Are dual-phase 18F-FDG PET scans necessary in nasopharyngeal carcinoma to assess the primary tumour and loco-regional nodes?

Purpose This prospective study aimed to investigate the efficacy of dual-phase positron emission tomography (PET) in evaluating the loco-regional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Eighty-four patients with newly diagnosed NPC and a fasting serum glucose level of <200 mg/dl were enrolled. [¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET studies (at 40 min and 3 h after injection of 370 MBq ¹⁸F-FDG) and head and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed within 1 week. Diagnostic criteria for NPC comprised the histopathological findings, the joint judgments of the research team and the post-treatment outcome. Each lesions maximum standardised uptake value (SUV) and retention index were obtained. SUV data were evaluated using a paired t test. Receiver operating characteristic curves and calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) determined the discriminative power.Results ¹⁸F-FDG PET was significantly superior to MRI in identifying lower neck NPC nodal metastasis (AUC: 1 vs 0. 972, P=0.046) and overall loco-regional metastases (AUC: 0.985 vs 0.958, P=0.036). However, ¹⁸F-FDG PET was similar to MRI in detecting primary tumour, as well as retropharyngeal, upper neck and supraclavicular nodal metastases. There was no significant difference between early phase (40 min) and delayed phase (3 h) ¹⁸F-FDG PET in the detection of primary tumours (accuracy: 100% vs 100%) or loco-regional nodal metastasis (AUC: 0.984 vs 0.985, P=0.834).Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET is superior to MRI in identifying lower neck nodal metastasis of NPC. Additional 3-h ¹⁸F-FDG PET contributes no further information in the detection of primary tumours or loco-regional metastatic nodes in untreated NPC patients.     

Hepatic Resection at a Major Community-Based Teaching Hospital Can Result in Good Outcome

Background The relationship between volume and outcome has been established in the literature for several complex surgical procedures. Improved outcome has been suggested at high-volume hospitals or with high-volume surgeons.Methods The objective of this study was to evaluate the experience of a low-volume hospital with major liver resections. The setting of the study was a community-based teaching hospital with a surgical residency training program.Results A total of 46 major liver resections were performed between January 1992 and December 2002. Procedures performed were hepatic lobectomies (n = 15; right, n = 11; left, n = 4), trisegmentectomies (n = 5; right, n = 3; left, n = 2), segmentectomies (n = 16; left lateral, n = 12; right posterior, n = 4), and wedge resections (n = 10). Operations were performed by 14 different surgeons; however, 23 operations were performed by 1 surgeon. Sixteen patients (34%) developed 23 complications. The average length of hospital stay was 9.7 days. There were no 30-day postoperative mortalities. Out of 46 patients who underwent major liver resection over the last 10 years, 13 patients are still alive. Overall survival ranged from 3 to 84 months, with a median survival of 30.6 months. The actual 5-year survival was 36% (8 of 22) for all patients operated on >5 years ago, and the actual 2-year survival was 61% (20 of 33).Conclusions Major liver resection can be performed safely with low rates of morbidity and operative mortality with careful selection of patients at a low-volume community-based teaching hospital.     

Novel approaches in the therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal of the common urologic malignancies, with approximately 40% of patients eventually dying of cancer progression. Approximately one third of patients present with metastatic disease, and up to 40% treated for localized disease have a recurrence. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis, behavior, and molecular biology of RCC have paved the way for developments that may enhance early diagnosis, better predict tumor prognosis, and improve survival for RCC patients. The recent discovery of molecular tumor markers is expected to revolutionize the staging of RCC in the future and lead to the development of new therapies based on molecular targeting. Cytokine-based immunotherapy can be considered standard therapy in the treatment of metastatic RCC today. However, new therapies such as tumor vaccines, anti-angiogenesis agents, and small molecule inhibitors are being developed to improve efficacy and treat those patients who are unable to tolerate or are resistant to systemic immunotherapy. The aim of this review is to provide an update on current therapeutic approaches and targeted molecular therapy for metastatic RCC.     

