Comparing Emergent and Elective Colectomy Outcomes in Elderly Patients: A NSQIP Study

Introduction. With the increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, especially in the elderly, and the variability between physiological and chronological age and its impact on functional status, acute symptoms leading to emergent surgery due to colorectal malignancy may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify the outcome differences of elective vs. emergent open colectomy in patients above 80 years. Methods. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was reviewed from 2010 to 2014 for open colectomy based on CPT codes. Comparison between groups was done based on the clinical context at presentation as elective or emergent surgery. Data were analyzed using SAS. Results. Elective colectomies were performed in 8289 (70.8%) vs. emergent colectomies in 3409 (29.1%). Emergent colectomy patients had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative classification III-IV, 1429 (42.0%) and 224 (6.6%), vs. 1238 (14.9%) and 21 (0.2%) in elective colectomy patients p < 0.0001 . Emergent colectomy patients had more comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (493 (14.5%) vs. 796 (9.6%)), congestive heart failure (206 (6.0%) vs. 310 (3.8%)), dialysis (106 (3.1%) vs. 56 (0.7%)), and acute renal failure (166 (4.9%) vs. 46 (0.6%)) p < 0.0001 , respectively. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly higher in emergent colectomy (1651 (48.4%) and 872 (25.6%)) vs. elective colectomy (1859 (22.4%) and 567 (6.8%)) p < 0.0001 , respectively. Conclusion. Emergent open colectomy in elderly patients carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality when compared to elective open colectomy with risk factors being higher ASA classification and more comorbidities.

Clinicopathological Analysis of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Single-Institution Retrospective Review of 9 Cases

Aim. To evaluate the clinicopathological features affecting the recurrence and survival of 9 cases of neuroendocrine cancer of the cervix. Method. We retrospectively analyzed 9 cervical neuroendocrine cancer cases identified among 453 cervical cancer patients between 2004 and 2021 at Akdeniz University Gynecological Oncology Outpatient Clinic. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Mathematical functions of mean, standard deviation, median, Min–Max values, and frequencies were used for descriptive statistics. The categorical data were expressed in numbers and percentages (%). Results. Nine patients with neuroendocrine histological subtype were selected out of 453 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer (1.98%). The average overall survival time of the patients was 26 months. The 5-year survival rate was 53.3%, while the PFS was 62.5%. The most common subtype was small cell neuroendocrine cancer. Tumours were mostly locally advanced at the time of diagnosis. 3 patients’ stage was 1b2, while 4 patients were 2b, 1 patient was 3c2r, and 1 patient was 4b. All tumours showed the immunohistochemical staining properties of neuroendocrine cancer. The main treatment modality applied to our patients was surgery + adjuvant CRT. The most used chemotherapeutic agents were cisplatin/carboplatin and etoposide. Recurrence was found in 3 cases, including 5 deaths. Conclusion. Neuroendocrine tumour of the cervix is a rare subtype with a poor prognosis. Unfortunately, there is not yet a standard treatment protocol due to the limited number of comparative studies of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy based treatment schemes.

The Utility of SOX2 and AGR2 Biomarkers as Early Predictors of Tamoxifen Resistance in ER-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Background. Despite the undeniable benefit of tamoxifen therapy for ER-positive breast cancer patients, approximately one-third of those patients either do not respond to tamoxifen or develop resistance. Thus, it is a crucial step to identify novel, reliable, and easily detectable biomarkers indicating resistance to this drug. Objective. The aim of this work is to explore SOX2 and AGR2 biomarker expression in the tumor tissue of ER-positive breast cancer patients in combination with the evaluation of serum AGR2 level of these patients in order to validate these biomarkers as early predictors of tamoxifen resistance. Methods. This study was conducted on 224 ER-positive breast cancer patients. All patients were primarily subjected to serum AGR2 levelling by ELISA and their breast cancer tissue immunostained for SOX2 and AGR2. After 5 years of follow-up, the patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 was tamoxifen sensitive and groups 2 and 3 were tamoxifen resistant. Time to failure of tamoxifen treatment was considered the time from the beginning of tamoxifen therapy to the time of discovery of breast cancer recurrence or metastases (in months). Results. SOX2 and AGR2 biomarkers expression and serum AGR2 level were significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 in comparison to group 1, while the relationship between Her2 neu expression and Ki67 index in the 3 different groups was statistically nonsignificant. Lower SOX2 and AGR2 expression and low AGR2 serum levels in the studied patients of groups 2 and 3 were significantly associated with longer time-to-failure of tamoxifen treatment. According to the ROC curve, the combined use of studied markers validity was with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 96%, PPV 96%, and NPV 100% ( p < 0.001 ; AUC: 0.984). Conclusions. Integrated use of SOX2 and AGR2 biomarkers with serum AGR2 assay holds a promising hope for their future use as predictive markers for early detection of tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer patients.

