Breast Angiosarcoma Surveillance Study: UK national audit of management and outcomes of angiosarcoma of the breast and chest wall

BACKGROUND

Breast angiosarcomas are rare tumours of vascular origin. Secondary angiosarcoma occurs following radiotherapy for breast cancer. Angiosarcomas have high recurrence and poor survival rates. This is concerning owing to the increasing use of adjuvant radiotherapy for the treatment of invasive breast cancer and ductal cancer in situ (DCIS), which could explain the rising incidence of angiosarcoma. Outcome data are limited and provide a poor evidence base for treatment. This paper presents a national, trainee-led, retrospective, multicentre study of a large angiosarcoma cohort.

METHODS

Data for patients with a diagnosis of breast/chest wall angiosarcoma between 2000 and 2015 were collected retrospectively from 15 centres.

RESULTS

The cohort included 183 patients with 34 primary and 149 secondary angiosarcomas. Median latency from breast cancer to secondary angiosarcoma was 6 years. Only 78.9 per cent of patients were discussed at a sarcoma multidisciplinary team meeting. Rates of recurrence were high with 14 of 28 (50 per cent ) recurrences in patients with primary and 80 of 124 (64.5 per cent ) in those with secondary angiosarcoma at 5 years. Many patients had multiple recurrences: total of 94 recurrences in 162 patients (58.0 per cent). Median survival was 5 (range 0-16) years for patients with primary and 5 (0-15) years for those with secondary angiosarcoma. Development of secondary angiosarcoma had a negative impact on predicted breast cancer survival, with a median 10-year PREDICT prognostic rate of 69.6 per cent, compared with 54.0 per cent in the observed cohort.

CONCLUSION

A detrimental impact of secondary angiosarcoma on breast cancer survival has been demonstrated. Although not statistically significant, almost all excess deaths were attributable to angiosarcoma. The increased use of adjuvant radiotherapy to treat low-risk breast cancer and DCIS is a cause for concern and warrants further study.

Absence of Meckel Cave: A Rare Cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition with numerous etiologies. In this retrospective case series, we report a cohort of patients with a rarely described entity, absence of Meckel cave, and propose this as a rare cause of trigeminal neuralgia. A search of the electronic medical record was performed between 2000 and 2020 to identify MR imaging reports with terms including "Meckel's cave" and "hypoplasia," "atresia," "collapse," or "asymmetry." Images were reviewed by 2 blinded, board-certified neuroradiologists. Seven cases of the absence of Meckel cave were identified. Seven patients (100%) had ipsilateral trigeminal neuralgia and ipsilateral trigeminal nerve atrophy, suggesting an association between absence of Meckel cave and trigeminal neuralgia. Absence of Meckel cave is a rare entity of unknown etiology, with few existing reports that suggest the possibility of an association with trigeminal neuralgia. Its recognition may have important implications in patient management. Future studies and longitudinal data are needed to assess treatment outcomes and added risks from surgical intervention in these patients.

A proposed "Radiological Evaluation Score for Bone Tumors" (REST): An objective system for assessment of a radiograph in patients with suspected bone tumor

BACKGROUND

Although radiographs have been widely used in the evaluation of patients with suspected bone tumors, the lack of an objective radiological assessment method leads to a challenge in reaching correct diagnosis. The study aimed to propose a Radiological Evaluation Score for Bone Tumors (REST) which includes eight radiological factors [characteristics, content, cortical breach, distinctiveness, distribution, periosteal reaction, fracture, and soft tissue swelling] to form a single score along with its validation by multidisciplinary observers.

METHODS

We reviewed the radiographs of 100 patients with a primary bone tumor which were selected at random from the database between January 2017 and January 2019 of a tertiary cancer center. Four reviewers (two orthopedic oncologists and two surgical oncologists) independently assessed the radiographs, based on the reporting system of REST. We constituted two groups according to the probable diagnosis of bone tumor (suspected benign tumor and suspected malignant tumor).

RESULTS

The mean score in the suspected benign tumor group was 1.1 (range 0-3, 95% CI 0.8-1.3) and in malignant tumor group was 6.1 (range 2-8, 95% CI 5.8-6.4). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for REST was with a cutoff of 3.5, with the most diagnostic value area under curve (AUC) of 0.99. The sensitivity was 98% and specificity was 100% with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98%. The inter-observer correlation coefficient was 0.985 (p value < 0.05), and Fleiss kappa value for the prediction of the benign or malignant lesion was 0.97 (p value < 0.05). The characteristics and content of tumor, cortical erosion, distinctiveness, distribution, periosteal reaction, and soft tissue mass had a significant correlation with the aggressiveness of bone lesion p value < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

The Radiological Evaluation Score for Bone Tumors (REST) is a structured reporting and objective method for the assessment of radiographs in patients with suspected bone tumors. This method is a reliable and helpful tool for clinicians in their outdoor patient department to differentiate a radiograph of a suspected benign tumor from a malignant bone tumor.

