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The purpose of the study was to evaluate the utilization and morbidity associated with feeding jejunostomy tubes (JT) placed at the time of gastroesophageal resection (GER). Under institutional review board approval, a prospective database of patients undergoing GER from January 2004 to September 2010 was reviewed. Data analyzed included patient demographics, postoperative complications, JT use, and JT specific complications. Fisher’s exact tests explored associations with utilization of a JT following resection. Seventy-three patients (51 men, 22 women, median age of 59) underwent placement of a JT at the time of GER (total gastrectomy = 28, Ivor–Lewis = 28, subtotal gastrectomy = 8, proximal gastrectomy = 6, and transhiatal esophagectomy = 3) of both malignant (97%) and benign (3%) disease processes. Twenty-one JT specific complications (11 minor and 10 major) were identified. Reoperation was required in the management of two complications (small bowel obstructions), while all other complications were easily managed by an interventional radiologist (n = 8), bedside procedure (n = 5), or did not require intervention (n = 6). Eighty-six percent of patients were discharged tolerating a postgastrectomy diet, 10% nothing per orem, and 4% a liquid diet. Inpatient enteral nutrition (EN) was initiated in 68%, but continued on discharge in only 54% secondary to failure to thrive (54%), dysphagia (21%), anastomic leak (15%), chyle leak (3%), esophagostomy (3%), and duodenal stump leak (3%). The mean time to discontinuance of EN and removal of the JT was 44 days (range, 4–203) and 71 days (range, 15–337) respectively. Although only 13% (n = 5) of patients requiring adjuvant therapy were utilizing their JT at the commencement of therapy, 75% (n = 21) required EN during its course. The median time to adjuvant therapy was found to be slightly longer in those who required outpatient EN versus those who did not (61 vs. 90 days, p = 0.08). However, the median time to adjuvant therapy did not differ between those who were and were not receiving EN at the time of adjuvant therapy commencement (80 vs. 92 days, p = 0.2). Age (p = 0.4), number of co-morbidities (p = 0.2), preoperative percent body weight loss (p = 0.9), and clinical stage (p = 0.8) were not significantly associated with outpatient JT use. Patients who suffered a postoperative complication were most likely to require EN (p = 0.002), an association that strengthened as the number of complications increased (p = 0.0008). Although not statistically significant, a trend towards increased outpatient EN was noted in patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy and total gastrectomy (p = 0.06). JT placement carries a considerable morbidity in patients undergoing GER. However, because it is difficult to preoperatively ascertain who will need prolonged EN, the routine placement of a JT is recommended, particularly in those who will likely require adjuvant therapy or are at high risk for postoperative complications. Despite patient desires for early removal of an unused JT, caution should be taken if adjuvant therapy is being considered.

Although diabetic patients with rectal cancer have poorer outcomes than their nondiabetic counterparts, few studies have looked at diabetics’ response to therapy as an explanation for this disparity. This study compares the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with locally advanced rectal cancers. This is a single-institution, retrospective review of rectal cancer patients who received CRT followed by resection from 1995 to 2006. Pretreatment tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) staging was determined using endorectal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); post-treatment staging was determined by pathological review. 110 patients were included; seventeen had diabetes and 93 were nondiabetics. Pretreatment staging was similar in both groups. Sixteen of the diabetics (94%) completed CRT compared to 92% (86/93) of the nondiabetics. Tumor downstaging rates were similar in the two groups (53% in diabetics, 52% in nondiabetics). Nondiabetic patients had a higher rate of nodal downstaging although not statistically significant (67% versus 27%, P = 0.80). While none of the diabetics patients achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR), 23% (21/93) of the nondiabetics did (P = 0.039). Local progression rates were higher in the diabetic group (24% versus 5%, P = 0.046). Our study shows that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer is less effective in diabetic patients than in nondiabetics. While minimal differences are found in the rate of downstaging, the rate of achieving a complete pathologic response was significantly higher in nondiabetic patients, and in fact was not seen in any of our diabetic patients. This may explain the poorer outcomes seen in diabetic patients with rectal cancer.

