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Asian Journal of Surgery Mar 2024According to previous studies, D-dimer levels are associated with the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the results of current studies are... (Review)
Review
Assessment of the association between D-dimer levels and clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatic cancer and its role in prognosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
According to previous studies, D-dimer levels are associated with the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the results of current studies are limited and controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and prognostic and pathological characteristics of PC patients. We first searched the databases of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web Of Science, CBM, VIP, CNKI and Wanfang to identify available studies. The relationship between pretreatment d-dimer levels and prognosis in PC patients was assessed using the combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The combined odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used in assessing the relationship between pathological characteristics and d-dimer levels in PC patients. Stata 12.0 software was used for all statistical analyses. In total, we included 13 studies involving 2777 patients. The results showed that elevated pre-treatment d -dimer levels were significantly associated with OS deterioration (HR = 1.46 95% CI: 1.34-1.59; p < 0.001). We also performed subgroup analyses based on sample size, d -dimer threshold, follow-up time, and HR source to further validate the prognostic value of pretreatment d -dimer levels in PC. In addition, according to the analysis, high pretreatment d -dimer levels in PC patients were associated with late tumor stage (OR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.73-13.20, p < 0. 005), larger tumor size (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.25-2.35, p < 0.005), and distant metastasis of tumor (OR = 5.06, 95% CI 2.45-10.43, p < 0.005) were significantly associated. In contrast, other clinicopathological factors, including age, gender and lymph node metastasis, were not associated with d-dimer levels. In conclusion, we found that high pre-treatment d-dimer levels were associated with a poor prognosis in PC patients, in relation to later tumor stage, larger tumor size and the development of distant metastases. Plasma d-dimer levels can be used as a biomarker of prognosis in PC patients.
PubMed: 38453610
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.02.043 -
European Journal of Endocrinology Oct 2023The data on clinical, biochemical, radiological characteristics, and outcomes in paediatric ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome (EAS) are limited owing to...
OBJECTIVE
The data on clinical, biochemical, radiological characteristics, and outcomes in paediatric ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome (EAS) are limited owing to rarity of the condition. We report three new cases and perform a systematic review of paediatric EAS.
DESIGN AND METHOD
Case records of paediatric and adolescent EAS patient's ≤20 years presenting at our centre between 1997 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and a systematic review of the literature published between January 1970 and December 2022 was performed.
RESULTS
A total of 161 patients including 3 new patients from our centre were identified. Bronchial neuroendocrine tumours (NET) (28.5%), thymic NET (22.9%), primitive cell-derived tumours (18.6%), and gastro-entero-pancreatic-NET (13.7%) were the common causes. Primitive cell-derived tumours were the most common in the first decade (24/45, 53.4%) and were the largest (82 [60-100] mm), whereas bronchial NETs predominated during the second decade (42/116, 36.2%) and were the smallest (15 [10-25] mm). Computed tomography localized 92.9% (118/127) of paediatric EAS patients. Immediate postoperative remission was attained in 77.9% (88/113) patients, whereas 30.4% (24/79) relapsed over a median (IQR) period of 13 (8-36) months. Over a median (IQR) follow-up of 2 (0.6-4.6) years, 31.4% of patients died. The median survival was higher in bronchial NET than in other tumour groups. Distant metastasis and tumour size were independent negative predictors of survival.
