The survival outcome and prognostic factors for distal cholangiocarcinoma following surgical resection: a meta-analysis for the 5-year survival

Purpose

To assess the available evidence on the prognostic factors for the 5-year survival for patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) following surgical resection.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive search of abstracts included in databases where relevant studies were published between January 2000 and August 2015. Risk ratios (RRs), 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs), and random-effects model were calculated using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of 23 observational studies involving 2063 patients with DCC were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was not confirmed as a prognostic factor, with similar 5-year survival rates between those receiving and not receiving chemotherapy (RR 0.71; 95 % CI 0.21–2.36; P = 0.57). Perineural invasion (RR 0.51; 95 % CI 0.40–0.64; P < 0.00001), lymph node metastasis (RR 0.51; 95 % CI 0.38–0.70; P < 0.0001), positive resection margin status (RR 2.11; 95 % CI 1.36–3.30; P = 0.001), and not-well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (RR 1.77; 95 % CI 1.39–2.25; P < 0.00001) were associated with shorter survival.

Conclusions

Perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, resection margin status, and tumor differentiation were the significant prognostic factors for the 5-year survival.

     

Clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy vs. chemotherapy

Purpose

We compared the clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) vs. chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods

The study population comprised 81 patients with UICC stage T3/4 PDAC, treated initially by NACRT with S-1 in 40 and by NAC with gemcitabine + S-1 in 41. This was followed by pancreatectomy with routine nerve plexus resection in 35 of the patients who had received NACRT and 32 of those who had received NAC. We compared the survival curves and clinical outcomes of these two groups.

Results

The rates of clinical response, surgical resectability, and margin-negative resection were similar. The NACRT group patients had significantly higher rates of Evans stage ≥IIB tumors (29 vs. 0 %, respectively, p = 0.010) and negative lymph nodes (49 vs. 16 %, respectively, p = 0.021) than the NAC group patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival between the groups, but the disease-specific survival of the NAC group patients was better than that of the NACRT group patients (p = 0.034). Patients undergoing pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection following NACRT had significantly higher rates of intractable diarrhea and ascites but consequently received significantly less adjuvant chemotherapy and therapeutic chemotherapy for relapse.

Conclusion

NACRT followed by pancreatectomy with nerve plexus resection is superior for achieving local control, but postoperative diarrhea and ascites may prohibit continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy or chemotherapy for relapse (UMIN4148).

     

Actual Long-Term Survival Outcome of 403 Consecutive Patients with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Despite aggressive surgical resection, prognosis of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma is still unsatisfactory. There were limited data about actual long-term survival outcome. This study was designed to explore actual long-term survival outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma after surgical treatment, and to investigate the characteristics of patients with actual long-term survival.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 403 consecutive patients with at least 5-year follow-up after surgical treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma at Seoul National University Hospital between 1991 and 2010. Prognostic factors were analyzed with Cox proportional hazard models, and the effect of adjuvant treatment was evaluated by propensity score analysis.

Results

Of all patients, R0 resection rate was 41.2 and 63.8 % among intended curative resection. Adjuvant therapy was performed in 48.8 % after curative surgery. Actual 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 18.9, and 30.1 % after R0 resection. Actual 5-year disease-free survival rate was 25.8 % after resection. Adjuvant treatment improved prognosis in patients with positive metastatic lymph nodes (median OS 21.9 vs. 11.5 months, p = 0.003). Overall recurrence rate was 55.0 %, and distant metastasis (39.7 %) was more frequent than loco-regional recurrence (20.8 %). Lymph node metastasis (p = 0.021) and poor histologic grade (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors after curative resection. Patients who survived more than 5 years had less lymph node metastasis (p = 0.025), poor histologic differentiation (p = 0.010), R2 resection (p = 0.040), and recurrence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Actual 5-year OS rate after R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is 30.1 %. Adjuvant treatment could be beneficial in patients with lymph node metastasis.

