Occult Metastases Research Articles

Noninvasive Prediction of Occult Peritoneal Metastasis in Gastric Cancer Using Deep Learning

Occult peritoneal metastasis frequently occurs in patients with advanced gastric cancer and is poorly diagnosed with currently available tools. Because the presence of peritoneal metastasis precludes the possibility of curative surgery, there is an unmet need for a noninvasive approach to reliably identify patients with occult peritoneal metastasis. To assess the use of a deep learning model for predicting occult peritoneal metastasis based on preoperative computed tomography images. In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, a deep convolutional neural network, the Peritoneal Metastasis Network (PMetNet), was trained to predict occult peritoneal metastasis based on preoperative computed tomography images. Data from a cohort of 1225 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China) were used for training purposes. To externally validate the model, data were collected from 2 independent cohorts comprising a total of 753 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery at Nanfang Hospital (Guangzhou, China) or the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Guangzhou, China). The status of peritoneal metastasis for all patients was confirmed by pathological examination of pleural specimens obtained during surgery. Detailed clinicopathological data were collected for each patient. Data analysis was performed between September 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve were analyzed to evaluate performance in predicting occult peritoneal metastasis. A total of 1978 patients (mean [SD] age, 56.0 [12.2] years; 1350 [68.3%] male) were included in the study. The PMetNet model achieved an AUC of 0.946 (95% CI, 0.927-0.965), with a sensitivity of 75.4% and a specificity of 92.9% in external validation cohort 1. In external validation cohort 2, the AUC was 0.920 (95% CI, 0.848-0.992), with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 98.2%. The discrimination performance of PMetNet was substantially higher than conventional clinicopathological factors (AUC range, 0.51-0.63). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, PMetNet was an independent predictor of occult peritoneal metastasis. The findings of this cohort study suggest that the PMetNet model can serve as a reliable noninvasive tool for early identification of patients with clinically occult peritoneal metastasis, which will inform individualized preoperative treatment decision-making and may avoid unnecessary surgery and complications. These results warrant further validation in prospective studies.

Lymph node metastasis in cT1/T2 buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma: A subsite-specific study

Objectives: To analyze the incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis in cT1/T2 buccal mucosa cancers, correlate it with the depth of invasion and study the percentage of occult metastasis. Through this study, we also attempt to look into subsite-specific buccal mucosa data which are lacking in literature and will help us improve the understanding of the disease. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data of 109 patients with cT1/T2 buccal mucosa cancer operated from January 2018 to August 2019 was done. Information regarding the pathological T stage, depth of invasion, presence or absence of cervical node metastasis, occult metastasis, size of the metastatic lymph nodes, and the presence of extracapsular extension was collected from the final histopathology reports. Results: Twenty-five out of 109 (22.94%) patients had cervical node metastasis. Nine out of 93 (9.68%) clinically N0 patients had occult metastasis. No metastasis was observed for the patients with depth of invasion

A nomogram of preoperative predictors for occult metastasis in patients with PDAC during laparoscopic exploration.

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, most of patients lose the chance of surgery due to the unresectable disease at the time of diagnosis. Despite the improvement of radiological imaging, a portion of patients intended for radical resection were proven to be unresectable at surgical exploration due to occult metastasis. Patients who were aimed to undergo radical pancreatectomy for PDAC from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients included underwent diagnostic laparoscopic exploration. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether distant metastasis were encountered during exploration. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for occult metastasis. A nomogram to predict occult metastasis of PDAC on exploration was developed and evaluated. A total of 273 patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopic exploration were included in this study. Nineteen (7.0%) patients were found with distant metastasis during exploration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ALT>40U/L, CA19-9, CA125 and regional nodes enlargement were independent predictors for occult metastasis. Incorporating these four factors, the nomogram achieved concordance index of 0.799, with a well-fitted calibration curve. Occult metastasis is not unusual during surgical exploration in patients with resectable or borderline resectable PDAC. The nomogram could achieve a personal prediction of unexpected distant metastasis on exploration. It may help to sift through patients with PDAC who would benefit from laparoscopic exploration.

