Spontaneous necrosis in osteosarcomas

Summary In the treatment of osteosarcoma pre-operative chemotherapy has assumed considerable importance in helping improve survival, and enabling limb-sparing procedures. The quantitative assessment of tumour necrosis in the resected specimen by morphological means has become a significant step in judging therapeutic response and in helping determine post-operative management. Different systems of grading tumour regression have been proposed. Little is known, however, about the morphology or degree of spontaneous necrosis in osteosarcomas, in particular to what extent necrosis can be considered to be due to cytotoxic treatment. For this purpose, 13 osteosarcomas, taken from patients treated by surgery alonge, were examined by the same method we routinely employ in assessing chemotherapeutic response. The results demonstrate that the extent of spontaneous necrosis does not approach that achieved in response to chemotherapy. Sub-total necrosis may be due to spontaneous regression, inadequate therapeutic response, or to a combination of both. Hence, only two categories of response, good and poor, appear relevant and these terms should be used in preference to good, intermediate and poor.     

The relationship between ambulation ability before surgery and the D-dimer value after total hip arthroplasty: the evaluation of ambulation ability by the timed "Up & Go" test

We examined whether ambulatory ability before surgery might influence the post-operative D-dimer level after total hip arthroplasty (THA). One hundred two patients with hip osteoarthritis receiving THA were included in the current study. The patients were all female, and their ages ranged from 45 to 81 (average 65.0 +- 9.3 years). Age, operated side, body mass index (BMI), disease duration before surgery, pre-operative pain evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), total cholesterol value, maximal circumference of the lower leg of the operated side, and timed "Up & Go"test (TUG) before surgery, were retrospectively investigated to examine their relationship with D-dimer levels on post-operative day 7. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the D-dimer value: over 10 microg/ml (Group D), and under (Group N). Patients in group D (N= 52)were older, had a higher BMI, and had less ambulatory ability than patients in group N (N= 50). As age showed a relationship with the D-dimer value on the 7th day and TUG results, patients in the 2 groups were further subdivided into 50's, 60's, and 70's age brackets. In the 50's bracket, patients in group D had higher BMI than patients in group N, but time for TUG was not significantly different. In the 60's and 70's bracket, patients in group D had less ambulatory ability than patients in group N, but the time for TUG was not directly correlated with the D-dimer value. The results suggest that pre-operative low ambulatory ability in patients with osteoarthritis over 60 years might influence the postoperative D-dimer after THA, indicating the potential risk for post-operative deep venous thrombosis.     

Evaluation of serial C-reactive protein measurements after surgical treatment of pleural empyema

OBJECTIVE:

Serial C-reactive protein measurements have been used to diagnose and monitor the response to therapy in patients with pneumonia and other infectious diseases. Nonetheless, the role of C-reactive protein measurement after surgical treatment for pleural empyema is not well defined. The aim of this study is to describe the behavior of C-reactive protein levels after the surgical treatment of pleural empyema and to correlate this parameter with the patient''s prognosis.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with pleural empyema treated by either chest-tube drainage or surgery from January 2006 to December 2008. C-reactive protein levels were recorded preoperatively and 2 and 7 days postoperatively. The clinical outcome was binary: success or failure (mortality or the need for repeated pleural intervention).

RESULTS:

The study group comprised fifty-two patients. The median C-reactive protein values were as follows: 146 mg/L (pre-operative), 134 mg/L (post-operative day 2), and 116 mg/L (post-operative day 7). There was a trend toward a decrease in these values during the first week after surgery, but this difference was only statistically significant on day 7 after surgery. Over the first week after surgery, the C-reactive protein values decreased similarly in both groups (successful and failed treatment). No correlation between the preoperative C-reactive protein level and the clinical outcome was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

We observed that, in contrast to other medical conditions, C-reactive protein levels fall slowly during the first postoperative week in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for pleural empyema. No correlation between the perioperative C-reactive protein level and the clinical outcome was observed.     