Although nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava invasion is a common procedure, it is rare to have level IV invasion necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Furthermore, it is exceptionally rare to perform cardiac surgery concomitantly with this resection. We report a case in which an aortic valve replacement was done in the same surgical setting as a level IV thrombectomy. We have demonstrated that although it can be difficult to manage the coagulopathy post-CPB, this can be successfully accomplished with adequate prior preparation and a coordinated team effort.

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) remain a therapeutic challenge due to high local recurrence rates. Preoperative RT offers theoretical advantages in the multidisciplinary care of RPS. The purpose of our study was to evaluate our experience using preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) in the treatment of RPS. This is a single-institution review of patients with RPS treated with PRT from 1994 until 2004. Three radiation oncologists and four surgical oncologists were involved. Medical records, tumor registries, and death records were reviewed. Fourteen patients were included; nine were treated for primary presentation and five for recurrent disease. Histologic grade was grade I (n = 3), grade II (n = 3), and grade III (n = 8). Five patients received additional IORT. Radiotherapy complications were generally mild, including nausea (n = 3), diarrhea (n = 1), dehydration (n = 1), anemia (n = 1), and skin changes (n = 1); one required early cessation due to nausea. Thirteen patients had gross negative margins; while 7/13 had negative microscopic margins. Operative complications included anastomotic bleeding (n = 1), fluid collections (n = 2), ileus (n = 3), ascites (n = 2), temporary leg weakness (n = 1), and uncomplicated wound infections (n = 2). In patients with R0 or R1 resections, one and two year local control rates were 64 and 50%. Overall survival for all patients was 90% at 1 year and 74% at 2 years with median survival of 21 months. PRT and IORT can be administered effectively in carefully selected patients with resectable RPS. Larger multi-center studies are needed to delineate the role of PRT and IORT to improve local recurrence and survival rates in the treatment of RPS.

Background The need for intraoperative parathyroid hormone (iPTH) assays in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) remains controversial. We report the results of MIP performed without the use of iPTH assays. Methods This was a single-institution retrospective review of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated with MIP between October 1, 1998, and December 31, 2002. Results Seventy-seven patients were studied. The mean preoperative calcium level was 11.4 mg/dL. All patients had a normal calcium level postoperatively (range, 7.4–10.2 mg/dL, mean, 9.1 mg/dL). Three patients (4%) required re-exploration for various reasons including the development of a second adenoma, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and discordant pathology. All 3 patients initially were eucalcemic. Conclusions Our success rate of 96% using a combination of preoperative sestamibi scans, intraoperative gamma probe localization, and selective frozen pathology is consistent with the published success rates using iPTH assays of 95% to 100%. We conclude that MIP can be performed successfully without using iPTH assays.

Purpose: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is found in 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal tumors and is usually caused by defects in DNA mismatch repair (MMR). In 1997, a panel of microsatellite markers including mononucleotide and dinucleotide repeats was recommended by a National Cancer Institute workshop on MSI. We investigated the relationship between instability of these markers and MMR protein expression in a cohort of sporadic colorectal cancer patients. Experimental Design: Paraffin sections of normal and tumor tissue from 262 colorectal cancer patients were examined for MSI status by PCR amplification and for MMR protein expression using antibodies against hMLH1, hPMS2, hMSH2, and hMSH6. Results: Twenty-six (10%) of the patients studied had tumors with a high level of MSI (MSI-H). The frequencies of MSI were the same in African-American and Caucasian patients. Each of the MSI-H tumors had mutations in both mononucleotide and dinucleotide repeats and had loss of MMR protein expression, as did two tumors that had low levels of MSI (MSI-L). These two MSI-L tumors exhibited mutations in mononucleotide repeats only, whereas eight of the other nine MSI-L tumors had mutations in just a single dinucleotide repeat. There was not a statistically significant difference in outcomes between patients whose tumors were MMR-positive or MMR-negative, although there was a slight trend toward improved survival among those with MMR-deficient tumors. Conclusions: The choice of microsatellite markers is important for MSI testing. Examination of mononucleotide repeats is sufficient for detection of tumors with MMR defects, whereas instability only in dinucleotides is characteristic of MSI-L/MMR-positive tumors.

