Bony landmarks are not an adequate substitute for lymphangiography in defining pelvic lymph node location for the treatment of cervical cancer with radiotherapy

PURPOSE: Curative radiotherapy (RT) for carcinoma of the cervix requires adequate irradiation of regional lymph node groups. The best nonsurgical method of defining lymph node anatomy in the pelvis remains the lymphangiogram (LAG). This study was designed to determine if bony landmarks could accurately substitute for LAG as a means of determining lymph node position for the purpose of pelvic RT treatment planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The post-LAG simulation films of 22 patients treated at the Fox Chase Cancer Center for cervical cancer were examined. On anterior/posterior (A/P) simulation films, the distance of lymph nodes was determined from the top, middle, and bottom of the sacroiliac joint, and at the pelvic rim, 1 and 2 cm above the acetabulum. On lateral (LAT) simulation films, lymph node position was measured at points 0, 4, and 8 cm along a line from the bottom of L5 to the anterior aspect of the pubic symphysis. Positive values represent lateral and anterior distances relative to the reference point on A/P and LAT films, respectively. Negative values represent distances in the opposite direction. The adequacy of standard pelvic fields as defined by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) (A/P: 1.5 cm margin on the pelvic rim; LAT field edge is a vertical line anterior to the pubic symphysis) was also examined. Data are expressed as the mean +/- two standard deviations, (i.e. 95% confidence level). RESULTS: On A/P simulation films, the distance of visualized lymph nodes had mean values of -1.6 +/- 1.7 cm (range -4.1 to -0.4 cm), -1.3 +/- 1.5 cm (range -3.4 to 0.0 cm), and 1.2 +/- 1.8 cm (range -1.0 to 2.6 cm) from the sacro-iliac (SI) joint at the superior, middle, and inferior points, respectively. The mean distance of the nodes from the pelvic rim at points 1 and 2 cm above the acetabulum was 0.3 +/- 1.2 cm (range -0.6 to 1.8 cm) and 0.2 +/- 1.8 cm (range -1.6 to 2.1 cm), respectively. On LAT simulation films, the distance of lymph nodes from points 0, 4, and 8 cm from the previously described reference line had mean values of 2.0 +/- 1.0 cm (range 1.3 to 3.0 cm), 0.9 +/- 3.9 cm (range -1.9 to 5.1 cm), and 1.8 +/- 2.1 cm (range -0.8 to 3.5 cm), respectively. Ten of 22 (45%) patients would have had inadequate nodal irradiation if their fields had been designed according to standard GOG parameters. In all cases, these incompletely irradiated lymph nodes were from the lowest of the lateral external iliac group. CONCLUSION: Great variability in pelvic lymph node location is demonstrated when LAG is used to directly visualize their location. Bony structures are inaccurate landmarks for pelvic lymph node position. The GOG standard pelvic fields are not consistently adequate to cover all lateral external iliac lymph nodes, although the clinical significance of this subgroup of lymph nodes is not known. At this time, LAG remains the ideal radiographic modality to define anatomic location of regional lymph nodes for pelvic RT treatment planning. The clinical importance of the most lateral group of external iliac lymph nodes in various stages of cervical cancer represents a potential area of future research.     

原发性肺癌胸部CT表现与手术切除的关系探讨

目的探讨原发性肺癌胸部ＣＴ表现与手术切除的关系。方法将９５例经手术和病理证实为原发性肺癌的患者分为３组：根治性切除组、姑息性切除组、探查组。分别测量３组ＣＴ肿瘤直径、纵隔肺门淋巴结受侵ＣＴ纵向厚度,记录纵隔、肺门及胸内结构改变。结果根治性切除组、姑息性切除组、探查组肿瘤直径分别为４．１０±１．７５,３．９０±１．２０,５．２０±３．６６（ｃｍ,ｘ±ｓ,Ｐ＞０．０５）。纵隔肺门淋巴结受侵ＣＴ扫描纵向厚度分别为２．６８±１．６０,４．０２±１．５６,４．８５±３．２８（Ｐ＜０．０１,Ｐ＜０．０５）。手术探查组ＣＴ特征主要表现为纵隔、肺门结构变形。结论肿瘤直径大小与手术切除无明显直接关系,纵隔肺门淋巴结受侵厚度是影响手术切除的重要因素。当纵隔肺门淋巴结受侵、胸部ＣＴ纵向厚度≤２．６８±１．６０ｃｍ时,临床上可行根治性肺切除。明显纵隔、肺门结构变形可视为手术禁忌症。     