Clinical diagnostic criteria versus advanced imaging in prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinomas: A magnetic resonance imaging based study.

CONTEXT AND AIM:The inaccuracies in clinical examination have been well documented, while advanced imaging modalities, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been shown to have superior diagnostic accuracy in detecting occult and nodal metastasis. The aim of the present study was to identify as well as evaluate the inaccuracies in clinical examination and of clinical diagnostic criteria in known cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) with the help of MRI.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 24 patients attending as outpatients were included in the study, while clinically diagnosed and histopathologically proven cases of OSCC were examined clinically and then subjected to advanced imaging with the help of MRI.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), while paired t-test was performed for evaluating the size of tumor and lymph node recorded on clinical and imaging findings. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:Detection of tumor size and lymph node metastasis was found to be higher in case of MRI than when accomplished by clinical staging alone, while paired t-test values for difference in results were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The present study showed that clinical diagnostic criteria alone were not sufficient and reliable for detecting metastatic lymphadenopathy, highlighting the significance of advanced imaging modalities such as MRI for an efficient preoperative diagnostic workup, as well a tool for planning treatment in patients with OSCCs.

Role of Ovarian Fertility Sparing Surgery (FSS) in Cases of Early Stage 1 Ovarian Cancer in Patients in Reproductive Age Group

Objective: To assess the role of FSS in women with early stage 1 ovarian cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective analytic study of the results of treatment of 24 patients all under 40 years of age who underwent a full conservative staging laparotomy procedure in oncology center of El Shatby Maternity hospital, Alexandria University in the period of one year from October 2019 to September 2020. All patients were followed up for a six month period following surgery by the pre-operatively elevated tumor marker and by a CT abdomen and pelvis to detect any tumor recurrence. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 24.29 Years. 6/24 (25%) of surface epithelial tumor were G1, 8/24 (33.3%) were G2, 4/24 (16.7%) were G3. 20/24 (83.3%) of patients were stage FIGO 1a, 4/25 (16.7%) were stage 1b, and none of them was stage 1c. 20/24 (83.3%) of patients were stage FIGO 1a, 4/25 (16.7%) were stage 1b, and none of them was stage 1c. Recurrence was reported in 3/24 of cases (12.5%), such 3 cases underwent unilateral SO plus a FCSLP. No recurrence was reported in cases of bilateral tumors that underwent unilateral SO and a contralateral cystectomy. 100% of recurrence was in epithelial tumors. 1/24 (4.1%) was clear cell, 1/24 (4.1%) was serous and 1/24 (4.1%) was mucinous. None of the endometroid tumors did recur. Also none of the non-epithelial tumors showed any recurrence. Tumors of G1 showed no recurrence, G2 tumors showed 33.3% recurrence and G3 tumors showed the highest recurrence rate (66.6%). Conclusion: ovarian FSS is a safe surgical option for nearly all OC patients with low risk of recurrence, with apparently early stage OC, after being confirmed by a FCSLP to exclude any occult metastasis (occult advanced stage OC), including those cases of early epithelial OC, germ cell and gonadal stromal tumors and it should be considered for patients who have a strong desire to keep their fertility.