CONCLUSIONS
Aetiological profile of paediatric and adolescent EAS is distinct from that of adults. Bronchial NETs have the best long-term survival, whereas distant metastasis and tumour size predict poor survival.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Cushing Syndrome; Lung Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37801647
DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad133 -
Head & Neck Jul 2024The aim of this systematic review is to analyze epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathological features, treatment and oncological outcomes in laryngeal... (Review)
Review
The aim of this systematic review is to analyze epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathological features, treatment and oncological outcomes in laryngeal mucoepidermoid cancer (MEC) in order to improve the knowledge on the management of such a rare malignant neoplasm. Specifically, authors highlight patients' and tumors' features about local, regional, and distant recurrence of disease. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were applied in this systematic literature review. A computerized search was performed using the Embase/Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, for articles published from 1971 to December 2023. A descriptive and univariate analysis including selected papers with low or intermediate risk of bias was performed. Twenty-seven papers (11 case series and 16 case reports) were included in this review. Fifty-six patients were included in the analyses, with a mean age of 56.7 years; 84% of them were males. Most patients (86%) underwent a primary surgical approach. Clinical stage was reported as follows: early stage (26 patients) and locally advance and advanced stage (19 patients). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 2 years was 80% and 78%, respectively. The mean time to local recurrence was 18.7 months (range 8-36 months). The survival after recurrence is about 85% and 70% at 5 years, respectively. The mean time of lymph node recurrence was 14.7 months (range 7-19 months). Finally, the mean time of distant recurrence was 15 months (range 7-36 months) with a poor prognosis: all patients died due to the disease in a range of 0-7 months after metastasis evidence. Laryngeal MEC is a rare neoplasm of minor salivary glands in the larynx. No guidelines or indications about the management of this neoplasm are reported in the literature. The lower incidence of regional recurrence of the disease and the better OS and DFS underline how the prognosis of MEC is more favorable respect to other malignant histotypes.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Male; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Middle Aged; Laryngectomy; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 38591104
DOI: 10.1002/hed.27767 -
Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) Sep 2023We hypothesise that a high rate of tumour regrowth after the watch-and-wait (w&w) strategy may lead, despite salvage surgery, to a significant impairment of ultimate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
We hypothesise that a high rate of tumour regrowth after the watch-and-wait (w&w) strategy may lead, despite salvage surgery, to a significant impairment of ultimate local control compared with immediate surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To test this hypothesis, we conducted meta-analyses of studies on the w&w strategy (both opportunistic and planned) with an ultimate local failure rate as an endpoint in three patient groups: (1) in all starting radio(chemo)therapy as potential w&w candidates, (2) in a subgroup starting w&w, and (3) in a subgroup with regrowth.
RESULTS
We identified eight studies for evaluation of local failure in group 1 ( = 837) and 36 studies in group 2 ( = 1914) and in group 3 ( = 439). The meta-analysis revealed an ultimate local failure rate of 8.0% (95% CI 4.8%-12.1%) in group 1 and 5.4% (95% CI 3.9%-7.1) in group 2. These rates are similar to those reported in the literature following preoperative chemoradiation and surgery. However, in the most unfavourable group 3 (with regrowth), the rate of ultimate local failure was 24.1% (95% CI 17.9%-30.9%), with the most common causes being patients' refusal of salvage total mesorectal excision (TME) (9.1%), recurrence after salvage TME (7.8%), distant metastases (4.1%), frailty (2.4%), and pelvic tumour unresectability (1.7%).
CONCLUSION
Nearly 25% of patients with regrowth (unfavourable subgroup) experienced ultimate local failure, primarily due to refusing salvage TME. The risk of ultimate local failure in patients initiating radio(chemo)therapy as potential w&w candidates, or in patients starting w&w, appears comparable to that reported after preoperative chemoradiation and surgery. However, this comparison may be biased, because w&w studies included more early tumours compared with surgical studies.
Topics: Humans; Watchful Waiting; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Rectal Neoplasms; Chemoradiotherapy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37632521
DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2023.2245553 -
Tumori Dec 2023To evaluate the role of upper-neck irradiation versus standard whole-neck irradiation in patients with N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To evaluate the role of upper-neck irradiation versus standard whole-neck irradiation in patients with N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
METHODS
We conducted a PRISMA guideline based systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized clinical trials assessing upper-neck irradiation versus whole-neck irradiation with or without chemotherapy in non-metastatic N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were identified. The studies were searched on the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library up to March 2022. Survival outcomes, including overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival and relapse-free survival, and toxicities rate were evaluated.
RESULTS
There were two randomized clinical trials with 747 samples finally included. Upper-neck irradiation had similar overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.69, 95% confidence interval = 0.37-1.30), distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.53-1.60) and relapse-free survival (risk ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.69-1.55) compared to whole-neck irradiation. No differences in both acute and late toxicities were recorded between upper-neck irradiation and whole-neck irradiation.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis supports the potential role of upper-neck irradiation in this population of patients. Further research is needed to confirm results.
