Pathological TNM Classification Research Articles

Tumor budding -a potential biomarker in low grade salivary gland carcinomas?

Low-grade salivary gland carcinoma is regularly treated with surgical therapy of the salivary gland without elective neck dissection in T1/2 carcinomas, either alone or with adjuvant radiation therapy. However, occult metastasis and locoregional recurrence influence therapy and outcome. Tumor budding is an emerging prognostic pathological factor in many carcinomas, but has not yet been adequately considered in salivary gland carcinomas. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 64 patients diagnosed with low-grade carcinoma of the major salivary glands treated between 2003 and 2017. Pathological risk factors and TNM classification were thoroughly assessed for each case. All hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained histological specimens underwent careful examination, and tumor budding was identified following the guidelines set forth by the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference in 2016. Tumor budding was not statistically significant concerning 5-year survival rate (5-YSR) (p=0.969) and mean overall survival (log-rank p=0.315). Whereas 5-year disease-free survival rate (5-YDFSR) was 87% in the low tumor budding group and 61.1% in the intermediate and high tumor budding group (p=0.021). Mean disease-free survival accounted for 100.2 months (CI: 88.6;111.9) in the low budding score group and 58.7 months (CI: 42.8;74.6) in the other group (log-rank p=0.032). Notably, pT1/2 showed significantly lower tumor buds than pT3/4 stages (2.43 tumor buds/0.785 mm2 vs. 4.19 tumor buds/0.785 mm2, p=0.034). Similar findings were noted comparing nodal-positive and nodal-negative patients, as well as patients with and without lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion (each p<0.05). Tumor budding might be used as an additional prognostic factor for recurrence in low-grade salivary gland carcinoma, seemingly associated with a higher nodal metastasis rate and advanced tumor stages and a worse 5-YDFSR. Consequently, the evaluation of tumor budding in resection specimens of low-grade salivary gland tumor may prove valuable in decision-making for neck dissection and follow-up strategy.

The Role of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Colorectal Cancer Development and Prognosis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The patient’s prognosis largely depends on the tumor stage at diagnosis. The pathological TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors (pTNM) staging of surgically resected cancers represents the main prognostic factor and guidance for decision-making in CRC patients. However, this approach alone is insufficient as a prognostic predictor because clinical outcomes in patients at the same histological tumor stage can still differ. Recently, significant progress in the treatment of CRC has been made due to improvements in both chemotherapy and surgical management. Immunotherapy-based approaches are one of the most rapidly developing areas of tumor therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune response and its interactions with CRC development, immunotherapy and prognosis.

Analysis of treatment failure phenotype and prognostic factors of stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most severe malignant tumors worldwide. Lobectomy and systematic nodal dissection remain the standard treatment for stageⅠNSCLC. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has become the standard treatment for medically inoperable patients. Though the prognosis of stage Ⅰ NSCLC patients is generally good, there are still about 20% of patients with local recurrence and distant metastasis. There is significant heterogeneity in the prognosis and failure phenotype of patients, which cannot be precisely distinguished by the pathological TNM classification system. Identification of the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with stage Ⅰ NSCLC is a key step to realize the treatment from experience to precision. Screening the high-risk patients will facilitate to individually develop the adjuvant therapy strategy after surgery or SBRT and improve the overall curative effect. There are many factors that are significantly related to the prognosis of stage Ⅰ NSCLC including individual factors such as gender, age, and systemic inflammatory biomarkers; treatment-related factors such as the extent of surgical resection of the primary tumor and lymph nodes, the choice of different radiation rays, and different dose fractionation; and tumor-related factors such as imaging information, pathology information; and molecular biology information. This review will analyze the treatment failure phenotype and prognostic factors of stageⅠ NSCLC in various perspectives such as individual-, tumor- and treatment-related factors.