Primary Tumour Characteristics Poorly Correlate with Extracapsular Spread and Cervical Sublevel IIb Metastasis in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinically N0 Neck: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction:Nodal metastasis reduces the survival by 50% in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinomas. The presence of nodal extension/extracapsular spread (ECS) further reduces survival. Current literature favors a selective level IIb sparing neck dissection in clinically N0 neck. Studies have evaluated the role of primary tumour size, number of lymph nodes, and depth of invasion (DOI) with the occurrence of extranodal extension (ENE).Patients and Methods:Patients were retrospectively reviewed who presented with oral cavity carcinomas and clinically N0 neck. Relationship was sought between tumour site, size, histological grading, DOI, and the occurrence of level IIb metastasis and ECS. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The relationship showed insignificant correlation with P values (0.6643, 0.6704, 0.6779, and 0.6779) between site, size, grading, DOI, and level IIb and ENE.Discussion:Previous studies have shown DOI >5 mm and lymph node size 15 mm and multiple lymph nodes predict ECS. DOI and primary site with more than 20% for occult metastasis predicts elective neck treatment. However, in our study, no correlation was found between primary tumour characteristics and ECS or level IIb metastasis. Elective neck dissection is the standard surgical protocol from both diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints. The only criterion for level IIb dissection is concomitant presence of level IIa involvement intraoperatively. Since ENE can occur early in the disease process, elective neck dissection remains the standard of care.

Elective neck dissection in primary parotid carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the rate of occult cervical lymph node metastases in cN0 patients affected by primary parotid carcinomas and to scrutinize the evidence on the indication and extent of elective neck dissection in these neoplasms. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched until August 31, 2020, to identify studies reporting the use of elective neck dissection in the management of malignant parotid tumours. The PRISMA checklist was used. A single arm meta-analysis was then made to determine the pooled rate of occult lymph node metastases. Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed through the ROBINS-E tool. The initial search returned 20541 articles, of which twelve met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. They comprised 1310 patients with parotid carcinoma, of whom 542 cN0 underwent elective neck dissection, which led to the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (pN+/cN0) in 113 cases. Meta-analysis of the results of elective neck dissection showed an overall rate of occult metastases of 0.22 (99% CI: 0.14-0.30). Locally advanced or high-grade tumours were the commonest indications for elective neck dissection in the included studies. The most dissected lymph node levels were I-II-III, and level II was the commonest site of occult nodal metastases. An occult metastasis rate of 0.22 (99% CI: 0.14-0.30) represents a not negligible percentage value, which should encourage further research to outline the most appropriate elective neck management in cN0 patients with parotid carcinomas.

Nötrofil Lenfosit Oranı Evre 1 Testis Tümörünün Okkült Metastaz Parametrelerinde Bir Markır Olabilir mi?

Objective: Neutrophile-Lymphocyte (NLR) and Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) comparison is an easy to use and cost-effective method in diagnosis of some cancers and diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate if NLR / PLR ratio evaluation could be utilized in diagnosis of testicular malignencies especially in early-term with occult metastasis. Methods: A total of 40 patients at stage-I, who have undergone radical inguinal orchiectomy intervention for testicular tumor between 2015 and 2019, and 43 control individuals without any testicular complaints were included in this retrospective study. The relationship between pathological risk factors for occult metastatic disease in Stage-I testicular cancer and NLR-PLR values were investigated. Results: The average age was 30.05 years, and there was no significant difference between the groups by means of age (p=0.150). The NLR and PLR values of the tumor group were prominently higher in the patient group, when compared with the control group (p=0.001 and 0.016, respectively). In the correlation analysis between risk-factors for occult metastatic disease in Stage-I testicular cancer and NLR / PLR, we have found that only a significant correlation was present in terms of tumor size. Conclusion: As a result, we have concluded that NLR increases in all types of testicular tumors. We suggest that higher NLR ratio values can be used as prognostic marker in clinical practice.

Cervical lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: a retrospective study on pattern of involvement and clinical analysis.

