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Pleura and Peritoneum Sep 2019Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) can be used in combination with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) can be used in combination with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of multiple origins. The present study is a systematic review to evaluate the role of EPIC after CRS + HIPEC for appendiceal and colorectal cancers with PC.
CONTENT
We conducted a systematic search in PubMed according to the PRISMA guidelines and included all studies published before June 27 of 2019 comparing EPIC to HIPEC or the combination of both. Our search found 79 articles. After excluding non-relevant articles, a total of 13 retrospective clinical studies reporting on the efficacy and safety of EPIC compared to HIPEC or as a combination therapy for lower gastrointestinal neoplasms were analyzed. Initial EPIC reports led to its declined usage because of concerns with increased postoperative morbidity and uncertain added benefit on survival. Recent retrospective studies have been promising, showing significant improvements in OS and fewer issues with complications when adding EPIC to CRS + HIPEC.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence is entirely retrospective and is conflicting. It is hoped that ongoing clinical trials and additional studies will clarify EPIC's role in the treatment of patients with PC.
PubMed: 31667329
DOI: 10.1515/pp-2019-0007 -
Pleura and Peritoneum Jun 2022Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) has recently emerged as a palliative alternative for patients with unresectable peritoneal metastasis (PM).... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) has recently emerged as a palliative alternative for patients with unresectable peritoneal metastasis (PM). Quality of life (QoL) has increasingly been used as an endpoint to evaluate treatment outcomes. This review aims to identify evidence on how PIPAC would impact the QoL of PM patients.
CONTENT
A systematic review was performed on articles identified from Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and Web of Sciences. A meta-analysis was conducted on further selected studies. ACROBAT-NRSI was attempted to assess the risk of bias (RoB).
SUMMARY
Nine studies using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire to assess QoL after repeated PIPAC cycles were identified. Majority was found to be moderately biased and a great extent of heterogeneity was observed. Four studies on PM from either gastric cancer (GC) or epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) were included for meta-analysis. In 31 GC patients and 104 EOC patients, QoL remained stable in 13/14 and 11/14 EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. PIPAC was inferior to cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) in global QoL and functioning but superior in symptom reduction.
OUTLOOK
PIPAC is a well-tolerated option for most GC and EOC patients with irresectable PM. Future trials are warranted to confirm the findings.
PubMed: 35812010
DOI: 10.1515/pp-2021-0154 -
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma... May 2024Rib fractures commonly occur in trauma patients with varying presentations. Though the literature in recent years has moved toward favoring more early intervention of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Rib fractures commonly occur in trauma patients with varying presentations. Though the literature in recent years has moved toward favoring more early intervention of acute rib fractures, little has been reported on the matter of surgical fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a review of PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published since 2000. Inclusion criteria were studies with greater than six months of follow-up, while case studies were excluded. A thorough analysis was performed on patient outcomes, complications reported, operative techniques utilized, and fixation systems used, among other parameters reported by the articles.
RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-nine studies resulted from our review, and a total of nine studies met our inclusion criteria with a combined total of 182 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. All studies reported a significant reduction of pain with increased satisfaction in the majority of patients. There were a total of 71 postoperative complications, the most common of which included surgical site infections, hardware failure, and hematoma. The most serious complications were insulting injury to the lung parenchyma or pleura; however, these were extremely rare based off the current literature. The use of bone grafting was common with eight of the nine studies mentioning the benefits of grafting.
CONCLUSION
Surgical stabilization of rib fracture nonunions appears to be an appropriate treatment alternative, and various techniques and approaches may be used with similar success. Further studies with higher level of evidence are recommended on the subject.
Topics: Humans; Rib Fractures; Fractures, Ununited; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Postoperative Complications; Bone Transplantation
PubMed: 38492065
DOI: 10.1007/s00402-024-05264-y -
Thorax Jan 2023Pleural fluid cytology is an important diagnostic test used for the investigation of pleural effusions. There is considerable variability in the reported sensitivity for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pleural fluid cytology is an important diagnostic test used for the investigation of pleural effusions. There is considerable variability in the reported sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) in the literature.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to determine the diagnostic sensitivity of pleural fluid cytology for MPE, both overall and by tumour type, to better inform the decision-making process when investigating pleural effusions.
