical complications occurred in only 3.2%. Testicular cancer is an important differential diagnosis of hydrocele testis. However, in our study no case of incidental testicular cancer or scrotal malignancy was found in the pre-surgical ultrasound.

Clinicopathological Profile of Thyroid Carcinomas: A 10-Year Experience in a Tertiary Care Institute

Objective: Thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland and thyroid cancers (TC) are the most noteworthy disease of the thyroid gland. Although thyroid surgery is performed for most particularly for malignancy, thyroidectomies still maintain a large part of surgical operations. We aimed to investigate the incidence and subtypes of the thyroid cancers in present study, with our 10 years experience of thyroid surgery.Methods: Data of patients who underwent thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who underwent bilateral total thyroidectomy were included to the study. Patients’ age, gender and histopathological results were recorded. According to the histopathological reports we divided the patients into two groups either as benign or malignant.Results: A total of 3632 patients were included in the study. 2999 (82.6%) patients were in benign group and 633(17.4%) patients were in malignant group. The subtypes of malignant tumors were papillary carcinoma in 591 (93.4%), medullary carcinoma in 16 (2.5%), follicular carcinoma in 14 (2.2%), oncocytic (hurtle cell) carcinoma in 7 (1.1%) and undifferentiated (anaplastic) in 5(0.8%) of the cases.Conclusion: Incidental thyroid cancers are not a rare entity after pathological examination of thyroid specimen after surgery. Therefore, we suggest careful evaluation and bilateral leb lobectomy ectomy in surgical treatment of thyroid conditions

Development and outcomes of a comprehensive multidisciplinary incidental lung nodule and lung cancer screening program

BackgroundAppropriate management of lung nodules detected incidentally or through lung cancer screening can increase the rate of early-stage diagnoses and potentially improve treatment outcomes. However, the implementation and management of comprehensive lung nodule programs is challenging.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective report describes the development and outcomes of a comprehensive lung nodule program at a community practice in Tennessee. Computed tomography (CT) scans potentially revealing incidental lung nodules were identified by a computerized search. Incidental or screening-identified lung nodules that were enlarging or not seen in prior scans were entered into a nodule database and guideline-based review determined whether to conduct a diagnostic intervention or radiologic follow-up. Referral rates, diagnosis methods, stage distribution, treatment modalities, and days to treatment are reported.ResultsThe number of patients with lung nodules referred to the program increased over 2 years, from 665 patients in Year 1 to 745 patients in Year 2. Most nodules were incidental (62–65%). Nodules identified with symptoms (15.2% in Year 1) or through screening (12.6% in Year 1) were less common. In Year 1, 27% (182/665) of nodules required a diagnostic intervention and 18% (121/665) were malignant. Most diagnostic interventions were image-guided bronchoscopy (88%) or percutaneous biopsy (9%). The proportion of Stage I-II cancer diagnoses increased from 23% prior to program implementation to 36% in Year 1 and 38% in Year 2. In screening cases, 71% of patients completed follow-up scans within 18 months. Only 2% of Year 1 patients under watchful waiting required a diagnostic intervention, of which 1% received a cancer diagnosis.ConclusionsThe current study reports outcomes over the first 2 years of a lung cancer screening and incidental nodule program. The results show that the program was successful, given the appropriate level of data management and oversight. Comprehensive lung nodule programs have the potential to benefit the patient, physician, and hospital system.

Efficacy of Fibrin Sealants in Preventing Seroma Formation in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Single Surgeon's Experience.

Fibrin sealant is a controversial method for reducing seroma formation. It is comprised of human proclotting factors, fibrinogen and thrombin. Fibrin sealants have been extensively studied for their efficacy in reducing the rates of seroma by sealing the dead space; however, in most studies, the sealants are used with surgical drains. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fibrin sealant carries the risk of life-threatening thromboembolic complications, gas emboli, and transmission of infectious agents. Despite these concerns, many plastic surgeons use such products in ambulatory surgeries even though its effect on seroma formation has yet to be elucidated. The aim of our study is to determine the efficacy of fibrin sealants in seroma prevention in reduction mammoplasty with and without surgical drains. A retrospective chart review was performed of all bilateral reduction mammaplasty by a single-surgeon from 2014 to 2018. Patients had at least 90 days postoperative follow-up. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients younger than 18 years, had prior breast surgery, or had an incidental cancer diagnosis in breast reduction tissue specimen. On analysis, 159 patients met inclusion criteria and were categorized into group 1, with fibrin sealant (n = 101) and group 2, no fibrin sealant (n = 58). There were no statistical differences in patient demographics. There was no significant difference in the incidence of seroma between group 1 and group 2 (21% vs 19%, P = 0.782). Group 1 incidence of seroma was further analyzed by sealant type: Tisseal, Floseal, and Evicel (12% vs 27% vs 23%, P = 0.436). In group 1, the use of sealant alone was more likely to result in seroma formation when compared with the combination of sealant and surgical drains (25% vs 8%, P = 0.069). There is no difference in rate of seroma formation with the use of fibrin sealants in reduction mammaplasty. The use of fibrin sealants without surgical drains may increase the rate of seromas. Plastic surgeons could consider weighing the risk versus benefits in using fibrin sealants with or without drains in ambulatory surgeries.