Curability of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: an analysis of 10 years’ experience

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is becoming widely used for the management of gastric cancer. To evaluate its oncologic feasibility, we analyzed the curability of laparoscopic gastrectomy based on our 10-year experience. METHODS: All laparoscopic gastrectomies for gastric cancer performed in the past 10 years, with the exception of those converted to open surgery, were evaluated. The number of dissected lymph nodes and the proximal and distal distances between the primary lesion and resection lines were analyzed and compared among different procedures. Laparoscopic and open D2 resection were also compared. RESULTS: Most of the 391 eligible patients fulfilled the oncologic requirement of current treatment guidelines. The mean proximal and distal distances were 3.73+/-2.11 cm and 5.31+/-3.26 cm, respectively. A distance of less than 1 cm occurred in only 10 patients proximally and 5 patients distally, with pathological examination results being negative. In each operation, an average of 22 lymph nodes were dissected (21.7+/-12.1). Laparoscopic D2 resection possessed the same capacity as open surgery in terms of lymph node dissection. The proximal distance in open surgery was about 1 cm longer than that in laparoscopic gastrectomy (4.99+/-2.59 cm vs 4.06 +/- 1.87 cm; P=0.038), while the difference between distal distances was not significant (6.94+/-3.52 cm vs 7.24+/-4.64 cm; P=0.187). CONCLUSION: From the point of view of curability, laparoscopic operation is an oncologically safe procedure for the management of gastric cancer, at least for stage I and II disease.     

Breast Carcinoma in Young Women Aged 30 or Less in Northern Pakistan - the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Experience

Objective: The study was carried out to document the occurrence of early onset breast cancer in our populationand to assess prognostic variables. Methods: Records of a total of 1,644 female patients diagnosed with breastcarcinoma during the last four years (Jan 2005 - Dec 2008) at the Histopathology Department, Armed ForcesInstitute of Pathology (AFIP) were retrieved from the AFIP tumour registry. All cases of breast carcinomadiagnosed in young females, 30 years of age or less, were selected and assessed for the type of specimen, tumourtype, size and grade, presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, number of lymph nodes recovered andnumber of lymph nodes involved. Data were entered into SPSS version 11 to calculate mean, median, mode andstandard deviation for quantitative variables and frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables. Results:The mean age was 28±2.7 years and the mean tumour size was 3.7±2.9 cm. Most frequent age group was 26-30years (78.6%). The most common histological tumour type was invasive ductal carcinoma (88.7%), followed byinvasive lobular carcinoma (5.4%). Seven out of 168 (4.2%) tumours were less than 2 cm in size, 69(41.1%) werebetween 2-5 cm and 39 (23.2%) were greater than 5 cm. Grade 2 (57.1%), followed by grade 3 (29.8%) were themost frequent. Out of 68 cases in which lymph nodes were included, lymph node metastasis was seen in 55(80.8%).Conclusion: Breast cancer is much commoner in young women in Pakistan as compared to the rest of the world.It is important to keep this in mind when evaluating even very young females with breast lumps.     

腹腔镜进展期胃癌根治术的临床疗效

 目的　探讨腹腔镜辅助进展期胃癌根治术的安全性及可行性。方法　2006年6月至2009年7月行腹腔镜辅助下胃癌D2根治术11例,TNM分期Ⅱ期6例、ⅢA期2例、ⅢB期1例、Ⅳ期2例,腹腔镜下行胃的游离及淋巴结清扫,于剑突下约6 cm长切口施行胃切除,并行消化道重建。结果　11例中,根治性全胃切除术2例,近端胃切除术1例,远端胃切除术7例,1例中转开腹。平均手术用时：全胃切除术350 min,近端胃切除术320 min,远端胃切除术266 min。平均清扫淋巴结21.3（11～38）枚,切缘长度5.6（4.0～9.6）cm。术后患者平均胃肠功能恢复时间72（36～110）h,下床活动时间59（26～86）h,进流食时间76（48～116）h。无一例出现手术相关并发症。结论　经腹腔镜行进展期胃癌D2根治术安全、可行,与开腹手术的根治效果相当,近期效果良好,具有创伤小、术后恢复快等优点。     

