Local Disease-free Survival Research Articles

Targeted endoscopic salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Despite modern radiotherapy and open surgical techniques, treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains challenging, with substantial morbidity involved. Targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy was evaluated as a viable oncologic alternative to open nasopharyngectomy or radiation for recurrent NPC. Thirteen patients who underwent endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC between August 2005 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Average age at surgery was 55.7 years, with mean follow-up period 24.2 months. Two-year disease-free survival, 2-year overall survival, margin status, and complication rate were measured. Including resections for subsequent recurrences, 19 endoscopic procedures were performed with curative intent. Mean operating room (OR) time was 278 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 197 mL, and mean length of hospitalization was 1.0 days. Negative margins were obtained in 78.9% of procedures: positive margins involved the parapharyngeal space, oropharynx, fossa of Rosenmuller, and infratemporal fossa. Stereotactic radiation was given postoperatively for localized positive margins. Four patients required repeat endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for re-recurrence, despite having their margins cleared or controlled with adjuvant treatment. Two-year local disease-free and overall survival rates were 69.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The overall minor complication rate was 52.6%, with no major complications. Targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is beneficial in locally recurrent NPC, with favorable morbidity and complication rates. Endoscopic surveillance and serial imaging together facilitate the early identification of re-recurrences, which often may be treated with additional directed resection. Postoperative stereotactic radiation may serve as an appropriate adjunct modality for disease control at positive margins.

Neck dissection field and lymph node density predict prognosis in patients with oral cavity cancer and pathological node metastases treated with adjuvant therapy

Pathological lymph node metastases (pN+) are an established prognostic factor in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We retrospectively examined the prognostic significance of lymph node (LN) density in pN+ OSCC patients who underwent neck dissection (ND) and postoperative adjuvant therapy. We examined 309 pN+ patients who underwent levels I-III ND and 148 pN+ patients treated with levels I-V ND. The 5-year control and survival rates served as the main outcome measures. The 5-year rates for patients treated with levels I-III and I-V NDs were as follows: local control, 79%, 74% (p=0.0630); neck control, 81%, 68% (p=0.0014); distant metastasis, 21%, 36% (p=0.0003); disease-free survival (DFS), 59%, 43% (p=0.0001); disease-specific survival (DSS), 66%, 46% (p<0.0001); and overall survival (OS), 49%, 37% (p=0.0048), respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an LN density ≥0.16 was an independent prognostic factor for 5-year neck control (all data presented as p, hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) (0.003, 2.691 [1.412-5.128]), distant metastases (0.001, 2.831 [1.520-5.270]), DFS (<0.001, 2.464 [1.571-3.866]), and DSS (0.036, 1.781 [1.040-3.052]) in levels I-III ND patients. An LN density ≥0.048 was an independent predictor of 5-year local control (0.004, 4.871 [1.654-14.344]), neck control (0.002, 24.738 [3.367-181.771]), DFS (<0.001, 4.151 [2.264-7.610]), DSS (<0.001, 3.791 [2.017-7.125]), and OS (<0.001, 2.806 [1.706-4.613]) in levels I-V ND patients. Our findings demonstrate the prognostic value of LN density for guiding treatment strategies in OSCC patients who are to receive adjuvant therapy.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: Critical appraisal of five-year, single-center outcomes.