Objective To identify predictors of nonsentinel node (NSN) tumor involvement in patients with a tumor-involved sentinel node (SN). Summary Background Data For many breast cancer patients who undergo intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy (LM/SL), the SN is the only tumor-involved axillary node. Associations between NSN tumor involvement and several clinical and histopathologic factors have been identified. The authors hypothesize that extracapsular extension (ECE) of the SN metastasis is highly predictive of NSN tumor involvement. Methods Between May 1998 and December 2001, 260 patients (263 cases) with clinical T1 or T2 (

Background & Aims: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce NSAID-activated gene 1 (NAG-1), which has proapoptotic and antitumorigenic activities. However, NAG-1 expression and its relationship with apoptosis in human and mouse intestinal tract have not been determined. Methods: NAG-1 expression in human and mouse tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis was estimated by in situ apoptosis detection. Apoptosis in NAG-1 overexpressing HCT-116 cells was examined with flow cytometry after cell sorting by green fluorescence protein. NAG-1 regulation in mouse cells was examined by Northern blot analysis, comparing sulindac-treated and nontreated mice. Results: Apoptosis was higher in NAG-1 overexpressing cells compared with controls. Human NAG-1 protein was localized to the colonic surface epithelium where cells undergo apoptosis, and higher expression was observed in the normal surface epithelium than in most of the tumors. This localization and lower expression in tumors was similar to that in the Min mouse, in which NSAIDs were also shown to regulate the expression of NAG-1 in mouse cells. Sulindac treatment of mice increased the NAG-1 expression in the colon and liver. Conclusions: Based on these results, we propose that NAG-1 acts as a mediator of apoptosis in intestinal cells and may contribute to cancer chemoprevention by NSAIDs.GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;122:1388-1398

To determine MR features suggestive of mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or liver metastases of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (AUP), and to compare the ability of two experienced radiologists to establish the correct diagnosis. 61 patients with CCA or AUP, with MRIs were placed into two groups: population 1, 28 patients with certain diagnosis of either CCA or AUP; and population 2, 33 patients with uncertain diagnosis. Using population 1 with known diagnosis, two investigators formulated imaging criteria for CCA or AUP, which represented phase 1 of the study. In phase 2, two independent radiologists categorized the patients in populations 1 and 2 as CCA or AUP using the formulated criteria. This categorization was compared with the patient medical records and pathologist review. Findings were tested for statistical significance. In phase 1, solitary lesion, multifocal lesions with dominant lesion, capsule retraction, and porta hepatis lymphadenopathy were features of CCA; multifocal lesions with similar size, and ring enhancement were features of AUP. The number of lesions, capsule retraction, and early tumor enhancement pattern were observed to be significant features (P

