Intraoperative electron radiation therapy as an important treatment modality in retroperitoneal sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Local recurrence (LR) rates in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) are high, ranging from 40% to 80%, with no definitive studies describing the best way to administer radiation. Intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy (IOERT) provides a theoretical advantage for access to the tumor bed with reduced toxicity to surrounding structures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of IOERT in high-risk patients.

METHODS

An institutional review board approved, single institution sarcoma database was queried to identify patients who received IOERT for treatment of RPS from 2/2001 to 1/2009. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression, and Fisher Exact tests.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (median age 51 y, 25-76 y) underwent tumor resection with IOERT (median dose 1250 cGy) for primary (n = 13) and recurrent (n = 5) RPS. Seventeen patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Eight high-grade and 10 low-grade tumors were identified. Median tumor size was 15 cm. Four patients died and two in the perioperative period. Median follow-up of survivors was 3.6 y. Five patients (31%) developed an LR in the irradiated field. Three patients with primary disease (25%) and two (50%) with recurrent disease developed an LR (P = 0.5). Four patients with high-grade tumors (57%) and one with a low-grade tumor (11%) developed an LR (P = 0.1). The 2- and 5-y OS rates were 100% and 72%. Two- and 5-y LR rates were 13% and 36%.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a multidisciplinary approach, we have achieved low LR rates in our high-risk patient population indicating that IOERT may play an important role in managing these patients.

Guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) expression in lymph nodes (LNs) as a determinant of recurrence in stage II colon cancer (CC) patients (pts)

3639

Background: The first phase of the multi-center prospectively specified retrospective study Validating Indicators To Associate Recurrence (VITAR), assessing the relationship between GCC gene expression in formalin fixed (FFPE) LNs and time to recurrence (TTR) in stage II CC pts not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (Sargent, Annals Surg Onc 2011), showed promising initial results. Here we report a validation set of 463 new stage II CC pts. Methods: GCC mRNA was quantified by RT-qPCR using FFPE LNs from untreated T3N0 CC pts diagnosed from 1999-2008 with at least 12 LNs examined , blinded to clinical outcomes. Patients were classified by GCC LN ratio (LNR) (high risk: LNR > 0.1; low risk: LNR ≤ 0.1), with LNR defined as ratio of GCC positive to GCC informative LNs. Cox regression models tested the relationship between GCC and the primary endpoint of TTR, adjusted for age, tumor grade, number of LN examined pathologically, and lymphovascular invasion. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was also assessed. All primary analyses and cut-points were pre-specified. Results: 46pts (10%) recurred (rec), median follow-up was 65 months, median LNs examined was 20, and 42% (195/463) were classified high risk. Overall, TTR was not significantly associated with binary GCC LNR risk class (HR=1.47, p=.208) or DFS (HR= 1.39, p=.097). One site’s (n=97) tissue grossing method precluded appropriate LN assessment with existing GCC qualification methods. Excluding this site resulted in a TTR HR=1.91, p=0.051 (multivariate). In a post-hocanalysis excluding this site and using a 3-level GCC risk group of high (LNR > 0.20), intermediate (0.10 < LNR < 0.20) and low (LNR < 0.10), high risk group pts had a 5-yr rec risk of 22% versus 8% in low risk (HR 2.72, p=0.006). MMR status was not significantly associated with TTR (multivariate p=0.30). Conclusions: GCC status is a promising prognostic factor in appropriately staged stage II CC pts not treated with adjuvant therapy independent of traditional histopathology risk factors, but GCC determination must be performed with methodology adapted to the tissue procurement and fixation technique. Outcome associations were strengthened when considering a 3-level GCC categorization.

Competence and confidence with basic procedural skills: the experience and opinions of fourth-year medical students at a single institution

PURPOSE

Data indicate that students are unprepared to perform basic medical procedures on graduation. The authors' aim was to characterize graduating students' experience with and opinions about these skills.

METHOD

In 2011, an online survey queried 156 fourth-year medical students about their experience with, and actual and desired levels of competence for, nine procedural skills (Foley catheter insertion, nasogastric tube insertion, venipuncture, intravenous catheter insertion, arterial puncture, basic suturing, endotracheal intubation, lumbar puncture, and thoracentesis). Students self-reported competence on a four-point Likert scale (4=independently performs skill; 1=unable to perform skill). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Student t test. A five-point Likert scale was used to assess student confidence.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-four (86%) students responded. Two skills were performed more than two times by over 50% of students: Foley catheter insertion and suturing. Mean level of competence ranged from 3.13±0.75 (Foley catheter insertion) to 1.7±0.7 (thoracentesis). A gap in desired versus actual level of competence existed for all procedures (P<.0001). There was a correlation between the number of times a procedure had been performed and self-reported competence for all skills except arterial puncture and suturing.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants had performed most skills infrequently and rated themselves as being unable to perform them without assistance. Strategies to improve student experience and competence of procedural skills must evolve to improve the technical competency of graduating students because their current competency varies widely.