DATA SOURCES
A literature search of EMBASE and MEDLINE was performed by four reviewers. Articles satisfying inclusion criteria were evaluated for bias using the QUADAS-2 tool.
DATA EXTRACTION
For quantitative analysis, we performed a metaanalysis using a binary random-effects model to determine pooled sensitivity. Subgroup analysis was performed based on primary cancer site and meta-regression by year of publication.
SYNTHESIS
Thirty-six studies with 6057 patients with MPE were included in the meta-analysis. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of pleural fluid cytology for MPE was 58.2% (95% CI 52.5% to 63.9%; range 20.5%-86.0%). There was substantial heterogeneity present among studies (I 95.5%). For primary thoracic malignancies, sensitivity was highest in lung adenocarcinoma (83.6%; 95% CI 77.7% to 89.6%) and lowest in lung squamous cell carcinoma (24.2%; 95% CI 17.0% to 31.5%) and mesothelioma (28.9%; 95% CI 16.2% to 41.5%). For malignancies with extrathoracic origin, sensitivity was high for ovarian cancer (85.2%; 95% CI 74.2% to 96.1%) and modest for breast cancer (65.3%; 95% CI 49.8% to 80.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
Pleural fluid cytology has an overall sensitivity of 58.2% for the diagnosis of MPE. Clinicians should be aware of the high variability in diagnostic sensitivity by primary tumour type as well as the potential reasons for false-negative cytology results.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021231473.
Topics: Humans; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleura; Mesothelioma; Pleural Effusion; Lung Neoplasms; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 35110369
DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-217959 -
Epidemiologia E Prevenzione 2023The Sixth Report presents the results of the "SENTIERI Project: implementation of the permanent epidemiological surveillance system of populations residing in Italian... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION ADN OBJECTIVES
The Sixth Report presents the results of the "SENTIERI Project: implementation of the permanent epidemiological surveillance system of populations residing in Italian Sites of Remediation Interest", promoted and financed by the Italian Ministry of Health (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - CCM Project 2018). The aim of this study is to update the mortality and hospitalization analyses concerning the 6,227,531 inhabitants (10.4% of the Italian population) residing in 46 contaminated sites (39 of national interest and 7 of regional interest). The sites include 316 municipalities distributed as follows: 15 in the North-East (20.3% of the investigated population); 104 in the North-West (12% of the investigated population), 32 in the Centre (12.6% of the investigated population), 165 in the South and Islands (55.5% of the investigated population). Analyses were carried out on the paediatric-adolescent (1,128,396 residents) and youth (665,284 residents) population, and a study on congenital anomalies (CA) was carried out at sites covered by congenital malformation registers. Accompanying the epidemiological assessments, site-specific socioeconomic conditions were examined and an overall estimate of excess risk for populations residing at contaminated sites was drawn up. By means of a systematic review of the scientific literature, the epidemiological evidence on causal links between sources of environmental exposure and health effects was updated to identify pathologies of a priori interest.
METHODOLOGY
In the 46 sites included in the SENTIERI Project, mortality (time window: 2013-2017) and hospital admissions (time window: 2014-2018) of the general population of all ages, divided by gender, and of the paediatric-adolescent (0-1 year, 0-14 years, 0-19 years), youth (20-29 years), and overall (0-29 years) age groups, divided by gender, were analysed. In 21 sites, CA diagnosed within the first year of life were studied. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and hospitalization ratios (SHR) were calculated with reference to the rates in the regions to which the sites belong. The reference population was calculated net of residents in the sites. CA were studied by calculating the prevalence per 10,000 births and the ratio, multiplied by 100, between the cases observed at the site and those expected on the basis of the prevalences observed in the reference area (region or sub-regional area of belonging, according to the geographical coverage of the registry). The socioeconomic condition studied in the 46 sites is based on the convergence of three deprivation indicators with respect to the reference region: deprivation index at municipal level, deprivation index at census section level, premature mortality indicator (age range 30-69 years) for chronic non-communicable diseases. For the estimation of excess risk for the entire study population, meta-analysis of the mortality and hospitalization risk estimates for each site was carried out and the number of excess deaths estimated for the sites as a whole. The epidemiological evidence was updated through a systematic literature review (January 2009-May 2020), following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search was carried out on the search engines MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science; the quality of the studies included in the review was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 checklist for systematic reviews and the NewCastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies in the case of cohort and case-control studies and a modified version thereof for ecological and cross-sectional studies. The update was based on the selection of 14 systematic reviews, 15 primary studies, 6 monographs/reports from international scientific organisations on health effects due to the presence of environmental exposure sources.