This study describes the spectrum of appearances of cholangiocarcinoma on magnetic resonance (MR) sequences, including gadolinium-enhanced, fat-suppressed spoiled gradient echo images and MR cholangiography. Fifteen patients were included in the study. Histologic diagnosis was established in 11 patients by surgical resection (6 patients), percutaneous biopsy (4 patients), and open liver biopsy (1 patient). The final diagnosis was determined by correlation of the MR findings with cholangiographic studies and laboratory studies in 4 patients. MR studies were performed at 1.5 T, and the following sequences were obtained: T 1 -weighted spoiled gradient echo (SGE), T 1 -weighted fat-suppressed spin echo or SGE, T 2 -weighted fat-suppressed conventional or turbo spin echo, MR cholangiography, and gadolinium-enhanced T 1 -weighted fat-suppressed SGE images. The following determinations were made: tumor location, tumor extent, ductal dilatation, ductal wall thickness, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and associated findings. Mass-like neoplasms were peripheral (6 patients), hilar (1 patient), and extrahepatic (2 patients). Circumferential tumors were hilar (2 patients) and extrahepatic (4 patients). All peripheral tumors were multifocal. Mass-like tumors were well-defined, rounded, and ranged from 1 to 14 cm in diameter. Circumferential tumors had less well-defined margins and measured from 3 to 15 mm in thickness. All mass-like tumors were moderately hypointense on T 1 -weighted images and mildly to moderately hyperintense on T 2 -weighted images. The circumferential tumors were iso- to moderately hypointense on T 1 -weighted images and iso- to mildly hyperintense on T 2 -weighted images. Mass-like tumors were generally well shown on non-contrast and immediate gadolinium-enhanced images, whereas circumferential tumors were poorly seen on non-contrast images and best shown on gadolinium-enhanced T 1 -weighted fat-suppressed images. The degree of enhancement ranged from minimal to intense on immediate gadolinium-enhanced images, with all tumors becoming more homogeneous in signal intensity on images obtained between 1 and 5 min following contrast administration. Tumor-containing lymph nodes greater than or equal to 1 cm in diameter were demonstrated in 11 out of 15 patients (73.3%). These were best shown on T 2 -weighted fat-suppressed images and gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed SGE images. MR cholangiography demonstrated the level of obstruction and degree of dilatation of the proximal biliary system in 5 out of 6 patients who underwent MR cholangiography. The spectrum of appearances of cholangiocarcinoma is demonstrable on MR images. Mass-like tumors are well shown on both pre- and post-gadolinium sequences. Circumferential tumors may cause minimally increased duct wall thickness and are most clearly shown on gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed SGE images obtained 1 to 5 min following gadolinium administration.

Background Retrieval of fewer than 10 lymph nodes at axillary dissection (ALND) for breast cancer can represent anatomic variation or inadequate dissection. We postulated that despite aggressive ALND, a lower lymph node count is more frequent after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by ALND were compared with patients who received surgery first. All patients received a level I and II ALND at a single institution by one of the breast surgeons. The number of nodes retrieved at ALND was dichotomized into categories ( Results A total of 143 neoadjuvant and 170 surgery-first patients were studied. Patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were significantly more likely to have fewer than 10 lymph nodes retrieved at ALND than were the surgery-first patients (19/143 or 13% vs. 6/170 or 4%, P = .003). Conclusions A low lymph node count is more common in patients after treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and should not be assumed to represent an incomplete ALND.

Background In patients with breast cancer who choose mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) status on permanent histology may complicate treatment if a metastasis is found. The purpose of this study was to determine how performing an SLN biopsy (SLNB) before the definitive operation would influence subsequent surgical procedures. Methods Our SLN database was searched for patients who underwent staged SLNB with subsequent mastectomy between 2001 and 2004. Results Twenty-five patients with 27 breast cancers underwent SLNB before mastectomy. Of them, 9 of 27 (33%) were node positive. All 9 patients underwent modified radical mastectomy. Three node-positive patients did not undergo immediate reconstruction. Of the remaining 6 node-positive patients, 5 underwent reconstruction with autologous tissue rather than a tissue expander. In contrast, 6 of 16 (37%) node-negative patients underwent reconstruction with a tissue expander. Conclusions Staged SLNB assists in selecting the appropriate operation in patients who are considering immediate reconstruction.

Local recurrence (LR) rates in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) are high, ranging from 40% to 80%, with no definitive studies describing the best way to administer radiation. Intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy (IOERT) provides a theoretical advantage for access to the tumor bed with reduced toxicity to surrounding structures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of IOERT in high-risk patients.An institutional review board approved, single institution sarcoma database was queried to identify patients who received IOERT for treatment of RPS from 2/2001 to 1/2009. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression, and Fisher Exact tests.Eighteen patients (median age 51 y, 25-76 y) underwent tumor resection with IOERT (median dose 1250 cGy) for primary (n = 13) and recurrent (n = 5) RPS. Seventeen patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Eight high-grade and 10 low-grade tumors were identified. Median tumor size was 15 cm. Four patients died and two in the perioperative period. Median follow-up of survivors was 3.6 y. Five patients (31%) developed an LR in the irradiated field. Three patients with primary disease (25%) and two (50%) with recurrent disease developed an LR (P = 0.5). Four patients with high-grade tumors (57%) and one with a low-grade tumor (11%) developed an LR (P = 0.1). The 2- and 5-y OS rates were 100% and 72%. Two- and 5-y LR rates were 13% and 36%.Using a multidisciplinary approach, we have achieved low LR rates in our high-risk patient population indicating that IOERT may play an important role in managing these patients.

