Routine removal of the carotid sheath as part of neck dissection is unnecessary if grossly uninvolved as seen intra-operatively

The aim of this research was to determine the pathologic invasion of the carotid sheath (CS) when found grossly uninvolved during surgery, in patients undergoing neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A prospective study was undertaken in 70 consecutive patients with biopsy proven HNSCC, without prior history of any treatment, undergoing neck dissection, in whom the CS was found grossly uninvolved intra-operatively, were included. A total of 80 neck dissections were performed. Supra-omohyoid neck dissections for clinically N0 neck and appropriate modified radical neck dissections for clinically N+ neck were carried out. 129 CS were dissected separately and thoroughly examined by well trained head and neck pathologists for tumour infiltration and the presence of lymphatic tissue. On microscopic examination, 27 patients were N0 status and the remaining 43 (61.4%) had at least one metastatic lymph node (N+). None of 129 CS specimens show the presence of normal lymphatic tissue or metastatic tumour deposits. The authors think that avoiding resection of the CS in the absence of gross invasion by nodal disease is possible without jeopardising oncologic safety. A preserved CS might offer protection to the important neurovascular structures and reduce significant morbidity.     

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients with Synchronous Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

Background

The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for overall survival (OS) is unclear in patients with synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the era of targeted therapy.

Objective

To determine OS benefit of CN compared with no CN in mRCC patients treated with targeted therapies.

Design, setting, and participants

Retrospective data from patients with synchronous mRCC (n = 1658) from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) were used to compare 982 mRCC patients who had a CN with 676 mRCC patients who did not.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

OS was compared and hazard ratios (HRs) adjusted for IMDC poor prognostic criteria.

Results and limitations

Patients who had CN had better IMDC prognostic profiles versus those without (favorable, intermediate, or poor in 9%, 63%, and 28% vs 1%, 45%, and 54%, respectively). The median OS of patients with CN versus without CN was 20.6 versus 9.5 mo (p < 0.0001). When adjusted for IMDC criteria to correct for imbalances, the HR of death was 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.69; p < 0.0001). Patients estimated to survive <12 mo may receive marginal benefit from CN. Patients who have four or more of the IMDC prognostic criteria did not benefit from CN. Data were collected retrospectively.

Conclusions

CN is beneficial in synchronous mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy, even after adjusting for prognostic factors. Patients with estimated survival times <12 mo or four or more IMDC prognostic factors may not benefit from CN. This information may aid in patient selection as we await results from randomized controlled trials.

Patient summary

We looked at the survival outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who did or did not have the primary tumor removed. We found that most patients benefited from tumor removal, except for those with four or more IMDC risk factors.     

A Novel Obturator Device for Management of Dilated Trachea-esophageal Puncture Tract Fistulas

Voice rehabilitation in laryngectomized patients by tracheoesophageal puncture is a time tested technique. In some patients the tracheoesophageal puncture gets inordinately dilated leading to leakage around the prosthesis. Most of these fistulas are managed by a variety of conservative treatments like temporary removal of prosthesis, placement of silastic ring over the prosthesis, placement of nasogastric tube and airway protection by a cuffed tracheostomy tube. Intractable fistulas are tackled by surgical closure but are fraught with failures. We hereby suggest a novel temporary obturator that can be can be easily made at a very low cost in any hospital having prosthetic rehabilitation services and obviates the need for a tracheostomy tube, nasogastric tube and repeated hospital visits.     

L-carnitine in experimental retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

The effect of L-carnitine on retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury was evaluated in guinea pigs. 90 min of pressure-induced retinal ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion was established in both eyes of 2 groups of animals receiving either L-carnitine (100 mg/kg repeated in 5 doses) or saline intraperitoneally. After enucleation of all the eyes, including those of a control group, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels and the thickness of the retinal tissue were measured in 3 groups. The mean MDA value and the tissue thickness of the L-carnitine-treated group were statistically insignificant versus the control group (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). However, these values were significantly different in the group receiving saline versus the control group and that receiving L-carnitine (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). L-Carnitine might be an alternative drug for ischemia-reperfusion injury of the retina.     