Prognostic Value of KRAS Gene Mutation on Survival of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Objective. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of the presence of mutation in the KRAS gene on the survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and peritoneal metastases (PM). Materials and Methods. A retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients diagnosed with CRC with synchronous or metachronous PM between January 2006 and December 2019 were included. Data on the histopathological, clinical, and treatment factors were collected. The effect of each variable on survival was evaluated by Cox regression. Results. A total of 149 patients were included (64 women (43%) and 85 men (57%); mean age, 63 years). The long-term survival rate at 36 months was 24% (median, 21 months). KRAS mutation was detected in 75 patients (50.3%). Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated that likelihood of survival was higher in patients with wild-type KRAS tumours (35%) than in mutated-type KRAS (14%) (median: 28 vs. 15, respectively) ( P = 0.001 ). Within the categories into which the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was classified, survival at 36 months depended on the KRAS status. Survival in wild-type KRAS tumours with PCI 1–10 was 71% and with PCI 11–20 was 26%, while in mutant-type KRAS tumours, survival was 41% and 4%, respectively ( P = 0.025 ). In the multiple regression analysis, the KRAS mutation was revealed to have an independent prognostic value (HR: 2.144; 95% CI: 1.342–3.424). Conclusion. The mutational status of the KRAS gene has demonstrated a strong association with survival and prognostic utility in patients with CRC with PM.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) and Synchronous Intra-Abdominal Liposarcoma: A Report of Two Rare Cases and Literature Review

Introduction. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) quite frequently occur synchronously with other malignancies, with most cases being adenocarcinomas. GISTs and liposarcomas are both of mesenchymal origin, and their coexistence is extremely rare. Methods. We conducted a review of the current literature regarding the synchronous occurrence of GISTs and intra-abdominal liposarcomas. An electronic search of the literature was undertaken using MEDLINE (database provider PubMed). Furthermore, we present the first described case of an 86-year-old male with a GIST and synchronous liposarcoma, both located in the stomach, as well as a 66-year-old male with a gastric GIST and concurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Results. A total of 5 cases of synchronous GIST and intra-abdominal liposarcoma have been reported in the literature to date, with the most recent cases included in the present study. Conclusion. Further research is required to explain any possible correlation in the coexistence of these different neoplasms of the same origin. Meanwhile, R0 resection of both tumors remains the treatment of choice.

Transition to Targeted Therapies Improved the Prognosis and Increased the Utilization of Medical Treatments among Patients with Synchronous Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

Since the introduction of targeted therapies (TTs) for metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) in 2005, a limited amount of epidemiological data on efficacy of modern drug therapies for synchronous mRCC has been published. We present a comprehensive nationwide cohort including all cases of primarily metastasized renal cell cancer among adults diagnosed between 2005 and 2010, based on data from the Finnish Cancer Registry and patient records from treating hospitals. Applied treatment protocols and survival outcomes were analyzed. A total of 977 patients were included in the analysis; 499 patients were diagnosed between 2005 and 2007 and 478 patients were diagnosed between 2008 and 2010. The median overall survival (OS) was 8.80 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.60–10.02). The median OS of the patients diagnosed at the latter era was significantly better (11.1; 95% CI: 8.8–13.4 vs. 7.0; 95% CI: 5.7–8.3 months, p ≤ 0.001 ). A total number of 524 (53.8%) patients received drug therapy. Altogether, TTs including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi), and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor covered 331 (63.2%) of first-line treatments, whereas interferon and its combinations with chemotherapy were used for 186 (35.5%) patients. The median OS rates for TT and interferon as first-line therapy groups were 19.9 (16.9–22.8) and 14.9 (12.3–17.4) months, respectively. The OS for patients who did not receive drug therapy after cytoreductive nephrectomy was dismal. We found that the OS estimate of mRCC patients in Finland has improved since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the prognosis remains poor for frail, elderly patients with an impaired performance status.