Surgical practice patterns and long-term survival for early-stage rectal cancer

459

Background: Local excision (LE) is considered a standard option only for patients with T1N0 rectal cancer and those who are medically unfit for proctectomy. The growing numbers of case series suggest that use of LE may be increasing. The objectives of this study are to characterize practice patterns for surgical management of rectal cancer and determine the comparative effectiveness of LE versus proctectomy for overall survival (OS) for Stage I rectal cancer. Methods: National Cancer Database data were used to identify all patients with rectal cancer diagnosed from 1998-2010. Patient and tumor characteristics associated with procedure type were examined. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards models, controlling for patient and tumor characteristics and receipt of radiation (XRT), were used to compare OS for Stage I cases from 1998-2005. Results: 147,553 (50%) of 296,068 cases were excluded due to prior malignancy, non-invasive disease, distant metastases, failure to receive definitive surgery, treatment indicated to be palliative, or receipt of neoadjuvant therapy. 76,756 (69%) cases were treated with proctectomy and 34,697 (31%) with LE. Use of LE steadily increased from 23% in 1998 to 41% in 2010, p<0.001. LE was most commonly used for Stage I cases. Women, older patients, patients with less comorbidities, black patients, uninsured patients, and those with T1 tumors were more likely to receive LE than other Stage I patients. Socioeconomic status and rurality were not associated with use of LE. Adjuvant XRT was used for 12% of T1 tumors and 46% of T2 tumors after LE and 5% of T1 tumors and 12% of T2 tumors after proctectomy. For patients with T1N0 tumors, adjusted OS was associated with receipt of proctectomy (HR 0.83; 95%CI 0.77, 0.89) but not XRT. For patients with T2N0 tumors, adjusted OS was associated with both proctectomy and XRT: LE only HR 1.0; proctectomy only HR 0.70; LE+XRT HR 0.70; proctectomy+XRT HR 0.70. Conclusions: Use of LE for rectal cancer is increasing. LE alone is associated with poorer long-term OS than proctectomy. For patients with larger tumors, those that receive adjuvant XRT in addition to LE have significantly better OS than those who receive LE alone.

Epstein-barr virus infected gastric adenocarcinoma expresses latent and lytic viral transcripts and has a distinct human gene expression profile

BACKGROUND

EBV DNA is found within the malignant cells of 10% of gastric cancers. Modern molecular technology facilitates identification of virus-related biochemical effects that could assist in early diagnosis and disease management.

METHODS

In this study, RNA expression profiling was performed on 326 macrodissected paraffin-embedded tissues including 204 cancers and, when available, adjacent non-malignant mucosa. Nanostring nCounter probes targeted 96 RNAs (20 viral, 73 human, and 3 spiked RNAs).

RESULTS

In 182 tissues with adequate housekeeper RNAs, distinct profiles were found in infected versus uninfected cancers, and in malignant versus adjacent benign mucosa. EBV-infected gastric cancers expressed nearly all of the 18 latent and lytic EBV RNAs in the test panel. Levels of EBER1 and EBER2 RNA were highest and were proportional to the quantity of EBV genomes as measured by Q-PCR. Among protein coding EBV RNAs, EBNA1 from the Q promoter and BRLF1 were highly expressed while EBNA2 levels were low positive in only 6/14 infected cancers. Concomitant upregulation of cellular factors implies that virus is not an innocent bystander but rather is linked to NFKB signaling (FCER2, TRAF1) and immune response (TNFSF9, CXCL11, IFITM1, FCRL3, MS4A1 and PLUNC), with PPARG expression implicating altered cellular metabolism. Compared to adjacent non-malignant mucosa, gastric cancers consistently expressed INHBA, SPP1, THY1, SERPINH1, CXCL1, FSCN1, PTGS2 (COX2), BBC3, ICAM1, TNFSF9, SULF1, SLC2A1, TYMS, three collagens, the cell proliferation markers MYC and PCNA, and EBV BLLF1 while they lacked CDH1 (E-cadherin), CLDN18, PTEN, SDC1 (CD138), GAST (gastrin) and its downstream effector CHGA (chromogranin). Compared to lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix, gastric cancers expressed CLDN18, EPCAM, REG4, BBC3, OLFM4, PPARG, and CDH17 while they had diminished levels of IFITM1 and HIF1A. The druggable targets ERBB2 (Her2), MET, and the HIF pathway, as well as several other potential pharmacogenetic indicators (including EBV infection itself, as well as SPARC, TYMS, FCGR2B and REG4) were identified in some tumor specimens.

CONCLUSION

This study shows how modern molecular technology applied to archival fixed tissues yields novel insights into viral oncogenesis that could be useful in managing affected patients.