Effect of intravenous administration of FT-207 for gastric cancer

FT-207, 800mg per day, was administered intravenously 2 hours per day for 6 days to 15 patients with gastric cancer. By chemical assay, FT-207 and 5-FU concentrations in the blood and tissues were determined. The FT-207 levels in cancerous tissue, metastatic lymph nodes and normal gastric mucosa were almost equal. The mean 5-FU level in cancerous lesions was 0.110 +/- 0.075mcg/g, and was 0.124 +/- 0.080mcg/g in lymph nodes, and 0.043 +/- 0.021mcg/g in normal mucosa. This showed that 5-FU levels were significantly higher in tumors and lymph nodes than in normal mucosa. (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01 respectively). The mean blood level of 5-FU was low at 4 hours after FT-207 infusion. In conclusion, intravenous drip administration of FT-207 was considered to be effective for gastric cancer because of the high tumor affinity of 5-FU.     

误诊为周围型肺癌的肺结核18F-FDG PET-CT表现

目的分析误诊为周围型肺癌的肺结核18F-FDG PET-CT表现,提高对肺结核PET-CT表现的认识。方法回顾性分析31例在我院行18F-FDG PET-CT检查并误诊为周围型肺癌的肺结核的PET-CT表现。27例行双时像显像。所有患者均行胸部屏气螺旋CT扫描。所有病例通过组织学或诊断性治疗证实。结果 31例肺结核(均径≤4.0cm)均为周围型肺结节,23例有分叶,27例有毛刺,27例有胸膜牵拉,13例有小卫星灶。肺结核病灶的SUVmax常规为3.87±3.20,SUVmax延迟为4.10±2.94,△SUVmax为0.97±1.02,RI为28.92%±32.11%。肺结核病灶的SUVmax与其均径呈正相关(r=0.816,P<0.01),且在不同大小病变组中的分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。5例患者有肺门和/或纵隔淋巴结肿大,最大淋巴结的平均短径为(1.52±0.41)cm,肿大淋巴结的SUVmax明显高于非肿大淋巴结(P<0.01)。15例患者的淋巴结为高密度,淋巴结的SUVmax在高密度淋巴结组与非高密度淋巴结组的差异没有统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论误诊为周围型肺癌的肺结核病灶,形态学表现和摄取程度可与周围型肺癌相似,但较少伴有淋巴结肿大,当病灶中央出现摄取分布稀疏区以及病灶周围有小卫星灶时,对诊断有帮助。     

200例食管癌根治术淋巴结清扫的分析

自1987年～1990年对200例食管癌患者进行根治手术并对病理淋巴结分析.其中肿瘤<3cm者18例,无1例淋巴结转移.肿瘤在3cm～5cm者100例,左下肺静脉淋巴结10例(10％)转移,左肺动脉淋巴结无1例转移.胃左动脉淋巴结有20例(20％)转移,气管隆突淋巴结14例(14％)转移,肿瘤5cm～7cm长度者64例中,左下肺静脉淋巴结11例(17％)有转移,左肺动脉淋巴结无1例转移.胃左动脉淋巴结25例(39％)有转移,气管隆突淋巴结34例(53％)有转移.8cm以上病例18例,其中左下肺静脉淋巴结4例(22％)有转移,胃左淋巴结18例(100％)有转移,气管隆突淋巴结16例(88％)有转移.左肺动脉淋巴结1例(5.8％)转移.结合淋巴结转移规律对手术切除范围作了探讨.     

胃癌淋巴结微转移的多种抗体联合检测及其临床价值

免疫组化法检测胃癌淋巴结中的微转移灶方法简便,但敏感性差。同时应用多种抗体联合检测淋巴结的微转移情况,是否能提高其敏感性,克服免疫组化法的弱点尚有一些争议。本研究应用细胞角蛋白20(CK20)、上皮膜抗原(EMA)及肿瘤相关糖蛋白72-4(CA72-4)抗体对胃癌阴性淋巴结的微转移情况进行联合检测,旨在评价多种抗体联合检测微转移的应用价值。     

T-lymphocyte subpopulations in B-cell-derived non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease

The authors used E-rosette formation and OKT3 reactivity to determine the percent of T-cells in lymph nodes involved by B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) and by Hodgkin's disease (HD). The percent of helper and suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells was determined by reactivity with OKT4 and OKT8, respectively. T-cells were also analyzed for two signs of activation: acquisition of Ia antigens and loss of acid a-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity. The results were compared with those of lymph nodes exhibiting benign lymphoid hyperplasia (BLH). The percentage of T-cells ranged from 50% to 82%, mean 63 +/- 13%, in 25 cases of BLH, and from 6% to 62%, mean 23 +/- 11%, in 51 cases of B-NHL. The OKT4/T8 ratio was 1.0 to 6.2, mean 3.4 +/- 2.2, in the cases of BLH, and 0.5 to 5.1, mean 2.4 +/- 1.3, in the cases of B-NHL. There was no obvious or significant correlation between the percent of T-cells or the OKT4/T8 ratio and the surface immunoglobulin isotype expressed by the neoplastic B-cells, the morphologic category of B-NHL, or the clinical stage of disease. Activated T-cells were less than or equal to 3% in the cases of BLH and B-NHL. Fifteen lymph nodes involved by HD contained 44% to 96%, mean 74%, E+ (T) cells. Five of these 15 cases contained a significant number of E-OKT3+ cells suggesting that E-rosette formation is not always a reliable T-cell marker in HD. Three other cases contained a large number of E+OKT3- cells. The OKT4/T8 ratio ranged from 0.4 to 21.7, mean 6.7 +/- 5.3, in these cases, representing the most significant T-cell subset imbalances in this series. Large numbers of Ia+E+ and/or E+ANAE- cells, presumably activated T-cells, were present in 7 of these 15 cases of HD. These studies demonstrate the wide variation in the percent of T-cells and in the T-cell subset distribution in lymph nodes exhibiting benign lymphoid hyperplasia and in lymph nodes involved by B-cell-derived non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease.     

Variability of the depth of supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer: is a posterior axillary boost field necessary?

PURPOSE: To determine the variability of the depth of supraclavicular (SC) and axillary (AX) lymph nodes in patients undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer and to relate this variability with the patient's anterior/posterior (A/P) diameter. The dosimetric consequences of the variability in depth are explored and related to the need for a posterior axillary boost field. METHOD AND MATERIALS: In 49 patients undergoing treatment-planning computed tomography (CT) scanning in the treatment position, the maximum depth of the SC and AX lymph nodes was measured on CT images. The A/P diameter was measured at the location of the SC and AX, respectively. The relationship between the SC/AX lymph node depth and patient diameter was determined using linear regression. For an anterior SC and AX field, the relative dose to the SC and AX lymph nodes were calculated for a 6 MV photon beam. RESULTS: The maximum depth of the SC lymph nodes ranged from 2.4 to 9.5 cm (median, 4.3 cm). The depth was less than 3 cm in 4 patients, 3-6 cm in 39 (80%), and greater than 6 cm in 6 patients. There was a linear relationship between the SC lymph node depth and the A/P diameter. The depth of the SC lymph nodes in cm equals approximately one-half of the A/P diameter minus 3.5 (r(2) = 0.69). In 94% (46 of 49) of patients, the SC lymph node depth was between one-fifth and one-half of the A/P diameter.The depth of the axillary lymph nodes ranged from 1.4 to 8 cm (median, 4.3 cm). The depth was less than 3 cm in 8 patients, 3-6 cm in 32 (65%), and greater than 6 cm in 9 patients. The AX lymph node depth in cm equals approximately one-half of the A/P diameter minus 3 (r(2) = 0.81). In all patients, the AX lymph nodes were shallower than mid-depth.The depth of the SC and AX lymph nodes was within +/- 1 cm in 53% (26 of 49) of patients. The AX lymph nodes were located at >/= 1 cm shallower or greater depth than the SC in 24.5% (12 of 49) and 22.5% (11 of 49) of patients, respectively. If an anterior 6-MV beam only is used to treat the SC and AX lymph nodes in these 49 patients, the dose to the AX is within +/- 5% of the SC dose in 53% (26 of 49) patients and is 90% or more of the dose delivered in the SC in 90% (44 of 49) of patients. CONCLUSION: The maximum depth of the SC and AX lymph nodes varies widely and is related to the patient's size represented by the A/P diameter. In most patients, the AX lymph nodes lie at approximately the same depth or shallower than the SC. Therefore, the rationale for a posterior axillary boost field needs to be further assessed. When the AX and SC lymph nodes are deep, opposed supraclavicular and axillary fields and/or the use of a higher energy beam might be reasonable.     