A single-institution experience with concurrent capecitabine and radiation therapy in gastrointestinal malignancies

PURPOSE: We report our clinical experience with 32 patients receiving concurrent irradiation and capecitabine.METHODS AND MATERIALS: Medical records of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies treated with radiation and capecitabine therapy were reviewed.RESULTS: The population consisted of 20 males and 12 females, with a median age of 67.5 years (45-84 years) and adequate hepatic and bone marrow function. Histology was adenocarcinoma in all patients, except two with esophageal squamous carcinoma. Twenty-one patients received the regimen as adjuvant therapy, three received preoperative therapy, and 8 patients received therapy for palliation. The median dose of capecitabine was 1600 mg/m(2)/day (1200-2500 mg/m(2)/day) orally for 5 days per week for the duration of radiation therapy. Thirty patients received a total dose ranging from 45 Gy to 64 Gy over 4-6 weeks. Two previously radiated patients received total doses of 29.9 Gy and 46 Gy. Grade 3/4 toxicities observed were neutropenia in 3 patients and diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and myocardial infarction in 1 patient each. No treatment-related mortality was observed. Twenty of 21 patients (95.2%) who received adjuvant therapy continue to be in complete remission. Four of 11 (36%) evaluable patients demonstrated a response.CONCLUSION: Concurrent capecitabine and radiation were very well tolerated and warrant further investigation in prospective trials.     

Outcome of relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients after allogeneic and autologous transplantation

A retrospective review of 58 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) relapse or progression after autologous bone marrow transplantation (auto BMT), peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT), or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo BMT) between November 1988 and December 1997 was performed. Forty-six (79%) patients had autologous transplant and 12 (21%) patients had allogeneic transplant. Median time to relapse post-transplant was 4.8 months with 49 relapses within 12 months after transplant. Overall 5-year survival was 22% (auto BMT or PSCT 25%, allo BMT 18%, p=0.38) with a median survival of 10 months (auto BMT or PSCT 10.2 months, allo BMT 7 months, p=0.38). Thirty-five patients received salvage therapy and, of these, 13 demonstrated objective response. The 3-year survival of responders and non-responders was 55 and 14% and median survivals were 27.8 and 8 months, respectively (p=0.02). Interval between BMT and relapse (p=0.0001), and response to salvage therapy (p=0.02) were the only significant predictors of survival.     

Survey Assessment of Continuation of and Satisfaction with Pharmacological Treatment for Urinary Incontinence

Purpose:  To evaluate treatment satisfaction and compliance with pharmacologic therapy in urinary incontinence patients.
Materials and Methods:  An online survey was returned by 1447 individuals from a nationwide panel of adults who had previously reported treatment for incontinence symptoms and agreed to participate in survey research. Data on demographics, incontinence severity, treatment compliance, and satisfaction were obtained. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for characteristics associated with pharmacologic treatment dissatisfaction and discontinuation.
Results:  The sample was predominantly female (87%) and white (93%) with a mean age of 56 years. On average, patients urinated 10 times/day and experienced 16 wetting accidents in the week preceding survey. Overall, 25% reported being somewhat or very dissatisfied with treatment. Those who reported a severe effect of incontinence on their lives were most likely to be dissatisfied (OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.89–4.23). Discontinuation of drug treatment was reported by 45% of study subjects, with major reasons being poor efficacy (in 41.3% of discontinuations), side effects (22.4%), and cost (18.7%). Predictors for discontinuation included young age (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2–2.8), experiencing symptoms for 10 or more years (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0), and experiencing more than 16 wetting accidents in the last week (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.3–2.1).
Conclusions:  This online survey of self-selected incontinence patients indicated that almost half of those who have received drug treatment for incontinence had discontinued primarily because of lack of efficacy, side effects, and cost concerns. Our findings suggest a substantial degree of unmet need from current therapy among those with incontinence.