Staging Tool Research Articles

Comparison of the Recently Published “AAGL Endometriosis Classification” with Other Staging Systems to Predict Surgical Complexity

<h3>Study Objective</h3> We aim to assess the performance of the "2021 AAGL Endometriosis Classification" compared with revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (rASRM), Ultrasound Based Endometriosis Staging System (UBESS) and modified Ultrasound Based Endometriosis Staging System (mUBESS) to predict AAGL levels of surgical complexity. <h3>Design</h3> Multicenter retrospective diagnostic accuracy study. <h3>Setting</h3> 2 gyneacology units in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> Patients with suspected endometriosis who underwent laparoscopy between January 2016 and October 2021 (n=272). <h3>Interventions</h3> Database of patients with comprehensive surgical data including location & severity of endometriosis & surgical procedure performed was analysed. AAGL surgical complexity level (A to D) was pre-determined by consensus between three observers. For the three stage UBESS to be compared with the four levels of AAGL surgical complexity, levels B and C were merged. rASRM stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 predicted AAGL level A, B, C and D, respectively. UBESS stage 1, 2 and 3 predicted AAGL level A, B/C and D, respectively. mUBESS stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 predicted AAGL level A, B, C and D, respectively. The performance of all staging systems was assessed using kappa, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV,) negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Across all diagnostic accuracy measurements there was no clear difference between the four staging tools. For overall comparison, kappa/weighted kappa scores respectively were: For AAGL 0.42 & 0.55, for rASRM 0.41 & 0.55, for UBESS 0.44 & 0.57 and for mUBESS 0.47 & 0.58. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Across all tools, there was good concordance for mild and severe disease to predict surgical skill level. For intermediate disease there was weak concordance. There was no clearly superior tool.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging–based T-staging to Predict Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy: A Step Towards the iTNM Classification

BackgroundLocal staging of prostate cancer (PCa) still relies on digital rectal examination (DRE), which therefore remains the standard for risk stratification in guideline recommendations, clinical trials, and patient counseling. This issue is increasingly controversial as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has become the most influential diagnostic tool for local staging of PCa over the past two decades. ObjectiveTo compare various models of T category based on DRE or mpMRI to predict early biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participantsA retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between 2014 and 2021. A total of 1436 patients were recruited across eight referral centers in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisBCR was defined as two prostate-specific antigen values of ≥0.2 ng/ml during follow-up. Harrell’s concordance index (C index) was used to compare the discrimination of four models of T staging based on DRE (model 1: cT1 vs cT2 vs cT3) or mpMRI (model 2: organ-confined disease vs extracapsular extension [iECE] vs seminal vesicle invasion [iSVI]; model 3: Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] ≤3 vs PI-RADS 4 vs PI-RADS 5; and model 4: iT2a [PI-RADS ≤3] vs iT2b [PI-RADS 4] vs iT2c [PI-RADS 5 excluding ECE or SVI] vs iT3a [ECE] vs iT3b [SVI]) to predict BCR. Results and limitationsOverall, 74 (5%), 845 (59%), 482 (34%), and 35 (2%) patients had low-, intermediate-, high-, and very high-risk PCa, respectively, according to the Mazzone risk classification. After median follow-up of 16 mo, 113 patients experienced BCR. Although the new five-group mpMRI-based T classification system (model 4) had the highest prognostic discrimination (C index 0.694) for predicting early BCR on multivariable analysis, there was overlap between the 95% confidence intervals of the models. On sensitivity analysis, the new mpMRI-based T staging still had a higher C index than DRE for predicting BCR when excluding cN1 patients and comparing it with a five-group DRE-based T classification (cT1c vs cT2a vs cT2b vs cT2c vs cT3), but the overlap between the 95% confidence intervals of the models remained. The main limitation is the short follow-up. ConclusionsWe described an alternative mpMRI-based T staging for prediction of early BCR after RP for PCa. Our results need to be validated externally before they can be applied in clinical practice. Patient summaryAt present, digital rectal examination of the prostate is used to stage prostate cancer. We developed an alternative model for staging that uses information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to predict cancer outcomes for men undergoing surgical removal of the prostate.

