The prognostic and predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores in hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer

Over the past two decades, gene expression profiling of breast cancer has emerged as an important tool in early-stage breast cancer management. The approach provides important information on underlying biological mechanisms, breast cancer classification, future risk potential of developing recurrent metastatic disease, and provides beneficial clues for adjuvant chemotherapy in hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Of the commercially available genomic tests for breast cancer, the prognostic and predictive value of 21-gene recurrence score tests have been validated using both retrospective data and prospective clinical trials. In this paper, we reviewed the current evidence on 21-gene expression profiles for HR-positive HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer management. We show that current evidence supports endocrine therapy alone as an appropriate adjuvant systemic therapy for approximately 70% of women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer. Evolving evidence also suggests that 21-gene recurrence scores have predictive values for node-positive breast cancer and that chemotherapy can be avoided in more than half of women with nodes 1 to 3 positive HR-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, retrospective data also supports the predictive role of 21-gene recurrence scores for adjuvant radiation therapy. A prospective trial in this area is ongoing.     

Current therapy: complications associated with rigid internal fixation of facial fractures

Rigid internal fixation (RIF) is commonly used for the anatomical reduction and fixation of facial fractures. This technique has many advantages over more traditional methods, such as wire osteosynthesis and maxillomandibular fixation. Properly placed RIF ensures a stable anatomical reduction and allows for immediate or early restoration of function. RIF has a number of complications associated with its use in facial trauma surgery including metal sensitivity, infection, neurologic injury, dental trauma, stress shielding, and malocclusion. Complication rates appear to be inversely proportional with operator skill and experience when using RIF.     

Open reduction and internal fixation for displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children with crossed K-wires via lateral approach

Objective： To assess the therapeutic results of open reduction and internal fixation with crossed K-wires via lateral approach for displaced supracondvlar fractures of the humerus in children. Methods： We prospectively followed 52 children who presented with Gartland type 3 displaced supraeondylar fractures of the humerus and were managed by open reduction and internal fixation with crossed K-wires via lateral approach.There were 37 male and 15 female patients; average age was 7.39 years. The most common mechanism of trauma was fall while playing （n=23）, followed by fall from height （n=20）, road traffic accidents （n-5） and fall from standing height （n=2）. In 2 cases, mode of injury was not available. The mean follow-up was 12 months and patients were assessed according to Flynn＇s criteria. Results： Lateral approach provided an excellent view of the lateral column between two nervous planes and enabled an anatomical reduction in all cases. Immobilizing the elbow at 90 degrees or more of flexion was not needed after cross K-wire fixation. Majority of patients regained full range of motion within 6 weeks of pin removal. Two patients had postoperative ulnar nerve injuries that resolved after pin removal. The common late complication of cubitus varus was not seen in any patient. Delayed presentation to the emergency department, repeated manipulations by bone setters and massage with edible oil were responsible for stiffness in 5 patients. Superficial pin tract infection was noted in 5 patients that resolved with dressings and antibiotics. No deep infection occurred. A detailed clinical examination and radiographic analysis was done at final follow-up. They included measurement of carrying angle and range of movements of both operated and normal sides, and radiographs of both upper limbs for comparison. According to Flynn＇s criteria, 90.4% patients showed satisfactory results. Conclusion： Lateral approach for open reduction and internal fixation of the widely-displaced supracondylar fract     

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Oropharynx Harbouring Oncogenic HPV-Infection

Small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the oropharynx is uncommon. Recently, an association has been reported between oropharyngeal SCNEC and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While HPV infection confers a better prognosis for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV infection does not appear to influence the biological behaviour of SCNECs, which are generally associated with poor clinical outcomes. We document two cases of SCNEC arising in the oropharynx with evidence of high-risk HPV infection. The cases highlight the expanding range of malignant oropharyngeal neoplasms that harbour oncogenic HPV infection and support the concept that, irrespective of HPV infection, neuroendocrine differentiation portends a poor prognosis.     

A pre-operative clinical scoring system to distinguish perforation risk with pediatric appendicitis

Importance

Appendicitis is a common, potentially serious pediatric disease. An important factor in determining management strategy [whether/when to perform appendectomy, duration of antibiotic therapy/hospitalization, etc.] and predicting outcome is distinguishing whether perforation is present.

Molecular Evidence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Prostate Tumors

Objectives

To determine whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is detectable in both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Epidemiological studies have shown significant associations between infective chronic prostatitis and prostatic carcinoma. Many bacteria have been found in the prostate of patients with chronic prostatitis, BPH, and PCa.

Methods

One hundred consecutive patients with prostate diseases were enrolled in the study. Detection of H. pylori DNA in prostate tissue from patients with BPH and PCa was performed using both immunohistochemistry and PCR, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Odds ratios and the Fisher Exact test were used for the analysis of the associations between the variables.

Results

Among the patients, 78% had BPH and 19% had PCa. While immunohistochemistry showed no positive sample for H. pylori, PCR combined with sequencing detected H. pylori DNA in prostate tissue samples from 5 patients. However, statistical analysis of the data showed that BPH and PCa are not significantly associated with the presence of H. pylori DNA in prostate tissue (odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.09–23.34, one-tailed Chi-square value = 0.660, p > 0.05). The limitation of this study was the small number of PCa patients.

Conclusions

This study provides, for the first time, molecular evidence of the presence of H. pylori DNA in prostatic tissue of patients with BPH and PCa. It paves the way for further comprehensive studies to examine the association of H. pylori infection with BPH and PCa.Key Words: Helicobacter pylori infection, Prostate cancer, Benign prostate hyperplasia, PCR