Background The study was performed with an aim to map the pattern of metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas of buccal mucosa to various cervical lymph node levels and analyze its correlation with primary tumor size and histo-pathological grading. Material and Methods 254 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa treated with surgery first approach were analyzed retrospectively. The tumor size was noted from pre-operative CT Scans and were divided into early and advanced tumors. The resected specimen was studied to note the histo-pathological grading of the squamous cell carcinoma and the metastatic deposits at various lymph node levels. Results Out of 254 patients (149 females, 105 males), 145 patients showed histo-pathologically proven metastatic deposits in one or more lymph nodes out of which there were 56 patients showing occult metastasis. 78/145 patients showed metastatic involvement of level IB and/or IA lymph nodes, 31 showed involvement of level II and/or I lymph nodes, 27 showed involvement of level III with or without involvement of level I and II and 9 showed metastasis to level IV and V lymph nodes with or without level I, II or III lymph nodes. Cervical lymph node metastasis had statistically significant association with tumor size with advanced tumors showing worse pattern of metastatic spread beyond level I and II lymph nodes. As the degree of differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma reduced, they were more prone for cervical metastasis with moderately and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma showing higher involvement of level III, IV and V lymph nodes. Conclusions The majority of buccal mucosa cases showed metastasis to level I, II and III lymph nodes out of which level IB and/or IA was most frequently involved. Metastasis to level IV and V lymph nodes was rare and was seen especially in patients with advanced primary tumor and poor histo-pathologic differentiation. Key words:Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), cervical lymph node metastasis, histologic differentiation, locally advanced disease.

Perineural invasion, lactate dehydrogenase, globulin, and serum sodium predicting occult metastasis in oral cancer.

This study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict the neck occult metastasis in early (T1-T2 cN0) oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The nomogram was developed in a training cohort of 336 early OSCC patients and was validated in a validation cohort including 88 patients. Independent predictors were calculated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. In univariate logistical regression analysis, gender, perineural invasion (PNI), blood vessel invasion, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, prealbumin, globulin (GLO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum sodium (NA), and serum chloride were significant associated with neck occult metastasis. Multivariate logistical regression analysis identified PNI (p<.001), LDH (p=.003), GLO (p=.019), and NA (p=.020) as independent predictors of neck occult metastasis. Cut-off values for LDH, GLO, and NA obtained from AUC were 142.5, 26.35, and 139.5, respectively. The nomogram based on PNI and categorical GLO, LDH, and NA exhibited a strong discrimination, with a C-indexes of 0.748 (95%CI=0.688 to 0.810) in the training cohort and 0.751 (95%CI=0.639 to 0.863) in the validation cohort. A nomogram based on PNI, LDH, GLO, and NA for predicting the risk of neck lymph nodes occult metastasis in OSCC could help surgeons with therapy decision-making.

Genitourinary cancers—best of ASCO 2020

SummaryThe aim of this short review is to summarize “clinical practice changing” abstracts about genitourinary cancers from this year’s ASCO Annual Meeting. The phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial showed astonishing overall survival (OS) data up to 22 months in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), using a novel gold standard in the first-line setting of mUC—immunotherapy maintenance with avelumab after response to platinum-based chemotherapy. In the first-line treatment of metastatic RCC (mRCC), two phase 2 trials (OMNIVORE and HCRN GU16-260) evaluated the efficacy of a novel sequential strategy, nivolumab monotherapy followed by ipilimumab rescue if nonresponse to nivolumab, confirming that this therapeutic concept is less effective as upfront combination treatment. Finally, updated 24-month progression-free survival (PFS) and OS rates of the KEYNOTE-426 are presented, showing efficacy most in intermediate- and poor-risk patients for the combination pembrolizumab plus axitinib compared with sunitinib. According to the impressive data from the HERO trial, the US Food and Drug Administration granted relugolix priority review as the first oral GNRH receptor antagonist in advanced prostate cancer. Moreover, 18F‑DCFPyL-PET/CT is a promising diagnostic tool for biochemical recurrence as the CONDOR trial confirmed diagnostic superiority of PyL-PET/CT compared with conventional imaging in detecting occult metastasis even in low PSA values. In nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), final OS data of ARAMIS, PROSPER and SPARTAN evaluating efficacy and safety of second-generation antiandrogens versus placebo were presented. In patients with mCRPC progressing after docetaxel, 177Lu-PSMA-617 demonstrated improved rates of 50% reduction in PSA relative to cabazitaxel (TheraP study).