Survival Benefit of Intervention Treatment in Advanced Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Background. The management of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is controversial; thus, proper treatment and prognostic factors should be investigated. Objectives. To compare the survival outcomes of the intervention and palliative treatment in ATC patients. Methods. A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at a single tertiary university hospital. The medical record charts were retrieved from November 20, 1987, to December 31, 2016. The final follow-up ended by December 31, 2017. The patients’ demographic data, laboratory data, clinical presentation, and treatment modality results were analyzed. Results. One hundred twenty-one records were analyzed with a one-year overall survival rate of 3.5% (median survival time: 77 days); however, 16 cases had insufficient data to classify staging and treatment modalities. Therefore, 105 ATC patients (37 with stage IVa, 39 with stage IVb, and 29 with stage IVc disease) were included with a one-year overall survival rate of 4.0% (median survival time of 82 days). Intervention treatment allowed longer median survival times ( p < 0.05 ) and a better survival rate ( p < 0.05 ). Among the interventional treatment groups, postoperative chemoradiation yielded the longest median survival time (187 days) and the highest survival rate (20%) ( p < 0.05 ). The intervention modality allowed a better median survival time at all stages, particularly in stage IVa ( p < 0.05 ). Unfavorable prognostic factors were adjusted for in a multiple Cox regression model showing that significant factors included age ≥65 years (hazard ratio HR: 2.57), palliative treatment (HR: 1.85), and leukocytosis ≥10,000 cells/mm3 (HR: 2.76). Conclusions. Intervention treatment provided a better survival outcome in all stages, particularly in stage IVa, with a significantly better median survival time. Among interventional treatments, postoperative chemoradiation led to the longest survival rate, suggesting that this treatment should be considered in ATC patients with resectable tumors and no poor prognostic factors, such as older age and leukocytosis.

Correlation between Prognostic Factors and the Histopathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Osteosarcoma: A Retrospective Study

Background.Multimodality treatment, incorporating neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, is the standard management plan for osteosarcoma that increases the overall survival (OS) rate. However, data regarding prognostic factors affecting the histopathological response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is limited. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma in our center between 2008 and 2018. We classified patient characteristics according to gender, age, tumor size, site and stage at diagnosis, site of metastasis, type of surgery, necrosis rate based on the Huvos grading system, and the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles. We divided response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy into poor responder for patients with Huvos grades 1 and 2 and good responder for patients with Huvos grades 3 and 4. We also documented patients’ survival and follow-up information. Results. We reviewed 64 patients within 5–65 years of age, dominated by men (62.5%). The distal femur (53.1%) was the most common site of osteosarcoma. Fifteen (23.4%) patients had a good response while 49 (76.6%) patients were poor responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the Huvos grading system. Based on multivariate analysis, gender ( p = 0.012), age ( p = 0.029), symptom duration ( p = 0.004), and tumor enlargement after neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( p < 0.001) were significantly associated with histopathological response. A scoring system was proposed integrating these significant variables (age > 20 years = 1 point, female gender = 1 point, symptom duration > 12 weeks = 1 point, and increased tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy = 2 points). This scoring system divides patients into two groups with a total score of more than two predicting a poor responder to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions. Age, gender, symptoms duration, and tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are the prognostic features that affect the histopathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma.

Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Experience in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Single-Center Analysis of 180 Cases

Background. In peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), increased life span and disease-free survival times are shown in patients with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) following cytoreductive surgery (SRC). In this study, our main objective was to present our experience of performing SRC and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC and EPIC) on patients with PC, in light of the literature. Methods. Demographic data, follow-up results, peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) score, and morbidity and mortality rates of 180 patients treated with SRC + HIPEC + EPIC for PC at the Department of Surgical Oncology at Sivas Cumhuriyet University between January 2008 and July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Results. Distribution of 180 PC cases according to primary organs included 53 ovarian, 39 colorectal, 33 stomach, 25 primary peritoneum, 10 uterus, 10 tuba, five soft tissue, and five appendix originated carcinoma. The average PCI of the cases detected preoperatively was 21 (5–30). Completeness of cytoreduction scores of CCR-0 in 102 cases, CCR-1 in 67 cases, CCR-2 in eight cases, and CCR-3 in three cases was obtained. Median operation time was 300 (200–540) minutes. Perioperative morbidity rate was 47.0%, and perioperative mortality rate was 13.5%. Conclusion. The peritonectomy procedure is a difficult, long-lasting, troublesome intervention, but it is the most important treatment option with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in patients selected for PC treatment in experienced centers.

Comparison of IORT (Radical and Boost Dose) and EBRT in Terms of Disease-Free Survival and Overall Survival according to Demographic, Pathologic, and Biological Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background. The standard treatment for breast cancer is breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy. If external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) can be safely replaced with intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), it will help patients to save their breast and to have equivocal or better results in DFS and overall survival (OS). Methods. A total of 2022 patients with breast cancer treated during 6 years were enrolled in the current study. A total of 657, 376, and 989 patients received EBRT, radical, and boost dose by IORT, respectively, according to the IRIORT consensus protocol. The primary endpoint was recurrence and death. The secondary endpoint was the role of variables in recurrence and death. Results. With a mean follow-up of 34.5 and 40.18 months for the IORT and EBRT groups, respectively, there was a significant difference in DFS between electron boost and X-ray boost groups ( P = 0.037 ) and the electron radical group compared with EBRT ( P = 0.025 ), but there was no significant difference between other boost and radical groups in DFS and OS. Conclusions. IORT can be a preferred treatment modality because of its noninferior outcomes, and in some special conditions, it has superior outcomes compared to EBRT, particularly in delivering radical dose with IORT.