99 Background: Approximately 5,000 patients undergo breast reconstruction annually in the United Kingdom (2:1 ratio of immediate versus delayed respectively). Preservation of the breast envelope, i.e., skin and nipple areola complex (NAC) improves cosmesis. While skin-sparing mastectomy is an accepted modality for local control in appropriately selected patients, nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) remains controversial. In over 1,800 published NSM cases, the local event rate attributable to NAC preservation following NSM (therapeutic and prophylactic) is 0.16% with no evidence of deleterious impact on disease-free survival. In our cohort, patient selection criteria included: preoperative lesion characterisation; 5-mm margin acceptance; submission of separate nipple core specimens for paraffin block histological assessment and re-excision of all involved margins. This study is intended to evaluate the efficacy of loco-regional control in a consecutive cohort of patients, under uniform conditions undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. We highlight the surgical technique used and propose in/exclusion criteria for appropriate patient selection. Methods: 84 consecutive patients underwent NSM and IBR at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, UK (IJL, RD) between January 2004 and December 2008. Data was accrued retrospectively from the institution’s clinical coding, electronic records, and WinPath database. Endpoints recorded include: the incidence of (occult) malignancy at the nipple margins; NAC subcutaneous tissue loss; local (NAC) recurrence rates and disease free survival. Results: The mean age was 51.1 years and follow-up 4.9 years. There was one case of local recurrence in a patient who declined re-excision of close/involved margins. The immediate peri-operative complication rate was within the national mastectomy breast reconstruction audit outcome guidelines. Conclusions: In appropriately selected patients, our findings support nipple preservation at the time of mastectomy and immediate reconstruction as this enhances the cosmetic outcome without compromising oncologic safety.

Long-term survivor of relapsed MFH on the thigh treated with autologous formalin-fixed tumor vaccine (AFTV) combined with limb-sparing surgery and radiotherapy

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is an aggressive spindle cell cancer of soft-tissue sarcoma type in the elderly, mostly affecting the extremities. Lesions > 5 cm, positive margins, and local recurrence are significant poor prognostic indicators. The strongest predictor for distant metastasis was tumor size (> 5 cm), and for overall survival, presence of local recurrence. Limb-sparing extensive tumor resection is preferred to achieve negative surgical margins. However, in some circumstances, amputation is inevitable. Recent studies demonstrated that adjuvant radiotherapy for microscopically positive surgical margins significantly improved local control and disease-free survival rates. Therefore, effective therapeutic strategies against locally relapsed high grade MFH are required to prevent distant metastasis and to achieve long-term disease-free survival. Here, we report local relapse of high grade MFH treated by successive application of autologous formalin-fixed tumor vaccination (AFTV) with limb-sparing surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. The patient is alive and well, disease-free and with no functional impairment, more than five years after treatment.

Targeted Endoscopic Nasopharyngectomy for Recurrent NPC

Objective: Evaluate targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy as a viable oncologic alternative to open nasopharyngectomy or radiation for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Method: A retrospective analysis at an academic medical center was performed for 13 patients who underwent endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC (August 2005 to August 2010). Three patients had neck metastases for which a neck dissection was concurrently planned. Outcomes measured included 2-year disease-free survival, 2-year overall survival, and complication rates. Results: Including resections for subsequent recurrences, 19 endoscopic procedures were performed. Average age was 55.7 years, with mean follow-up period 24.2 months. Mean OR time was 278 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 197 ml, and mean hospitalization was 1.0 day. Negative margins were obtained in 78.9%: positive margins involved the parapharyngeal space, oropharynx, fossa of Rosenmuller, and infratemporal fossa. Four patients required repeat endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for re-recurrence, despite having margins cleared or controlled with adjuvant treatment. Two-year local disease-free and overall survival rates were 69.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The complication rate was 52.6%, with no major complications. Conclusion: Targeted endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is beneficial in recurrent NPC, with favorable morbidity and complication rates. Endoscopic surveillance facilitates identification of re-recurrences, which often may be treated with additional directed resection. Stereotactic radiation may serve as an appropriate adjunct modality for disease control at positive margins.

