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Frontiers in Oncology 2024To evaluate the prognostic effect of tumor volume at diagnosis, tumor reduction ratio during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with central-shielding method, and...
The prognostic effect of tumor volume, reduction ratio, and cumulative doses on external beam radiotherapy with central-shielding method and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prognostic effect of tumor volume at diagnosis, tumor reduction ratio during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with central-shielding method, and cumulative minimal dose to 90% of the high-risk clinical target volume (CTV D) on combined EBRT and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for cervical cancer.
METHODS
Consecutive patients who underwent definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer at Gunma University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor volume at diagnosis and reduction ratio were calculated using magnetic resonance imaging at diagnosis and before the first IGABT session. The cumulative dose of EBRT and IGABT was calculated as an equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2). Optimal cutoff values were determined according to a receiver operating characteristic curve. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression.
RESULTS
A total of 254 patients were included in the analysis. The median follow-up for all patients was 57 (2-134) months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 81.9%, progression-free survival (PFS) was 71.3%, and local control (LC) was 94.5%. The patients were divided into four groups according to tumor volume at diagnosis and reduction ratio. The group with tumor volume at diagnosis ≥ 34.1 cm and reduction ratio < 68.8% showed significantly worse OS, PFS, and LC than the other three groups (All < 0.05). In this group, the patients with a cumulative CTV D < 69.6 Gy showed significantly worse PFS and LC ( = 0.042 and = 0.027, respectively). In the multivariate analysis of OS, adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage III/IV, and a reduction ratio of < 68.8% were independent significant poor prognostic factors ( = 0.045, = 0.009 and = 0.001, respectively). In the univariate analysis of LC, a reduction ratio of < 68.8% was the only poor prognostic factor ( = 0.041).
CONCLUSION
The patients with large and poorly responding tumors had significantly worse prognoses in terms of OS, PFS, and LC, suggesting that dose escalation should be considered for such tumors.
PubMed: 38774419
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1366777 -
Heliyon May 2024Lung adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare tumor with high invasive and metastatic potential. Few studies have explored metastatic patterns in patients with...
BACKGROUND
Lung adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare tumor with high invasive and metastatic potential. Few studies have explored metastatic patterns in patients with advanced-stage ASC.
METHODS
Patients diagnosed with ASC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2010 to 2015 were selected. Descriptive statistics were obtained to characterize the metastatic sites of the study participants. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to compare survival curves among patients with different metastatic patterns. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for metastasis.
RESULTS
A total of 858 eligible patients with ASC were enrolled; the mean age was 71.5 years (standard deviation ± 7.8 years). There was a slightly higher proportion of male patients (54.0 %). A total of 63.2 % of patients harbored single-site metastasis (median OS: 5 months), 23.6 % of patients had two-site metastasis (median OS: 4 months), and approximately 10 % of patients harbored three or more sites metastasis (median OS: 3 months). Bone (56.9 %) was the most frequent site of metastasis (median OS: 4 months), followed by lung metastasis (37.6 %, median OS: 5 months), liver metastasis (22.1 %, median OS: 5 months), and brain metastasis (21.4 %, median OS: 4 months). Chemotherapy decreased the risk of death by 70 % (HR = 0.296, 95 % CI 0.241-0.363), 70 % (HR = 0.302, 95 % CI 0.224-0.406), 78 % (HR = 0.218, 95 % CI 0.151-0.314), and 70 % (HR = 0.302, 95 % CI 0.231-0.396) in patients harboring bone, liver, brain and lung metastases, respectively. The brain increased the risk of death by 50 % (HR = 1.501, 95 % CI 1.209-1.865), 64 % (HR = 1.644, 95 % CI 1.126-2.402), and 128 % (HR = 2.284, 95 % CI 1.653-3.157) in patients harboring bone, liver and lung metastases, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Patients with advanced-stage ASC have unfavorable outcomes. Early detection and aggressive treatment can improve patients outcomes.
PubMed: 38765098
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30641 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology Apr 2024The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is a potent negative regulator of T-cell-mediated immune response that is...
BACKGROUND
The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is a potent negative regulator of T-cell-mediated immune response that is upregulated in many neoplasms. Pancreaticobiliary adenosquamous carcinoma (PB-ASC) is an aggressive cancer that carries a poorer prognosis compared with pure pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinoma (PB-AC). To date, there is little published information regarding PD-L1 expression in PB-ASC. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between PD-L1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in PB-ASC and PB-AC.
METHODS
We evaluated 15 PB-ASCs (10 pancreatic, 5 gallbladder) and 34 control PB-ACs (22 pancreatic ductal, and 12 gallbladder) for tumor expression of PD-L1 using anti-PD-L1 (E1L3N) antibody. All tumors were classified into three immune phenotypes: immune inflamed (II), immune excluded (IE), and immune desert (ID) according to the distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in tumor tissues.
