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BJECTIVE: This study is aimed to analyze the clinical outcome of recurrent ovarian cancer patients bearing isolated lymph-node recurrence (ILNR) who underwent salvage lymphadenectomy (SL). The prognostic role of clinicopathological variables and the mutational status of BRCA1/2 have also been investigated. METHODS: This retrospective, single-institutional study included women with platinum-sensitive lymph node recurrence underwent to SL between June 2008 and June 2018. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of clinical parameters, and BRCA1/2 mutational status on post salvage lymphadenectomy progression-free survival (PSL-PFS). RESULTS: As of June 2019, the median follow-up after SL was 30 months, and the relapse has been documented in 48 (56.5%) patients. In the whole series, the median PSL-PFS was 21 months, and the 3-year PSL-PFS was 36.7%. The median PSL-PFS, according to patients with ILNR (N = 71) versus patients with lymph-nodes and other sites of disease (N = 14), was 27 months versus 12 months, respectively. Univariate analysis of variables conditioning PSL-PFS showed that platinum-free interval (PFI) ≥12 months, normal Ca125 serum levels, and number of metastatic lymph-nodes ≤3 played a statistically significant favorable role. In multivariate analysis, PFI duration ≥12 months and the number of metastatic lymph nodes ≤3 were shown to keep their favorable, independent prognostic value on PSL-PFS. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of SL, the patients with long PFI and low metastatic lymph node numbers at ILNR diagnosis have the best outcome. The BRCA mutational status seems not associated with clinical variables and PSL-PFS, differently from other sites of disease in ROC patients.

Background/Aim: Radiotherapy is a treatment option for both adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings for biliary tract cancer. Guidelines on the delineation of the target volume of lymph nodes are lacking; only generic indications are available, without specific recommendations for different primary tumour locations (e.g. intrahepatic, extrahepatic biliary tract or gallbladder cancer). The aim of this study was to systematically review available literature to provide recommendations on lymph node target volume delineation in patients with unresectable biliary tumour. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed up to July 2016. The primary outcome measure was the rate of lymph node involvement according to the location of primary biliary tumour. Sites with = 5% of nodal metastases were considered in the clinical target volume for radiotherapy planning. Results: Twelve studies (1075 patients) were included. The most frequent site of lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic biliary tree carcinoma was retroportal (61.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 50.7-706%). Other frequently involved lymph nodes were along the hepatoduodenal ligament [ frequency=38.7%, 95% CI=31.0-47.0%], those along the common hepatic artery (17.0%, 95% CI=8.2-31.9%) and the hilar nodes (16.9%, 95% CI=13.2-21.4%). In extrahepatic biliary tree cancer, the most frequently involved lymph nodes were the pericholedochal (42.7%, 95% CI=33.8-52.1%) and those along the hepatoduodenal ligament (40.3%, 95% CI=32.4-48.8%). Other commonly involved nodal regions included retroportal lymph nodes (30.9%, 95% CI=23.0-40.1%), pancreaticoduodenal anterior and posterior nodes (30.1%, 95% CI=12.2-57.1%), those along the common hepatic artery (19.7%, 95% CI=11.8-31.0%) and para_aortic nodes (15.2%, 95% CI=8.0-27.0%). The most common site of metastases in gallbladder cancer were the pericholedochal nodes (25.2%, 95% CI=18.6-33.2%), those along the cystic duct (23%, 95% CI=16.6-30.8%), and ret

Prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative patients remains controversial. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to determine the rate of metastases in the central neck in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer patients, to examine the morbidity, and to assess the risk of regional recurrence in patients treated with total thyroidectomy with concomitant bilateral or ipsilateral central neck dissection compared with those undergoing total thyroidectomy alone. 258 consecutive clinically node-negative patients were divided into three groups according to the procedures performed: total thyroidectomy only (group A), total thyroidectomy with concomitant ipsilateral central neck dissection (group B), and total thyroidectomy combined with bilateral central neck dissection (group C). Mean operative time and postoperative stay were shorter in Group A (p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism was lower in Group A (p = 0.03), whereas no differences in the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism and nerve palsy were present. Postoperative radioactive iodine administration was higher in group B and particularly C (p = 0.03) compared with group A. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of regional recurrence. Differentiated thyroid cancer has a high rate of central lymph node metastasis even in clinically node-negative patients; in the present study there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of locoregional recurrence between the three modalities of treatment. Total thyroidectomy appears to be an adequate treatment for clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer. Prophylactic central neck dissection might be considered for differentiated thyroid cancer patients with large tumor size or extrathyroidal extension.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Radiotherapy is a treatment option for both adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings for biliary tract cancer. Guidelines on the delineation of the target volume of lymph nodes are lacking; only generic indications are available, withut specific recommendations for different primary tumour locations (e.g. intrahepatic, extrahepatic biliary tract or gallbladder cancer). The aim of this study was to systematically review available literature to provide recommendations on lymph node target volume delineation in patients with unresectable biliary tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed up to July 2016. The primary outcome measure was the rate of lymph node involvement according to the location of primary biliary tumour. Sites with ≥5% of nodal metastases were considered in the clinical target volume for radiotherapy planning. RESULTS: Twelve studies (1075 patients) were included. The most frequent site of lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic biliary tree carcinoma was retroportal (61.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=50.7-70-6%). Other frequently involved lymph nodes were along the hepatoduodenal ligament [frequency=38.7%, 95% CI=31.0-47.0%], those along the common hepatic artery (17.0%, 95% CI=8.2-31.9%) and the hilar nodes (16.9%, 95% CI=13.2-21.4%). In extrahepatic biliary tree cancer, the most frequently involved lymph nodes were the pericholedochal (42.7%, 95% CI=33.8-52.1%) and those along the hepatoduodenal ligament (40.3%, 95% CI=32.4-48.8%). Other commonly involved nodal regions included retroportal lymph nodes (30.9%, 95% CI=23.0-40.1%), pancreaticoduodenal anterior and posterior nodes (30.1%, 95% CI=12.2-57.1%), those along the common hepatic artery (19.7%, 95% CI=11.8-31.0%) and para_aortic nodes (15.2%, 95% CI=8.0-27.0%). The most common site of metastases in gallbladder cancer were the pericholedochal nodes (25.2%, 95% CI=18.6-33.2%), those along the cystic duct (23%, 95% CI=16.6-30.8%), and retrop

Background Central neck dissection (CND) remains controversial in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to determine the rate of central neck metastases, the morbidity and the rate of recurrence in patients treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) alone or in combination with bilateral or ipsilateral CND. Methods The clinical records of 163 clinically node-negative consecutive DTC patients treated between January 2008 and December 2010 in three endocrine surgery referral units were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into three groups: patients who had undergone TT alone (group A), TT with ipsilateral CND (group B), and TT with bilateral CND (group C). Results The respective incidences of transient hypoparathyroidism and unilateral recurrent nerve injury were 12.6% and 1% in group A, 23.3% and 3.3% in B, and 36.7% and 0% in C. Node metastases were observed in 8.7% in group A, 23.3% in B, and 63.3% in C. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 3.9% of patients in group A and in 0% in B and C. Conclusions We found no statistically significant differences in the rates of locoregional recurrence between the three groups. Therefore, TT appears to be an adequate treatment for these patients; CND is associated with higher rates of transient hypoparathyroidism and cannot be considered the treatment of choice even if it could help for more appropriate selection of patients for RAI. Ipsilateral CND could be an interesting option considering the lower rate of hypocalcemia to be validated by further studies.

Nearly 25% of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors—carcinoids—arise within the bronchopulmonary (BP) system where they represent about 2% of all primary lung tumors.1,2 According to their histological phenotype, BP carcinoids (BPCs) are currently classified as typical and atypical, based on focal necrosis and/or mitotic count per 10 high-power field.3 Atypical BPCs are characterized by high incidence of regional lymph node metastasis,4 whereas distant metastases occur less frequently, the most common sites being liver, bone, and adrenals.5 We present a patient with an atypical BPC who developed pancreatic metastases diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography–guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (EUS-FNTA).