The role of radiotherapy in adult medulloblastoma: long-term single-institution experience and a review of the literature

Medulloblastoma (MB) occurs infrequently in adult patients and standard treatment is still controversial. We report our long-term, single-institution experience of adult MB and a review of the literature. We analysed adult patients with histologically proved MB treated by postoperative radiotherapy. Primary endpoints were local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Acute toxicity was reported according to CTC-NCI score vers. 3.0 and specific neuropsychological assessment analysis was performed to define late brain toxicity. From 1990-2008, 13 patients were treated by craniospinal (CSI, 12/13) or cranial irradiation (1/13, because of bad clinical conditions). Median follow up was 101 months (64-218). Complete radiological response was observed in 12/13 patients and a partial response in 1/13. Ten-year LC, OS, and DFS were 91, 76, and 84%, respectively. Two patients died because of local and spinal progression after 13 and 62 months. Acute G3 haematological toxicity (RTOG score) was observed for one patient only. The neuropsychological analysis did not reveal late toxicity related to brain radiotherapy. This experience confirms the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy in adult MB patients, resulting in very interesting 10-year LC and OS.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)/Tomotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIB–IVA/B undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (UCNT): A mono-institutional experience

To evaluate the outcome of Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas (UCNT) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy with Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB), following induction chemotherapy. Between January 2006 and June 2009, 52 patients with stage II B-IVA/B UCNT were treated either with linac-IMRT or Tomotherapy. All patients were scheduled to receive three cycles of cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 38.5 months (range 12.3-64.1), 3 year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and DFS by T2a-2b and T3-T4-stage were 95.0%, 84.6%, 89.0%, and 78.0%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, none of the examined prognostic factors reported statistical significance. N-classification was not a significant predictive factor for either OS or development of distant metastases. T-stage alone had a borderline effect on DFS and development of metastases. No difference between Tomotherapy and linac-IMRT emerged in terms of loco-regional control and development of severe, acute, and late toxicities. The most significant severe, acute toxicities were grade 3 (32.7%) and grade 4 (7.7%) mucositis. No grades 3 and 4 late toxicities were observed. The most commonly observed late effect was xerostomia, 11.5% patients complained grade 2 xerostomia. The severity of grade 2 xerostomia diminished over time with only four patients not improving salivation. IMRT-SIB following neoadjuvant chemotherapy was very satisfactory in terms of local control, regional control, DFS and OS rates in patients with stage IIB to IVB UCNT. In our experience, adding concurrent chemotherapy to IMRT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in loco-regional widespread disease resulted to be the indicated approach.

IGF-1R expression predicts clinical outcome in patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma

To assess the expression of IGF-1R in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients, to explore its relation with clinical and pathologic prognostic factors and its role in predicting clinical outcome. One hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients suffering from oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study from July 1989 to April 2005. Follow-up was closed in May 2010. The mean follow-up for survivors was 110.26±47.42 months. Patients were staged following the TNM classification. Patients in tumour stages I and II were referred to surgery. Patients in stages III-IV were referred to postoperative radiotherapy. Radiation therapy was administered up to a mean dose of 62.13±7.74 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy fractions. IGF-1R expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tumour tissue. IGF-1R was expressed in 101 patients (77.1%). IGF-1R expression was related to tumour grade (P=0.012). Tumour stage was the most important prognostic factor for survival. Low (negative and fairly) IGF-1R tumour expression was correlated to better long-term Local Disease Free Survival (P=0.016), Disease-Free Survival (P=0.029), and Survival (P=0.009) in patients achieving tumour stages III-IV. Low IGF-1R expression was related to better long-term control in patients suffering locally advanced oral carcinoma.

Parotid squamous cell carcinoma: Is it a primary or secondary?