Modelling the value of risk-stratified skin cancer screening of asymptomatic patients by dermatologists.

Total-body skin examination (TBSE) by dermatologists detects incidental skin cancers, but there is insufficient evidence for screening guidelines. As a result, the decision to perform screening TBSE in patients presenting for a focused visit is left to the dermatologist's discretion. To model the financial and time tradeoffs of risk-stratified skin cancer screening by dermatologists in patients presenting with unrelated focused complaints. We performed an economic evaluation incorporating data from a previously published prospective multicentre international study in addition to US demographic data on age and skin phototype (SPT). The mean number needed to examine (NNE) for all US adults was 105 at an additional cost of $3796 per skin cancer detected when performing TBSE on a patient who presents for a focused exam. The NNE consistently decreased with increasing age and lighter SPT for every age and SPT screening threshold. The cost per person screened increased with higher age and lighter SPT owing to the higher likelihood of incurring diagnostic biopsies. The additional face-to-face time required per skin cancer detected by performing TBSE in patients who present for a focused visit was 4·5 h for all adults. We used a diverse cohort of international patients that did not include Americans and because of a low event rate, we combined detection of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Incidental skin cancers are detected by screening TBSE and its value can be enhanced through consideration of patients' age and SPT, which are established and readily identifiable skin cancer risk factors. What is already known about this topic? Risk stratification of asymptomatic individuals using age and skin phototype (SPT) can enhance the value of total-body skin examination when performed in the clinic by a dermatologist. What does this study add? For every age and SPT screening threshold, the number needed to examine to identify one skin cancer consistently decreased with increasing age and lighter SPT. When deciding to perform a screening skin examination in patients presenting with a focused complaint, dermatologists may wish to consider a patient's risk using age and SPT to enhance the yield of this intervention. Linked Comment:Ferris. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:417-418.

Tumor Location and Pathological Features of Latent and Incidental Prostate Cancer in Contemporary Japanese Men.

The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in Asian countries. Studies using prostatectomy specimens have reported a racial difference in tumor location within the prostate, with a greater incidence of transition zone cancer in Asian men compared with Caucasian men. However, there may be potential biases in studies based on surgical specimens. We describe the pathological features of subclinical prostate cancer, such as latent cancer and incidental cancer, to elucidate tumor location of contemporary Japanese patients. We also compare the prevalence of latent and incidental prostate cancer to determine whether the incidence of prostate cancer is higher in patients with bladder cancer. Overall 182 men autopsied and 148 who underwent cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer were included in the study. Each prostate gland was fixed and sliced in step sections. Histological evaluation was performed by a single genitourinary pathologist. The index tumor location was categorized into transition zone or peripheral zone. Prostate cancer was found in 39.0% of the autopsy specimens and 31.6% of the cystoprostatectomy specimens. The prevalence and pathological characteristics were not significantly different between latent and incidental cancer. The prevalence of transition zone cancer was 39.0% (46 of 118). In elderly men peripheral zone cancer was more frequently diagnosed than transition zone cancer (p=0.049). The pathological characteristics of transition and peripheral zone cancers were similar except for the pT stage. Transition zone cancer was prevalent in contemporary Japanese men. The incidence of prostate cancer in men with bladder cancer might not be higher than that in healthy men.

Prevention of bile spillage during cholecystectomy: current evidences and considerations.

We really appreciated Geramizadeh, “ Bile spillage and incidental gall bladder adenocarcinoma ”, and Sandstrom et al ., “ Bile spillage should be avoided in elective cholecystectomy ” (1,2). Both papers have been recently published in HepatoBiliary Surgery and Nutrition , 2019 (1,2). Starting from an analysis of the recent paper by Horkoff et al . “ Adverse outcomes after bile spillage in incidental gall bladder cancer ” in Annals of Surgery April 2019, they introduced a comprehensive discussion about epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy, prognostic factors and outcomes of incidental gallbladder cancer (1-3). They analyzed the possible risks related to bile spillage after cholecystectomy, in particular (1,2).