RESULTS
Mortality. The a priori causes of interest that occur most frequently in excess are, in descending order: malignant lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma of the pleura, malignant bladder cancer, respiratory diseases, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, malignant liver cancer, all malignant tumours, malignant colorectal cancer, malignant stomach cancer, total mesotheliomas, malignant breast cancer, and asbestosis. Hospitalization. The a priori causes of interest that occur most frequently in excess are represented in descending order by: respiratory diseases, malignant lung cancer, malignant tumours of the pleura, malignant bladder cancer, malignant breast cancer, malignant liver cancer, asthma, malignant colorectal cancer, all malignant tumours, malignant stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, acute respiratory diseases, leukaemias. The differences observed between mortality and hospitalization can be attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the diseases (higher or lower lethality, gender differences in incidence), lifestyles, and occupational phenomena. Age classes. Excesses of general mortality were observed in the first year of life at the Manfredonia, Basso Bacino Fiume Chienti, Litorale Domizio Flegreo and Agro Aversano sites; in the 0-1 year and 0-19 year age groups at Casale Monferrato; in the paediatric age group at Serravalle Scrivia and at the Trento Nord site; in the 0-19 year age group at Sassuolo Scandiano; in the young age group (0-29 years) at the two municipalities of Cerchiara and Cassano (Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara site). With regard to hospitalization due to natural causes, risk excesses in both genders are found in the first year of life in 35% of the sites (Porto Torres industrial areas, Bari-Fibronit, Basso bacino fiume Chienti, Bolzano, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Cerro al Lambro, Bologna ETR large repair workshop, Gela, Manfredonia, Massa Carrara, Pioltello Rodano, Pitelli, Priolo, Sesto San Giovanni, Trento Nord, and Trieste). These same sites, with the addition of Casale Monferrato, Cengio e Saliceto, Serravalle Scrivia, and Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese (total: 43% of sites), show excesses for all natural causes, in both genders, even in the paediatric-adolescent age group (0-19 years). Among young adults (20-29 years), the analyses show excesses of hospitalization for all natural causes in both genders in the Bolzano, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Gela, Manfredonia, Pitelli, Priolo, and Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese sites. Among young women only, excesses for all natural causes are also found in Brescia Caffaro, Brindisi, Broni, Casale Monferrato, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Falconara Marittima, Fidenza, and Massa Carrara. Congenital anomalies. In the 21 sites investigated for CA, 10,126 cases of CA, validated by participating registers, were analysed out of 304,620 resident births. Genital CA is the subgroup for which the greatest number of excesses was observed (in 6 out of 21 sites). The available evidence does not allow a causal link to be established between the excesses observed for specific subgroups of ACs and exposure to industrial sources, but the results suggest further action. The interpretation of the results appears, in fact, particularly complex as the scientific literature on the association between exposure to industrial sources and AC is very limited. Socioeconomic status. The sites in which the indicators converge to show the presence of fragility are: Litorale Vesuviano area, Val Basento industrial areas, Basso Bacino fiume Chienti, Biancavilla, Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiara, Litorale Domizio Flegreo and Agro Aversano, Livorno, Massa Carrara, Trieste. Global impact. Over the period 2013-2017, an estimated 8,342 excess deaths (CI90% 1,875-14,809) or approximately 1,668 excess cases/year, 4,353 excess deaths among males (CI90% 334-8,372) and 3,989 among females (CI90% -1,122;9,101). The pooled excess risk of general mortality is 2% in both genders (pooled SMR 1.02; CI90% 1.00-1.04). The proportion of excess deaths to total observed deaths is almost constant over time, rising from 2.5% in 1995-2002 to 2.6% in 2013-2017. The number of deaths in absolute value is also very similar between the periods analysed. Deaths from all malignant tumours contribute the most by accounting for 56% of the