     

The investigation of the survival time after recurrence in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for individualization of adjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease; however, the frequency of recurrence can be reduced if curative surgery following adjuvant chemotherapy is applied. At present, adjuvant chemotherapy is uniformly performed in all patients, as it is unclear which tumor types are controlled best or worst. We investigated patients with recurrence to establish the optimum treatment strategy.

Methods

Of 138 patients who underwent curative surgery for PDAC, 85 developed recurrence. Comprehensive clinicopathological factors were investigated for their association with the survival time after recurrence (SAR).

Results

The median SAR was 12.6 months. Treatments for recurrence included best supportive care, GEM-based therapy and S-1. The performance status [hazard ratio (HR) 0.12, P?<?0.001], histological invasion of lymph vessels (HR 0.27, P?<?0.001), kind of treatment for recurrence (HR 5.0, P?<?0.001) and initial recurrence site (HR 2.9, P?<?0.001) were independent significant risk factors for the SAR. The initial recurrence sites were the liver (n?=?21, median SAR 8.8 months), lung (n?=?10, 14.9 months), peritoneum (n?=?6, 1.7 months), lymph nodes (n?=?6, 14.7 months), local site (n?=?17, 13.9 months) and multiple sites (n?=?25, 10.1 months). A shorter recurrence-free survival (<?1 year) and higher postoperative CA19-9 level were significantly associated with critical recurrence (peritoneal/liver).

Conclusions

Several risk factors for SAR were detected in this study. Further investigations are needed to individualize the adjuvant chemotherapy for each patient with PDAC.

     

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Patients with Clinical T4b Colon Cancer

Background

In 2016, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network included neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a treatment option for patients with clinical T4b colon cancer. However, there is little published data on the survival impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer.

Methods

Adult patients with non-metastatic clinically staged T3 or T4 colon cancer who underwent surgical resection were identified from the National Cancer Data Base between 2006 and 2014. Treatment was categorized as neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival was compared between the two groups using propensity score matching.

Results

Of 27,575 patients that met inclusion criteria, 26,654 (97%) were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and 921 (3%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. After propensity score matching, patients with T4b colon cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a 23% lower risk of death at 3 years compared to patients that had adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60–0.98; p = 0.04). However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not demonstrate a similar significant benefit for patients with T3 and T4a disease.

Conclusions

Patients with clinical T4b colon cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy may have an improved survival compared to those who receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Further prospective investigation is warranted.

     

Effect of postoperative major complications on prognosis after pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer: a retrospective review

Purpose

To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on survival after curative resection for pancreatic cancer.

Methods

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 122 patients who underwent curative R0 resection for pancreatic cancer. Major complications included pancreatic fistula and hemorrhage of grade B or C according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula or Surgery criteria, and other complications of grade ≥III according to the Clavien–Dindo classification.

Results

Thirty-eight patients (31 %) suffered major postoperative complications and 40 patients (33 %) suffered minor complications only. Univariate survival analysis showed that patients with major complications had a significantly worse prognosis than those without major complications, with regard to recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P < 0.01) and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.01), whereas minor complications did not affect survival. Major complications significantly inhibited or delayed adjuvant chemotherapy. Multivariate survival analysis showed that the absence of postoperative major complications was an independent favorable factor for RFS (hazard ratio 0.48; 95 % confidence interval: 0.28–0.85) and OS (hazard ratio 0.47; 95 % confidence interval 0.27–0.81).

Conclusions

Postoperative major complications after pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer affect the prognosis.

     

Lumican and Versican Are Associated with Good Outcome in Stage II and III Colon Cancer

Background

Tumor stroma plays an important role in the progression and metastasis of colon cancer. The glycoproteins versican and lumican are overexpressed in colon carcinomas and are associated with the formation of tumor stroma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of versican and lumican expression in the epithelial and stromal compartment of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage II and III colon cancer.

Methods

Clinicopathological data and tissue samples were collected from stage II (n = 226) and stage III (n = 160) colon cancer patients. Tissue microarrays were constructed with cores taken from both the center and the periphery of the tumor. These were immunohistochemically stained for lumican and versican. Expression levels were scored on digitized slides. Statistical evaluation was performed.