Deep Learning-Assisted Efficient Staging of SARS-CoV-2 Lesions Using Lung CT Slices

At present, COVID-19 is a severe infection leading to serious complications. The target site of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is the respiratory tract leading to pneumonia and lung lesions. At present, the severity of the infection is assessed using lung CT images. However, due to the high caseload, it is difficult for radiologists to analyze and stage a large number of CT images every day. Hence, an automated, computer-assisted technique for staging SARS-CoV-2 infection is required. In this work, a comparison of deep learning techniques for the classification and staging of different COVID-19 lung CT images is performed. Four deep transfer learning models, namely, ResNet101, ResNet50, ResNet18, and SqueezeNet, are considered. Initially, the lung CT images were preprocessed and given as inputs to the deep learning models. Further, the models were trained, and the classification of four different stages of the infection was performed using each of the models considered. Finally, the performance metrics of the models were compared to select the best model for staging the infection. Results demonstrate that the ResNet50 model exhibits a higher testing accuracy of 96.9% when compared to ResNet18 (91.9%), ResNet101 (91.7%), and SqueezeNet (88.9%). Also, the ResNet50 model provides a higher sensitivity (96.6%), specificity (98.9%), PPV (99.6%), NPV (98.9%), and F1-score (96.2%) when compared to the other models. This work appears to be of high clinical relevance since an efficient automated framework is required as a staging and prognostic tool to analyze lung CT images.

Diagnostic Value of Radio-Guided Sentinel Node Detection in Patients with Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy with Modified-Extended Lymphadenectomy.

Background. In many malignancies, sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is being used as a nodal staging tool. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic value of radio-guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to investigate the reliability of the radio-guided SLN detection technique for perioperative localization of LNs metastases as well as to map lymphatic drainage patterns of the prostate. Methods. Forty-three patients with intermediate- or high-risk cN0cM0 PCa at conventional imaging underwent radical prostatectomy with modified-extended pelvic lymph node dissection (mePLND). A day before the planned surgery, a Tc-99m nanocolloid was injected into the prostate under the control of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging and intraoperative gamma-probe were used to identify SLNs. All positive lesions were excised, followed by mePLND. The excised lymph nodes (LNs) were then submitted for histopathological examination, which was used as a reference for the calculation of diagnostic parameters of the SLN technique for SPECT-CT and the intraoperative gamma-probe. Results. In total, 119 SLNs were detected preoperatively (SPECT-CT) and 118 intraoperatively (gamma-probe). The study revealed that both SLN detection techniques showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 6.06%. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 66.67%. SLN technique would have correctly staged nine of 10 patients, which is the same result as in the case of limited LND. However, it allowed the removal of all metastatic nodes only in four of them. SLND would have comprised 69.7% of preoperatively detected LNs, and removed 13 out of 19 positive LNs (68.42%), respectively. Conclusions. Radio-guided SLND has a low diagnostic rate and is a poor staging tool. ePLND remains the gold standard in nodal metastases assessment in PCa. Our study indicates that lymphatic drainage of the prostate and actual metastasis routes may vary significantly.

Actualities in the Morphology and Immunohistochemistry of Cutaneous and Ocular Melanoma: What Lies Ahead? A Single-Centre Study.

Melanoma is the most aggressive melanocytic tumor whose incidence is continuously increasing worldwide. Methods: We highlight the morphological, immunohistochemistry, and particularities of various melanoma types based on the cases diagnosed in our department from 2017 to 2021. Results: We present 100 melanoma cases and one capsular nevus case. The most common type was nodular melanoma. The immunohistochemistry markers used were SRY-box transcription factor 10 (SOX10), S100 protein, human melanoma black 45 (HMB45), and melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (Melan-A). Uveal melanoma and conjunctival melanoma represent particular tumors with independent prognostic factors. Uveal melanoma requires assessment of macrophages, microvascularisation, and mitoses. Sentinel lymph node metastases are essential targets that provide staging tools. Conjunctival melanoma and capsular nevi are diagnostic pitfalls. Conclusion: Melanoma can appear in various forms, and sometimes the diagnosis might be unclear. Today, immunohistochemistry remains the most important tool in confirming the diagnosis and prognosis for this type of neoplasia.