Melanoma in Adolescents and Young Adults: Evaluation of the Characteristics, Treatment Strategies, and Prognostic Factors in a Monocentric Retrospective Study

The “Veneto Cancer Registry” records melanoma as the most common cancer diagnosed in males and the third common cancer in females under 50 years of age in the Veneto Region (Italy). While melanoma is rare in children, it has greater incidence in adolescents and young adults (AYA), but literature offers only few studies specifically focused on AYA melanoma. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics, surgical treatment, and prognosis of a cohort of AYA melanoma in order to contribute to the investigation of this malignancy and provide better patient care. This retrospective cohort study included 2,752 Caucasian patients (702 AYA and 2,050 non-AYA patients) from the Veneto Region who were over 15 years of age at diagnosis, and who received diagnosis and/or treatment from our institutions between 1998 and 2014. Patients were divided in adolescents and youth (15-25 years), young adults (26-39 years) and adults (more than 39 years) for the analysis. We found statistically significant differences in gender, primary site, Breslow thickness, ulceration, pathologic TNM classification (pTNM) stage and tumor subtype among the age groups. Disease-specific survival and disease-free survival were also different among the age groups. Our findings suggest that the biological behavior of melanoma in young people is different to that in adults, but not such as to represent a distinct pathological entity. Additional and larger prospective studies should be performed to better evaluate potential biological and cancer-specific differences between AYAs and the adult melanoma population.

Sternal lifting increases the operating space in esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy: a prospective cohort study.

BackgroundEsophagectomy with combined single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy and laparoscopy reduces the risk of postoperative respiratory complications as it obviates the need to pass through the pleural space. However, it has strict indications owing to the narrow space for operation. Therefore, we adopted a sternal lifting method using a retractor that enables the expansion of the operating space, a technique which has not been previously reported. We describe our experience and report the results of an evaluation of this new approach.MethodsThirty-nine patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas underwent esophagectomy using combined single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy and laparoscopy from March 2019 to August 2021. Among them, 20 cases received sternal suspension [sternal suspension group (SS group)], and 19 cases did not receive sternal suspension [non-sternal suspension group (NSS group)]. The short-term efficacy of the two groups was observed.ResultsPatients in the SS group had a shorter intramediastinal operation time (82.50 vs. 110.00 minutes; P<0.001), more dissected chest lymph nodes (14 vs. 12; P=0.036), and a lower incidence of postoperative hoarseness (2 vs. 6; P=0.235) than did those in the NSS group. There were no significant differences between the SS group and NSS group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, post-surgical pathologic TNM classification (pTNM), post-surgical pathologic tumor classification (pT), post-surgical pathologic extent of lymph node involvement (pN), and total number of dissected lymph nodes. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of anastomotic fistula, respiratory complications, arrhythmia, or chylothorax between the two groups. There was no mortality during hospitalization in the two groups.ConclusionsSternal lifting increases the working space in esophagectomy via mediastinoscopy. It can make video-assisted radical esophagectomy by a transmediastinal approach with total pneumomediastinum assistance (VARETT) easier to perform, and sternal suspension in VARETT is safe and effective.

Recurrence-Free Survival Analysis in Locally Advanced Pheochromocytoma: First Appraisal.

The behavior of locally advanced pheochromocytoma (LAP) remains unknown. We characterized the population with LAP and recurrence-free survival (RFS). This retrospective multicentric study was run within the ENDOCAN-COMETE network and French Group of Endocrine Tumors (GTE) from 2003 to 2018, including patients from 11 French referral centers with LAP as defined by capsular invasion, vascular invasion, adipose tissue invasion, and/or positive locoregional lymph nodes at diagnosis without evidence of distant metastasis. The main outcome measure was recurrence, defined as tumor reappearance, including local site and/or distant metastasis. The primary endpoint was RFS analysis; secondary endpoints were characterization, overall survival (OS), and prognostic factors of recurrence. Among 950 patients, 90 (9%) exhibited LAP criteria and 55 met inclusion criteria (median age, 53 years; 61% males; 14% with germline mutation; 84% with catecholamine excess). LAP was defined by 31 (56%) capsular invasions, 27 (49%) fat invasions, 6 (11%) positive lymph nodes, and 22 (40%) vascular invasions. After median follow-up of 54 months (range, 6-180), 12 patients (22%) had recurrences and 3 (5%) died of metastatic disease. Median RFS was 115 months (range, 6-168). Recurrences were local in 2 patients, distant in 2, and both local and distant in 8 patients. Median OS of patients was not reached. Size above 6.5 cm (P = 0.019) and Ki-67 > 2% (P = 0.028) were identified as independent significant prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. LAP represents 9% of pheochromocytoma's population and has a metastatic behavior. This study paves the way for future pathological TNM classification.

Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score predicts short-term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy

BackgroundAn emerging prediction tool, the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, has shown good assessment ability of postoperative outcomes in cancer patients. This study evaluated the role of the preoperative CONUT score regarding the short-term outcomes of gastric cancer (GC) after laparoscopic gastrectomy.MethodsThree hundred and nine GC patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy from January 2016 to June 2019 were analysed, retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the CONUT optimal cut-off value. Clinical characteristics and postoperative complications in the two groups were analysed and evaluated. Risk factors for complications were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsA total of 309 patients underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy; 91 (29.4%) patients experienced postoperative complications. The preoperative CONUT score showed a good predictive ability for postoperative complications (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.718, Youden index = 0.343) compared with other indices, with an optimal cut-off value of 2.5. Patients with high CONUT score had a significantly higher incidence of overall complications (P < 0.001). Age, haemoglobin, C-reactive protein, red blood cell levels, CONUT scores, surgical procedure type, T1, T4, N0 and N3 pathological TNM classification, and pathological stages of I and III were associated with postoperative complications (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the preoperative CONUT score was identified as an independent risk predictor of postoperative complications (P = 0.012; OR = 2.433; 95% CI, 1.218-4.862) after multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe preoperative CONUT score is a practical nutritional assessment for predicting short-term outcomes in GC patients after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.

Inclusion of extranodal extension in the lymph node classification of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The prognostic performance of the recently updated American Joint Committee on Cancer lymph node classification of cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been validated. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic role of extranodal extension (ENE) in cutaneous HNSCC. This was a retrospective analysis of 1258 patients with cutaneous HNSCC who underwent surgery with or without adjuvant therapy between 1995 and 2019 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The primary outcome was disease-specific survival (DSS). Local, regional, and distant metastases-free survival were secondary outcomes. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) and a Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to assess the fitness of staging models. No significant differences in 5-year DSS were observed between patients with pathologic lymph node-negative (pN0) disease (67.4%) and those with pN-positive/ENE-negative disease (68.2%; hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.61-1.79) or between patients with pN-positive/ENE-negative disease and those with pN-positive/ENE-positive disease (52.7%; hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.31-1.01). The RPA-derived model achieved better stratification between high-risk patients (category III, ENE-positive with >2 positive lymph nodes) and low-risk patients (category I, pN0; category II, ENE-positive/pN1 and ENE-negative with >2 positive lymph nodes). The performance of the RPA-derived model was better than that of the pathologic TNM classification (Akaike information criterion score, 1167 compared with 1176; Bayesian information criterion score, 1175 compared with 1195). The number of metastatic lymph nodes and the presence of ENE are independent prognostic factors for DSS in cutaneous HNSCC, and incorporation of these factors in staging systems improves the performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer lymph node classification.

Clinical Implications of Peripheral CD3+CD69+ T-Cell And CD8+CD28+ T-Cell Proportions in Patients Prior to Radical Prostatectomy.