Results

Versican expression by epithelial cells in the periphery of the tumor, i.e., near the invasive front, was correlated to a longer disease-free survival for the whole cohort (P = 0.01), stage III patients only (P = 0.01), stage III patients with microsatellite-instable tumors (P = 0.04), and stage III patients with microsatellite-stable tumors who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.006). Lumican expression in epithelial cells overall in the tumor was correlated to a longer disease-specific survival in stage II patients (P = 0.05) and to a longer disease-free survival and disease-specific survival in microsatellite-stable stage II patients (P = 0.02 and P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Protein expression of versican and lumican predicted good clinical outcome for stage III and II colon cancer patients, respectively.

     

Prognostic Value of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Density Assessed Using a Standardized Method Based on Molecular Subtypes and Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Invasive Breast Cancer

Background

This study investigated the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density as determined by molecular subtype and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy in invasive breast cancer (IBC).

Methods

Stromal TIL densities were evaluated in 1489 IBC samples using recommendations proposed by the International TILs Working Group. Cases were allocated to high- and low-TIL density groups using a cutoff of 10%.

Results

Of the 1489 IBC patients, 427 (28.7%) were assigned to the high-TIL group and 1062 (71.3%) to the low-TIL group. High TIL density was found to be significantly associated with large tumor size (p = 0.001), high histologic grade (p < 0.001), and high Ki-67 labeling index (p < 0.001). Triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtypes had significantly higher TIL densities than luminal A or B (HER2-negative) subtypes (p < 0.001). High TIL density was significantly associated with prolonged disease-free survival (DFS) by univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate (p < 0.001) analyses. In the low-TIL-density group, the patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy showed better DFS (p < 0.001), but no such survival difference was observed in the high-TIL group (p = 0.222). For the patients who received adjuvant anthracycline, high-TIL density was found to be an independent prognostic factor of favorable DFS in the luminal B (HER2-negative; p = 0.003), HER2-positive (p = 0.019), and triple-negative (p = 0.017) subtypes.

Conclusion

Measurements of TIL density in routine clinical practice could give useful prognostic information for the triple-negative, HER2-positive, and luminal B (HER2-negative) IBC subtypes, especially for patients administered adjuvant anthracycline.

     

Feasibility of the liver-first approach for patients with initially unresectable and not optimally resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastases

Purpose

To investigate the outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer and initially unresectable or not optimally resectable liver metastases, who were treated using the liver-first approach in the era of modern chemotherapy in Japan.

Methods

We analyzed and compared data retrospectively on patients with asymptomatic resectable colorectal cancer and initially unresectable or not optimally resectable liver metastases, who were treated either using the liver-first approach (n = 12, LF group) or the primary-first approach (n = 13, PF group).

Results

Both groups of patients completed their therapeutic plan and there was no mortality. Postoperative morbidity rates after primary resection and hepatectomy, and post-hepatectomy liver failure rate were comparable between the groups (p = 1.00, p = 0.91, and p = 0.55, respectively). Recurrence rates, median recurrence-free survival since the last operation, and 3-year overall survival rates from diagnosis were also comparable between the LF and PF groups (58.3 vs. 61.5 %, p = 0.87; 10.5 vs. 18.6 months, p = 0.57; and 87.5 vs. 82.5 %, p = 0.46, respectively).

Conclusions

The liver-first approach may be an appropriate treatment sequence without adversely affecting perioperative or survival outcomes for selected patients.

     

Clinical role of additional adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cystectomy

Purpose

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can downstage invasive bladder cancers prior to radical cystectomy (RC) and improve overall survival. However, the optimal management in patients with persistent non-organ confined disease (pT3–T4 and/or pN+) following RC has not been completely defined. The aim of this study was to describe outcomes associated with the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in patients with residual non-organ confined cancer at RC following NAC.