Predictive Value of Occult Metastasis and Survival Significance of Metabolic Tumor Volume Determined by PET-CT in cT1-2N0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue.

ObjectivesOur goal was to analyze the possibility of using metabolic tumor volume (MTV) to predict occult cervical metastasis and survival in cT1-2N0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue.MethodsData on the primary tumor MTV and cervical node status as determined by the maximum standardized uptake value were retrieved. The sensitivity and specificity in predicting occult metastasis were calculated with a fourfold table. Associations between occult metastasis and clinicopathological variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. The main study endpoints were locoregional control (LRC) and disease-specific survival (DSS).ResultsA total of 24 (20.3%) of 118 patients had occult metastasis. An MTV cutoff value of 4.3 cm3 showed a sensitivity of 50.0% and a specificity of 76.6% in predicting occult metastasis. The sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT in predicting occult metastasis in cT1 tumors were 66.6 and 89.8%, respectively, with values of 83.3 and 67.3%, respectively, when combined with the MTV. The sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT in predicting occult metastasis in cT2 tumors were 72.2 and 82.2%, respectively, with values of 88.9 and 57.8%, respectively, when combined with the MTV. Patients with MTV ≥4.3 cm3 had a higher occult metastasis rate than patients with MTV <4.3 cm3. The 5-year LRC and DSS rates were 86 and 94%, respectively, in patients with MTV <4.3 cm3 and 54 and 72%, respectively, in patients with MTV ≥4.3 cm3. Both differences were found to be significant in univariate and multivariate analyses.ConclusionsMTV ≥4.3 cm3 was associated with an increased probability of occult metastasis and lower LRC and DSS rates in early-stage SCC of the tongue.

Apparent diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging (ADC-MRI) in the axillary breast cancer lymph node metastasis detection: a narrative review.

The presence of axillary lymph nodes metastases in breast cancer is the most significant prognostic factor, with a great impact on morbidity, disease-related survival and management of oncological therapies; for this reason, adequate imaging evaluation is strictly necessary. Physical examination is not enough sensitive to assess breast cancer nodal status; axillary ultrasonography (US) is commonly used to detect suspected or occult nodal metastasis, providing exclusively morphological evaluation, with low sensitivity and positive predictive value. Currently, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and/or axillary dissection are the milestone for the diagnostic assessment of axillary lymph node metastases, although its related morbidity. The impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of nodal metastases has been widely investigated, as it continues to represent the most promising imaging modality in the breast cancer management. In particular, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values represent additional reliable non-contrast sequences, able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer MRI evaluation. Several studies largely demonstrated the usefulness of implementing DWI/ADC MRI in the characterization of breast lesions. Herein, in the light of our clinical experience, we perform a review of the literature regarding the diagnostic performance and accuracy of ADC value as potential pre-operative tool to define metastatic involvement of nodal structures in breast cancer patients. For the purpose of this review, PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases were searched with different combinations of "axillary lymph node", "breast cancer", "MRI/ADC", "breast MRI" keywords. All original articles, reviews and metanalyses were included.

Is there a requirement for a staging CT thorax in T1N0 and T2N0 oral squamous cell carcinomas?

Introduction: At the time of diagnosis 1 in 10 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma has a secondary cancerous lesion or metastasis in the local lymph nodes. The incidence of occult metastasis in patients with T1 and T2 tumours has been 7–33% and 28–53% respectively. The 2016 NICE recommendation was that all people with cancer of the upper aero digestive tract should be offered systemic staging except those with T1N0 or T2N0 disease. In this study we review the staging scans for our T1N0 and T2N0 patients.