935 Stridor in Multiple System Atrophy: An Otolaryngologist Perspective

Background

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare emergency presentation for Parkinson's disease (PD) but an acknowledged complication of an atypical rarer form of PD called Multi system atrophy ( MSA). MSA is a neurodegenerative disorder comprising of autononic failure, cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism. An early occurence of stridor can indicate a shorten survival and quality of life remains uncertain. Airway definitive management of this patient group can pose a dilemma for the Otolaryngologist who may be asked to provide a specialist opinion.

Case: We present a case of a 73 year old female who developed mild stridor, hours after an emergency right sided hemiarthroplasty. On day 23 of her admission, there was a sudden airway deteoriation. The otolaryngology and anasthetic emergency team stablised her conservatively with an option of non invasive ventilation. Bilateral vocal cord palsy was observed on nasendoscopy On day 27, she was eventually diagnosed with MSA and showed partial response to a trial of madopar. Both options of a tracheostomy and laser cordotomy were avoided. She was safely discharged with follow up.

Conclusions

There remains gaps in the literature towards an unaminous consensus on stridor management in MSA patients. However, raising awareness of this patient groups will strenghten decision making processes.

P18: CONVENTIONAL DUPUYTREN'S DIATHESIS FACTORS ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH POOR OUTCOME FOLLOWING SURGERY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction

Dupuytren's diathesis describes an aggressive disease course with tendency for recurrence or extension following intervention. Conventional factors associated with Dupuytren's diathesis are ethnicity, family history, bilateral and ectopic disease. Disease recurrence is not the only cause of poor outcome following intervention. This systematic review aimed to identify all factors that have been investigated for a potential association with the development, progression, recurrence and outcome of treatment in Dupuytren's diathesis.

Method

A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL using a PRISMA-compliant methodology up to February 2019 was conducted. Abstract screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Included prognostic cohort studies were quality assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Study tool.

Result

The search revealed 2,661 records from which 11 full text articles reported both conventional diathesis factors and outcomes (in addition to recurrence) following intervention for Dupuytren's in 938 patients. Collectively 67% underwent fasciectomy and seven outcomes were reported: three patient reported outcome measures (DASH, quick-DASH and EQ-5D), three functional measures (grip strength, joint angle correction and range of motion) and treatment complications. Two studies used multiple univariate statistical techniques and found no significant association between diathesis factors and disease outcome.

Conclusion

This systematic review challenges conventional notions of Diathesis factors and provides a comprehensive appraisal of factors associated with poor outcome following intervention for Dupuytren's disease.

Take-home message

Conventional factors associated with recurrence in Dupuytren's disease are not associated with poor outcome following intervention.

A99 OPTIMIZING COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURES AND REDUCING PATIENT ANXIETY THROUGH RECENTLY DEVELOPED ONLINE INFORMATION RESOURCES

Background

Invasive medical procedures such as colonoscopies are known to cause psychological distress and anxiety. Patient anxiety leads to reduce patient compliance for colonoscopy and increased adverse effects. Patient education prior to colonoscopy has previously been shown to have positive effects on outcomes and experience. Based on patient and provider input, we have developed easy to read written materials and easy to follow video materials, which other patients have rated highly. These, along with other materials, are embedded on Mycolonoscopy.ca. Mycolonoscopy.ca is a website that provides online information access for patients regarding preparation and peri-procedural expectations. Information about accessing the website is provided with appointment materials (which includes information about split-dose versus one day bowel preparation, giving patients the option between the two) mailed to all patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy in Winnipeg.

Aims

(1) To evaluate the current use of mycolonoscopy.ca among patients undergoing colonoscopy (2) To determine whether there is an association between visitation to the website and patient outcomes such as reduction in procedural anxiety, bowel preparation tolerance/compliance, and bowel preparation score.

Methods

A paper-based survey was given out to patients at their colonoscopy appointments. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed to determine the factors associated with website visitation and association with procedural anxiety, bowel preparation compliance and bowel preparation scores.