Materials and methods

Using data from a high-volume referral institution, pT3–T4 and/or pN+ patients who received NAC and then also RC were identified. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were assessed with Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

From 2001 to 2013, 161 patients received NAC and then RC. Eighty-eight pT3–T4 and/or pN+ patients were identified. Twenty-nine (33 %) received AC. Adjuvant chemotherapy in the majority of patients was carboplatin-based (16), followed by cisplatin (8) and other, mainly taxane-containing regimens (5). The median RFS was 17.5 months in the AC and 13.7 months in the non-AC group (p = 0.78). AC remained an insignificant predictor for RFS after adjusting for pT, pN and margin status (HR 0.89, 95 % CI 0.48–1.68]). CSS was 23 and 22 months (p = 0.65) and remained insignificant after adjusting for pathologic confounders.

Conclusions

In our current study population, adjuvant conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy was not associated with significant improvements in RFS or CSS. The choice of AC regimens, and incorporation of newer treatments, may be the key for improving outcomes in this high-risk patient group.

     

The role of solifenacin,as monotherapy or combination with tamsulosin in ureteral stent-related symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Ureteral stenting is associated with various morbidity and reduced quality of life. We systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of solifenacin as monotherapy, or combined therapy with tamsulosin versus control or tamsulosin monotherapy in stent-related symptoms (SRSs).

Materials and methods

Randomized controlled trials evaluating solifenacin or its combination with tamsulosin for the treatment of SRSs were identified via a comprehensive search of Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, The Cochrane Library and relevant sources up to February 2017. Ureteral stent symptom questionnaire (USSQ) and drug-related complications were pooled for meta-analysis. Mean difference and risk difference were calculated as appropriate for each outcome to determine the cumulative effect size.

Results

There were 10 studies involving 1786 participants finally eligible in the quantitative analysis. Solifenacin monotherapy significantly reduced the total score of USSQ [MD ?14.90; 95% CI (?25.19, ?4.60); P = 0.005], as well as indexes of urinary symptoms, body pain, general health, sexual performance, and hematuria (P = 0.02, P = 0.009, P = 0.004, P = 0.02, P = 0.02, respectively), but the differences were insignificant when compared with tamsulosin except improved sexual performance (P = 0.004). Combined therapy of solifenacin and tamsulosin showed no beneficial effects in all indexes of USSQ over solifenacin monotherapy. Only slightly higher incidence of dry mouth (P = 0.02) was found with solifenacin versus control.

Conclusions

The result demonstrates the safety and efficacy of solifenacin in reducing SRSs, but no significant advantage was found over tamsulosin. In addition, combination of solifenacin and tamsulosin did not show beneficial effects over solifenacin monotherapy. More high quality trials are warranted to further address this issue, however.

     

Effects of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the Treatment of Goblet Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Goblet cell carcinoma (GCC) of the appendix is a rare disease. Treatment options vary according to disease staging. Cytoreductive surgery in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) may improve survival in patients with peritoneal spreading.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the prognosis of patients with appendiceal GCC treated per protocol, and to evaluate the results of CRS+HIPEC in cases of peritoneal spreading.

Methods

From 2009 to 2016, a total of 48 GCC patients were referred to the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Center of Excellence, Aarhus University Hospital. All patients received treatment per protocol according to disease staging. In patients with localized disease, the treatment was a right hemicolectomy. Patients with peritoneal spread who met the inclusion criteria for CRS + HIPEC, as well as patients with high-risk features of developing peritoneal spread, received CRS + HIPEC. If too-extensive disease was found, palliative chemotherapy was offered.

Results

Overall survival for patients with localized disease (n = 6) or deemed at risk of peritoneal spread (n = 8) was 100% after a median follow-up of 3.5 years. In patients with peritoneal spread and eligible for CRS+HIPEC(n = 27), the median survival was 3.2 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3–4.1] and the 5-year survival rate was 57%. In contrast, the median survival for patients with too-extensive intraperitoneal disease (n = 7) was 1.3 years (95% CI 0.6–2.0), with a 3-year survival rate of 20%.

Conclusions

Long-term survival can be achieved in patients with peritoneal spread treated with CRS + HIPEC. CRS+HIPEC was associated with a favorable outcome in GCC patients at high-risk of developing peritoneal spread.