RAPID GROWTH OF GRANULATION TISSUE: A RARE CAUSE OF STRIDOR

RAPID GROWTH OF GRANULATION TISSUE: A RARE CAUSE OF STRIDOR

ABCL-007 Semiquantitative Measurements of Standard-Uptake-Value (ΔSUV) in Assessment of Patients Response and Outcomes in Aggressive Lymphomas

Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18 F] FDG) is an essential tool for accurate staging, early, and late therapy response assessment in all FDG-avid lymphomas. To evaluate the accuracy of ΔSUV max in assessment of response to treatment in patients with lymphoma. This study was conducted between October 2019 and October 2021. Seventy-three patients diagnosed as high-grade lymphoma or Hodgkin disease (HD) were enrolled in the study. PET/CT examinations were performed at baseline (PET0), after the second, the fourth cycle of chemotherapy and at the end of treatment. PET-CT scans were analyzed according to the Deauville 5-point scale (5-PS). According to SUV-based assessment, PET/CT was considered negative when ΔSUV max at 2nd cycle (PET0-2) is more than 66% and ΔSUV max at 4th cycle (PET0-4) is more than 70%, respectively. The change in activity (ΔSUV) from initial (SUVmax1) to later scans (SUVmax2) was calculated as: SUV (%) = 100 x ([SUVmax2/SUVmax1] -1). Biopsy was taken if PET 2 or 4 is visually positive with negative delta SUV max, or in case of new lesions if other sites have improved. SUV uptake values at baseline were 16.30 ± 9.36 in NHL versus 12.55 ± 6.78 in HL. After 2 cycles of chemotherapy, (78.1%) had negative PET based on ΔSUV max raised to (86.3%) by the end of 4th cycle and this was different from 5PS where only (60.5%) raised to (74.4%) after the 4th cycle. In comparison with results of biopsy, ΔSUV0-2 has sensitivity 80%, specificity 94.1%, accuracy 90.91 % with P value (0.001) also, ΔSUV0-4 has sensitivity 80%, specificity 100%, accuracy 95.45 % with high agreement with P value (<0.001). On the contrary, the visual 5-PS analysis 0-2 specificity 17.65%, accuracy 36.36 with P value (<0.321). Also, the visual 5-PS analysis 0-4 specificity 41.18 %, accuracy 54.55% with P value (<0.082). After 4 cycles 22 patients needed to undergo biopsy because inconclusive results of PET. Comparison reveled that using ΔSUV max demonstrated higher specificity. ΔSUV max is comparable to biopsy and significantly more accurate than Deauville criteria in assessment of response to treatment.

Development and validation of a tissue-based DNA methylation risk-score model to predict the prognosis of surgically resected pancreatic cancer patients.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant tumor associated with low survival rates. It is challenging to predict the survival of surgically resected patients with PC. A prognostic staging tool could be beneficial to guide treatments and also aid post-treatment surveillance. This study aimed to identify tissue-based DNA methylation risk-score model to predict the prognosis of surgically resected pancreatic cancer patients. We performed a monocentric, retrospective study that included 50 patients with stage I-II PC from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (SU cohort). Both tumor and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from each patient and subjected to capture-based targeted methylation profiling. In total, 1,162 DNA methylation blocks (DMBs) were differentially methylated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent long-distance tissues (P<0.05). Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and stepwise regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between the methylation signature (risk score) and overall survival (OS). Patients in the high-risk group showed significantly poorer OS than those in the low-risk group in the survival analysis [P≤0.001; area under curve (AUC) at 1 year, 0.789; AUC at 2 years, 0.852]. The risk score was also validated using clinical and methylation data of 166 PC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PDAC) dataset. Patients in the high-risk group showed significantly poorer OS than those in the low-risk group (P=0.004; AUC at 1 years, 0.677; AUC at 3 years, 0.611). When clinical parameters were considered, the risk score was the only independent prognostic parameter (P<0.001) in the Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, low-risk patients had higher levels of immune infiltration, anti-tumor immune activation, and increased sensitivity to gemcitabine and paclitaxel. In contrast, high-risk patients had lower KRAS mutation rates and benefited more from cisplatin. In our study, we constructed and validated a tissue-based DNA methylation risk-score model to predict prognosis and identify PC patients with a high mortality risk at the time of surgery. This model might provide a tissue-based prognostic assessment tool for clinicians to aid their treatment decision-making.