This prospective study evaluates the ability of MRI using T1-weighted fat-suppressed spin-echo (T1FS) and dynamic gadolinium chelate (Gd) enhanced spoiled-gradient echo (SGE) to detect the presence of pancreatic tumor in patients in whom spiral CT findings are inconclusive. Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent spiral CT and had findings that were considered inconclusive for pancreatic tumor underwent MR within 2 weeks of CT. Spiral CT and MR images were interpreted in a prospective fashion by separate individual investigators blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. CT was performed on a spiral CT scanner. MRI was performed on a 1.5-T MR machine. Imaging sequences included T1FS pre-Gd and post-Gd and SGE pre-Gd and immediately post-Gd. Data were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Confirmation was obtained by pancreatic biopsy (n = 4), surgical resection (n = 1), and clinical imaging (n = 4) or clinical follow-up (n = 7). MRI was superior to spiral CT (P = .027) in this selected patient group at detecting or excluding pancreatic tumor by ROC analysis, with areas under the curve of .982 and .764, respectively, which was significant (P = .041). The greatest advantage of MRI was in patients in whom spiral CT demonstrated enlargement of the pancreatic head without clear definition of tumor, which was significant (P = .033). In 10 patients with this CT appearance, MRI demonstrated a high confidence for presence of tumor in four and a high confidence of absence in six. Association of imaging findings with patient diagnosis was significant for MRI (P = .001) but not significant for CT (P = .148). The results of our study suggest that MRI may add significant diagnostic information in patients in whom spiral CT is inconclusive for the presence of pancreatic tumor. The greatest advantage of MRI was in the evaluation of patients in whom spiral CT findings revealed an indeterminate enlarged pancreatic head.

The surgical management of locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer requires complex operations frequently resulting in complicated postoperative courses. We sought to evaluate the utilization of interventional radiologic (IR) procedures in the management of postoperative complications. Under Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database of colorectal cancer patients undergoing resection from July 1999 to January 2010 was analyzed. Data collected included demographics, operative procedure, complications, length of stay, and IR utilization. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression explored associations with necessitating an IR procedure during the postoperative period. Continuous variables were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. One hundred and one patients underwent surgery and 66 received intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). Primary procedures included pelvic exenteration (n = 35), abdominoperineal resection (n = 25), low anterior resection (n = 23), paraaortic node dissection (n = 7), resection of isolated pelvic/retroperitoneal tumor (n = 7), and colectomy (n = 4). Sixty-two patients required multivisceral resection including partial/total cystectomy (n = 30), small bowel resection (n = 25), oophorectomy (n = 15), vaginectomy (n = 12), hysterectomy (n = 12), hepatectomy (n = 3), and nephrectomy (n = 3). Seventeen partial sacral resections and 47 pelvic sidewall resections were also required. One hundred and thirty-eight complications were identified in 72 patients, 30 of which required a procedural intervention. Twenty-seven IR procedures were performed including drainage of fluid collections (n = 14), nephrostomy tube placement (n = 8), arterial embolization (n = 2), inferior vena cava filter placement (n = 2), and pleural drainage (n = 1). Only three reoperations were required, none related to failure of IR procedures. There were no deaths. Estimated blood loss2000 mL (P = 0.002), IOERT (P = 0.03), and incomplete resection (P = 0.02) were found to be associated with postoperative IR utilization. Surgery for locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity but low mortality. IR procedures play a significant role in the postoperative management of these patients and may decrease the need for reoperation.