To investigate the clinical implications of CD3+CD69+ T-cells and CD8+CD28+ T-cells in the peripheral blood of patients prior to radical prostatectomy. A total of 91 prostate cancer (PCa) patients and 50 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2017. The proportions of CD3+CD69+ T-cells and CD8+CD28+ T-cells in the peripheral blood of PCa and BPH patients were detected by flow cytometry, and the association of these T-cell populations with pathological Grade Group and pathological TNM classification was evaluated. Data analysis was performed with SAS version 9.4 software. The proportions of CD3+CD69+ and CD8+CD28+ T-cells in peripheral blood were higher in PCa patients than those in BPH patients. Multivariate analysis identified a higher CD3+CD69+ T-cell proportion as a risk factor for PCa (odds ratio (OR) = 4.783, P = 0.0013), but the diagnostic efficacy of the CD3+CD69+ T-cell proportion (area under the curve (AUC)=0.6833, P = 0.0003) for PCa was still inferior to that of the tPSA level (AUC=0.7531, P < 0.0001). The AUCs for CD3+CD69+ T-cell and CD8+CD28+ T-cell proportions for PCa were 0.6959 (P = 0.0372) and 0.6935 (P = 0.0395), respectively, among men with tPSA levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/mL. A lower CD3+CD69+ T-cell proportion was associated with higher pathological Grade Group (P=0.0074). The proportions of CD3+CD69+ T-cells and CD8+CD28+ T-cells in peripheral blood are potential diagnostic indicators for PCa. The preoperative proportion of CD3+CD69+ T-cells in peripheral blood may have prognostic value in terms of the pathological Grade Group in PCa.

Collision cancer of primary squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in the stomach after treatment for a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of diffuse large B cell type:a case report

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman with a collision cancer of primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma in the stomach that was cured surgically. She achieved complete remission after treatment (R-CHOP and radiation therapy;40.8Gy/22Fr) for a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of diffuse large B cell type from September 2016 to April 2017. In August 2018, endoscopic findings showed a type 3 tumor with a white coat on the posterior wall of the upper gastric body. A biopsied specimen showed that the tumor was a SCC. Total gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and D2 lymph node dissection were performed. Pathological examination showed a SCC invasion to the spleen, and normal gastric mucosa between the esophagus and SCC of the stomach. Based on the pathological TNM classification, the tumors were T4N1M0 (Stage IIIB) for the SCC and T1N0M0 (Stage IA) for the adenocarcinoma of the stomach. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1, and was recurrence free at 9 months after the surgery.

Addition of tumour infiltration depth and extranodal extension improves the prognostic value of the pathological TNM classification for early‐stage oral squamous cell carcinoma

AimsIn the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging manual, tumour infiltration depth and extranodal extension are added to the pathological classification for oral squamous cell carcinoma. The currently available 8th TNM validation studies lack patients with conservative neck treatment, and changes in the classification especially affect patients with small tumours. The aim of this study was to determine the potential impact of the changes in the 8th edition pTNM classification on the prognosis and treatment strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma in a well‐defined series of pT1–T2 patients with long‐term follow‐up.Methods and resultsTwo hundred and eleven first primary pT1–T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, with surgical resection as primary treatment, were analysed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy‐three patients underwent a neck dissection, and 38 patients had frequent clinical neck assessments. Long‐term follow‐up (median 64 months) and reassessed tumour infiltration depth were available. Classification according to the 8th edition criteria resulted in 36% total upstaging with the T classification and 16% total upstaging with the N classification. T3‐restaged patients (n = 30, 14%) had lower 5‐year disease‐specific survival rates than T2‐staged patients (81% versus 67%, P = 0.042). Postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy could have been considered in another seven (3%) patients on the basis of the 8th edition criteria.ConclusionsAddition of tumour infiltration depth and extranodal extension in the 8th TNM classification leads to the identification of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with a worse prognosis who might benefit from an improved postoperative treatment strategy.

Abdominoperineal Resection in Rectal Cancer in General Surgery Department at Gabriel Toure University Hospital