LiSNet: An artificial intelligence -based tool for liver imaging staging of hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness.

Presurgical assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) aggressiveness can benefit patients' treatment options and prognosis. To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, namely, LiSNet, in the task of scoring and interpreting HCC aggressiveness with computed tomography (CT) imaging. A total of 358 patients with HCC undergoing curative liver resection were retrospectively included. Three subspecialists were recruited to pixel-wise annotate and grade tumor aggressiveness based on CT imaging. LiSNet was trained and validated in 193 and 61 patients with a deep neural network to emulate the diagnostic acumen of subspecialists for staging HCC. The test set comprised 104 independent patients. We subsequently compared LiSNet with an experience-based binary diagnosis scheme and human-AI partnership that combined binary diagnosis and LiSNet for assessing tumor aggressiveness. We also assessed the efficiency of LiSNet for predicting survival outcomes. At the pixel-wise level, the agreement rate of LiSNet with subspecialists was 0.658 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.490-0.779), 0.595 (95% CI: 0.406-0.734), and 0.369 (95% CI: 0.134-0.566), for scoring HCC aggressiveness grades I, II, and III, respectively. Additionally, LiSNet was comparable to subspecialists for predicting histopathological microvascular invasion (area under the curve: LiSNet: 0.668 [95% CI: 0.559-0.776] versus subspecialists: 0.699 [95% CI: 0.591-0.806], p>0.05). In a human-AI partnered diagnosis, combining LiSNet and experience-based binary diagnosis can achieve the best predictive ability for microvascular invasion (area under the curve: 0.705 [95% CI: 0.589-0.820]). Furthermore, LiSNet was able to indicate overall survival after surgery. The designed LiSNet tool warrants evaluation as an alternative tool for radiologists to conduct automatic staging of HCC aggressiveness at the pixel-wise level with CT imaging. Its prognostic value might benefit patients' treatment options and survival prediction.

354. THE PARADIGM OF INACCURACIES IN STAGING EARLY OESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA

Abstract The clinical value of multiple staging investigations for high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (EOC) is unclear. A single centre prospective cohort of patients treated for EOC between 2000 and 2019 was analysed. This coincided with a transition period from oesophagectomy to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) as the treatment of choice for early cancers. All patients were staged with computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of these investigations and impact on clinical management. 297 patients with HGD or EOC were included (EMRn = 184; oesophagectomy n = 113 [preceded by EMRn = 23]). Staging patterns for both groups were similar throughout staging modalities (CT, EUS, PET-CT), showing low overall accuracy. In the EMR group, over-staging that might have changed management occurred in 10 patients (3.6%)for T-staging (T2) and 14 patients (5.0%)for positive lymph node-staging (LNM). In the oesophagectomy alone group LNM identified following surgery was rare (8.9%) and staging sensitivity for these surgically treated patients was low (CT 12.5%, EUS 12.5%, PET-CT 0.0%). Overall, PET-CT and EUS changed decision-making in less than 1%of patients with a clear CT and low risk histology criteria on EMR specimen. Staging accuracy is low in EOC and the addition of EUS and PET-CT does not change patient decision making significantly. Histology obtained from EMR specimens contain important predicting factors that do change patient management, proving to be an excellent staging tool rather than imaging techniques, hence, EUS and PET-CT should only be used selectively in patients being assessed for EOC.

Pathological Nodal Staging Score for Gastric Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma: A Clinical Tool of Adequate Nodal Staging.

Background: Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRCC) is a subset of gastric cancer with distinct histological and inconsistent prognosis outcome. Currently, the association between the adequate regional lymph node and proper nodal staging in GSRCC is rarely noticed. Materials and methods: Clinical data of GSRCC were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Beta-binomial distribution model was employed for the estimation of the probability of missing nodal disease, followed by the development of a nodal staging score (NSS). Results: A total of 561 GSRCC patients were included in this study, with 193 in lymph node-negative and 368 in lymph node-positive diagnoses. As the number of examined lymph nodes increased, the probability of missing nodal disease decreased rapidly, with T stage-specific curves. The probability of missing nodal disease in T4 was lower than that in T1. NSS calculation indicated that T1 stage patients commonly had NSS > 0.8. However, with the NSS of T2–T4 to reach 0.8, the number of examined lymph node was required to be larger than 12 in T2, 17 in T3 and 27 in T4. NSS ≥ 0.75 (quantile 75%) subgroup in T2–T4 subgroups tended to have better outcome; however, without significant prognostic value. Conclusions: NSS is served as a reliable and feasible tool in adequate nodal staging of GSRCC with statistical basis and provides further evidence for clinical decision making.