Results

A total of 593 participants were given the surveys, of which 506 were completed. 17.4% of participants had visited the website prior to their colonoscopy. Visitors to mycolonoscopy.ca and those that had heard of the website were more likely to consume a split-dose bowel preparation (63.9% and 68.2% respectively) compared with non-visitors (52.5%) (p=0.0062). Individuals who consumed split-dose bowel preparation had a median Boston bowel preparation score of 9, compared with a score of 7 for individuals who used other forms of preparation (p&lt;0.0001). 31.3% of website visitors were very or extremely worried about their colonoscopy compared with 17.9% of non-visitors. 76.6% of individuals agreed or strongly agreed that visiting the website helped them prepare for their colonoscopy and 69.7% who visited the website agreed or strongly agreed that it helped to reduce their stress/anxiety for the procedure as well.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that use of an informative online platform such as mycolonoscopy.ca can help to improve patient education prior to colonoscopy, reduce anxiety and stress surrounding the procedure, and improve bowel preparation compliance and bowel cleansing score.

Funding Agencies

CAG

A136 LIVING ON THE EDGE: EUS-DIRECTED TRANSGASTRIC ERCP (EDGE) IN PATIENTS WITH ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS ANATOMY

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery imposes anatomic barriers to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Potential options for biliary access in these patients include laparoscopic-assisted ERCP or balloon enteroscopy. However, these approaches require specialized equipment and/or operating room personnel and are associated with high rates of failure and adverse events compared to conventional ERCP. A recently described technique, EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE), is an entirely endoscopic approach which involves accessing the excluded stomach to facilitate conventional ERCP.

Objectives

To describe the results of EDGE procedures performed in two centres in British Columbia.

Aims

To describe the results of EDGE procedures performed in two centres in British Columbia.

Methods

Data were collected from five patient cases who had undergone an EDGE procedure at Victoria General Hospital (4) or Vancouver General Hospital (1) in British Columbia from 2019 to 2020. All patients had a history of RYGB bariatric surgery. In each of the procedures, a 20 mm diameter lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) was deployed under EUS-guidance to allow access from the gastric remnant or proximal jejunum to the excluded stomach. Subsequently, during a separate procedure 4 to 28 days later, a duodenoscope was passed through the LAMS to perform ERCP. Following ERCP, the LAMS was removed 0 to 38 days later and replaced with a double pigtail stent to facilitate controlled closure of the gastro-jejunal or gastro-gastric fistula.

Results

Of the five cases included in the case series, 4 patients underwent EDGE for treatment of choledocholithiasis and one patient underwent the procedure for gallstone pancreatitis. The technical success rate of the EDGE procedure in the five cases was 100%. Clinical success, defined by normalization of bilirubin and symptomatic relief, was observed in all of the cases. There were no adverse events related to the EDGE procedure in these five cases.

Conclusions

The results of this series support EDGE as a safe and minimally invasive approach to biliary access and therapy in patients with previous RYGB surgery.

Funding Agencies

None

A novel post stamp technique for conservative management of OKC: Rai Technique

A novel technique of Conservative management of OKCs via post stamp method of removing the buccal cortical plate of posterior mandible to expose the cystic lesion and carried out enucleation, curettage and chemical cauterization has been described in the present paper. Also the diseased bone has been used as a bone graft to maintain the contour deformity of the mandible. The present technique has been used in 9 patients with good quality of life and postoperative esthetic results with five years follow up.

A proposed ''A to Z RAM (Radiograph Assessment Method)'' for triage of patients with a suspected bone tumour

INTRODUCTION

We propose a ''A to Z RAM (Radiograph Assessment Method)'' for evaluation of Radiograph of patients with a suspected bone tumour.

METHODS

In the current study, ten radiological features with letters 'A, B, C, D, E, F and Z' were used and which included the age of the patient, involved part of the bone, characteristics, content, distinctiveness, the exterior of the bone, fracture, and zone of transition. Four independent observers (orthopaedic oncologists and surgical oncologists) evaluated a set of 30 radiographs of bone tumour selected at random from our hospital database based on A to Z RAM. We classified the lesions into two groups according to the traffic signal system; Green (suspected benign lesion) and Red (suspected malignant lesion).

RESULTS

There were 18 (60%) benign bone lesions and 12 (40%) malignant lesions in the current study. 91.6% of malignant tumours and 88.8% of the benign tumours were identified correctly by the four observers. The inter-observer variability with Fleiss kappa was 0.884 (95% CI 0.7-1.03 p-value < 0.05), suggestive of agreement not by chance. These radiographs were again reassessed by the four observers after 3 months. The interobserver variability by Fleiss kappa was 1.0 (95% CI 0.8-1.1) suggesting complete agreement amongst the observers. Both orthopaedic oncologists had intra-observer kappa as 1.0 each and both surgical oncologists had 0.795 and 0.930 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The proposed A to Z RAM is an easy to use and reproducible method for reviewing radiographs in the out-patient department along with clinical findings for better management of patients with suspected bone lesions. The A to Z RAM can be a medical triage tool and subdivide bone lesions into two subgroups i.e. suspected benign lesion with a suggestion of further investigations with MRI and biopsy and suspected malignant lesion with a suggestion of MRI or early referral to a tertiary cancer center with expertise in orthopaedic oncology.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The A to Z RAM (Radiologic Assessment Method) is a reproducible method for reviewing radiographs in the out-patient department and can be an aid for better management of patients. A to Z RAM is useful as a medical triage system, subdividing patients according to the probable diagnosis into a suspected benign lesion and suspected malignant lesion.