Pivotal role of PET/CT in characterization of occult metastasis with undetermined origin

BackgroundThe purpose of this multicenter diagnostic accuracy test study was conducted to assess the role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the detection of primary tumor in cases of metastasis of undetermined primary site, to estimate its capability in detecting additional lesions as well as evaluating disease burden and staging. This multicentric diagnostic accuracy test study included 175 patients with pathologically proven, radiologically, and/or clinically suspected metastatic lesions of undetermined primary site. Clinical, surgical, and histopathologic findings and correlative imaging modalities were used to assess the results of PET/CT; the accuracy of PET/CT was expressed in terms of sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values.ResultsThe study included 175 patients; PET-CT-positive lesions suggestive of primary malignant tumors were detected in 105 out of 175 patients. These lesions were pathologically proven to be malignant (true positive) in 100/175 patients (57.1%). Five out of 175 patients (2.9%) proved to be falsely positive after pathologic assessment; 70 out of 175 patients (40%) were negative for detection of primary malignancy all over the body by PET/CT (true negative) with no false negative results. PET/CT achieved a sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 93.3% in detection of unknown primary tumor location.ConclusionPET/CT is an effective modality for early detection of the primary tumor site in patients with cancer of undetermined primary (CUP) which facilitates early selection of appropriate treatment protocols that will improve patients’ prognosis.

Occult Nodal Metastasis in Oral Cavity Cancers

Introduction: In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, there is always a risk of occult metastasis to neck nodes in the clinically and radiologically negative neck (N0). Therefore, elective neck dissection (END) has ever been under discussion since the beginning of their routine use for the management of neck for oral carcinomas. The purpose of the current study is to identify the percentage of occult nodal metastasis to neck levels I-V in the cases of oral carcinoma who were treated for the N0 with END.Methods: Patients who were treated between June 2005 and May 2010 with END from neck levels I to V for the management of N0 with oral SCC had been identified from the database of Aga Khan University Hospital. Those who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. Using descriptive statistics, the mean was computed for the quantitative variable (age). Frequencies and percentages were calculated for gender, site, tumor grade, and lymph node involvement for each neck level.Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the study. There were 38 males and 12 females. The mean age was 47 (range 25-72). The most common site of the tumor was buccal mucosa in 50% of the cases followed by tongue 20%, then floor of mouth 14%, dentoalveolar ridge 8%, retromolar area 4%, lip 2%, and hard palate 2%. Histopathological grading of tumors showed well-differentiated 28%, moderately differentiated 33%, and poorly differentiated 6%. Twenty-seven out of 50 patients were found positive for nodal metastasis on final postoperative histopathology. Neck node metastasis at level I was found in 22 patients, at level II in 16 patients, at level III in seven patients, and at level IV in two patients. The level V was found free of metastasis in all of the cases.Conclusion: The rate of occult metastatic disease to the neck nodes was similar to that found in the literature. Both early and advanced local disease is associated with a risk of occult metastasis. END for neck levels I-V is, therefore, recommended for the management of the N0 in all cases of oral SCCs. Spread to levels IV and V is rare and these levels should not be a part of routine END.

Comparison of Intra-Operative Depth of Invasion Measurement by Frozen Section with Post-Operative Histopathology in Patient of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Depth of Invasion (DOI) is an important and independent predictor for occult metastasis and recurrence. AJCC staging system (8th edition) has incorporated DOI in the staging of oral cancers. It is an essential parameter in deciding elective neck dissection. We hereby conducted a study to determine the accuracy of DOI in the frozen section as compared to the histological section in patients with T1N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study was conducted over a period of 45months in a tertiary care hospital. 31 patients with diagnosed Oral SCC and with T1N0 were enrolled. The intra-operative frozen section was done DOI was measured as per Cap protocol and compared with the DOI in the histopathological section. Strong correlation was found between DOI measured by frozen section and permanent section (r = 0.998; 95% CI, 0.999-0.997). The paired t test showed a mean difference of 0.0066mm (95% CI, -0.0103-0.02346mm; P = 0.096) between frozen section and permanent section. DOI measured was slightly higher in frozen section however this difference was neither statically nor clinically significant.This study shows the accuracy of frozen specimens in determining tumor DOI in T1N0M0 in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Intraoperative DOI along with other factors may be used to determine the need for END (elective neck dissection) in early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma andthus avoid a staged operation or over- or under-treatment of the neck.