非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移危险因素分析及术前纵隔镜检查的应用策略

目的 探讨纵隔镜技术评估非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)术前纵隔淋巴结状态(是否存在转移)的临床应用策略.方法 2000年10月至2007年6月,对临床连续收治的经病理确诊的临床分期为Ⅰ～Ⅲ期的NSCLC患者152例,分别采用CT和纵隔镜技术评估纵隔淋巴结状态.根据纵隔淋巴结最终病理结果,计算CT下纵隔肺门淋巴结阴性NSCLC的纵隔镜检查阳性率和实际纵隔淋巴结转移发生率.以患者性别、年龄、肿瘤部位、病理类型、肿瘤T分期、肿瘤类型(中央型或外周型)、CT下纵隔淋巴结大小和血清癌胚抗原(CEA)水平等作为预测因子,进行纵隔淋巴结转移危险因素的单因素和多因素分析.结果 69例CT下纵隔肺门淋巴结阴性NSCLC,纵隔镜检查阳性8例,阳性率为11.6%;实际纵隔淋巴结转移14例,发生率为20.1%.62例临床Ⅰ期(cT1～2NOMO)NSCLC,纵隔镜检查阳性7例,阳性率为11.3%;实际纵隔淋巴结转移12例,发生率为19.4%.对全部152例NSCLC患者纵隔淋巴结转移危险因素的分析结果显示,病理类型和CT下纵隔淋巴结大小是纵隔淋巴结转移的独立危险因素.对69例CT下纵隔肺门淋巴结阴性NSCLC患者纵隔淋巴结转移危险因素的分析结果显示,病理类型是纵隔淋巴结转移的独立危险因素.结论 对于CT下纵隔淋巴结短径≥1 cm的NSCLC患者,术前必须进行纵隔镜检查;对于腺癌患者,即使是CT下纵隔肺门淋巴结短径<1 cm,术前也应该进行纵隔镜检查.     

Lymphatic spread among women with primary peritoneal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our knowledge regarding the pathologic lymphatic spread pattern of primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and the pathologic patterns of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node metastases among women with PPC and those with papillary serous ovarian carcinoma (PSOC). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study over the last 4 years among women with FIGO stage III and IV PPC and PSOC who had optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (<1 cm residual). The same surgeon performed pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on all the patients using a similar technique. The same pathologist reviewed all lymph nodes and recorded nodal involvement with cancer, diameter of the largest nodal tumor, capsular integrity, and pattern of immune response (lymphocyte predominant, germinal cell predominant, unstimulated, or lymphocyte depletion). Both groups were compared in their characteristics, FIGO stage, tumor grade, number of lymph nodes, proportion of lymph nodes with metastases, and the pathologic characteristics of the positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: Eleven women had PPC and 27 had PSOC. Patients with PPC were older than those with PSOC (mean age: 63.2 years +/- 11.0 vs. 57.4 +/- 13.4, P = 0.181). There was no difference in FIGO stage or tumor grade between both groups. There was no difference among the mean numbers of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes between women with PPC and those with PSOC (10.8 +/- 7.3 vs. 11.0 +/- 6.7 and 3.0 +/- 3.3 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.1, P = 0.768 and 0.706, respectively). The incidences of pelvic, para-aortic, and pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastases were similar among women with PPC and those with PSOC (72.7% vs. 66.6%, P = 0.701, 72.7% vs. 48.1%, P = 0.172, and 72.7% vs. 77.8%, P = 0.736, respectively). Similarly, pelvic and para-aortic nodal tumor size, capsular integrity, and immune response were similar in both groups. The incidence of significant complications related to lymphadenectomy was low among women with PPC and those with PSOC (9.1% vs. 7.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PPC and PSOC exhibit similar pathologic lymphatic spread patterns. Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy should be considered among women with PPC in whom the tumor could be optimally cytoreduced.     

