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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2022With an estimated 570,000 new cases reported globally in 2018, and increasing numbers of new cases in countries without established human papillomavirus (HPV)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With an estimated 570,000 new cases reported globally in 2018, and increasing numbers of new cases in countries without established human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. The majority of global disease burden (around 85%) is in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), with estimates of cervical cancer being the second most common cancer in women in such regions. As it commonly affects younger women, cervical cancer has the greatest impact on years of life lost (YLL) and adverse socioeconomic outcomes compared to all other cancers in women. Management of cervical cancer depends on tumour stage. Radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy is the standard primary treatment modality for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (2019) 1B1 to 1B3 disease. However, for larger primary tumours, radical hysterectomy is less commonly recommended. This is mainly due to a high incidence of unfavourable histopathological parameters, which require adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) (chemotherapy given with radiotherapy treatment). CCRT is the standard of care and is widely used as first-line treatment for cervical cancer considered to be not curable with surgery alone (i.e.those with locally advanced disease). However, a sizable cohort of women managed with primary CCRT will have residual disease within the cervix following treatment. Debulking' hysterectomy to remove (debulk) the primary tumour in locally advanced disease, prior to CCRT, may be an alternative management strategy, avoiding the potential need for surgery for residual cervical disease following CCRT, which may be more extensive, or have increased morbidity due to CCRT. However, this strategy may subject more women to unnecessary surgery and its inherent risks.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and harms of debulking hysterectomy (simple or radical) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We systematically searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2021, Issue 4), MEDLINE via Ovid (1946 to 12 April 2021) and Embase via Ovid (1980 to 12 April 2021). We also searched other registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists up to 12 April 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs or non-randomised studies (NRSs) comparing debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for locally advanced FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical malignancy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We applied Cochrane methodology, with two review authors independently assessing whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. We planned to apply standard Cochrane methodological procedures to analyse data and risk of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not find any evidence for or against debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer. We did not identify any studies assessing the validity of debulking hysterectomy for these women. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence for or against debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer.
Topics: Chemoradiotherapy; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasm, Residual; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 36111784
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012246.pub2 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2022International guidelines recommend repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumors (reTURB) for selected patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer to... (Review)
Review
International guidelines recommend repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumors (reTURB) for selected patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer to remove possible residual tumors, restage tumors and improve the therapeutic outcome. However, most evidence supporting the benefits of reTURB is from conventional TURB. The role of reTURB in patients receiving initial En bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) is still unknown. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were systematically searched. Finally, this systematic review and meta-analysis included twelve articles, including 539 patients. The rates of residual tumor and tumor upstaging detected by reTURB after ERBT were 5.9% (95%CI, 2.0%-11.1%) and 0.0% (95%CI, 0.0%-0.5%), respectively. Recurrence-free survival, tumor recurrence and progression were comparable between patients with and without reTURB after initial ERBT. The pooled hazard ratios of 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival were 0.74 (95%CI, 0.36-1.51; = 0.40), 0.76 (95%CI, 0.45-1.26; = 0.28), 0.83 (95%CI, 0.53-1.32; = 0.43) and 0.83 (95%CI, 0.56-1.23; = 0.36), respectively. The pooled relative risks of recurrence and progression were 0.87 (95%CI, 0.64-1.20; = 0.40) and 1.11 (95%CI, 0.54-2.32; = 0.77), respectively. Current evidence demonstrates that reTURB after ERBT for bladder cancer can detect relatively low rates of residual tumor and tumor upstaging and appears not to improve either recurrence or progression.
PubMed: 36078978
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175049 -
BMJ Open Aug 2022We consider expert opinion and its incorporation into a planned meta-analysis as a way of adjusting for anticipated publication bias. We conduct an elicitation exercise... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Residual disease after primary surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: expert elicitation exercise to explore opinions about potential impact of publication bias in a planned systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES
We consider expert opinion and its incorporation into a planned meta-analysis as a way of adjusting for anticipated publication bias. We conduct an elicitation exercise among eligible British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) members with expertise in gynaecology.
DESIGN
Expert elicitation exercise.
SETTING
BGCS.
PARTICIPANTS
Members of the BGCS with expertise in gynaecology.