BACKGROUND: Currently, the 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system of prostate cancer does not include any stratification of patients according to the number of positive nodes. However, node positive (N+) patients share heterogeneous outcomes according to the extent of lymph node invasion (LNI). OBJECTIVE: To test whether the accuracy of cancer specific survival (CSS) predictions may be improved if node positive patients are stratified according to the number of positive nodes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study cohort included 703 N+ M0 patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) between September 1988 and January 2003 at two large Academic Institutions. Number of positive nodes was dichotomized according to the most informative cut-off predicting CSS. Kaplan-Meier curves assessed cancer specific survival rates. Predictive accuracy of the current N stage and of the new N classification in predicting CSS was quantified with Harrell's concordance index after adjusting for pathological (T) stage and internally validated with 200 boostraps resamples. Differences in predictive accuracy were compared with the Mantel-Haentzel test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Mean follow-up was 113.7 months (median: 112.5, range 3.5-243). The mean number of nodes removed was 13.9 (range: 2-52). The mean number of positive nodes was 2.3 (range: 1-31). The most informative cut-off of positive nodes in predicting CSS was 2. Of all, 532 (75.7%) patients had 2 or less positive nodes, while 171 (24.3%) had more than 2 positive nodes. Patients with 2 or less positive nodes had significantly better CSS outcome at 15 year follow-up compared to patients with more than 2 positive nodes (84% vs 62%; p<0.001). After adjusting for pathological stage, multivariable predictive accuracy of the new N staging (2 positive nodes) was 65.0% vs 60.1% when the number of positive nodes was not considered (4.9% gain; p<0.

BACKGROUND: Conventional imaging (CI) techniques are inadequate for lymph node (LN) staging in prostate cancer (PCa). OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of (11)C-Choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) for LN staging in intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa and to compare it with two currently used nomograms. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From January 2007 to September 2007, 57 PCa patients at intermediate risk (n=27) or high risk (n=30) were enrolled at two academic centres. All patients underwent preoperative PET/CT and radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic LN dissection (PLND). Risk of LN metastasis (LNM) was assessed using available nomograms. MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and number of correctly recognized cases for LNM detection at PET/CT were assessed. The accuracy of PET/CT for LNM detection was compared with the accuracy of nomograms for LNM prediction by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Fifteen patients (26%) had LNMs, and a total of 41 LNMs were identified. On a patient analysis, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and number of correctly recognized cases at PET/CT were 60.0%, 97.6%, 90.0%, 87.2%, and 87.7% while, on node analysis, these numbers were 41.4%, 99.8%, 94.4%, 97.2%, and 97.1%. The mean diameter (in mm) of the metastatic deposit of true-positive LNs was significantly higher than that of false-negative LNs (9.2 vs 4.2; p=0.001). PET/CT showed higher specificity and accuracy than the nomograms; however, in pairwise comparison, the areas under the curve (AUCs) were not statistically different (all p values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa, (11)C-Choline PET/CT has quite a low sensitivity for LNM detection but performed better than clinical nomograms, with equal sensitivity and better specificity.

Alagille syndrome (AS) is a dominantly inherited, multisystem disorder involving the liver, heart, eyes, face, and skeleton. From October 1997 through July 2004, 260 pediatric orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTx) were performed in 231 patients. This report describes 21 patients of median age 1.95 years (range, 0.7-16.7) who had alagille syndrome. We present the technical features of the OLTx, incidence and type of complications, medical conditions related to the syndrome, need for retransplantation, as well as patient and graft survival rates. A split liver technique was used in 16 patients (76%) who received a left lateral segment (LLS) graft whereas 7 patients (33%) received a whole liver. Only cadaveric donors were used. The major surgical complications requiring reintervention in 11 patients (52%) included biliary problems (19%) and vascular complications (17%). One case of hepatic artery thrombosis required retransplantation. Three recipients (14%) died. All other patients are alive with an actuarial survival rate of 90% at 1 year and 80% at 5 years. The actuarial graft survival rate is 85% at 1 year and 75% at 5 years. Patients with AS, despite the associated cardiovascular anomalies, can be treated successfully by a combined approach between cardiologist, radiologist, cardiothoracic, and liver transplant surgeons. With careful planning and operative management, the results are comparable with those obtained with other more common cholestatic diseases.