Incomplete surgical excision of keratinocyte skin cancers: a systematic review and meta‐analysis*

BACKGROUND

Keratinocyte or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the commonest malignancy worldwide. The usual treatment is surgical excision. Current guidelines underestimate incomplete excision rates.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the risk of incomplete excision of NMSCs through a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary clinical studies.

METHODS

A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using methodology proposed by Cochrane (PROSPERO CRD42019157936). A comprehensive search strategy was applied to MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, EMCare, Cochrane Library and the grey literature (January 2000-27 November 2019). All studies were included except those on Mohs micrographic surgery, frozen section or biopsies. Abstract screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using a tool for prevalence/incidence studies. The primary outcome was the proportion of incomplete surgical excisions. A random-effects model for pooling of binomial data was used. Differences between proportions were assessed by subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression, which were presented as risk ratios (RRs).

RESULTS

Searching identified 3477 records, with 110 studies included, comprising 53 796 patients with 106 832 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and 21 569 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The proportion of incomplete excisions for BCC was 11·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9·7-12·4] and for SCC 9·4% (95% CI 7·6-11·4). Proportions of incomplete excisions by specialty were: dermatology, BCCs 6·2% and SCCs 4·7%; plastic surgery, BCCs 9·4% and SCCs 8·2%; general practitioners, BCCs 20·4% and SCCs 18·9%. The risk of incomplete excision for general practitioners was four times that of dermatologists for both BCCs (RR 3·9, 95% CI 2·0-7·3) and SCCs (RR 4·8, 95% CI 1·0-22·8). Studies were heterogeneous (I²  = 98%) and at high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of incomplete excisions is higher than previously reported. Excisions performed by specialists may lower the risk of incomplete excision.

Augmenting aesthetic chills using a wearable prosthesis improves their downstream effects on reward and social cognition

Previous studies on aesthetic chills (i.e., psychogenic shivers) demonstrate their positive effects on stress, pleasure, and social cognition. We tested whether we could artificially enhance this emotion and its downstream effects by intervening on its somatic markers using wearable technology. We built a device generating cold and vibrotactile sensations down the spine of subjects in temporal conjunction with a chill-eliciting audiovisual stimulus, enhancing the somatosensation of cold underlying aesthetic chills. Results suggest that participants wearing the device experienced significantly more chills, and chills of greater intensity. Further, these subjects reported sharing the feelings expressed in the stimulus to a greater degree, and felt more pleasure during the experience. These preliminary results demonstrate that emotion prosthetics and somatosensory interfaces offer new possibilities of modulating human emotions from the bottom-up (body to mind). Future challenges will include testing the device on a larger sample and diversifying the type of stimuli to account for negatively valenced chills and intercultural differences. Interoceptive technologies offer a new paradigm for affective neuroscience, allowing controlled intervention on conscious feelings and their downstream effects on higher-order cognition.

Tipping the immunostimulatory and inhibitory DAMP balance to harness immunogenic cell death

Induction of tumor cell death is the therapeutic goal for most anticancer drugs. Yet, a mode of drug-induced cell death, known as immunogenic cell death (ICD), can propagate antitumoral immunity to augment therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the molecular hallmark of ICD features the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by dying cancer cells. Here, we show that gemcitabine, a standard chemotherapy for various solid tumors, triggers hallmark immunostimualtory DAMP release (e.g., calreticulin, HSP70, and HMGB1); however, is unable to induce ICD. Mechanistic studies reveal gemcitabine concurrently triggers prostaglandin E2 release as an inhibitory DAMP to counterpoise the adjuvanticity of immunostimulatory DAMPs. Pharmacological blockade of prostaglandin E2 biosythesis favors CD103+ dendritic cell activation that primes a Tc1-polarized CD8+ T cell response to bolster tumor rejection. Herein, we postulate that an intricate balance between immunostimulatory and inhibitory DAMPs could determine the outcome of drug-induced ICD and pose COX-2/prostaglandin E2 blockade as a strategy to harness ICD.