Utility of Integrated PET/MRI for the Primary Diagnostic Work-Up of Patients with Ewing Sarcoma: Preliminary Results.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical applicability of integrated PET/MRI for staging and monitoring the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Ewing sarcoma patients. Methods: A total of 11 juvenile patients with confirmed Ewing sarcoma, scheduled for induction polychemotherapy, were prospectively enrolled for a PET/MR examination before, during and after the end of treatment. Two experienced physicians analysed the imaging datasets. They were asked to perform a whole-body staging in all three examinations and to define treatment response according to the RECIST1.1 and PERCIST criteria for each patient. Results: In eight patients lymph node and/or distant metastases were detected at initial diagnosis. According to the reference standard, three patients achieved complete response, six patients partial response, and one patient showed stable disease while another patient showed progressive disease. RECIST1.1 categorized the response to treatment in 5/11 patients correctly and showed a tendency to underestimate the response to treatment in the remaining six patients. PERCIST defined response to treatment in 9/11 patients correctly and misclassified two patients with a PR as CR. Conclusion: PET/MRI may serve as a valuable imaging tool for primary staging and response assessment of juvenile patients with Ewing sarcoma to induction chemotherapy, accompanied by a reasonable radiation dose for the patient.

Application of the Latest Advances in Evidence-Based Medicine in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic, autoimmune liver disease that can progress to end-stage liver disease and its complications. A previous expert review panel collaborated on a consensus document for gastroenterologists and other healthcare professionals regarding the care of patients with PBC. Subsequently, there have been several recent important developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients with PBC. These include updates to prognostic models on risk stratification, new noninvasive tools for staging of disease, updates to the appropriate use of and long-term treatment results with obeticholic acid as a second-line treatment, the emerging therapeutic role of fibrates, and the advancement of investigational agents for managing PBC. In this updated expert consensus document, we provide updates on staging, the use of noninvasive prognostic tools, and a treatment algorithm to provide evidence-based and practical tools for clinicians who manage PBC, with the ultimate goal to improve the long-term outcomes for patients with this chronic liver disease.

The effect of pH-compatible cleansing cloths on skin pH and the development of pressure ulcers

AimSkin care plays an important role in the prevention of the development of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of skincare with a body pH-compatible cleansing cloth on the development time of pressure ulcers and on skin pH. MethodsThis experimental research was conducted with 156 patients hospitalized in intensive care clinics of a state hospital between September 2019 and 2020. The sample was calculated with a power of 80% and a significance level of 0.05 (α error) and as a result, 78 elderly patients formed the intervention group and another 78 elderly patients made up the control group. Data were collected using the Elderly Information Form, Braden Risk Assessment Scale, Pressure Ulcer Staging Tool and Skin pH Measurement Form. The pre- and post-care skin pH of both groups was measured with a skin pH meter. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThe average development time for pressure ulcers was 14.9 days in the control group, 18.9 days in the intervention group and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Skin pH decreased in the intervention group after the skin care routine was applied, whereas it increased in the control group. ConclusionIt can be said that care of one's skin with a body pH-compatible cleansing cloth has a positive effect on the development time of pressure ulcers and also positively changes the skin pH to acidic.

Retrospective audit: Utility of PET scan in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging.

Accurate staging for rectal cancer is pertinent with recent introduction of rectum-sparing approaches for patients showing complete clinical response on restaging. Positron emission tomography(PET) is used in detection of recurrence or metastasis, but its value in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging remains unclear. Studies report that preoperative PET altered the stage in 39% and changed the management in 17-27% of patients. Our study aims to look at the utility of PET in routine preoperative staging of rectal cancer within 2 two colorectal units, and to determine if PET did result in a change in management. Patients in Nepean Hospital (NSW) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VIC) who were diagnosed with rectal cancer between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All patients who did not have a PET scan were excluded. PET scan results were then compared with MRI and CT results. Three hundred and fifty-seven patients were included in the study. 30.3% of the patients had Stage 3 rectal cancer. 71.7% received neoadjuvant therapy. PET scan provided additional information in 55.5% of patients when compared with CT and MRI alone; 18.2% of the PET findings resulted in an altered management for the patient. PET scan can be a valuable tool in accurate staging, especially for ambiguous or equivocal lesions on CT. Our study demonstrated that additional information from PET scan resulted in an altered management plan in 18.2% of the patients. PET/MRI as a newer modality may be more accurate with reduced radiation exposure.