e16002 Background: To evaluate patients with parotid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to see is it a primary or metastatic and determine the outcome of patients. Methods: Fifty-nine patients were identified with parotid SCC through the hospital database, patients’ charts, imaging studies, and computerized notes of the University of Michigan. Results: Fifty patients diagnosed as metastatic SCC of parotid lymph nodes. However, 9 patients diagnosed as primary. Forty seven patients with metastatic SCC treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. The median follow up of these patients was 33 months. The 3-year actuarial cause specific survival was 91%. The 3-year actuarial local recurrence free survival (LRFS) and disease free survival rate were79% and 77% respectively. Positive surgical margin after parotidectomy was the only factor that had statistically significant poor LRFS. Conclusions: The most common site of the primary tumor was a cutaneous SCC of the face. All patients should be considered for facial sparing radical parotidectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Neck dissection or elective neck irradiation for ipsilateral neck is recommended due to high occult LN metastasis. The addition of chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be beneficial and are points of research. Patients’ characteristics. Metastatic SCC (50) No. (%) Primary SCC (9) No. (%) Clinical neck L.N Facial palsy Neck dissection Facial preservation Positive margins PNI Grade of disease Pathologic neck L.N Occult neck L.N spread Neck L.N. ECE Parotid RT Ipsilateral neck RT Bilateral neck RT Chemotherapy Local recurrence Neck recurrence Distant metastasis Cause specific death 8 (16) 2 (3) 44 (88) 34 (68) 19 (38) 13 (26) GI 6 (12) GII 30 (60) GIII 14 (28) 24 /44 (54) 16/36 (44) 9/24 (37) 47 (94) 42 (84) 2 13 (26) 11 (22) 0 2 (Lung) 4 3 (33) 1 (11) 7 (77) 3 (33) 3 (33) 4 (44) GI 2 (22) GII 2 (22) GIII 5 (56) 3/7 (42) 0/4 2/3 (66) 9 (100) 8 (88) 1 4 (44) 0 0 1 (Lung) 0 Abbreviations: SCC: squamous cell carcinoma; L.N: lymph node; PNI: perineural invasion; ECE: extracapsular extension; RT: radiotherapy.

A phase II trial evaluating efficacy of neo-/adjuvant EIA CTX, surgery, and radiation therapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma.

10076 Background: Despite achieving adequate local control with surgery and irradiation (RTX), distant metastasis is a frequent event in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Outcome for this population is dismal. Neo-/adjuvant chemotherapy (nCTX, aCTX) has been applied to eradicate micrometastases and facilitate definite surgery. Here we report on the results of our non-randomized, phase II, NeoWTS trial (EudraCT 2004-002501-72). Methods: Patients with high-risk STS (size >5cm, deep/extracompart. localization, tumor grades II-III) were included. The protocol comprised 4 cycles of nCTX (EIA, etoposide 125 mg/m2 iv day 1 and 4, ifosfamide 1500 mg/m2 iv days 1–4, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 day 1, pegfilgrastim 6 mg sc day 5), definitive surgery with intraoperative RTX, aRTX and 4 adjuvant cycles of EIA. MRI scans were performed every 2 cycles and assessed according to RECIST criteria. Tumorregression was graded according to Salzer-Kuntschik. Results: Between 06/2005 and 03/2010 a total of 50 subjects (male=33, female=17, median age 50.1 years) were enrolled. STS were located in the upper extremity (n=4), lower extremity (n=31), trunk (n=11) and other loc. (n=4). Histological subtypes included liposarcoma (n=12), synovial sarcoma (n=9), NOS (n=9), MFH (n=8), leiomyosarcoma (n=5), and others (n=7) with tumor grades being II (n=21) and III (n=29). Response by RECIST criteria to nCTX was NED (n=3), PR (n=12), SD (n=31) and PD (n=4). Surgical status after nCTX was R0 (n=37), R1 (n=6) and R2 (n=2). Five patients did not undergo definitive surgery. Median follow-up was 30.5 months. Local recurrence occurred in 6 subjects. Distant metastasis was observed in 14 patients. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 2 years was 83% and 63%, respectively. Median OS and DFS were not yet reached. Multivariant analysis failed to prove influence of resection status or grade of histological necrosis on OS or DFS. Severe toxicities included neutropenic fever (4/50), cardiac toxicity (2/50), and CNS toxicity (2/50) leading to CTX dose reductions in 4 subjects. Conclusions: The current protocol is feasible achieving local control rates, OS and DFS comparable to historical data on neo-/adjuvant CTX.