Thermoablation of Liver Metastases: Efficacy of Temporary Celiac Plexus Block

Purpose To determine the efficacy of celiac plexus block during thermoablation of liver metastases.Methods Fifty-five consecutive patients underwent thermoablation therapy of liver tumors by laser-induced thermotherapy. Twenty-nine patients received a temporary celiac plexus block, 26 patients acted as control group. In both groups fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously upon request of the patient. The duration of the intervention, consumption of opiates, and individual pain sensations were documented.Results No complications resulting from the celiac plexus block were recorded. Celiac plexus block significantly reduced the amount of pain medication used during thermoablation therapy of liver tumors (with block, 2.45 μg fentanyl per kg body weight; without block, 3.58 μg fentanyl per kg body weight, p < 0.05; midazolam consumption was not reduced) in patients with metastases ≤5 mm from the liver capsule. For metastases farther away from the capsule no significant differences in opiate consumption were seen. Celiac plexus block reduced the time for thermoablation significantly (178 min versus 147 min, p < 0.05) no matter how far the metastases were from the liver capsule. Average time needed to set the block was 12 min (range 9–15 min); additional costs for the block were marginal. As expected (as pain medications were given according to individual patients’ needs) pain indices did not differ significantly between the two groups.Conclusion In patients with liver metastases ≤5 mm from the liver capsule, celiac plexus block reduces the amount of opiates necessary, simplifying patient monitoring. In addition celiac plexus block reduces intervention time, with positive effects on overall workflow for all patients.     

Pulmonary metastasectomy for pediatric solid tumors

Most pediatric thoracic malignancy is pulmonary disease secondary to solid tumors of childhood. The management of isolated pulmonary metastases in adulthood is well documented. Little has been published to document the long-term outcome of pulmonary metastasectomy in childhood. A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the results of surgery for isolated pulmonary metastases. Twenty children underwent surgery over 12 years (mean follow-up 8 years). Five had Wilms tumor (mean age 51 months), eight had osteogenic sarcoma (mean age 141 months), three had rhabdomyosarcoma (mean age 92 months), two had hepatoblastoma (mean age 30 months) and two had teratoma (mean age 72 months). Four had bilateral synchronous metastases and thoracotomies, and one had bilateral metachronous metastases and thoracotomies. Nineteen children were discharged well within 10 days of surgery. There was one early complication: a death due to pneumonia. Four children subsequently died postoperatively with cranial metastases (mean 29 months postoperatively). The remaining 16 children remain alive and well. As part of the combined therapy, these results would support an aggressive surgical approach to this disease. Preoperative assessment should include contrast enhanced computed tomogram of the head and chest as well as chest X-ray taken immediately preoperatively to exclude metastases. Bilateral synchronous and metachronous thoracotomy is well tolerated in childhood.     

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the liver: MRI features in two cases

We report on two patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the evaluation of focal liver lesions. Both lesions had completely different MRI appearances, showing characteristics of benign and malignant liver lesions. Neither patient had clinical signs of endocrine hyperactivity, and both underwent subsequent liver resection. Histology showed neuroendocrine liver tumors in both patients; and because no primary tumor could be identified after careful search, the diagnosis of primary neureoendocrine tumor of the liver was established. Our observations suggest that primary neuroendocrine tumors of the liver may have a wide spectrum of appearances on MRI.     

Effect of papillary and chromophobe cell type on disease-free survival after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

Background The clinical staging of renal cortical tumors traditionally has not evaluated the potential effect of histological subtypes on survival. Evidence suggests that conventional clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and nonconventional clear cell RCC (chromophobe and papillary) have different metastatic potential. Using a large renal tumor database, we examined the effect of tumor histology on the pattern of metastasis and patient survival. Methods All patients with nonmetastatic renal cortical tumors undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy were identified from a renal tumor database between July 1989 and July 2002. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Analysis revealed 1057 patients: 794 with conventional clear cell RCC, 157 with papillary RCC, and 106 with chromophobe RCC. Metastasis occurred in 95 conventional clear cell RCC, 9 papillary RCC, and 6 chromophobe RCC. Metastasis occurred in 95 conventional clear cell RCC, 9 papillary RCC, and 6 chromophobe RCC with a median follow-up of 34.6, 43.0, and 33.2 months, respectively. Using log-rank analysis, chromophobe and papillary RCC were associated with an improved disease-free survival at 5 years (P=.009 and .015, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed tumor size, stage, and chromophobe histology as significant variables for disease progression. Conclusions Renal cortical tumors have distinct histological subtypes with varying degrees of metastatic potential. Conventional clear cell RCC, which comprises two thirds of renal cortical tumors presenting with localized disease, has a less favorable outcome when compared with papillary and chromophobe RCC. Controlling for size and stage, chromophobe, and not papillary, RCC was a significant variable for disease progression compared with conventional clear cell RCC. Knowledge of renal cortical tumor histological subtype is critical for projecting prognosis, tailoring follow-up strategies, and designing clinical trials. Presented at the 56th Annual Cancer Symposium, Society of Surgical Oncology, San Diego, CA, March 5–9, 2003.     