Walking ability following knee arthroplasty: a prospective pilot study of factors affecting the maximal walking distance in 18 patients before and 6 months after total knee arthroplasty

Functional assessment of patients before and after prosthetic knee arthroplasty is based on clinical examination, which is usually summarized in various knee scores. The present study proposes a different and more subject orientated assessment for functional grading of these patients by measuring their maximal distance of walking ability, which is not apparent from the conventional outcome scores.

Eighteen consecutive patients with knee osteoarthritis were evaluated for their knee and knee functional scores (The Knee Society clinical rating system) and for the maximal distance of their walking ability before and 6 months after knee arthroplasty. Specially designed walking ability grading was used for evaluation of walking on walkway. The pre- and post-operative knee scores and maximal walking distance and grading were statistically compared.

A significant improvement in the knee and functional scores following surgery was observed. But the maximal walking ability grades and distances did not change significantly following surgery, showing a high relation between pre- and post-operative values. The limitation in post-operative walking was due to the revealed additional health disabilities, not related to the affected knee.

Therefore we suggest that pre-operative evaluation of walking abilities should be taken into consideration both for patients' selection and timing of surgery and also for matching of patients' expectation from outcome of prosthetic knee arthroplasty.     

Three cases of carcinoma of the hypopharynx developing as metachronous second primary cancers after total laryngectomy with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the larynx

We describe 3 cases of metachronous hypopharyngeal cancer developing after laryngeal cancer had been treated with both radiotherapy and total laryngectomy. All 3 patients were men, 2 were 89 years old, and 1 was 65 years old. All patients had undergone total laryngectomy and radiotherapy for cancer for the glottis more than 20 years earlier. All patients underwent total hypopharyngectomy with jejunal free flap reconstruction. Surgery was complicated by scars from previous cancer treatment, and highly sophisticated surgical skills are needed, especially for preparing the recipient vessels. The postoperative period was largely uneventful and without fatal complications, however, 2 of the 3 patients died of distant metastasis 22 months and 31 months after surgery.     

Long-term results of laparoscopic myomectomy: recurrence rate in comparison with abdominal myomectomy

Laparoscopic myomectomy is still a debated procedure and there are conflicting opinions regarding the recurrence rate. Laparoscopic myomectomy may present a higher risk of recurrence compared with abdominal myomectomy. The aim of this investigation was to analyse the recurrence rate of myomas after surgery. From January 1991 to June 1998, 165 myomectomies were performed for symptomatic myomas measuring at least 3 cm in diameter and numbering seven or less per patient. During the first 3 years of this survey, 81 patients were randomized for abdominal or laparoscopic myomectomy. Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed within 15-30 days of surgery and every 6 months for a post-operative period of 40 months. The two groups had similar pre-operative clinical features and the number and volume of myomas did not differ between the two groups. At the end of the study the group of abdominal myomectomies showed nine recurrences (23%) against 11 (27%) of the laparoscopic group. In order to evaluate the recurrence rate in relation to several risk factors, laparoscopic myomectomies were performed from 1991 in 84 patients who agreed to follow-up (and were not in the randomized group). Of these, 78 patients were evaluated with transvaginal ultrasound for a mean interval of 26 months and 17 (21.78%) recurrences were found. Most recurrences (75%) were seen at ultrasound between 10 and 30 months after surgery. The patient's age, pre- and post-operative gravidity and parity had no influence on recurrence. Neither the number of myomas removed nor the depth of penetration or size were positively associated with the risk of recurrence. However, an associated risk factor was pre-operative gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist treatment (P < 0.02). None of the women with recurrence required additional surgery. We conclude that laparoscopic myomectomy is a reliable procedure. The recurrence rate is similar to that seen after abdominal myomectomy.     