Prognostic Value of Lymph Node Yield, Lymph Node Density, and pN in Oral Cancer.

To investigate thresholds for lymph node yield (LNY), lymph node density (LND), and pN in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to previous findings in the literature. Retrospective register-based study. Copenhagen Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma database. Appropriate thresholds for LNY, LND, and pN were determined by areas under the curve and subsequently subjected to multivariate analysis. Five-year overall survival and 3-year recurrence-free survival were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. In total, 413 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma were included. In the pN0 cohort, no superior/prognostic LNY cutoff values were detected. In the pN+ cohort, areas under the curve determined thresholds of LNY, LND, and pN to be 21 nodes, 5%, and 3 metastases, respectively. The 5-year overall survival was 52% for patients with LNY ≥21 vs 38% for patients with LNY <21 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.05-2.11; P < .05), 60% for patients with LND ≤5% vs 38% for patients with LND >6% (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03-2.57; P < .05), and 43% for patients with pN <3 vs 26% for patients with pN ≥3 (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-2.15; P < .05). Increased nodal yield, decreased LND, and decreasing number of pN were associated with significantly improved survival outcomes. LNY might serve as a prognosticator of survival as well as a surgical quality indicator. LND may have implications as a tool in cancer staging and treatment planning.

Diagnostic value of integrated 18F-FDG PET/MRI for staging of endometrial carcinoma: comparison with PET/CT

PurposeTo explore the diagnostic value of integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) for the staging of endometrial carcinoma and to investigate the associations between quantitative parameters derived from PET/MRI and clinicopathological characteristics of endometrial carcinoma. MethodsAltogether, 57 patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent PET/MRI and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) preoperatively were included. Diagnostic performance of PET/MRI and PET/CT for staging was compared by three readers. Associations between PET/MRI quantitative parameters of primary tumor lesions and clinicopathological characteristics of endometrial carcinoma were analyzed. Histopathological results were used as the standard.ResultsThe overall accuracy of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging for PET/MRI and PET/CT was 86.0% and 77.2%, respectively. PET/MRI had higher accuracy in diagnosing myometrial invasion and cervical invasion and an equivalent accuracy in diagnosing pelvic lymph node metastasis against PET/CT, although without significance. All PET/MRI quantitative parameters were significantly different between stage I and stage III tumors. Only SUVmax/ADCmin were significantly different between stage I and II tumors. No parameters were significantly different between stage II and III tumors. The SUVmax/ADCmin in the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve had a higher area under the ROC curve for differentiating stage I tumors and other stages of endometrial carcinoma.ConclusionsPET/MRI had a higher accuracy for the staging of endometrial carcinoma, mainly for FIGO stage I tumors compared to PET/CT. PET/MRI quantitative parameters, especially SUVmax/ADCmin, were associated with tumor stage and other clinicopathological characteristics. Hence, PET/MRI may be a valuable imaging diagnostic tool for preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Is Feasible in Dogs with Scars from Prior Local Excision of Solid Malignancies.