RESULTS
The frequency of PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in PB-ASC (10/15; 66.7%) than in PB-AC (3/34; 8.8%). In PB-ASC, PD-L1 expression occurred exclusively in the squamous component in six cases, exclusively in the glandular component in one case, and in both the squamous and the glandular components in three cases. PD-L1 expression in PB-ASC was irrespective of the tumor immune status, whereas its expression in PB-AC was observed only in tumors with the II or IE phenotype. The ID phenotype was relatively rare (4/15; 26.7%) in PB-ASC compared with PB-AC (22/34; 65%; P=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
PB-ASCs are notably enriched in inflammatory response and showed significantly higher PD-L1 expression than PB-AC (P<0.001), suggesting a potential therapeutic role for immune checkpoint inhibitors in managing patients with PB-ASC.
PubMed: 38756636
DOI: 10.21037/jgo-24-9 -
PloS One 2024It is unclear how telomere-binding protein TPP1 interacts with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and influences cervical cancer development and progression....
It is unclear how telomere-binding protein TPP1 interacts with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and influences cervical cancer development and progression. This study included all eligible 156 cervical cancers diagnosed during 2003-2008 and followed up through 2014, 102 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients, and 16 participants with normal cervix identified at the same period. Correlation of expression of TPP1 and hTERT in these lesions was assessed using Kappa statistics. TPP1 was knocked down by siRNA in three cervical cancer cell lines. We assessed mRNA expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein expression using tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical staining. We further analyzed the impact of TPP1 expression on the overall survival of cervical cancer patients by calculating the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the multivariable-adjusted Cox regression model. Compared to the normal cervix, high TPP1expression was significantly associated with CIN 3 and cervical cancers (P<0.001 for both). Expressions of TPP1 and hTERT were highly correlated in CIN 3 (Kappa statistics = 0.50, P = 0.005), squamous cell carcinoma (Kappa statistics = 0.22, P = 0.011), and adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma (Kappa statistics = 0.77, P = 0.001). Mechanistically, knockdown of TPP1 inhibited the expression of hTERT in both mRNA and protein levels. High expression of TPP1 (HR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.23-5.51) and co-high expression of TPP1 and hTERT (HR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.28-4.43) were independently associated with worse survival in cervical cancer patients. TPP1 and hTERT expression was correlated and high expression of TPP1 was associated with high risk of CIN 3 and cervical cancer and could predict a worse survival in cervical cancer.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Cell Line, Tumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Shelterin Complex; Telomerase; Telomere-Binding Proteins; Tripeptidyl-Peptidase 1; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 38722833
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298118 -
Cureus Apr 2024Cancer (including pancreatic cancer) can develop following a infection within one year of tuberculosis infection. However, it is unclear whether tuberculosis infection...
Cancer (including pancreatic cancer) can develop following a infection within one year of tuberculosis infection. However, it is unclear whether tuberculosis infection increases the risk of developing adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP), an extremely rare cancer with a poorer prognosis than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Herein, we report a case of rapid growing ASCP discovered upon a resection for neck tuberculous lymphadenitis. The patient was a 57-year-old woman. An excisional biopsy of the swollen right neck lymph nodes revealed tuberculous lymphadenitis. One month after the biopsy, an abdominal computed tomography scan showed a 2.0 cm (diameter) ischemic tumor in the pancreatic tail. The tissue obtained using endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration led to the pathological diagnosis of ASCP. Two months after the biopsy, the tumor had grown to 3.5 cm (diameter), and invasion of the stomach and colon was suspected. Distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, partial gastrectomy, and transverse colectomy were performed. The final diagnosis was ASCP (4.7 cm, pT3, pN0, cM0, and pStage IIA). Postoperative adjuvant combination chemotherapy combined with antituberculosis drugs was administered orally. We report the first case of rapidly growing adenosquamous carcinoma resected from the pancreas in association with tuberculous lymphadenitis. Additional evidence is needed to confirm that tuberculosis infection increases the risk of developing pancreatic adenosquamous cell carcinoma because its potential role in promoting squamous metaplasia is unclear.
PubMed: 38694677
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57382 -
Cureus Apr 2024(GBS), also known as , is a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic facultative anaerobe that causes neonatal pneumonia and sepsis. The neoplastic epithelial cells in adults,...
(GBS), also known as , is a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic facultative anaerobe that causes neonatal pneumonia and sepsis. The neoplastic epithelial cells in adults, especially those of squamous origin, can show special adhesive properties toward GBS, which tends to reside within these tumors. There are some animal and human studies proving this association. Here, we present a 64-year-old female patient who had lung carcinoma of mixed adeno and squamous origin found to have persistent GBS every time the bronchoscopy was done for tumor ablation or cryotherapy. Subsequently, after starting her on chemo-radiotherapy, she also presented with multiple episodes of pneumonia caused by GBS and Moreover, many animal studies have shown the anti-tumor properties of GBS toxin that can prevent its metastasis and stop vascular growth surrounding the tumor. This property of GBS toxin can prove a blessing in disguise.