Are biomarkers correlated with recurrence patterns in patients with resectable gastric adenocarcinoma

The aims of this study are to analyze the failure patterns in radical resected gastric adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate the correlation between recurrence patterns and potentially prognostic factors, including clinical pathological characteristic and biomarkers. Between Jan 2004 and Jun 2006, 84 patients were enrolled into the database analysis, including 8 with clinical stage I, 20 with clinical stage II, 21 with clinical stage IIIA, 22 with clinical stage IIIB and 13 with clinical stage IV, male 61 and female 23. The collected biomarkers including: preoperative tumor markers: CEA, AFP, CA199, CA50, CA72-4 and CA24-2; postoperative immunohistochemical (IHC) markers: Bax, Bcl-2, P27, CyclinD1, TOPO2, MDR, GST-π, Ki67, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), P21, P53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), C-myc and Neu. Three-year local control rate (LCR), disease-free survival (DFS) and over-all survival (OS) were 66, 61 and 64% respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed cyclinD1 and CEA were correlated with prognosis; cyclinD1, CEA were correlated with loco-regional recurrence; PCNA was correlated with remote metastasis; bcl-2, ki67, c-myc2 and Neu were correlated with lymph node metastasis. The present study indicate that patterns of recurrence are variable and may be associated with specific biomarkers, in addition, high level of CEA and low-expressed of cyclinD1 resulted in poor prognosis.

Treatment failure after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) has been used as a treatment option for selected patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The primary end-point of this study was disease-free survival (DFS). Prognostic indicators for local and overall DFS were statistically analyzed. Between October 1994 to April 2008, 59 patients who had complete macroscopic cytoreduction after EPP formed the basis of this report. In recent years, selected patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and pemetrexed combined with cisplatin or carboplatin. The clinicopathologic data of all patients were prospectively collected in a computerized database. Statistical analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox-regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The mean age at the time of EPP was 59 (S.D. = 8) years. Nineteen patients (32%) experienced perioperative complications. The median survival was 21 months (range 2 to 104). The local disease recurrence rate was 51%. The median local DFS was 22 months (0 to 73). The overall disease recurrence rate was 64%. The median overall DFS was 18 months (range 0 to 73). In multivariate analysis, epithelial subtype (p = 0.026) and adjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.023) were independently associated with an improved local DFS. Adjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.011) was also independently associated with an improved overall DFS. This study demonstrated that that local disease failure was still a considerable clinical problem following complete EPP. The data also showed that patients with epithelial histology and receiving adjuvant radiotherapy were associated with an improved disease control.

Helical tomotherapy for radiochemotherapy in esophageal cancer: a preferred plan?

The addition of systemic chemotherapy to local radiationfortherapy in the non-surgicalHowever, ment of esophageal cancer has offered the opportunity long-term survival (1). this survival benefit has come at the cost of increased side effects. The standard dose of radiation remains up to 50 Gy in the definitive or pre-operative setting despite previous attempts to dose escalate (2). Even at this modest dose, the majority of concurrent chemoradiation patients experience grade 3 or higher toxicities when utilizing conventional radiation techniques. When concurrent chemotherapy and radiation are delivered neoadjuvantly, the combination appears to increase resectability, produce tumor downstaging and may impact local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival (3-5). This tri-modality approach, while relatively effective, has been shown with peri-operative rates of toxicity of 11-12% (6). The esophagus is a centrally located structure, surrounded by the lungs, normal esophagus, heart and spinal cord. For the treating radiation oncologist, achieving adequate dose to the gross tumor volume and adjacent clinical targets while limiting dose to the surrounding critical normal tissues represents a therapeutic challenge.