Topics: Humans; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies; Neck; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36794709
DOI: 10.1177/03008916231154765 -
Cancer Biology & Therapy Dec 2023To investigate the impact of radiation dose on the efficacy of definitive chemoradiotherapy(dCCRT) in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. PubMed,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The impact of radiation dose on the efficacy of definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To investigate the impact of radiation dose on the efficacy of definitive chemoradiotherapy(dCCRT) in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) were searched for eligible studies. Studies that compared high-dose radiation(HD-RT) group with low-dose radiation(LD-RT) group using modern radiotherapy techniques for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma patients in dCCRT were identified. The hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the odds ratios (OR) for clinical complete response (cCR), local-regional failure (LRF), distant metastasis (DM), and grade≥3 AEs. Meta-analysis was performed when relevant data were available. Eleven studies involving 1943 patients were included for analyses. The results showed that the HD-RT group had better OS (pooled HR 0.78 [0.70, 0.87], p < .00001), PFS (pooled HR 0.72 [0.55, 0.94], p = .01), cCR (OR 1.52 [1.13, 2.05], p = .005), and LRF (OR 0.60 [0.45, 0.80], p = .0004). In addition, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of DM (OR 1.43 [1.00, 2.04], p = .05), grade 3-5 radiation pneumonitis (OR 1.38 [0.71, 2.68], p = .35), grade 3-5 radiation esophagitis (OR 1.36 [0.88, 2.10], p = .17), grade 3-5 other esophageal toxicities(stenosis/fistula/hemorrhage) (OR 1.22 [0.75, 2.00], p = .43), and treatment-related death (OR 1.40 [0.73, 2.68], p = .31). High-dose radiotherapy in definitive CCRT for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is associated with improved PFS, OS, cCR, and LC with no increase of grade≥3AEs. Simultaneously, we await the preliminary and final results of several ongoing dose-escalation randomized trials. Furthermore, future studies should provide personalized radiotherapy doses for these patients.
Topics: Humans; Chemoradiotherapy; Esophageal Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Progression-Free Survival; Radiation Dosage
PubMed: 36519807
DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2156246 -
International Journal of Colorectal... Nov 2023Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard-of-care in early, clinical stage (cT2-3 N0 M0) rectal cancer. Local excision (LE) may be an alternative after adequate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Comparing neoadjuvant therapy followed by local excision to total mesorectal excision in the treatment of early stage rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.
INTRODUCTION
Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard-of-care in early, clinical stage (cT2-3 N0 M0) rectal cancer. Local excision (LE) may be an alternative after adequate response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), with either long-course chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) or short-course radiotherapy (SCRT), as a means of preserving the rectum and potentially obviating the morbidity of TME.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines for studies that randomly assigned patients with cT2-3 N0 M0 rectal cancer to either NAT + LE or TME that reported radiologic, oncologic, surgical, and morbidity outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 4 RCTs comprise 462 patients (232 patients receiving NAT + LE; nCRT n = 205; SCRT n = 27) and 230 undergoing TME, respectively. NAT compliance was 98.86%. The rate of early completion TME in the NAT + LE group was 22.3%, while the proportion of patients achieving durable organ preservation was 75.4% at mean follow-up of 5.6 years. There was no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) (HR [hazard ratio] 1.19; 95% CI 0.95, 1.49; p = 0.13) or overall survival (OS) (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.72, 1.23; p = 0.63]) according to the assigned treatment arm. The local recurrence rate (LRR) (HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.5-3.02; p = 0.66) and distant metastases (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.45, 1.90; p = 0.82) were also comparable between the groups. There was a significant reduction in major (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21, 0.95; p = 0.04) and minor morbidity (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24, 0.85; p = 0.01) for patients undergoing NAT + LE. Overall stoma formation was decreased in the NAT + LE group (OR 0.03; 95% CI 0.0, 0.23; p ≤ 0.00001).
CONCLUSION
NAT + LE reduces adverse effects of TME, without any compromise in oncological outcomes, and the potential for an organ preserving strategy should be discussed with patients with T2-3N0 rectal cancers prior to treatment.
Topics: Humans; Rectum; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Rectal Neoplasms; Disease-Free Survival; Chemoradiotherapy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37924372
DOI: 10.1007/s00384-023-04558-8 -
European Journal of Breast Health Jul 2023To summarize the evidence on the current management and outcomes for metastatic and recurrent malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) of the breast. A systematic literature...