METHODS
Experts were presented with details of a planned prospective systematic review and meta-analysis, assessing overall survival for the extent of excision of residual disease (RD) after primary surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Participants were asked views on the likelihood of different studies (varied in the size of the study population and the RD thresholds being compared) not being published. Descriptive statistics were produced and opinions on total number of missing studies by sample size and magnitude of effect size estimated.
RESULTS
Eighteen expert respondents were included. Responders perceived publication bias to be a possibility for comparisons of RD <1 cm versus RD=0 cm, but more so for comparisons involving higher volume suboptimal RD thresholds. However, experts' perceived publication bias in comparisons of RD=0 cm versus suboptimal RD thresholds did not translate into many elicited missing studies in Part B of the elicitation exercise. The median number of missing studies estimated by responders for the main comparison of RD<1 cm versus RD=0 cm was 10 (IQR: 5-20), with the number of missing studies influenced by whether the effect size was equivocal. The median number of missing studies estimated for suboptimal RD versus RD=0 cm was lower.
CONCLUSIONS
The results may raise awareness that a degree of scepticism is needed when reviewing studies comparing RD <1 cm versus RD=0 cm. There is also a belief among respondents that comparisons involving RD=0 cm and suboptimal thresholds (>1 cm) are likely to be impacted by publication bias, but this is unlikely to attenuate effect estimates in meta-analyses.
Topics: Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Female; Humans; Neoplasm, Residual; Ovarian Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Publication Bias
PubMed: 36038183
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060183 -
Techniques in Coloproctology Jan 2023The required distal margin in partial mesorectal excision (PME) is controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to determine incidence and distance of distal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The required distal margin in partial mesorectal excision (PME) is controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to determine incidence and distance of distal mesorectal spread (DMS).
METHODS
A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases. Articles eligible for inclusion were studies reporting on the presence of distal mesorectal spread in patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical resection.
RESULTS
Out of 2493 articles, 22 studies with a total of 1921 patients were included, of whom 340 underwent long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). DMS was reported in 207 of 1921 (10.8%) specimens (1.2% in CRT group and 12.8% in non-CRT group), with specified distance of DMS relative to the tumor in 84 (40.6%) of the cases. Mean and median DMS were 20.2 and 20.0 mm, respectively. Distal margins of 40 mm and 30 mm would result in 10% and 32% residual tumor, respectively, which translates into 1% and 4% overall residual cancer risk given 11% incidence of DMS. The maximum reported DMS was 50 mm in 1 of 84 cases. In subgroup analysis, for T3, the mean DMS was 18.8 mm (range 8-40 mm) and 27.2 mm (range 10-40 mm) for T4 rectal cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
DMS occurred in 11% of cases, with a maximum of 50 mm in less than 1% of the DMS cases. For PME, substantial overtreatment is present if a distal margin of 5 cm is routinely utilized. Prospective studies evaluating more limited margins based on high-quality preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and pathological assessment are required.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Margins of Excision; Rectal Neoplasms; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Treatment Outcome; Rectum
PubMed: 36036328
DOI: 10.1007/s10151-022-02690-1 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Oct 2022Elastography is an imaging technology capable of measuring tissue stiffness and consistency. The technology has achieved widespread use in the workup and management of... (Review)
Review
Elastography is an imaging technology capable of measuring tissue stiffness and consistency. The technology has achieved widespread use in the workup and management of diseases of the liver, breast, thyroid, and prostate. Although elastography is increasingly being applied in neurosurgery, it has not yet achieved widespread adoption and many clinicians remain unfamiliar with the technology. Therefore, we sought to summarize the range of applications and elastography modalities available for neurosurgery, report its effectiveness in comparison with conventional imaging methods, and offer recommendations. All full-text English-language manuscripts on the use of elastography for neurosurgical procedures were screened using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Thirty-two studies were included with 990 patients, including 21 studies on intracranial tumors, 5 on hydrocephalus, 4 on epilepsy, 1 on spinal cord compression, and 1 on adolescent scoliosis. Twenty studies used ultrasound elastography (USE) whereas 12 used magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). MRE studies were mostly used in the preoperative setting for assessment of lesion stiffness, tumor-brain adherence, diagnostic workup, and operative planning. USE studies were performed intraoperatively to guide resection of lesions, determine residual microscopic abnormalities, assess the tumor-brain interface, and study mechanical properties of tumors. Elastography can assist with resection of brain tissue, detection of microscopic lesions, and workup of hydrocephalus, among other applications under investigation. Its sensitivity often exceeds that of conventional MRI and ultrasound for identifying abnormal tissue and lesion margins.