Prognostic value of the expression of EGFR and nm23 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nm23 in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods From 2003 to 2006, 127 NPC patients who had undergone biopsy before radiotherapy were reviewed retrospectively. All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy using 6 MV X-rays combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry SP method was adopted to detect the expression of EGFR and nm23 in NPC biopsy specimens . The relationship between the expression of EGFR and nm23 and survival was analyzed. Results The positive rate of EGFR and nm23 were 80.3% and 47. 2% respectively. The nm23expression was correlated with distant metastasis (χ2=7.03, P = 0. 008 ). The 5-year estimated local control, over-all survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 58.3% ,53.5% and 46. 5%. Patients with negative expression of EGFR had a significantly better 5-year OS, DFS (χ2=8.23, P=0.004;χ2=5.25,P=0.022) than those with positive expression. Patients with positive expression of nm23 had a significantly higher 5-year OS (χ2=15.68, P = 0. 000) and DFS (χ2=14. 85, P = 0. 000) than those with negative expression. The clinical stage, EGFR and nm23 expression were independent prognostic factors shown by Cox proportional hazard model (χ2=23.03, 18.33, 39.92, P= 0.000, 0.000, 0.000).Conclusions The EFGR and nm23 expression were correlated with the prognosis in NPC patients. Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Epidermal growth factor receptor; nm23; Prognosis

Abstract No. 144: Radiofrequency ablation of colorectal metastases: 10-year follow-up local response rate, disease-free and long-term survival

Abstract No. 144: Radiofrequency ablation of colorectal metastases: 10-year follow-up local response rate, disease-free and long-term survival

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: Patterns of failure after resection and benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy.

254 Background: Ampullary carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Despite radical resection, survival rates remain low with high rates of local failure. To define the role of radiation therapy and chemotherapy with surgery, we performed a single institution analysis of treatment- related outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients undergoing potentially curative therapy for adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater at Duke University Hospitals between 1975 and 2009. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and metastases-free survival (MFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier Method. Results: One hundred thirty-seven patients with ampullary carcinoma underwent potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy. Sixty-one patients undergoing resection received adjuvant (n= 43) or neoadjuvant (n=18) radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy (CRT). Patients receiving radiotherapy were more likely to have poorly differentiated tumors. Median radiation dose was 50 Gy. Median follow up was 8.8 years. Of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, 67% were downstaged on final pathology with 28% achieving pathologic complete response. Three-year local control was significantly improved in patients receiving CRT (88% vs. 55% p= 0.001) with trend toward a 3-year OS benefit in patients receiving CRT (62% vs. 46% p=0.074). Despite this, there was no significant difference in 3-year DFS (66% CRT vs 48% surgery alone p=0.09) or MFS (69% CRT vs 63% surgery alone p=0.337). Conclusions: Long term survival rates are low. Local failure rates are high following radical resection alone and improved with CRT. Despite more adverse pathologic features in patients receiving CRT, survival outcomes were at least equivalent with a trend toward statistical significance. Given the patterns of relapse with surgery alone and local control benefit in patients receiving CRT, the use of chemoradiotherapy in selected patients should be considered. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of segmental transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using ethiodized oil mixed with cisplatin powder for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

292 Background: Conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using with ethiodized oil mixed with epirubicin or doxorubicin hydrochloride mainly has been widely adapted for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, cisplatin has stronger effect for HCC than epirubicin and in the recent years cisplatin powder was commercially available in Japan and then we can use cisplatin powder mixed with ethiodized oil for HCC. We conducted a phase II study to assess the safety and efficacy of segmental or subsegmental (Seg/Subseg) TACE using a suspension of cisplatin powder mixed with ethiodized oil for unresectable HCC. Methods: Twenty patients with single-nodule HCC that was not indicated for surgical treatment or local ablation therapy were enrolled in this study. Seg/Subseg-TACE was performed by using a 2-F tip microcatheter at a distal portion of the subsegmental artery supplying the tumor. Subsequently, the feeding artery was embolized with gelatin sponge particles. The suspension was prepared by mixing 100 mg of cisplatin powder with 10 ml of ethiodized oil. Primary endpoint of this phase II trial was 2-year local disease free survival (DFS); secondary endpoints evaluated were the safety, time to progression (TTP), and 2-year overall survival (OS) rate. Results: A total of 20 patients (male 15, female 5; mean age 72.4, range 62-83; Child Pugh's A 20) were treated single nodule HCC with Seg/subseg TACE. Median tumor size was 2.6cm (range1.2-5.0cm). The 2-year local DFS was 63.2 %. The following grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed: platelets reduction 5%, aspartate transaminase elevation 55%, alanine transaminase elevation 40% and alkaline phosphatase elevation 5%. The median TTP was 17.6 months (95%CI, 5.25 to 29.9) and the 2-year OS rate was 94.7%. Conclusions: This phase II study demonstrates that segmental or subsegmental transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using a suspension of cisplatin powder mixed with ethiodized oil is well tolerable, and may achieve significant local tumor control and prolong survival. Further clinical trials are warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic Assessment and Adjuvant Treatment Strategies Within Early-Stage, Sporadic Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients

An adjuvant chemotherapeutic standard has not been identified in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) yet. One hundred and forty-one adjuvant treated TNBC patients had a median follow-up of 71 months. Larger tumor size (p = .005) and positive lymph-node status (p = .033) were associated with a significant shorter overall survival. Sixty-one percent of patients received anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, 28.4% a non-anthracycline-containing regimen, and 10.6% an anthracycline/taxane-containing regimen. Overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence-free survival and distant disease-free survival did not differ between the chemotherapeutic groups. Non-anthracycline-containing regimen appeared to be an effective treatment in TNBC.

Compartmental tongue surgery: Long term oncologic results in the treatment of tongue cancer

Compartmental tongue surgery (CTS) is a surgical technique that removes the compartments (anatomo-functional units) containing the primary tumor, eliminating the disease and potential muscular, vascular, glandular and lymphatic pathways of spread and recurrence. Compartment boundaries are defined as each hemi-tongue bounded by the lingual septum, the stylohyoid ligament and muscle, and the mylohyoid muscle. In this non-randomized retrospective study we evaluated the oncologic efficacy of CTS in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the tongue treated from 1995 to 2008. We evaluated 193 patients with primary, previously untreated cT2-4a, cN0, cN+, M0 SCCA with no contraindication to anesthesia and able to give informed consent. Fifty patients treated between October 1995 and July 1999 received standard surgery (resection margin >1cm); 143 patients treated between July 1999 and January 2008 received CTS. Study endpoints were: 5-year local disease-free, locoregional disease-free and overall survival. After 5years, local disease control was achieved in 88.4% of CTS patients (16.8% improvement on standard surgery); locoregional disease control in 83.5% (24.4% improvement) and overall survival was 70.7% (27.3% improvement). The markedly improved outcomes in CTS patients, compared to those treated by standard surgery, suggest CTS as an important new approach in the surgical management of tongue cancer.

Retrospective comparison of non-skin-sparing mastectomy and skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.

Background. We compared Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction and Non-skin-sparing mastectomy (NSSM), various types of incision in SSM. Method. Records of 202 consecutive breast cancer patients were reviewed retrospectively. Also in the SSM, three types of skin incision were used. Type A was a periareolar incision with a lateral extension, type B was a periareolar incision and axillary incision, and type C included straight incisions, a small elliptical incision (base line of nipple) within areolar complex and axillary incision. Results. Seventy-three SSMs and 129 NSSMs were performed. The mean follow-up was 30.0 (SSM) and 41.1 (NSSM) months. Respective values for the two groups were: mean age 47.0 and 57; seven-year cumulative local disease-free survival 92.1% and 95.2%; post operative skin necrosis 4.1% and 3.1%. In the SSM, average areolar diameter in type A & B was 35.4 mm, 43.0 mm in type C and postoperative nipple-areolar plasty was performed 61% in type A & B, 17% in type C, respectively. Conclusion. SSM for early breast cancer is associated with low morbidity and oncological safety that are as good as those of NSSM. Also in SSM, Type C is far superior as regards cost and cosmetic outcomes.