结直肠癌的CT表现及其与临床病理分级、患者预后的关系

目的探讨结直肠癌的CT表现及其与临床病理参数、患者预后的关系。方法回顾性分析137例结直肠癌患者临床资料,所有患者均经手术病理证实,术前进行CT扫描,统计CT征象中肠壁增厚形式、强化程度、增强后低密度区、淋巴结位置、肠周浸润程度、肿瘤大小、淋巴结CT值、平均长径、平均短径,分析其与病理分级结果的关系,并对2组患者进行3年随访,比较生存组与死亡组患者CT征象差异。结果137例患者经病理结果证实包括Ⅰ级患者41例,Ⅱ级51例,Ⅲ级45例;Logisitic回归分析显示重度肠周浸润、肿瘤大小≥4 cm、淋巴结CT值≥30 HU、平均长径≥0.6 cm、平均短径≥0.45 cm是导致结直肠癌患者高病理分级的危险因素。137例患者3年随访期间内生存104例,死亡33例,3年总生存率为75.91%;Logisitic回归分析显示重度肠周浸润、肿瘤大小≥4 cm、淋巴结CT值≥30 HU、平均长径≥0.6 cm、平均短径≥0.45 cm是导致结直肠癌患者死亡的危险因素。结论CT检查可充分显示肿瘤内部状态以及其与相邻组织之间的关系,可判断肠周浸润程度、肿瘤大小、淋巴结CT值、平均长径、平均短径,对评价结直肠癌病理分级、患者预后具有重要价值。     

Tumor laterality in early ovarian cancer: influence on left-right asymmetry of pelvic lymph nodes

AIM AND BACKGROUND.:To determine whether left-right asymmetry was present in cases of early ovarian cancer and whether or not the difference between number of removed lymph nodes on both sides of the pelvis is associated with tumor laterality. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We extracted from the medical data base cases of early ovarian cancer with lymphadenectomy who had been treated between 1994 and 2008. The sample was divided in three groups according to the left-right laterality of the tumor in the pelvis (bilateral, left sided, right sided). For each case, we subtracted the number of dissected lymph nodes on the left side from the number of dissected lymph nodes on the right side of the pelvis (N(Right side) - N(Left side)). We used one sample t test to determine whether the mean of differences for each group was different from zero. Results. We extracted 48 cases with early ovarian cancer who had undergone lymphadenectomy. The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 24 (SD, 12). In 3 cases, we confirmed the presence of lymph node metastasis (6.3%). In 2 of the upstaged cases, tumor and involved lymph nodes were on the right side of the pelvis. In the third case, the tumor was on the left side, whereas involved lymph nodes were on both sides of the pelvis. For bilateral tumors, tumors on the left, and those on the right side of the pelvis, the mean difference was -0.5 (95% CI, -9.9 to 8.9; t, -0.137; P = 0.90), 0.32 (95% CI, -3.8 to 4.5; t, 0.16; P = 0.87) and 3.5 (95% CI, 0.03 to 7.01; t, 2.09; P = 0.048), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When the tumor was on the left or on both sides of the pelvis, there was no significant difference in the number of removed lymph nodes. In contrast, when the tumor was on the right side, the number of removed lymph nodes was significantly higher on the right hemipelvis than on the left hemipelvis.     

Extended lymphadenectomy in radical cystectomy: margins, scope, methodology

Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy is a gold standard for treatment of muscle-invasive urinary bladder cancer. However, therapeutic and prognostic value of pelvic lymphadenectomy is still controversial. Recent studies have demonstrated a better prognosis after extended lymphadenectomy. A multicenter study was made to standardize an extended lymphadenectomy procedure. We examined prospectively the total number of lymph nodes removed from various sites, number and location of positive nodes and its relation to location of primary tumors in the urinary bladder. Thirty five radical cystectomies with extended lymphadenectomy were performed for the treatment of invasive bladder cancer in National Urology Center in 1999-2004. The margins of extended lymphadenectomy were: cranial level of a.mesenterica inferior; lateral--n.n. genitofemoralis; caudal-fossa obturatoria. A total amount of removed lymph nodes comprised 1081, mean 34.2 +/- 8.1 lymph node per patient (range from 10 to 58). Fourteen patients (40.0%) were node positive (69 nodes). According to N category: N1--6 patients; N2--7 patients. Six patients had lymph node metastases up to the aortic bifurcation. In 6 cases a positive node was found on the contralateral side. Thus, we recommend extended radical lymphadenectomy for all patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.     

Accurate specimen preparation and examination is mandatory to detect lymph nodes and avoid understaging in colorectal cancer.