DNA flow cytometry in human bladder carcinoma

The cell kinetic fractions (G0/G1; S; G2 + M) were evaluated by DNA flow cytometry (DNA FCM) in 102 biopsies from bladder carcinoma, previously untreated by cytotoxic therapy, and in 25 biopsies taken at least 3 months after prior treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery). Non-diploid DNA-stemlines were most often found in tumours of a high T category and of a high histopathological grade. Also the number of tumours with a fraction of cells in S-phase above 10% correlated with the clinical stage and histological grade. When the cytotoxic treatment preceded the actual biopsy by 3 months or more the distribution of stemline ploidies in the recurrent or residual tumours were similar to that seen in previously untreated patients. Furthermore, 4 of 5 individual muscle infiltrating bladder tumours treated with surgery, radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy had the same stemline ploidy before and after treatment. The analysis of ploidy and cell kinetic parameters obtained from DNA FCM offers a possibility to evaluate the prognosis and the therapy effects in human bladder carcinoma.     

T3b-T4 breast cancer: factors affecting results in combined modality treatments

Two hundred and seventy-seven consecutive patients with T3b-T4 breast cancer referred to the Milan Cancer Institute between 1973 and 1980 were treated with a combined modality approach. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of AV, i.e. adriamycin (60-75 mg/m2 day 1) and vincristine (1.2 mg/m2 days 1 and 8) and was given for three to four cycles prior to local regional modality. Local-regional treatment consisted of either radiotherapy (RT) in 198 patients or surgery (S) in 79 women. Additional chemotherapy was then administered to a total of 205 patients. In the absence of distant metastases, frequency of good local control was significantly inferior in patients given CT + RT (63.9 per cent) compared to those treated with CT + RT + CT (75.4 per cent) and CT + S + CT (82.3 per cent, P = 0.033). Also freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival (SURV) were significantly superior in the groups receiving more prolonged chemotherapy treatment compared to patients treated with CT + RT (FFP: P less than 0.0001; SURV: P = 0.002). None of the variables examined was able to affect the response rate, while axillary nodal status and tumor size played a major role in the duration of FFP and SURV. Our findings indicate that a more aggressive treatment is needed to improve current results in this stage of disease. To overcome the problem of local-regional recurrence, treatment should probably begin with cytoreductive surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy in all patients with the exception of those having inflammatory carcinoma. Systemic treatment should then be delivered to control distant micrometastases.     

The use of oestradiol therapy in postmenopausal women after TVT-O anti-incontinence surgery

Objective

To investigate whether patients who were treated with TVT-O procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence had a significant improvement in their urodynamic findings and their post-operative symptoms (frequency, urgency, nocturia) if they were treated post-operatively with vaginal oestradiol for 6 months compared to the non-treated group.

Methods

Prospective randomised study. 190 patients were asked to participate in our study. Finally, a total of 92 patients in group 1 and 91 patients in group 2 completed the study. In group 1, which was the treatment group, patients having the TVT-O procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence were instructed to use post-operatively oestradiol tablets, 25 micrograms (Vagifem, Novo Nordisk) vaginally, once daily, nocte, for 2 weeks and then twice weekly for 6 months. The patients in group 2 (control group) had the TVT-O procedure only. All patients were reviewed in 2 months and again in 6 months time.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning pre-operative and post-operative haemoglobin, operative time, hospital stay or return to work. The within group analysis did not show significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative urodynamic data in both groups. Patients treated with vaginal estradiol post-operatively showed a statistically significant reduction in relation to the symptoms of urgency and frequency but not in relation to nocturia and urge incontinence compared to the non-treated group. There is no difference in relation to the efficacy of TVT-O procedure between the groups at 6 months follow-up.

Conclusion

It appears that vaginal oestradiol treatment could be offered to postmenopausal patients after a TVT-O procedure having the symptoms of frequency and urgency provided they are aware of the lack of evidence regarding long term benefit.     