Question: A 53-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a large cyst found during evaluation for abdominal fullness, early satiety and weight loss, and an abdominal mass on physical examination. Two endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examinations with cyst fluid aspiration were performed before referral to our center revealing negative cytology with low levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and absent levels of amylase and lipase. There was no history of alcohol use, pancreatic disease, family history of pancreatic disease, or personal history of malignancy. An abdominal MRI was performed before referral (Figure A). At our institution EUS was repeated. What is the diagnosis? Look on page 1229 for the answer and see the Gastroenterology web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.

Standard therapy for stage II/III rectal cancer consists of a fluoropyrimidine and radiation therapy followed by surgery. Preclinical data demonstrated that bortezomib functions as a radiosensitizer in colorectal cancer models. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of bortezomib in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.Patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinomas, as staged by endoscopic ultrasound, were eligible. Bortezomib was administered on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days for 2 cycles with 5-fluorouracil at 225 mg/m2/day continuously and 50.4 Gy of radiation. Dose escalation of bortezomib was conducted via a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design. A subset of patients underwent serial tumor biopsies for correlative studies.Nine patients in 2 dose cohorts were enrolled. Diarrhea was the principal dose-limiting toxicity and occurred at the 1.0-mg/m2 dose level. There was no clear evidence of suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB target gene expression in biopsy samples.The MTD of bortezomib in combination with chemotherapy and radiation may be below a clinically relevant dose, limiting the clinical applicability of this combination. Performing biopsies before and during irradiation for determining gene expression in response to radiation therapy is feasible.

OBJECTIVES Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has undergone dramatic changes. However, the use of TKI therapy in adjunctive settings remains to be defined. We present a single-institution experience of patients who received preoperative TKI before nephrectomy for metastatic or unresectable disease. METHODS The records of 9 patients with locally advanced or metastatic RCC treated with TKI therapy before nephrectomy at the University of North Carolina were reviewed. All procedures and radiographic images were performed at 1 institution. The cases were surveyed for the effect of TKI on tumor burden and surgical approach and timing. RESULTS The patients received systemic therapy with either sorafenib or sunitinib before proceeding to nephrectomy on clinical trials for metastatic disease or as the standard of care. The surgery was well tolerated by all patients, without an apparent effect from TKI therapy on the surgical technique or complications. Responses were observed in the primary tumor, as well as in the metastatic sites. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant TKI therapy can induce responses in the primary tumor and has the potential advantage of cytoreduction when administered before nephrectomy for RCC. This setting also potentially provides an opportunity to evaluate the TKI responsiveness of patients with metastatic disease. However, prospective trials evaluating adjunctive surgical approaches to locally advanced and metastatic RCC are needed to determine the significant benefits of TKI therapy and to define the optimal agent, timing of therapy, and disease stage to derive benefit for preoperative therapy.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to collect pilot data about the use of FDG PET within hours after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver metastases.CONCLUSION. Total photopenia on early PET can potentially be regarded as a macroscopic tumor-free margin; focal uptake can be regarded as macroscopic residual tumor.