Phase-II Trial Using Gemcitabine as Monochemotherapy in Patients with Metastasized Pancreatic Carcinoma

Summary BACKGROUND: The aim of this phase-II study was to evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine monochemotherapy in patients with metastasized pancreatic carcinoma known to have a poor overall tumor response rate to chemotherapy in order to achieve an improvement in the quality of life. METHODS: In 28 patients with metastasized pancreatic carcinoma (mean age, 63.7 years; range, 37 to 77 years; sex ratio, 13 males, 15 females), systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine (dose, 1000 mg/m²) was administered on day 1, 8 and 15. After one further week (day 29), the cycle was repeated. After each 2nd cycle, extension of tumor growth (restaging) including radiological imaging (ultrasound, computed tomography, plain film of the thorax) and laboratory analysis (tumor marker) was performed. Frequency, severity and spectrum of side effects were assessed according to WHO grading prior to each treatment. Quality of life was evaluated using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: All in all, 106 chemotherapeutic cycles were administered in 28 patients (range, 1–18 cycles; mean, 3.78). While in no patient complete remission was observed, 2 out of 28 patients showed partial remission (7.2 %). In 11 out of 28 patients, stable tumor disease was detected (39.2 %). Fifteen out of 28 patients (53.6 %) showed progressive tumor growth. Four out of 28 patients lived longer than 1 year (1-year survival rate, 14.3 %). Side effects of the chemotherapy were only moderate. Only in 26 of 106 cycles (26.5 %), side effects were documented. Significant improvement in the quality of life was reported in 25 % of the treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy using gemcitabine is a well tolerable treatment option with a minimal rate of side effects in the case of metastasized pancreatic carcinoma. However, overall response rate is low. Even considering the acceptable median survival time of 9.1 months most likely caused by second-line chemotherapy, optimization of gemcitabine monotherapy appears to be required using a combination with a further potential cytostatic drug.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结转移检测方法的研究

目的探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)活检的可行性、准确性以及比较几种方法对SLN转移灶检出率的差异。方法对86例乳腺癌患者用亚甲蓝示踪行SLN活检,获取的SLN分别进行常规HE染色、连续病理切片、免疫组化测定CK19和MUCI粘蛋白、RT-PCR法测定CK19和MUCI粘蛋白,比较4种方法对SLN转移灶的检出率。结果86例乳腺癌患者中,80例检出SLN,检出率93.0%,共切除151枚SLN。SLN常规HE染色法预测腋窝淋巴结转移状态敏感性94.74%(36/38),准确率97.50%(78/80),假阴性率5.26%(2/38)。常规HE染色诊断检出率46.36%;连续切片诊断检出率54.30%;免疫组化检测检出率56.29%;RT-PCR法CK19、MUCI粘蛋白联合检测检出率73.50%。结论SLN活检可有效判断乳腺癌腋淋巴结转移状态,RT-PCR法检测乳腺癌SLN转移最敏感。     

Esthesioneuroblastoma: Cerebral and spinal metastases without direct cranial invasion

Summary A patient with esthesioneuroblastoma is reported with metastatic lesions to the cervical nodes, intradural thoracic spinal canal, and the posterior fossa without evidence of local recurrence or cranial bone involvement four years after initial diagnosis and eradication. The initial lesion was a localized nasal polyp apparently treated adequately with excision and radiotherapy.