Prognostic Value of p53 and bcl-2 Expression in Patients Treated with Breast Conservative Therapy

Prognostic value of p53 and bcl-2 expression on treatment outcome in breast cancer patients has been extensively evaluated, but the results were inconclusive. We evaluated the prognostic significance of these molecular markers in patients treated with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy. One hundred patients whose immunostaining of p53 and bcl-2 expression was available among 125 patients who underwent radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery and axillary lymph node dissection were enrolled into this study. Eighty-seven patients also received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy. Conventional clinicopathologic variables and treatment-related factors were also considered. The 5-yr loco-regional relapse-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 91.7% and 90.9%, respectively. On univariate analysis, age, T stage and the absence of bcl-2 & estrogen receptor (ER) expression were associated with loco-regional relapse-free survival. When incorporating these variables into Cox proportional hazard model, only bcl-2(-)/ER(-) phenotype was an adverse prognostic factor (P=0.018). As for the distant metastasis-free survival, age, T stage, and p53 expression were significant on univariate analysis. However, p53 expression was the only prognosticator on multivariate analysis (P=0.009). A bcl-2(-)/ER(-) phenotype and p53 expression are useful molecular markers predicting loco-regional relapse-free and distant metastasis-free survival, respectively, in patients treated with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy.     

Impaired production of interleukin-2 after surgery.

The capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) to produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) was studied serially before and following operation in patients undergoing various surgical procedures. In patients who had major surgery, significant decrease in IL-2 activity was observed 1, 3 and 6 days after operation as compared to that before surgery, although there was no significant change throughout the post-operative course in patients undergoing minor surgery. IL-2 activity returned to the pre-operative level by the 8th post-operative day. However, it remained significantly depressed 8 days after surgery in patients who had undergone major surgical procedures of more increasing severity. Distribution of T cell subsets, especially OKT4 positive cells, did not differ significantly from the pre-operative value throughout the post-operative course. However, the depressed production of IL-2 3 days after surgery could be abolished when adherent cells were removed from PBM by plastic adherence procedures. These results indicated that adherent cells, but not quantitative change in T cell subsets, might be responsible for the depression of IL-2 production after surgery.     

肿瘤切除腰椎骨盆稳定性重建术治疗骶骨脊索瘤

目的：探讨肿瘤切除腰椎骨盆稳定性重建术治疗骶骨脊索瘤的临床意义。方法：回顾性,分析2003年8月至2011年8月,采用肿瘤切除腰椎骨盆稳定性重建术治疗骶骨脊索瘤78例,其中男性58例、女性20例,年龄27—79岁。根据术前肿瘤学评估,56例行单纯后路手术,22例行前后联合人路手术;术后分别行化疗、放疗、抑制骨溶解治疗、生物靶向治疗等综合治疗。结果：所有患者无手术死亡,术后骶尾部疼痛改善明显。术后病理诊断典型脊索瘤76例,去分化脊索瘤2例。术后均获随访4～85个月,平均40个月。32例于术后3～67个月局部复发,平均复发时间25个月。7例因复发及远处转移分别于术后17、18、22、27、30、33及69个月死亡。结论：肿瘤切除腰椎骨盆稳定性重建术是外科治疗骶骨脊索瘤的有效方法。     

Failure of bicycle exercise electrocardiograms to predict major post-operative cardiac complications in patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery

To determine if exercise electrocardiograms (EECGs) are justified in routine pre-operative screening for cardiac disease, we performed a prospective study on 77 consecutive patients scheduled for infrarenal aortic reconstructive surgery. All patients had EECGs performed 1-12 days prior to elective surgery. In addition to routine clinical assessment of cardiac disease, all patients were allocated a Goldman risk score. Four patients developed major post-operative cardiac complications of whom one patient died. EECG was not a significant predictor of outcome, as 48.6% of all EECGs were inadequate due to non-completion of the exercise protocol. Significant pre-operative predictors of outcome were a history of angina (p less than 0.01), myocardial infarction (p less than 0.001), congestive cardiac failure (p less than 0.0001), or a Goldman score of greater than 14 (p less than 0.05). By multivariate analysis of the pre-operative risk factors a history of congestive cardiac failure was found to be the most significant independent predictor of post-operative cardiac complications.     