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has the potential to eliminate the access problems associated with standard 6-week post-operative external beam radiotherapy for patients with breast cancer. However, accurate delivery of the IORT dose for breast cancer has been problematic due to difficulty estimating the tumor bed after tumor removal and tissue re-approximation. We are investigating the feasibility of partial breast irradiation using a single fraction of IORT delivered to the tumor in vivo prior to surgical resection.In a trial, approved by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine Institutional Review Board, patientsor =55 years old with infiltrating ductal carcinoma without an extensive intraductal component with an overall tumor sizeor =3.0 cm receive a single dose of IORT in place of standard post-operative radiotherapy.All patients undergo preoperative ultrasonography to define the target volume. In a standard operating room, the tumor is exposed through a standard partial mastectomy incision. IORT is then delivered using a mobile, self-shielded, magnetron-driven X-band linear accelerator (Intraop Corp, Santa Clara, CA, USA). 15 Gy is delivered to the 90% isodose line covering the tumor with a 1 cm margin anterior-posterior and 2 cm margins laterally. After IORT, partial mastectomy is performed in the usual manner.IORT for breast cancer, delivered to the exposed tumor in vivo, is feasible and allows accurate estimation of the tumor bed. Further follow-up is ongoing to determine the efficacy of this approach.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is an accepted treatment option for primary hyperparathyroidism. The need for intraoperative parathyroid hormone assays (iPTH) to confirm adenoma removal remains controversial. We studied minimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) performed using preoperative sestamibi localization studies, intraoperative gamma detection probe, and the selective use of frozen section pathology without the use of iPTH. This is a single institution review of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated with MIRP by surgeons experienced in radio-guided surgery between October 1, 1998 and July 15, 2005. Information was obtained by reviewing computer medical records as well as contacting primary care physicians. Factors evaluated included laboratory values, pathology results, and evidence of recurrence. One hundred forty patients were included with a median preoperative calcium level of 11.3 mg/dL (range, 9.6-17) and a PTH level of 147 pg/mL (range, 19-5042). The median postoperative calcium level was 9.3 mg/dL. All patients were initially eucalcemic postoperatively except for one who had normal parathyroid levels. However, five (4%) patients required re-exploration for various reasons. Of the failures, one was secondary to the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and therefore would not have benefited from iPTH, one had thyroid tissue removed at the first operation, and three developed evidence of a second adenoma. One of these three patients had a drop in PTH level from 1558 pg/mL preoperatively to 64 pg/mL on postoperative Day 1, indicating that iPTH would not have prevented this failure. Thus, only three (2.1%) patients could have potentially benefited from the use of iPTH. MIRP was successful in 96 per cent of patients using a combination of preoperative sestamibi scans, intraoperative localization with a gamma probe, and the selective use of frozen pathology. This correlates with reported success rates of 95 per cent to 100 per cent using iPTH. We conclude that minimally invasive parathyroidectomy can be successfully performed without using iPTH assays.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of high-resolution axillary ultrasound in detecting axillary lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Methods Fifty-three patients with stage II or III breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy who had a physical examination, high-resolution axillary ultrasound, and axillary lymph node dissection from January 1999 to September 2003 were included in this study. Results The positive predictive value of the postchemotherapy ultrasound for predicting pathologic nodal involvement was 83%, but the negative predictive value was only 52%. Postchemotherapy physical examination was also poor at predicting pathologic nodal involvement with a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of only 58%. Conclusions A negative post–neoadjuvant chemotherapy high-resolution axillary ultrasound or physical examination does not predict pathologic node status, and this test has limited value in this setting.

To review the long-term follow-up data from the authors' institutional experience of 62 patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) treated with a uniform multimodality regimen. The authors determined the rate of breast preservation, the disease-free and overall survival, and the factors associated with locoregional and distant recurrent disease.It remains a challenge to achieve local and distant control of LABC. Over the last decade, preoperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy has emerged as the standard of care for these patients. Successful tumor downstaging has been associated with increased rates of breast-conserving therapy (BCT), but the overall effect on long-term survival remains to be seen.This study examines a cohort of 62 patients with LABC treated at the authors' institution from 1992 to 1998. The uniform treatment regimen consisted of neoadjuvant doxorubicin (Adriamycin), followed by operation (BCT if sufficient clinical downstaging), followed by non-cross-resistant cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil, followed by radiation therapy. Treatment was both dose-intensive and time-intensive, with a total treatment time of 32 to 35 weeks.In this patient population, the median age was 44 years, with approximately two thirds white patients and one third African American. Eighty-two percent of patients were clinical stage III at presentation, 13 patients had T4d inflammatory cancers, and 3 patients were stage IV at diagnosis. Eighty-four percent of patients demonstrated a significant clinical response to doxorubicin. Twenty-eight patients had sufficient clinical downstaging to attempt BCT, and 22 (45%) of 49 noninflammatory patients underwent successful BCT. Pathologic complete response was seen in 15% of patients. Median follow-up for the cohort was 70 months. The local recurrence rate was 14%, including two ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences (10%) in the BCT patients. Seven (12%) patients developed a new primary cancer in the contralateral breast. Distant metastases occurred in 18 (31%) patients, and the 5-year overall survival rate for the cohort was 76%. Furthermore, in the patients who underwent an attempt at BCT, the survival rate was 96% at 5 years.Dose-intensive and time-intensive multimodality neoadjuvant therapy was successfully administered to a mixed racial group over shortened times. Patients who had sufficient clinical downstaging to allow BCT have the best long-term outcome. Patients who required mastectomy are at a higher risk of relapse, as well as the development of new contralateral cancers, yet have 5-year survival rates of over 50%.