Topics: Adolescent; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurosurgery; Neurosurgical Procedures
PubMed: 35933785
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.07.019 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Pasireotide (PAS) is a novel somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL), used in controlling hormonal hypersecretion in both acromegaly and Cushing's Disease (CD). In previous... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Pasireotide (PAS) is a novel somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL), used in controlling hormonal hypersecretion in both acromegaly and Cushing's Disease (CD). In previous studies and meta-analysis, first-generation SRLs were reported to be able to induce significant tumor shrinkage only in somatotroph adenomas. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize the effect of PAS on the shrinkage of the pituitary adenomas in patients with acromegaly or CD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched the Medline database for original studies in patients with acromegaly or CD receiving PAS as monotherapy, that assessed the proportion of significant tumor shrinkage in their series. After data extraction and analysis, a random-effect model was used to estimate pooled effects. Quality assessment was performed with a modified Joanna Briggs's Institute tool and the risk of publication bias was addressed through Egger's regression and the three-parameter selection model.
RESULTS
The electronic search identified 179 and 122 articles respectively for acromegaly and CD. After study selection, six studies considering patients with acromegaly and three with CD fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Overall, 37.7% (95%CI: [18.7%; 61.5%]) of acromegalic patients and 41.2% (95%CI: [22.9%; 62.3%]) of CD patients achieved significant tumor shrinkage. We identified high heterogeneity, especially in acromegaly (I of 90% for acromegaly and 47% for CD), according to the low number of studies included.
DISCUSSION
PAS treatment is effective in reducing tumor size, especially in acromegalic patients. This result strengthens the role of PAS treatment in pituitary adenomas, particularly in those with an invasive behavior, with progressive growth and/or extrasellar extension, with a low likelihood of surgical gross-total removal, or with large postoperative residual tissue.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022328152, identifier CRD42022328152.
Topics: ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Acromegaly; Adenoma; Humans; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Pituitary Neoplasms; Somatostatin
PubMed: 35846311
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.935759 -
Cancers May 2022Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in children. Traditionally, tumor diagnosis and molecular analysis were carried out on tumor tissue harvested... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in children. Traditionally, tumor diagnosis and molecular analysis were carried out on tumor tissue harvested either via biopsy or resection. However, liquid biopsy allows analysis of circulating tumor DNA in corporeal fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid or blood.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review in Pubmed and Embase regarding the role of liquid biopsy in pediatric brain tumors.
RESULTS
Nine studies with a total of 570 patients were included. The preferred corporeal fluid for analysis with a relatively high yield of ct-DNA was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For high-grade glioma, liquid biopsy can successfully characterize H3K27mutations and predict tumor progression before it is radiographically detected. Moreover, liquid biopsy has the potential to distinguish between pseudo-progression and actual progression. In medulloblastoma, ct-DNA in the CSF can be used as a surrogate marker of measurable residual disease and correlates with response to therapy and progression of the tumor up to three months before radiographic detection.
CONCLUSION
Liquid biopsy is primarily useful in high-grade pediatric brain tumors such as diffuse midline glioma or medulloblastoma. Disease detection and monitoring is feasible for both tumor entities. More trials to standardize its use for pediatric brain tumors are necessary.
PubMed: 35681663
DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112683 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Apr 2023Cavity shaving (CS) is a surgical technique used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It may reduce margin positivity in histologic assessment and consequently...
PURPOSE
Cavity shaving (CS) is a surgical technique used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It may reduce margin positivity in histologic assessment and consequently reduces re- excision rates in breast conserving surgery (BCS). The evidence for this assumption is described in the present review.
METHODS
A systematic review of relevant literature in English from January 1999 to April 2019 was conducted. The analysis included studies on CS and its effects on re-excision rates and margin positivity. We searched PubMed databases for relevant publications. In total, 22 studies were included in the present review.
RESULTS
The benefit from CS on re-excision rates and histologic margin positivity was variable. Out of 22 studies, 17 reported a reduction in both re-excision rates and histologic margin positivity in margin shaved patients. Four studies could not find a significant reduction of second surgeries and residual tumor rates. One study suggested that CS after BCS was superior to single BCS only in subgroup analysis in IDC tumors.