含洛铂方案新辅助化疗结合保肢手术治疗骨肉瘤的临床疗效观察

目的 探讨含洛铂方案新辅助化疗结合保肢手术治疗骨肉瘤的临床疗效。方法 选取我院2013年5月~2017年5月收治的120例骨肉瘤患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,各60例。观察组患者采用含洛铂的新辅助动脉灌注化疗联合保肢手术及术后辅助化疗治疗,对照组患者采用传统保肢手术联合术后化疗,分别从近期临床化疗临床效果、化疗不良反应（胃肠道反应、白细胞下降、末梢神经毒性、血小板减少、发热、肾功能损害、肝功能损害、骨髓抑制等）比较两组患者近期临床疗效;从肢体功能Enneking评分及优良率比较两组患者远期临床疗效。结果 观察组患者近期临床化疗总有效率95.00%,远高于对照组患者的75.00%（P＜0.05）;且观察组不良反应发生率仅为 16.67%,远低于对照组的35.00%（P＜0.05）;观察组患者Enneking评分为（26.11±2.37）分,高于对照组（24.52±3.69）分;且观察组优良率为83.33%,高于对照组的60.00%（P＜0.05）。结论 含洛铂方案新辅助化疗结合保肢手术治疗骨肉瘤具有良好的近远期临床疗效。     

三维适形放射治疗联合紫杉醇每周方案化学治疗中晚期宫颈癌疗效观察

目的观察三维适形放射治疗联合紫杉醇每周方案化学治疗不能手术的中晚期宫颈癌临床疗效和副作用。方法选择临床确诊为ⅡB~ⅢB期中晚期宫颈癌患者100例,年龄30~81岁,平均年龄45.00岁。对照组40例进行全盆腔前后两野对穿照射。治疗组60例采用真空垫固定、CT模拟机定位,勾画肿瘤靶区(GTV)、临床靶区(CTV)和计划靶区(PTV),进行三维适形放射治疗,所有患者放射治疗期间同步紫杉醇单药治疗,药物剂量75mg/m2,每周1次。观察同步放化疗的近远期疗效和副作用。结果 60例治疗组宫颈癌患者总有效率为85.00%(51/60),与对照组有效率57.50%(23/40)比较,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组患者1、2、3年生存率分别为100.00%(60/60)、100.00%(60/60)、96.67%(58/60),对照组患者1、2、3年生存率分别为100.00%(40/40)、90.00%(36/40)和85.00%(34/40)。统计学分析发现,二者差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组中晚期放射治疗反应主要为Ⅰ~Ⅱ级,无4级不良反应发生。结论与盆腔普通放射治疗相比较,三维适形放射治疗联合紫杉醇每周方案化学治疗中晚期宫颈癌有较高的有效率,不良反应轻,患者易耐受,且操作易行。     

中晚期食管癌患者经艾迪注射液联合放化疗治疗的临床疗效研究

目的：研究分析中晚期食管癌患者经艾迪注射液联合放化疗治疗的临床疗效。方法：选取在我院治疗的中晚期食管癌患者92例(2013年9月到2015年9月)。将其动态随机化分2组,研究组和对照组各46例。对照组患者给予同步放化疗治疗,研究组患者在同步放化疗的基础上联合使用艾迪注射液治疗,对比两组患者的临床疗效、生活质量与免疫变化情况。结果：研究组患者的总缓解率为80.43%、提高稳定率达到了76.09%,治疗后CD3+T细胞76.16%±6.61%、CD4+T细胞35.71%±4.33%、CD8+T细胞36.27%±9.13%,与对照组比较均有明显优势,P<0.05。结论：采用艾迪注射液与放化疗结合的方式对中晚期食管癌患者进行治疗的效果显著,可以广泛应用于临床上。     