     

Is Neoadjuvant Therapy Sufficient in Resected Pancreatic Cancer Patients? A National Study

Background

Despite the increasing use of neoadjuvant treatment, the question of whether preoperatively treated, successfully resected patients should receive additional postoperative adjuvant treatment remains unanswered. We evaluate the impact of adjuvant therapy following neoadjuvant treatment and pancreatectomy in pancreatic cancer patients in a large national study.

Methods

We used the National Cancer Data Base between 2006 and 2013 to identify resected, non-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who received neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy followed by pancreatectomy. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to compare survival between groups.

Results

In total, 1357 patients were identified. Of the patients, 38.6% (n = 524) were treated with postoperative therapy. There was no difference in unadjusted median overall survival between patients who did and did not receive postoperative therapy (median survival, 27.5 vs. 27.1 months, log-rank p = 0.5409). Postoperative therapy was not significantly associated with favorable prognosis in patients with positive resection margins (log-rank p = 0.6452) or positive lymph nodes (log-rank p = 0.6252). On multivariate analysis, receipt of postoperative therapy was not predictive of survival (hazard ratio 0.972; 95% CI 0.848–1.115; p = 0.6876).

Conclusions

Our results using national data suggest that after receipt of neoadjuvant therapy and pancreatectomy, additional postoperative therapy may not provide additional survival benefit. These data warrant further prospective data collection and consideration for clinical trials.

     

Phase III trial comparing UFT + PSK to UFT + LV in stage IIB,III colorectal cancer (MCSGO-CCTG)

Purpose

Oral adjuvant uracil and tegafur plus leucovorin (UFT/LV) is not inferior to standard weekly fluorouracil and folinate for stage II/III colon cancer. However, protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK) has been evaluated as postoperative adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer. This report is the first of MCSGO-CCTG, which compared UFT/LV to UFT/PSK as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIB or III colorectal cancer in patients who had undergone Japanese D2/D3 lymph node dissection.

Methods

The primary endpoint was the 3-year disease-free survival (DFS). A randomized non-inferiority study compared UFT/LV to UFT/PSK. The overall survival, adverse events, compliance, and quality of life were also investigated as the secondary endpoints.

Results

Between March 2006 and December 2010, 357 patients were randomized to UFT/PSK (n = 178) or UFT/LV (n = 179) (median age 65 years, colon/rectum 67.4/32.6%, stage IIB/IIIA/IIIB/IIIC 11.1/15.7/55.0/18.2%). The 3-year DFS rate was 82.3% in those receiving UFT/LV and 72.1% in those receiving UFT/PSK. The non-inferiority of UFT/PSK adjuvant therapy to UFT/LV therapy was not verified (?9.06%, 90% confidence interval ?17.06 to ?1.06%). The 3-year overall survival rate was 95.4% in those receiving UFT/LV and 90.7% in those receiving UFT/PSK.

Conclusions

As adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIB and III colorectal cancer patients, UFT/PSK adjuvant therapy was not non-inferior to UFT/LV therapy with respect to the DFS.

     

Assessing Trends in Palliative Surgery for Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancies: A 15-Year Multicenter Study

Introduction

Extrahepatic biliary malignancies are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. We compared patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) and gallbladder cancer (GBC) who underwent a palliative procedure versus an aborted laparotomy.

Methods

Seven hundred seventy-seven patients who underwent surgery for PHCC or GBC between 2000 and 2014 were identified. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with outcome.

Results

Utilization of preoperative imaging increased over time (CT use, 80.1 % pre-2009 vs. 90 % post-2009) (p?<?0.001). The proportion of the patients undergoing curative-intent resection also increased (2000–2004, 67.0 % vs. 2005–2009, 74.5 % vs. 2010–2014, 78.8 %; p?=?0.001). The planned surgery was aborted in 106 (13.7 %) patients and 94 (12.1 %) had a palliative procedure. A higher incidence of postoperative complications (19.2 vs. 3.8 %, p?=?0.001) including deep surgical site infections (8.3 vs. 1.1 %), bleeding (4.8 vs. 0 %), bile leak (6.0 vs. 0 %) and longer length of stay (7 vs. 4.5 days) were observed among the patients who underwent a palliative surgical procedure versus an aborted non-therapeutic, non-palliative laparotomy (all p?<?0.05). OS was comparable among the patients who underwent a palliative procedure (8.7 months) versus an aborted laparotomy (7.8 months) (p?=?0.23).