To summarize the evidence on the current management and outcomes for metastatic and recurrent malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) of the breast. A systematic literature review of all cases of metastatic or recurrent MPTs of the breast published between 2010 and 2021 was performed. In total, 66 patients from 63 articles were included. Fifty-two (78.8%) had distant metastatic disease (DMD subgroup), and 21 (31.8%) showed locoregional recurrent/progressive disease (LRPR subgroup). Locoregional recurrences in patients with no distant metastases were treated with surgical excision in all cases. Radiotherapy was administered in 8/21 cases (38.1%) and was combined with chemotherapy in 2/21 cases (9.5%). Metastatic disease was managed through metastases surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these three in 84.6% of cases, while the remaining patients received no oncological treatments. Chemotherapy was proposed in 75.0% of cases. Anthracycline and alkylating agent-based combination regimens were most frequently administered. The median survival time was 24 (2.0-152.0) months, and 72.0 (2.5-98.5) months in the DMD and LRPR subgroups, respectively. Management of recurrent or metastatic MPTs is challenging. Surgery is the fundamental approach, but the use of adjuvant radio- and chemo-therapy remains controversial due to the lack of scientific evidence. Further studies and international registers are needed to implement new and more efficient treatment strategies.
PubMed: 37415652
DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-3-2 -
Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease 2023The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for patients with completely resected stage N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been controversial. This study aimed...
Effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival in patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for patients with completely resected stage N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been controversial. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PORT and prognosis in these patients.
OBJECTIVES
An updated meta-analysis was conducted in this study to investigate the efficacy of PORT and prognosis in patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC.
DESIGN
This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCE AND METHODS
Databases were searched up to 2 March 2022. All trials on patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC undergoing PORT were screened, and data indicators in the PORT and non-PORT groups were extracted, respectively. The effect of PORT on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was estimated. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.
RESULTS
In all, 20 studies involving 6340 patients were finally included. The PORT significantly increased OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.71-0.84, < 0.001), LRFS (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.76, < 0.001), and DFS (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.63-0.82, < 0.001) while it showed no significant difference in improving DMFS (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.71-1.05, = 0.14).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that in the postoperative treatment of patients with completely resected and pathologically confirmed stage N2 NSCLC, the addition of PORT provides better local recurrence control and survival benefit, but no benefit for distant metastases. The PORT may be incorporated into the postoperative treatment options for some patients with high-risk factors. However, it needs to be validated by more prospective studies in the future.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
CRD42022314095.
PubMed: 37720592
DOI: 10.1177/20406223231195622 -
Human Pathology Feb 2024Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinomas (DHGTCs) are a new diagnostic entity most recently defined in the 2022 World Health Organization's (WHO) Classification of...
BACKGROUND
Differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinomas (DHGTCs) are a new diagnostic entity most recently defined in the 2022 World Health Organization's (WHO) Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors. This new entity has been minimally described in the literature, and additional cases classified as such are missing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cases of DHGTCs diagnosed at our institution from 2012 to 2022 were identified, and the following were reviewed: cytologic and histologic diagnoses, ancillary testing, immunohistochemical staining, treatments, and patient outcomes. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki67 was performed on selected cases lacking this immunostain. A systematic literature review of the English literature on DHGTCs from 2013 to 2023 was performed using PubMed and Embase.
RESULTS
Case cohort included 32 cases of DHGTCs, with an average age of 52.6 years (range 17-84 years) and a male:female ratio of 1.3:1. All cases underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) and were categorized by The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) as follows: 14 cases as malignant (43.8 %), 10 as follicular neoplasm (31.3 %), 5 as atypia of undetermined significance (15.6 %), 2 as suspicious for malignancy (6.2 %), and 1 as non-diagnostic (3.1 %). The average tumor size was 5.15 cm, and most were papillary thyroid carcinoma (28, 87.5 %), with classic subtype being the most common. Twenty-one cases revealed tumor necrosis and the mitotic activity in lesions without necrosis averaged to 5.5 mitoses per 2 mm (range 0-7). The average Ki67 proliferative index was 5.6 %. Extrathyroidal extension was seen in 17, angioinvasion in 21, lymphatic invasion in 7, and perineural invasion in 1 case. Foci of solid or trabecular growth were identified in five cases. Lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis were noted in 10 cases and 7 demonstrated distant metastases or locoregional recurrence. To date, 25 patients are alive, and one has died from disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Our institutional experience demonstrates that DHGTC is a rare, but aggressive thyroid tumor subtype that requires consideration in the setting of a well-differentiated thyroid neoplasm to appropriately assess for possible disease recurrence and determination of patient prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ki-67 Antigen; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Necrosis; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38244615
DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2024.01.002