The objectives: Were to determine the hospital frequency of abdominoperineal resection (APR); to determine mortality and morbidity rates and to assess oncologic outcomes. Method and patients: We performed a retrospective study between 2008 and 2013 in general surgery department at Gabriel Toure University Hospital (UH) which included all patients admitted for rectal cancer confirmed by pathological examination, and having undergone an APR. Results: We have collected 17 cases which accounted for 65.38% of curative resections of rectal cancer. The sex-ratio was 0.89 and the averageage was 49.53 years. The average tumor distance from the anal verge was 4.59 ± 1.7 cm. All patients had adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The histopathologic grade was well in 7 cases, moderate and poor in 5 cases each. According to the pathologic TNM classification, 13 patients were classified T4, 14 patients N+. APR was associated with hysterectomy and partial colpectomy in 4 cases. The average duration of interventions was 202.06 ± 25.68 minutes. The average duration of hospitalization was 18.24 ± 04.89 days. The postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 5.88% and 29.42%, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 6 patients and liver metastasis in 2 patients. The overall survival rate was 37.5% at 2 years and 18.75% at 5 years. Conclusion: APR still occupies an important place in our practice. Our results could be improved by the recent introduction of neoadjuvant radio chemotherapy in Mali.

CO2 Transoral Microsurgery for Supraglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The present study analyzed the results of the endoscopic approach to T1, T2 and selected T3 supraglottic carcinoma with the aim of reviewing functional and oncologic outcomes after different types of endoscopic supraglottic laryngectomies. This is a retrospective clinical study of 42 consecutive patients (mean age of 61.8 years, 33 males, 9 females) treated by the senior author for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma with a transoral CO2 laser approach and reviewed from November 2010 to September 2017. Surgical procedures were classified according to the European Laryngological Society. In addition to the standardized transoral supraglottic laryngectomies, we introduced a modified type IVb by sparing the inferior third of the arytenoid if not directly involved in the tumor. Swallowing was evaluated with the Swallowing Performance Status Scale reported by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology. Survival probabilities were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Two type I, 2 type IIa, 2 type IIb, 3 type IIIa, 12 type IIIb, 13 type IVa, 3 type modified IVb, and 5 type IVb supraglottic laryngectomies were performed. Twenty-one patients (50%) underwent primary neck dissection. The pathologic TNM classification according to the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer system was as follows: 9 pT1cN0, 2 pT1N0, 1 pT1N1, 7 pT2cN0, 1 rypT2cN0, 9 pT2N0, 4 pT2N1, 2 ypT2N1, 2 pT3cN0, 2 rypT3cN0, 1 pT3N1, and 2 pT3N2b. Mean follow-up was 3.4 years (range of 9 months to 6 years). According to the Kaplan–Meier analysis, 5-year disease-specific survival, local-relapse-free survival, nodal-relapse-free survival, overall laryngeal preservation and overall survival of patients without previous head and neck radiotherapy/open surgery were 100%, 95.2%, 87.8%, 100%, and 64.6%, respectively. Patients who underwent type I, IIa, and IIb resections (n = 6) started oral feeding the day after surgery, patients who underwent type III-IVb modified resections (n = 31) started oral feeding 3–4 days after surgery, and patients who underwent standard type 4b resections (n = 5) started oral feeding 7 days after surgery. Three months after surgery, patients without a clinical history of previous head and neck radiotherapy/open surgery who underwent type III, IVa, and modified IVb resections showed significantly better swallowing compared to patients who underwent standard type IVb resection: grade 4–6 impairment of swallowing in 8 and 66.7% of cases, respectively (p = 0.006072); patients with a clinical history of previous head and neck radiotherapy/open surgery who underwent type III, IVa, and modified IVb resections showed not statistically significant better swallowing compared to patients who underwent standard type IVb resection: grade 4–6 impairment of swallowing at 3 months in 16.7% and 50% of cases, respectively (p = 0.23568). Transoral CO2 laser supraglottic laryngectomy is an oncologic sound alternative to traditional open neck surgery and chemo-radiotherapy. Recovery of swallowing is significantly worsened after total resection of the arytenoid. Modified type IVb procedure leaving intact, when possible, the inferior third of the arytenoid and consequently the glottic competence, improves functional outcome.