Conclusion

Increased use of advanced imaging modalities was accompanied by increased curative-intent surgery. Compared with patients in whom surgery was aborted, patients who underwent surgical palliation demonstrated an increased incidence of postoperative morbidity with comparable survival.

     

Biodegradable Carmustine Wafers (Gliadel) Alone or in Combination with Chemoradiotherapy: The French Experience

Background

Carmustine-releasing wafers (Gliadel^®) have been available and reimbursed in France since 2005.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in 26 French Departments of Neurosurgery to analyze practices of French neurosurgeons using Gliadel, compare the adverse effects and survival with those of previous phase III trials, and assess survival in patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas (MG) receiving Gliadel plus radiochemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ). A total of 163 patients who received Gliadel for MG were included in this study: 83 (51%) with newly diagnosed MG and 80 (49%) with recurrent MG. In the newly diagnosed group, 51.8% of patients received radiochemotherapy with TMZ.

Results

Adverse events (AEs) emerged in 44.6% of the population, including 6% with septic abscess. The AE rate was not statistically correlated with adjuvant use of TMZ. For the newly diagnosed group, median survival was 17 months. Total or subtotal resection appeared to have a great impact on survival (P = 0.016), as did treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.004).For the group with recurrent MG, median survival was 7 months. Total or subtotal resection excision appeared to have a great impact on survival (P = 0.002), as did preoperative Karnowsky Scale (PO-KPS) (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

Survival rates for newly diagnosed patients were better than those reported in previous phase III trials. The combination of Gliadel and radiochemotherapy with TMZ was well tolerated and appeared to increase survival without increasing AEs.

     

Video assisted thoracic surgery vs. thoracotomy for locally advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background

Surgery is an important part of multidisciplinary treatment strategy for locally advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), but insufficient evidence supports the feasibility and safety of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced LSCC. This study aims to compare perioperative data and long-term survival of locally advanced LSCC patients between VATS and thoracotomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the clinical and pathological information of patients with locally advanced LSCC who underwent surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy from October 2013 to October 2017. All patients were divided into two groups (thoracotomy and VATS) and were compared the differences in perioperative, oncological and survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 81 patients were analyzed in this study (67 thoracotomy and 14 VATS). VATS provided less postoperative pain (P =?0.005) and produced less volume of chest drainage (P =?0.019) than thoracotomy, but the number of resected lymph nodes was less in VATS group (P =?0.011). However, there was no significant difference in the number of resected lymph node stations and the rate of nodal upstaging between two groups. The mean disease free survival (DFS) was 32.7?±?2.7?months for the thoracotomy group and 31.8?±?3.0?months for the VATS group (P?=?0.335); the corresponding overall survival (OS) was 41.7?±?2.2?months and 36.4?±?4.1?months (P?=?0.925).

Conclusion

In selected patients with locally advanced LSCC, VATS played a positive role in postoperative recovery and associated similar survival outcome compared with thoracotomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

     

Better Late than Never? Adherence to Adjuvant Therapy Guidelines for Stage III Colon Cancer in an Underserved Region

Introduction

In 2008, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) issued a quality guideline for stage III colon cancer (CC) recommending adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) within 120 days of diagnosis. We examined adherence in a healthcare system serving a region with disparities in CC outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of patients (2005–2014) with stage III CC in a multi-hospital healthcare system, the associations between adherence, clinicopathologic, demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic data and overall survival (OS) were examined.