PubMed: 38694652
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57377 -
International Journal of Gynecological... Feb 2024The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of intra-operative and post-operative complications in open and minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for patients... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of intra-operative and post-operative complications in open and minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
METHODS
Data were collected from the SUCCOR database of 1272 patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), 2009) who underwent radical hysterectomy in Europe between January 2013 and December 2014. We reviewed the duration of the surgeries, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, intra-operative and post-operative complications. The inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and histologic type (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma). Pelvic MRI confirming a tumor diameter ≤4 cm with no parametrial invasion and a pre-operative CT scan, MRI, or positron emission tomography CT demonstrating no extra-cervical metastatic disease were mandatory. Outcomes of interest were any grade >3 adverse events, intra-operative adverse events, post-operative adverse events, length of hospital stay, length of operation, and blood loss.
RESULTS
The study included 1156 patients, 633 (54%) in the open surgery group and 523 (46%) in the minimally invasive surgery group. Median age was 46 years (range 18-82), median body mass index 25 kg/m (range 15-68), and 1022 (88.3%) patients were considered to have an optimal performance status (ECOG Performance Status 0). The most common histologic tumor type was squamous carcinoma (n=794, 68.7%) and the most frequent FIGO staging was IB1 (n=510, 44.1%). In the minimally invasive surgery group the median duration of surgery was longer (240 vs 187 min, p<0.01), median estimated blood loss was lower (100 vs 300 mL, p<0.01), and median length of hospital stay was shorter (4 vs 7 days, p<0.01) compared with the abdominal surgery group. There was no difference in the overall incidence of intra-operative and post-operative complications between the two groups. Regarding grade I complications, the incidence of vaginal bleeding (2.9% vs 0.6%, p<0.01) and vaginal cuff dehiscence was higher in the minimally invasive surgery group than in the open group (3.3% vs 0.5%, p<0.01). Regarding grade III post-operative complications, bladder dysfunction (1.3% vs 0.2%, p=0.046) and abdominal wall infection (1.1% vs 0%, p=0.018) were more common in the open surgery group than in the minimally invasive surgery group. Ureteral fistula was more frequent in the minimally invasive group than in the open surgery group (1.7% vs 0.5%, p=0.037).
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that there was no significant difference in the overall incidence of intra-operative and post-operative complications between minimally invasive radical hysterectomy and the open approach.
Topics: Humans; Female; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Hysterectomy; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Adult; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Neoplasm Staging; Length of Stay; Intraoperative Complications
PubMed: 38669163
DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004657 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous tumor that occurs in the bile duct epithelium; adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare pathological subtype of CCA. The...
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous tumor that occurs in the bile duct epithelium; adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare pathological subtype of CCA. The clinical treatment of patients with metastatic distal CCA poses significant challenges. We report a 53-year-old female diagnosed with a stage III adenosquamous carcinomas of distal CCA. Metastasis occurred 4 months postoperatively and she was diagnosed with stage IV disease. The patient was treated with Gemcitabine + Oxaliplatin (GEMOX) and Capecitabine + Oxaliplatin (CAPEOX), followed by sintilimab monotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, the patient achieved partial response (PR) and the lesion continued to shrink. After 37 months of follow-up, the patient's liver metastasis had almost completely disappeared, and complete response (CR) was achieved. Moreover, she had more than 46 months of disease progression-free survival (PFS). Immunohistochemical testing showed high expression of PD-L1, and next-generation sequencing revealed the presence of mutations in DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the successful treatment of metastatic distal adenosquamous CCA with sintilimab alone. Remarkably, patients of CCA with high PD-L1 expression and DDR pathway gene mutations may benefit from sintilimab treatment.
PubMed: 38659574
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1336699 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Apr 2024
PubMed: 38641534
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.04.083 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... May 2024It is estimated that 1 out of 5 patients with cancer will experience bone metastasis. With non-small cell lung cancer by itself having 220.000 reported cases per year,...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
It is estimated that 1 out of 5 patients with cancer will experience bone metastasis. With non-small cell lung cancer by itself having 220.000 reported cases per year, but the prevalence of soft tissue metastasis from lung cancer is only 2.3 % making it commonly overlooked as a possible metastasis site.
CASE PRESENTATION
Male presents with a lump and pain on the right upper arm. A 8 cm × 8 cm mass was palpated under the biceps. CT-scan showed a lung lesion on the anterior segment. Shoulder MRI showed a dense, lobulated, and indefinitely demarcated soft tissue mass approximately 5.6 cm × 7.8 cm × 8.8 cm. The patient was treated with wide excision of the tumor. Core biopsy showed a metastatic adenosquamous carcinoma with suspected primary lesion from the respiratory tract. Treatment with targeted chemotherapy and radiotherapy were then done to the patient. The patient was discharged without any complications and is still at remission at the 6 months post-operative checkup.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
Soft tissue metastasis of lung cancer cell is a rare but a very real phenomenon. In our case the diagnosis of the soft tissue mass as a metastasis from the lungs was decided on a clinical, physical, radiological, and histological basis without using immunohistochemistry.
CONCLUSION
MRI, biopsy, and immunohistochemistry are traditionally needed to confirm the diagnosis but in select cases, radiological and microscopic examinations along with clinical correlation are enough to ascertain the diagnosis. While it is rare, a soft tissue metastasis should always be suspected in lung cancer patients that have a palpable mass.
PubMed: 38636161
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109621