PS01.135: PROGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF TLE-CHEST SURGERY IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Abstract Background Esophageal cancer was the ninth most common malignant tumor and ranked sixth for death globally, especially in developing country[1]. Standardized esophagectomy followed by chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy remains the curative treatment for esophageal cancer[2]. Ivor Lewis esophageal resection, including two-stage approach for carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus, was proposed in 1946[3]. Meanwhile, to avoid the risk of anastomotic leakage in Ivor Lewis surgery, three-stage approach with cervical anastomosis was introduced by McKeown[4]. However, considering the less complications of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and the increased incidence of distal esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, two-stage approach with intrathoracic anastomosis was gaining more attention. Recent years, thoracoscopic laparoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis (TLE-chest) has gradually become the mainstream approach of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for the treatment of middle and lower esophageal cancers. In the previous study, we described the technique strategies of TLE-chest, which was featured with improved anastomosis layer by layer and embedding of the anastomosis with preserved mediastinal pleura[5]. In this study, we presented the perioperative data, complications and long-term survivals of TLE-chest in esophageal cancers. Methods The clinical data of 201 patients, who underwent TLE-chest for primary esophageal cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (FAHAMU) from November 2011 to December 2015, was analyzed retrospectively. Postoperative patients’ life quality by the European Organization into Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire for esophageal cancer and overall survivals were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curve. The normal distribution of the measured data is expressed in terms of x ± s. Cox's hazard regression model was used for single factor and multi-factor analysis. Results Overall, 168 (83.6%) patients were males and 33 (16.4%) were females. The mean age of patients was 62.7 years old (range from 40 to 88). 150 (74.6%) patients’ tumors were located in the middle of esophagus, whereas 50 (24.9%) and 1 (0.5%) tumors were in the low and up. 194 (96.5%) esophageal tumors were confirmed as squamous carcinoma expect 7 (3.5%) adenocarcinomas. The mean of tumor size was 3.7 cm and the numbers of postoperative pathological TNM classification I, II, III and IV were 38 (18.9%), 72 (35.8%), 73 (36.3%) and 18 (9%) respectively. The average of total operation time was 293.9 min. Among them, the means of VATS and LS time were 156.9 min and 116.5 min respectively. The mean of intraoperative blood loss was 77.5 ml. The number of resected lymph nodes was 22.9 ± 9.7 (maximum: 58).7 (3.5%) patients suffered from anastomotic fistula, 5 (2.5%) patients occurred RRLN injury in lymph nodes dissection and 5 (2.5%) suffered chylothorax. Pulmonary complications were observed in 21 (10.4%) patients. Meanwhile, the rates of other complications containing anastomotic stenosis, bleeding and delayed gastric empty were 0.5% (1/201), 1.5% (3/201) and 0.5% (1/201) respectively. The score of quality of patients’ life was 85 ± 6.5. And at the 12 months, quality of life was improved by 4.1%. Until up to the 24 months, patients’ quality of life was recovered to 90 ± 7.5. The 1, 2 and 3 years overall survival of 100 patients was 94%, 79% and 74% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the pT stage (P = 0.040), pN stage (P = 0.001), pTNM stage(P = 0.001) and Total operative time(P = 0.000) were associated with 3-year overall survival (3-OS). Further, multivariate analysis affirmed that the operative time (≥ 311 min), tumor size (≥ 3.5 cm) and pTNM stage were independent prognostic factors for 3-OS (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion TLE-chest surgery in esophageal cancer was safe and effective. And the total operative time, tumor size and TNM stage could be used as independent prognostic indicators in esophageal cancer patients after the TLE-chest. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Eighth Edition of the UICC Classification of Malignant Tumours: an overview of the changes in the pathological TNM classification criteria-What has changed and why?

The TNM classification of malignant tumours is a mainstay tool in clinical practice and research for prognostic assessment of patients, treatment allocation and trial enrolment, as well as for epidemiological studies and data collection by cancer registries worldwide. Pathological TNM (pTNM) represents the pathological classification of a tumor, assigned after surgical resection or adequate sampling by biopsy, and periodical updates to the relative classification criteria are necessary to preserve its clinical relevance by integrating newly reported data. A structured approach has been put in place to fulfil this need and, based upon this process, the Eighth Edition of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours has been published, introducing many significant changes, including novel classification criteria for specific tumour types. In this review, we aim to describe the major changes introduced in the pTNM classification criteria and to summarize the evidence supporting these changes.