When Should Elective Neck Dissection Be Performed for Parotid Gland Malignancy?

When Should Elective Neck Dissection Be Performed for Parotid Gland Malignancy?

Is Biopsy of Contralateral Hilar N3 Lymph Nodes With Negative PET-CT Scan Findings Necessary When Performing Endobronchial Ultrasound Staging?

Systematic endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided lung cancer staging starts with hilar N3 nodes, proceeding sequentially to mediastinal N3, N2, and N1 nodes, with sampling of all enlarged nodes (size,≥ 5mm) by EBUS. However, procedure time is limited by patient comfort when moderate sedation is used. It is unclear if EBUS staging should start with hilar N3 nodes or whether starting with mediastinal N3 nodes suffices. Knowing the probability of hilar N3 nodes with PET-CT scan negative findings harboring occult metastasis can inform this decision. What proportion of patients with hilar N3 nodes showing negative PET-CT scan findings have malignancy by EBUS? This retrospective observational, single-center cohort study included consecutive patients with clinical-radiographic T1-3, N0-3, M0 non-small cell lung cancer undergoing systematic EBUS staging with biopsy of hilar N3 nodes with negative PET-CT scan findings. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with malignant hilar N3 nodes showing negative PET-CT scan findings. Based on expert opinion, a threshold probability of malignancy of less than 5%was considered sufficient to skip hilar N3 nodes. We used the binomial exact test to compare the observed proportion vsthreshold probability of 5%. Of 1,737 consecutive patients undergoing EBUS staging, 1,567 showed negative PET-CT scan findings of the hilar N3 nodes. These nodes were enlarged by EBUS and were sampled in 739 patients. Malignancy was found in the hilar N3 nodes of 5 of 739 patients (0.68%; 95%CI, 0.22%-1.57%). The proportion was significantly less than the threshold probability (P< .001). Patients with positive PET scan results of the mediastinal N3 nodes were at higher risk of having occult hilar N3 nodal metastasis (P= .003), found in 3 of 46 patients (6.5%; 95%CI, 1.4%-17.9%) with positive PET scan results of the mediastinal N3 nodes. When using moderate sedation, because time is limited, it is reasonable to start with the mediastinal N3 nodes if the hilar and mediastinal N3 nodes show negative PET scan results. Patients with positive PET scan findings of the mediastinal N3 nodes probably should undergo hilar N3 node sampling.

Radiotherapy is not indicated in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and only one occult intracapsular groin node metastasis

ObjectiveMost guidelines advise no adjuvant radiotherapy in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and a single occult intracapsular lymph node metastasis. However, several recent studies have questioned the validity of this recommendation. The aim of this study was to analyze the groin recurrence rate in patients with a single intracapsular positive lymph node treated without adjuvant radiotherapy. MethodsPatients with a single clinically occult intracapsular lymph node metastasis, treated without adjuvant radiotherapy, formed the basis for this study. Groin recurrences, and the risk of death, were analyzed in relation to the size of the metastasis in the lymph node and the lymph node ratio. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 26.0 for Windows. ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 64 months, one of 96 patients (1%) was diagnosed with an isolated groin recurrence and another two (2.1%) were diagnosed with a combination of a local and a groin recurrence. The only isolated groin recurrence occurred in a contralateral lymph node negative groin. Size of the metastasis and lymph node ratio had no impact on the groin recurrence risk, nor on survival. The 5-year actuarial disease-specific and overall survivals were 79% and 62.5% respectively. The 5-year actuarial groin recurrence-free survival was 97%. ConclusionBecause of the low risk of groin recurrence and the excellent groin recurrence-free survival, we recommend that adjuvant radiotherapy to the groin in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and a single occult intracapsular lymph node metastasis can be safely omitted to prevent unnecessary toxicity and morbidity.