Simple SummarySentinel lymph node (SLN) excision is gaining relevance in the management of various canine malignancies due to its recognized impact on staging and treatment choices. However, the technologies to perform SLN mapping are only available to a few referral centers, and there is increasing demand for secondary nodal staging after prior tumor excision at the primary care institution. This retrospective study investigated the feasibility and usefulness of SLN biopsy in dogs with surgical scars resulting from the removal of various solid tumors referred for further staging and/or adjuvant treatment options. Thirty-three dogs with 34 scars underwent SLN biopsy at a median of 50 days after primary tumor excision. An SLN was identified for 31/34 scars, translating to a detection rate of 91.2%. Metastases were identified with histopathology in 13/31 dogs (41.9%) and they all had an excision of a mast cell tumor. SLN biopsy should be suggested in dogs presenting with scars from prior solid tumor excision, considering the observed detection rate and the importance of knowing the metastatic status of the SLN in oncological diseases.Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a well-established staging tool in canine oncology. This study aims to explore the feasibility of SLN biopsy in dogs with scars from prior excised solid malignancies that were referred for further tumor staging and/or adjuvant treatment options. Mapping was either performed using radiopharmaceutical, methylene blue, and/or near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging. Thirty-three dogs with 34 scars from prior excision of the mast cell tumor (MCT) (n = 29), soft tissue sarcoma (n = 2), oral melanoma (n = 1), subungual melanoma (n = 1), and mammary adenocarcinoma (n = 1) were retrospectively enrolled. Primary treatment consisted of curative intent/wide tumor excisions in 50.0% of dogs and marginal excision in the remaining 50.0%. The median time between tumor excision and SLN biopsy was 50 days (range 17–110 days). The procedure was successful in 31/34 scars, translating to a detection rate of 91.2%. The SLN did not correspond to the regional lymph node in 19/31 scars (61.3%). SLN metastases were histologically identified in 13/31 (41.9%) dogs, all of them affected by MCT. Based on our results, SLN biopsy using lymphoscintigraphy/methylene blue and/or NIRF is feasible in dogs presenting with scars from the prior surgical excision of solid tumors, and should be suggested for accurate nodal staging.

Methodologies and Wearable Devices to Monitor Biophysical Parameters Related to Sleep Dysfunctions: An Overview.

Sleep is crucial for human health from metabolic, mental, emotional, and social points of view; obtaining good sleep in terms of quality and duration is fundamental for maintaining a good life quality. Over the years, several systems have been proposed in the scientific literature and on the market to derive metrics used to quantify sleep quality as well as detect sleep disturbances and disorders. In this field, wearable systems have an important role in the discreet, accurate, and long-term detection of biophysical markers useful to determine sleep quality. This paper presents the current state-of-the-art wearable systems and software tools for sleep staging and detecting sleep disorders and dysfunctions. At first, the paper discusses sleep’s functions and the importance of monitoring sleep to detect eventual sleep disturbance and disorders. Afterward, an overview of prototype and commercial headband-like wearable devices to monitor sleep is presented, both reported in the scientific literature and on the market, allowing unobtrusive and accurate detection of sleep quality markers. Furthermore, a survey of scientific works related the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep functions, attributable to both infection and lifestyle changes. In addition, a survey of algorithms for sleep staging and detecting sleep disorders is introduced based on an analysis of single or multiple biosignals (EEG—electroencephalography, ECG—electrocardiography, EMG—electromyography, EOG—electrooculography, etc.). Lastly, comparative analyses and insights are provided to determine the future trends related to sleep monitoring systems.

TU1.10 Oesophageal/ Oesophagogastric Junction Cancer: EUS Role Revisited

Abstract Introduction Oesophageal and Oesophago-gastric junctional (OGJ) cancer remains a challenge both from the perspective of early diagnosis, prompt staging and subsequent treatment. The prognosis of these cancers is directly related to the stage of the disease at diagnosis. CT scan followed by Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are investigations which help with the T and N staging. In conjunction with staging tools like PET and laparoscopy there is a resultant delay with frequent breaching of treatment targets. Reducing the number of investigations potentially avoids delays in the management pathway. Methods We conducted a retrospective audit on patients who have had oesophageal cancer resections from 2017 to 2021. We compared the accuracy of the CT scan in comparison to EUS staging preoperatively with final histopathological staging. Patients who had neo-adjuvant therapy were excluded from the final histological comparisons. Results CT is routinely performed in all patients with oesophageal cancer. All oesophageal cancers going for treatment had EUS staging. EUS staging was found most useful for Tx and T1 stages. We did not find EUS additionally useful for T2 and T3 stages. EUS is useful for T4 stages to help exclude inoperability. Conclusion Modern multi-slice CT scans provide a comparable accuracy to EUS for T2 and T3. This suggests that EUS staging can be avoided for CT stage T2 and T3 cancers of the oesophagus and GOJ. This is in keeping with current NICE guidance. EUS has a role in TX, T1 and T4 cancers and can be selectively used as per other specific indications.