FDG PET/CT Overcomes Discordance Between Clinical and Pathologic TNM Classification of Small-size Primary Lung Cancer: Influence on Postoperative Prognosis

IntroductionWe aimed to determine the concordance between the clinical stage (c-stage) and pathologic stage (p-stage) for patients with small-size lung cancer. Additionally we searched for prognostic factors other than the TNM stage. Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the preoperative multidetector computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT reports, surgical records, and pathologic reports of patients with primary lung cancer ≤ 3 cm. The Union for International Cancer Control TNM seventh edition classification of c-stage and p-stage were compared. The tumors were classified into multiple subgroups by concordance or discordance between the c-stage and p-stage. Disease-free survival (DFS) was assessed using survival analysis to assess the tumor characteristics that were predictive of prognosis. ResultsA total of 289 surgically resected primary lung cancers were evaluated. The concordance between c-stage and p-stage was 65.4%, with moderate reproducibility (kappa coefficient, 0.467). The upstaging rate from c-stage I to p-stage II-IV was 9.4%, and these patients had significantly worse DFS than those with a concordant stage I classification (P < .001). The main reason for upstaging was an underestimation of metastases to the hilar lymph nodes (n = 7) or mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 11). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that the significant predictive factors for DFS were p-stage (hazard ratio, 1.342; P = .003) and maximum standardized uptake value on positron emission tomography/CT (hazard ratio, 12.162; P = .001). ConclusionThe concordance rate between c-stage and p-stage for small primary lung cancers had moderate reproducibility. Discordance between c-stage I and p-stage II-IV significantly affected DFS. The maximum standardized uptake value of the primary lesion was an independent prognostic factor, and combining it with c-stage might improve the prediction of therapeutic outcomes.

Discordance between clinical and pathological TNM classification: influence on results of treatment and prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer.

The goals of this retrospective cohort study were to compare the results of clinical and pathological TNM staging in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to determine the impact of the discordance on prognosis and treatment results. Atotal of 124 patients with laryngeal cancer, primarily indicated for surgical treatment, were enrolled. The concordance or discordance between the clinical and pathological staging was compared with the frequency of cancer relapse and disease-specific survival. Other potential prognostic factors, like age, the stage and location of the primary tumor, the status of neck lymph nodes, histological margins, and an indication for postoperative radiotherapy, were also evaluated. Adisparity in at least one component of TNM staging was found in 40 patients (32%). The discordance had significant negative influence on both disease-free survival (DSF) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Other significant negative prognostic factors were the stage of the primary tumor, nodal status and postoperative radiotherapy. Our results indicate that the discordance between clinical and pathological staging affects the results of cancer treatment significantly. Some improvement can be probably achieved with higher preoperative diagnostic method accuracy.

Colonic metastasis after resection of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: report of a case

Colonic metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is extremely rare. A 77-year-old male patient was diagnosed with primary middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma and subsequently underwent subtotal esophagectomy. The pathological TNM classification was SCC of the esophagus, T3N1M0 stage IIIA. Twenty months later, he underwent emergency surgery due to acute abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed diffuse peritonitis, as well as increased wall thickness and a pinhole perforation at the hepatic flexure of the transverse colon. He underwent right hemicolectomy, and pathological investigation demonstrated metastatic SCC of the colon from the esophageal carcinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 14 days after surgery. However, computed tomography scans performed 2 weeks after discharge showed carcinomatous peritonitis. The patient declined chemotherapy and died 2 months later.