No standard method for handling and histopathologic examination of the sentinel node (SN) exists. We hypothesized that a focused examination of all nodes with serial sectioning and cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining would confirm the SN as the node most likely to harbor metastasis. Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy using blue dye and 99m technetiumlabeled sulfur colloid were performed. All nodes were stained with H&E. All tumor-free nodes underwent additional sectioning and staining with H&E and an immunohistochemical stain. Routine H&E examination detected SN metastases in 27.6% of cases. Occult SN metastases were identified in 12.7% of cases. None of the 724 non-SNs examined contained occult metastases. The SN false-negative rate was zero. This study confirms histopathologically that the SN has biologic significance as the axillary node most likely to harbor metastatic tumor. Standardization of the handling, sectioning, and staining of the SN is necessary as lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy become integrated into the care of patients with breast cancer.

To determine expression levels of annexin I (lipocortin I) in patient-matched benign prostatic epithelium (BPE), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), and prostate cancer (CaP). EXPERIMETNAL DESIGN: Annexin I protein expression was examined with a standard immunohistochemical protocol in 69 radical prostatectomy specimens, 45 of which also contained HGPIN. Immunostained sections were scored visually by a genitourinary pathologist and mean optical density was measured with digital image analysis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure expression levels of annexin I mRNA in patient-matched CaP and BPE from 14 snap-frozen, radical prostatectomy specimens.Annexin I protein expression was reduced in 91% (41/45) of HGPIN lesions and 94% (65/69) of invasive CaP compared with BPE in the same histological section when assessed visually. Mean absorbance was reduced significantly (P0.05) in 97.7% (44/45) of HGPIN lesions and 98.5% (68/69) of CaP glands compared with BPE. In 79% of cases (11/14; P0.05), mRNA expression was reduced in CaP as compared with patient-matched BPE. Annexin I mRNA and protein expression levels did not correlate with Gleason grade, pathological stage, or race.Down-regulation of annexin I protein expression is a common finding in HGPIN and CaP, suggesting that annexin I dysregulation may be an important early event in CaP initiation. Because mRNA levels are reduced in a high proportion of cases, one likely mechanism for annexin I dysregulation occurs at the level of gene transcription. Results of these studies support a valuable role for a molecular profiling approach to CaP research.

Background KRAS mutations may predict poor response to radiotherapy. Downstream events from KRAS, such as activation of BRAF, AKT and ERK, may also confer prognostic information but have not been tested in rectal cancer (RC). Our objective was to explore the relationships of KRAS and BRAF mutation status with p-AKT and p-ERK and outcomes in RC. Methods Pre-radiotherapy RC tumor biopsies were evaluated. KRAS and BRAF mutations were assessed by pyrosequencing; p-AKT and p-ERK expression by immunohistochemistry. Results Of 70 patients, mean age was 58; 36% stage II, 56% stage III, and 9% stage IV. Responses to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: 64% limited, 19% major, and 17% pathologic complete response. 64% were KRAS WT, 95% were BRAF WT. High p-ERK levels were associated with improved OS but not for p-AKT. High levels of p-AKT and p-ERK expression were associated with better responses. KRAS WT correlated with lower p-AKT expression but not p-ERK expression. No differences in OS, residual disease, or tumor downstaging were detected by KRAS status. Conclusions KRAS mutation was not associated with lesser response to chemoradiotherapy or worse OS. High p-ERK expression was associated with better OS and response. Higher p-AKT expression was correlated with better response but not OS.