observed excesses, the excess risk of mortality from malignant tumours across all sites, compared to the reference populations, is 4% in the male population (pooled SMR 1.04; CI90% 1.01-1.06) and 3% among the female population (pooled SMR 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.05). Hospitalization (2014-2018) in the 46 sites as a whole was in excess of 3% for all causes, in both genders, for all major disease groups (males: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.04 - females: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.01-1.05). The results for the pooled estimates at the 46 sites on the general population, both with regard to mortality and hospitalization, are consistent in indicating excess risk in both genders for all the diseases considered and, in particular, for all malignancies. A total of 1,409 paediatric-adolescent deaths and 999 young adult deaths were observed, and the pooled analysis of mortality across the 46 sites showed no critical issues, with pooled estimates for all causes, perinatal morbid conditions and all malignancies falling short of expectations. The analysis of hospitalizations, on the other hand, showed an excess risk of 8% (males: SHR pooled 1.08; CI90% 1.03-1.13 - females: SHR pooled 1.08; CI90% 1.03-1.14) for all causes in the first year of life, and in paediatric-adolescent and juvenile age of 3-4% among males (age 0-19 years: SHR pooled 1.04; CI90% 1.02-1.06 - age 20-29 years: SHR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.00-1.05) and 5% among females (in both age groups; SHR pooled 1.05; CI90% 1.02-1.08). The pooled analysis of mortality for the a priori identified diseases reported excesses for specific diseases in the group of sites with sources of exposure associated with them. Mortality from total mesotheliomas is three times higher at sites with asbestos present (males: pooled SMR 3.02; CI90% 2.18-3.87 - females: pooled SMR 3.61; CI90% 2.33-4.88) and that from pleural mesotheliomas more than two times higher at the group of sites with asbestos and port areas (males: pooled SMR 2.47; CI90% 1.94-3.00 - females: pooled SMR 2.43; CI90% 1.67-3.19). Lung cancer was in excess by 6% among males (pooled SMR 1.06; CI90% 1.03-1.10) and 7% among females (pooled SMR 1.07; CI90% 1.00-1.13). In addition, there are excess mortalities for colorectal cancer at sites with chemical plants, by 4 % among males (SMR pooled 1.04; CI90% 1.01-1.08) and 3 % among females (SMR pooled 1.03; CI90% 1.00-1.07) and for bladder cancer among the male population of sites with landfills (+6 %: SMR pooled 1.06; CI90% 1.02-1.11). Among the diseases of a priori interest, stomach and soft tissue cancers are at fault as a cause of death among all the sites considered.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The update of the epidemiological evidence underlying the Sixth SENTIERI Report has highlighted in the general population a possible association, previously undiscovered, between certain diseases and residence near petrochemical and steel plants, landfills, coal mines and asbestos sources.
CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
Despite the fact that this is an ecological study, and the excesses of pathologies with multifactorial aetiology can never be mechanically attributed solely to the environmental pressure factors that exist or existed in the areas studied, the ability to identify the excesses found in the contaminated sites investigated by the SENTIERI Project confirms the validity of this method of assessing the site-specific health profile, based on the use of epidemiological evidence to identify pathologies of interest a priori. In interpreting the data and lending robustness to what has been observed, comparison with the results obtained in previous Reports is essential. The global estimates give an overall picture that shows excess mortality and hospitalization in these populations compared to the rest of the population, and show how, for specific pathologies, comparable effects are produced at sites with similar contamination characteristics. The themes developed in the in-depth chapters broaden the vision and understanding of the complex interactions between environment and health, describe the possibilities offered by new ways of communicating the results, and confirm the modernity of a Project that began way back in 2006, and that could be grafted onto the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the framework of the Operational Programme Health, Environment, Biodiversity and Climate.