CONCLUSION
CS is a surgical technique that was shown to reduce re-excision and margin positivity rates in most of the studies. Furthermore, it can be a useful tool to assess specimen margins and detect multifocality.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Mastectomy, Segmental; Neoplasm, Residual; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35593951
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06512-5 -
World Journal of Urology Dec 2022To present the current evidence and the development of studies in recent years on the management of extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCT).
PURPOSE
To present the current evidence and the development of studies in recent years on the management of extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCT).
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline and the Cochrane Library. Studies within the search period (January 2010 to February 2021) that addressed the classification, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and follow-up of extragonadal tumors were included. Risk of bias was assessed and relevant data were extracted in evidence tables.
RESULTS
The systematic search identified nine studies. Germ cell tumors (GCT) arise predominantly from within the testis, but about 5% of the tumors are primarily located extragonadal. EGCT are localized primarily mediastinal or retroperitoneal in the midline of the body. EGCT patients are classified according to the IGCCCG classification. Consecutively, all mediastinal non-seminomatous EGCT patients belong to the "poor prognosis" group. In contrast mediastinal seminoma and both retroperitoneal seminoma and non-seminoma patients seem to have a similar prognosis as patients with gonadal GCTs and metastasis at theses respective sites. The standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with a EGCT consists of 3-4 cycles (good vs intermediate prognosis) of bleomycin, etoposid, cisplatin (BEP); however, due to their very poor prognosis patients with non-seminomatous mediastinal GCT should receive a dose-intensified or high-dose chemotherapy approach upfront on an individual basis and should thus be referred to expert centers Ifosfamide may be exchanged for bleomycin in cases of additional pulmonary metastasis due to subsequently planned resections. In general patients with non-seminomatous EGCT, residual tumor resection (RTR) should be performed after chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
In general, non-seminomatous EGCT have a poorer prognosis compared to testicular GCT, while seminomatous EGGCT seem to have a similar prognosis to patients with metastatic testicular seminoma. The current insights on EGCT are limited, since all data are mainly based on case series and studies with small patient numbers and non-comparative studies. In general, systemic treatment should be performed like in testicular metastatic GCTs but upfront dose intensification of chemotherapy should be considered for mediastinal non-seminoma patients. Thus, EGCT should be referred to interdisciplinary centers with utmost experience in the treatment of germ cell tumors.
Topics: Male; Humans; Follow-Up Studies; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Testicular Neoplasms; Seminoma; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Bleomycin
PubMed: 35554637
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-022-04009-z -
PloS One 2022Progression-free survival (PFS) is a common primary endpoint in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Patients with NDMM typically have longer PFS and are more likely...
Progression-free survival (PFS) is a common primary endpoint in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Patients with NDMM typically have longer PFS and are more likely to achieve minimal residual disease (MRD) or complete response (CR) compared to patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Response-based surrogate endpoints may hold value given the longer follow-up time required to evaluate PFS in NDMM. In this work, systematic literature reviews of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases (2010-06/2020) and relevant congresses (2018-2020) were performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and real-world studies in NDMM reporting median PFS and objective response. Associations between PFS and each response endpoint were evaluated using Pearson's product-moment correlation weighted by sample size in each RCT arm. Unadjusted and adjusted weighted linear regression models were applied to estimate the gain in median PFS associated with each response endpoint. Statistically significant correlations were identified for median PFS with overall response rate (ORR; Pearson r = 0.59), CR (r = 0.48), stringent CR (sCR; r = 0.68), and MRD (r = 0.69). The unadjusted models estimated 0.50 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.64; p<0.001), 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.58; p<0.001), 1.05 (95% CI: 0.58, 1.52; p<0.001), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.58; p = 0.006) months of median PFS gained per point of ORR, CR, sCR, and MRD, respectively. Associations for median PFS remained statistically significant in models adjusted for age and treatment type with ORR (0.35, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.49; p<0.001), and adjusted for age and International Staging System risk stage with CR (0.29, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.41; p<0.001). Due to small sample size, adjusted models could not be constructed for sCR or MRD. Nevertheless, evidence of significant survival benefit (p<0.05) associated with MRD negativity and sCR was identified across real-world studies. These findings provide support for the use of response outcomes as surrogate endpoints to estimate PFS benefit in NDMM.
Topics: Biomarkers; Disease-Free Survival; Humans; Multiple Myeloma; Neoplasm, Residual; Progression-Free Survival; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35550641
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267979