Results

Of 1171 CC patients, 438 (37.4%) had stage III disease with 63% (n = 276) receiving AC and 37% (n = 162) not. AC conferred a 5-year OS advantage (62.4 vs. 42.5%, p < 0.0001). Younger age independently predicted AC receipt (OR = 0.95, p < 0.0001). Of 252 AC patients < 80 years, 75.8% were CoC guideline compliant (GC) whereas 24.2% were not (nGC). Although there was no OS difference between GC and nGC, both had superior survival (p < 0.0001) compared to non-AC patients. Surgical complications trended towards independent association with non-compliance (p = 0.07)

Conclusion

Guideline compliance in our system (63%) is lower than the CoC Estimated Performance Rate (72.4%). Age influenced absolute receipt of AC while surgical complications may impact guideline compliance. Even when administered beyond 120 days, AC was associated with a survival benefit.

     

Hepatic Artery Resection for Bismuth Type III and IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Reconstruction Always Required?

Objective

The objective of the study is to examine the feasibility of hepatic artery resection (HAR) without subsequent reconstruction (RCS) in specified patients of Bismuth type III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 63 patients who underwent hepatic artery resection for Bismuth type III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma. These patients were subsequently enrolled into two groups based on whether the artery reconstruction was conducted. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival outcome were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were 29 patients in HAR group and 34 patients in the HAR + RCS group. Patients with hepatic artery reconstruction tended to have longer operative time (545.6?±?143.1 min vs. 656.3?±?192.8 min; P?=?0.013) and smaller tumor size (3.0?±?1.1 cm vs. 2.5?±?0.9 cm; P?=?0.036). The R0 resection margin was comparable between the HAR group and HAR?+?RCS group (86.2 vs. 85.3%; P?>?0.05). Twelve patients (41.4%) with 24 complications in HAR group and 13 patients (38.2%) with 25 complications in HAR?+?RCS group were recorded (P?=?0.799). The postoperative hepatic failure rate (13.8 vs. 5.9%) and postoperative mortality rate (3.4% vs. 2.9%) were also comparable between the two groups. In the HAR group, the overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 72, 41, and 19%, respectively; while in the HAR?+?RCS group, the overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 79, 45, and 25%, respectively (P?=?0.928).

Conclusions

Hepatic artery resection without reconstruction is also a safe and feasible surgical procedure for highly selected cases of Bismuth type III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

     

Is Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Justified for Biphasic Variants of Peritoneal Mesothelioma? Outcomes from the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International Registry

Background

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has dramatically improved the survival of patients with epithelioid peritoneal mesothelioma. It is unknown if CRS/HIPEC is indicated for the more aggressive biphasic mesothelioma variant.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) registry including data from 33 centers was performed. Survival was reviewed based on mesothelioma type, completion of cytoreduction, and volume of disease.

Results

Overall, 484 of 1165 (41.5%) CRS/HIPEC procedures with complete CC0 and CC1 cytoreductions were analyzed; 450 (93%) procedures were performed for epithelioid mesotheliomas, while 34 (7%) were performed for biphasic mesotheliomas. For patients with CC0 resection, 5-year survival was 64.5 and 50.2% (median 7.8 and 6.8 years; p = 0.015) for epithelioid and biphasic mesotheliomas, respectively, while inclusion of CC1 resections in the analysis resulted in inferior 5-year survival of 62.9% and 41.6% (median 7.8 and 2.8 years; p = 0.0012), respectively. Incomplete CC2 resections for biphasic primaries resulted in a median survival of 4.3 months. Univariate analysis of the biphasic cohort indicated Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI; p = 0.015), CC status of resection (p < 0.0001), and Ki67 (p = 0.04) as predictors of survival. Systemic chemotherapy before (p = 0.55) or after (p = 0.7) CRS/HIPEC did not influence survival. In multivariate analysis, only PCI (p = 0.03) and CC (p = 0.04) remained significant.

Conclusions

Long-term survival is achievable in patients with low-volume biphasic mesothelioma after complete macroscopic cytoreduction. Biphasic peritoneal mesotheliomas should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for CRS/HIPEC if there is low-volume disease and if complete cytoreduction can be achieved.