Topics: Pregnancy; Adolescent; Young Adult; Humans; Female; Male; Child; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child, Preschool; Stomach Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Italy; Mesothelioma; Asbestos; Breast Neoplasms; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Lung Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 36825373
DOI: 10.19191/EP23.1-2-S1.003 -
Cureus Jul 2021Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) are an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder characterized by the development of multiple benign osteochondromas (exostoses) that... (Review)
Review
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) are an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder characterized by the development of multiple benign osteochondromas (exostoses) that frequently involve long bones of the body. Less commonly, the ribs are a site of involvement, and long-term friction between an exostosis and pleura can produce a hemothorax or pneumothorax. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of existing literature on pneumothorax or hemothorax secondary to costal exostosis in HME patients. We reviewed the databases of PubMed and Embase and included data as current as of February 15, 2021. All case reports included cases of hemothorax or pneumothorax in patients with a known personal or family history of HME. After evaluation for inclusion based on eligibility criteria, 18 cases were included. The average age at presentation was 11.7 years (range: 3-32), and most patients were male (83%). Hemothoraces occurred in 15 cases, while pneumothoraces occurred in three cases. All cases were evaluated using chest X-ray and CT scan, and the majority of the cases were treated with surgical resection of the exostosis, either with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS; 61%) or thoracotomy (22%). Outcomes were successful with no cases of recurrence after surgical intervention. Although rare, costal exostosis should be considered as a differential in patients presenting with pneumothorax or hemothorax and past medical history or physical exam findings suggestive of HME. Immediate evaluation and surgical intervention to resect costal exostosis are essential to reduce the risk of recurrent life-threatening injury.
PubMed: 34395113
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16326 -
Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy &... Apr 2024Foreign bodies within the pleura and pancreas are infrequent, and the approaches to their treatment still a subject of debate. There is limited knowledge particularly...
BACKGROUND
Foreign bodies within the pleura and pancreas are infrequent, and the approaches to their treatment still a subject of debate. There is limited knowledge particularly regarding glass foreign bodies.
METHODS
We present a case involving large glass splinters in the pleura and pancreas, with an unknown entry point. In addition, a systematic review was conducted to explore entry hypotheses and management options.
RESULTS
In addition to our case, our review uncovered eight incidents of intrapleural glass, and another eight cases of glass in other intrathoracic areas. The fragments entered the body through impalement (81%), migrated through the diaphragm after impalement (6%), or caused transesophageal perforation (19%) following ingestion. Eight instances of glass inside the abdominal cavity were documented, with seven resulting from impalement injuries and one from transintestinal migration. There were no recorded instances of glass being discovered within the pancreas. Among the 41 nonglass intrapancreatic foreign bodies found, sewing needles (34%) and fish bones (46%) were the most common; following ingestion, they had migrated through either a transgastric or transduodenal perforation. In all these cases, how the foreign bodies were introduced was often poorly recalled by the patient. Many nonglass foreign bodies tend to become encapsulated by fibrous tissue, rendering them inert, though this is less common with glass. Glass has been reported to migrate through various tissues and cavities, sometimes with a significant delay spanning even decades. There are cases of intrapleural migration of glass causing hemothorax, pneumothorax, and heart and major blood vessels injury. For intrapleural glass fragment management, thoracoscopy proved to be effective in 5 reported cases, in addition to our patient. Most intrapancreatic nonglass foreign bodies tend to trigger pancreatitis and abscess formation, necessitating management ranging from laparoscopic procedures to subtotal pancreatectomy. There have been only four documented cases of intrapancreatic needles that remained asymptomatic with conservative management. There is no direct guidance from the existing literature regarding management of intrapancreatic glass foreign bodies. Consequently, our patient is under observation with regular follow-ups and has remained asymptomatic for the past 2 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Glass foreign bodies in the pleura are rare, and our report of an intrapancreatic glass fragment is the first of its kind. Impalement is the most likely method of introduction. As glass has significant migration and an ensuing complication potential, preventive removal of intrapleural loose glass should be considered. However, intrapancreatic glass fragment management remains uncertain.