OP1-08 HIGH PREOPERATIVE C-REACTIVE PROTEIN VALUES PREDICT POOR SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS UNDERGOING NEPHRECTOMY FOR RENAL CANCER

You have accessJournal of UrologyOutstanding Posters: Research1 Apr 2014OP1-08 HIGH PREOPERATIVE C-REACTIVE PROTEIN VALUES PREDICT POOR SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS UNDERGOING NEPHRECTOMY FOR RENAL CANCER Kenji Omae, Tsunenori Kondo, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Toshio Takagi, Hirohito Kobayashi, Yasunobu Hashimoto, and Kazunari Tanabe Kenji OmaeKenji Omae More articles by this author , Tsunenori KondoTsunenori Kondo More articles by this author , Kazuhiko YoshidaKazuhiko Yoshida More articles by this author , Toshio TakagiToshio Takagi More articles by this author , Hirohito KobayashiHirohito Kobayashi More articles by this author , Yasunobu HashimotoYasunobu Hashimoto More articles by this author , and Kazunari TanabeKazunari Tanabe More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.616AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a specific marker of systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that pretreatment-elevated CRP level is associated with poor outcome in various malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the general population. However, there is no evidence of such an association in dialysis patients. In this study, our objective is to evaluate the prognostic significance of the preoperative serum CRP level in patients with RCC related to end-stage renal disease (ESRD-RCC) requiring hemodialysis. METHODS We evaluated 315 patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis who underwent either open or laparoscopic nephrectomy for RCC as the first treatment in our department from September 1982 to January 2013. Complete patient and tumor specific characteristics as well as preoperative CRP-levels were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative CRP-level (CRP ≤ 0.5, and > 0.5 mg/dl). The mean follow-up was 68 months. RESULTS Mean age was 55.5 years old and mean duration of preoperative hemodialysis was 246 months for the entire cohort. Of the 315 patients, 257 patients (81.6%) were male. In 75 patients (23.8%) the preoperative CRP-level was over 0.5 mg/dl. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year cancer specific survival (CSS) rates were 95.2% and 69.9% in patients with a CRP ≤ 0.5, and > 0.5 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified the preoperative CRP-level as an independent predictor for CSS, along with a pathological TNM classification and tumor grade (CRP > 0.5: HR=3.47, 95%CI 1.35-9.18, p=0.0098). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative serum CRP level might be an independent predictor of postoperative survival in patients with ESRD-RCC requiring hemodialysis. Its routine use, together with the TNM classification and tumor grade, could allow better risk stratification and risk-adjusted follow-up of these patients. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e165 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Kenji Omae More articles by this author Tsunenori Kondo More articles by this author Kazuhiko Yoshida More articles by this author Toshio Takagi More articles by this author Hirohito Kobayashi More articles by this author Yasunobu Hashimoto More articles by this author Kazunari Tanabe More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

M2-Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophage Infiltration of Regional Lymph Nodes Is Associated With Nodal Lymphangiogenesis and Occult Nodal Involvement in pN0 Pancreatic Cancer

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are reportedly involved in lymphangiogenesis in primary tumors, playing a crucial role in lymphatic metastasis. Furthermore, nodal lymphangiogenesis precedes and promotes regional lymph node (RLN) metastasis. We investigated the relationship of M2-polarized TAM infiltration of the RLNs, nodal lymphangiogenesis, and occult nodal involvement in pN0 pancreatic cancer. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained primary tumor and regional LN specimens from 40 patients diagnosed with pN0 pancreatic cancer according to the pathological TNM classification were assessed. To evaluate lymphangiogenesis, lymphatic vessel density was measured by using D2-40 antibody. CD163 and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 antibodies were used to detect M2-polarized TAMs and isolated tumor cells in the RLNs, respectively. The nodal lymphatic vessel density had a strong association with the M2-polarized TAM density in the RLNs (P < 0.0001). Most of these TAMs expressed vascular endothelial growth factor C. Furthermore, in the RLNs, the M2-polarized TAM density was significantly associated with the incidence of isolated tumor cells (P = 0.0477). M2-polarized TAM infiltration of RLNs is significantly associated with nodal lymphangiogenesis and occult nodal involvement in pN0 pancreatic cancer. Node-infiltrating M2-polarized TAMs may facilitate nodal lymphangiogenesis via the production of vascular endothelial growth factor C and thus promote RLN metastasis.