Early post-operative measurement of cytokine plasma levels combined with pre-operative bilirubin levels identify high-risk patients after liver resection

Identification of patients at risk of a complicated course after liver resection is crucial for adapting post-operative care. In the present study, we investigated the diagnostic value of the plasma levels of various cytokines obtained immediately after surgery. IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) concentrations were measured in 26 patients after liver resection using a cytometric bead assay and were correlated with liver function, resectate weight, surgery duration, ischemia/reperfusion, hospitalization time and occurrence of complications. Patients with post-surgical complications showed distinctive patterns of IL-6 and IL-8 as early as minutes to hours after surgery. In addition, although pre-operative bilirubin in most patients remained within the normal range, a cut-off of 1 mg/dl separated the patients into groups with different profiles of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion and different likelihoods of experiencing post-operative complications (bilirubin levels ≥1.0 vs. <1.0 mg/dl; IL-6 (4 h): 701 vs. 265; IL-8 (6 h): 262 vs. 97?pg/ml; p<0.05 for both). Extended hospitalization, related to delayed recovery, was correlated with increased IL-8 and MCP-1 immediately after surgery. In conclusion, on the basis of these observations, we suggest that early measurement of post-operative levels of MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 can be used to identify individuals at risk of post-operative complications immediately after liver surgery.     

The immunophenotypic changes and clinical effectiveness after treatment of cancer patients with infusion of human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by anti-CD28 and anti-CD80 monoclonal antibodies in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy

It has been tried to use the immunotherapy incombination with radiotherapy and chemotherapyfor the treatment of the late cases of malignant tu-mors [1 ,2] .Inthe present paper ,the use of theinfused lymphocytes stimulated with anti-CD3 ,CD28 and CD80 monoclonal antibodies in combi-nation with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is de-scribed in order to explore alterations of im-munophenotypes and the clinical effectiveness af-ter treatment of late cancer patients withthis ap-proach.MATERIAL A…     

术前焦虑与术后心身康复的相关性及其心理社会影响因素

Objective:To study the relationship between pre-operative anxiety and post-operative psychosomatic adjustment and the related psyehosoeial factors in upper- abdominal surgery patients. Methods: Forty patients undergoing upper- abdominalsurgery were assessed in this report. One day before surgery, the Medical Coping Mode Questionnaire (MCMQ), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Eysenek Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) of State - Trait Arixiety Invento-ry (STAI) and a self- developed patients‘‘ pre - operative appraisal questionnaire were used. In an hour before operation,the shift of the mean value of the pulse of every ease compared with the base line measured at his (or her ) admission was also recorded. Af-ter surgery, State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) of State- Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a self-developed postoperative appraisal scale were used, and the indexes of somatic adjustment, including intestinal aerofluxus, total dosage of analgesia and so on were recorded. Results:Firstly, pre - operative anxiety was remarkably correlated to many indexes of post - operative psychosomatic adjustment. Secondly, hopelessness about operation, concern over sequela, resignation coping style and psychosis personality were the significant predictors of pre- operative anxiety. Conclusion: Post- operative psychosomatic adjustment could be handicapped by pre - operative anxiety which might be influenced by stress - related psyehosocial factors.     

Pre-operative education for the patient having coronary artery bypass surgery

Patient education is an important element of care for people having a range of investigations and treatments. The potentially beneficial effect on outcomes has been explored. In particular research, and meta-analyses of the studies, have demonstrated the positive effect of pre-operative education on post-operative outcomes in patients having a variety of surgical procedures. However, application of the findings to defined groups of specialist patients may be difficult. This paper seeks to establish whether pre-operative education benefits patients following coronary artery bypass surgery and to identify the outcomes affected. A broad search strategy revealed 10 studies which examined pre-operative education and measured post-operative outcomes. Data were extracted which revealed there is limited evidence to suggest that pre-operative education benefits patient's recovery from coronary artery bypass surgery. However, this finding should be considered with caution as this body of research suffered from weak design and there was limited available data.