Topics: Humans; Pleura; Foreign Bodies; Pancreas; Thoracoscopy; Pancreatectomy
PubMed: 38450728
DOI: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000001275 -
Pleura and Peritoneum Jun 2023Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) gives encouraging results in the treatment of peritoneal metastasis (PM). The current recommendations require at... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) gives encouraging results in the treatment of peritoneal metastasis (PM). The current recommendations require at least 3 sessions of PIPAC. However, some patients do not complete the full treatment course and stop after only 1 or 2 procedures, hence the limited benefit. A literature review was performed, with search terms including "PIPAC" and "pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy."
CONTENT
Only articles describing the causes for premature termination of the PIPAC treatment were analysed. The systematic search identified 26 published clinical articles related to PIPAC and reporting causes for stopping PIPAC.
SUMMARY
The series range from 11 to 144 patients, with a total of 1352 patients treated with PIPAC for various tumours. A total of 3088 PIPAC treatments were performed. The median number of PIPAC treatments per patient was 2.1, the median PCI score at the time of the first PIPAC was 19 and the number of patients who did not complete the recommended 3 sessions of PIPAC was 714 (52.8%). Disease progression was the main reason for early termination of the PIPAC treatment (49.1%). The other causes were death, patients' wishes, adverse events, conversion to curative cytoreductive surgery and other medical reasons (embolism, pulmonary infection, etc…).
OUTLOOK
Further investigations are necessary to better understand the causes for interrupting PIPAC treatment and also improving the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from PIPAC.
PubMed: 37304159
DOI: 10.1515/pp-2023-0004 -
Pleura and Peritoneum Mar 2021Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common condition that presents with progressive breathlessness. Long term solutions are often required due to recurrence of... (Review)
Review
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common condition that presents with progressive breathlessness. Long term solutions are often required due to recurrence of effusion after simple drainage. Pleurodesis is one of the main options resorted to for long term control of MPE. There is data to suggest there may be a survival benefit for patients with MPE who achieve successful pleurodesis. A systematic review was carried out to explore this correlation and results suggest that there could be a survival difference according to pleurodesis outcome in patients with MPE. Fifteen studies (reported in 13 papers) were included; 13 (86.6%) of the studies showed survival difference in favour of pleurodesis success. The median [interquartile range] difference in survival between the two groups among the different studies was five [3.5-5.8] months. Most of the included studies suffered moderate to severe risk of bias and, thus, large prospective studies of patients undergoing pleurodesis are required to ascertain this effect.
PubMed: 34222645
DOI: 10.1515/pp-2020-0147 -
BMC Cancer Feb 2020Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is used in the palliative treatment of peritoneal metastasis. The combination of intraperitoneal and systemic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is used in the palliative treatment of peritoneal metastasis. The combination of intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy seems rational, and the aim of this systematic review was to compare PIPAC directed monotherapy with a bidirectional treatment approach (PIPAC in combination with systemic chemotherapy). Main outcomes were survival and quality of life.
METHODS
A systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane and the "Pleura and Peritoneum" was conducted and analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies in English reporting on bidirectional treatment with PIPAC and systemic chemotherapy and published before April 2019 were included.
RESULTS
Twelve studies with a total of 386 patients were included. None were specifically designed to compare mono- versus bidirectional treatment, but 44% of the patients received bidirectional treatment. This was more frequent in women (non-gynecological cancers) and one-third of the bidirectional treated patients had received no prior chemotherapy. Data from the included studies provided no conclusions regarding survival or quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Bidirectional treatment with PIPAC and systemic chemotherapy is practised and feasible, and some patients are enrolled having received no prior systemic chemotherapy for their PM. The difficulty in drawing any conclusions based on this systematic review has highlighted the urgent need to improve and standardize reports on PIPAC directed therapy. We have, therefore, constructed a list of items to be considered when reporting on clinical PIPAC research.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO. Registration number: 90352, March 5, 2018.
Topics: Aerosols; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32041558
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6572-6