Lymph node involvement in colorectal cancer, one of the most important prognostic factors, can be sometimes underestimated. In this study the authors report the results of two different techniques of specimen preparation and examination. In 240 patients (Group I), histologic examination was performed using a conventional procedure. In Group II (60 cases) the resected bowel and its mesentery were separately stretched, pinned on to a cork board, and fixed. The mesentery was divided according to node location (intermediate and principal) and evaluated by sight and palpation to identify lymph nodes. The bowel segment was divided from 5 cm proximally to 5 cm distally to the tumor every 10 mm in serial 3 mm slices. Three and 10 mm slices were then carefully examined by sight and palpation. Isolated lymph nodes embedded in groups (10-12 per paraffin block) were stained and investigated for neoplastic involvement. The specimen examination procedure used in Group II resulted in identification of a higher number of lymph nodes (mean = 41.1) and nodal metastases (mean = 10) compared to the standard technique used in Group I (mean = 11.3 and 2.4, respectively--P < .05). The percentage of N+ cases also was increased in Group II (48.3%) when compared to that in Group I (30.4%; P < .05). The new technique is simple, inexpensive, and efficacious for the detection of lymphatic metastases in colorectal cancer.     

早期子宫颈癌淋巴结转移34例临床观察

目的探讨早期子宫颈癌术后淋巴结转移同步放疗、化疗与预后关系。方法回顾性分析34例早期子宫颈癌术后淋巴结转移的患者,全部行广泛性子宫切除＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术。其中Ⅰa期5例,Ⅰb期16例,Ⅱa期13例;术前放疗、化疗13例,术后全部行同步放疗、化疗;单个淋巴结转移26例,2个或2个以上淋巴结转移8例。结果淋巴结转移率22.1%（34/154）,34例淋巴结转移患者全部行术后同步放疗、化疗,5年生存率82.4%。转移淋巴结直径〈2cm者,5年生存率86.7%;转移性淋巴结直径≥2cm者,5年生存率57.9%;1个淋巴结转移至1级组患者,5年生存率76.6%;转移至2级组患者,5年生存率45.0%。结论淋巴结转移是影响子宫颈癌预后的重要因素,而术后对有淋巴结转移患者行同步放疗、化疗,可有效地提高5年生存率。     

Clinical study on concentration of FT-207 and 5-FU in serum, lymph nodes and tissues after rectal administration of FT-207 suppositories for malignant diseases of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas

In order to study the antitumor effect of FT-207 in a solid tumor, it is necessary to determine the concentration of 5-FU and FT-207 in a tissue. This has only been done so far for gastric cancer and colon cancer, but these has been practically no research carried out regarding cancers of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas. A study was therefore made of lymph nodes and tissues after rectal administration of FT-207 suppositories to 12 patients with cancers of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas. These included 7 cases of pancreatic cancer, 2 cases of gall bladder cancer with infiltration to the liver, and 3 cases of hepatoma. In serum, the concentration of 5-FU reached 0.018 +/- 0.006 micrograms/ml at one hour after administration, 0.019 +/- 0.004 micrograms/ml at three hours after administration, and 0.023 +/- 0.008 micrograms/ml at six hours after administration. These concentrations would be expected to maintain a clinically sufficient dose. The concentration of 5-FU in metastatic lymph nodes was high compared with normal lymph nodes (p less than 0.05), its concentration in liver tumors was high while compared with normal liver tissues (p less than 0.05).     

IV-DSA is a new diagnostic tool for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to know whether intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA) is useful to detect axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer and to evaluate the anigiogenesis of lymph nodes in the axilla. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty three primary breast cancer patients (N0: 26 cases, N1: 5 cases, N2: 2 cases) who underwent IV-DSA between January and November 2000 were included in the study. Infinix CB apparatus (Toshiba, Japan) was used to collect IV-DSA images and when a mass became stained in the axilla, it was considered to be metastatic. The angiogenesis was studied by examining microvessel density (MVD) after lymph node immunostaining for factor VIII. Primary tumor was detected by IV-DSA in all 43 cases. RESULTS: Axillary lymph node metastases were detected by IV-DSA in 34.9% of cases (15/43), and by pathology in 37.2% (16/43). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the diagnostic method were 75.0% (12/16), 88.9% (24/27), and 83.7% (36/43), respectively. MVD, calculated after immunostaining for factor VIII, was significantly lower in the in metastatic region of lymph nodes identified by DSA (88.5 +/- 35.0) than in metastasis-free lymph nodes (141.1 +/- 34.0, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: IV-DSA is useful in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. Our results suggest that the primary factors involved in the mechanism of DSA display may be different from high/low MVC values.