Early Recurrence in Sentinel Lymph Node Positive Stage III Melanoma Patients

Patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) positive melanoma have a significant recurrence risk. We sought to examine variables associated with development of early recurrence. A prospective institutional review board-approved database of cutaneous melanoma patients treated from 2003 to 2010 was used to identify SLN positive stage III patients with 1 year of follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method, and logistic regression were used to evaluate variables associated with early recurrence. Seventy-four patients were identified. Twenty-four (32%) had an early recurrence. Five variables were highly significantly associated with early recurrence: location of head/neck, Breslow depth greater than two, ulceration, number of lymph nodes positive ≥ 2, and largest lymph node metastasis >1 mm. Using these five variables, a numerical risk score was created from 0 to 5 to determine if an early recurrence occurred as the number of risk factors increased. The proportion of patients with early recurrence increased in linear fashion with increasing risk score ( P < 0.0001). These data suggest that SLN positive stage III melanoma patients have a significant risk of early recurrence, which is associated with several defined variables and increases with the number of risk factors present. These data may be useful in stratifying patients to level of recurrence risk and adjusting follow-up schedules.

Early recurrence in sentinel lymph node positive stage III melanoma patients

Patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) positive melanoma have a significant recurrence risk. We sought to examine variables associated with development of early recurrence. A prospective institutional review board-approved database of cutaneous melanoma patients treated from 2003 to 2010 was used to identify SLN positive stage III patients with 1 year of follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method, and logistic regression were used to evaluate variables associated with early recurrence. Seventy-four patients were identified. Twenty-four (32%) had an early recurrence. Five variables were highly significantly associated with early recurrence: location of head/neck, Breslow depth greater than two, ulceration, number of lymph nodes positive ≥ 2, and largest lymph node metastasis > 1 mm. Using these five variables, a numerical risk score was created from 0 to 5 to determine if an early recurrence occurred as the number of risk factors increased. The proportion of patients with early recurrence increased in linear fashion with increasing risk score (P < 0.0001). These data suggest that SLN positive stage III melanoma patients have a significant risk of early recurrence, which is associated with several defined variables and increases with the number of risk factors present. These data may be useful in stratifying patients to level of recurrence risk and adjusting follow-up schedules.

KRAS mutation as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

444

Background: It is well known that KRAS mutations limit the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However the role of KRAS mutations in patients who undergo a curative liver resection for mCRC is less clear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the relationship between KRAS mutation status and survival in this patient population.

Methods: We examined an IRB approved tissue repository and retrospective database of 129 patients from 1998-2010 who underwent curative liver resection for mCRC. Tumors were sequenced for KRAS codons 12, 13, and 61 mutations using pyrosequencing. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression method.

Results: The median follow-up for our cohort was 20.4mo (0.4-112). Mean age was 61.4±12.3. Prior to surgical resection 55 (43%) patients received chemotherapy. 35 (27%) tumors were KRAS mutant (mt), 83 (64%) were wild-type (wt), and 11 (9%) were not characterized. Median OS for KRAS wt patients was 40.3mo vs. 27.1mo for KRAS mt patients (p=0.046). Median DFS for KRAS wt was 13.6mo vs. 7.7mo for KRAS mt patients (p=0.037). 8 patients received cetuximab post–operatively. Cetuximab status was unknown in 50 patients. When we excluded those treated with cetuximab, the median OS was 40mo for KRAS wt vs. 25mo for KRAS mt patients (p=0.007). There were no differences in OS or DFS in patients who received cetuximab (p=0.7). In a multivariable model with pre-operative chemotherapy (p=0.2), extent of resection (p=0.053), and cetuximab therapy (p=0.7), the presence of KRAS mutation was independently associated with poor prognosis (HR=2.7 [1.3-5.5]).

Conclusions: In patients undergoing curative liver resection for mCRC, KRAS mutation status is independently predictive of a worse outcome regardless of cetuximab therapy. KRAS status may be associated with more aggressive tumor biology. Our data supports the critical need to define KRAS mutation status and to develop therapies against KRAS and its downstream effectors.

Evaluation of the prognostic value of guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) lymph node (LN) classification in patients with stage II colon cancer: A pooled analysis

443

Background: Identification of a sensitive and specific prognostic marker would aid in the management of patients (pts) with standard histopathology node negative colon cancer (CC). We conducted a pooled individual pt data analysis to confirm the prognostic value of GCC for disease recurrence in untreated stage II CC.

Methods: GCC mRNA was quantified by RT-qPCR using formalin-fixed LN from 310 stage II pts diagnosed from 1991-2006 enrolled in two studies (Sargent 2011 [study1] and Haince 2009 [study2]). Patients were classified by GCC LN ratio (LNR) (high risk: LNR ≥ 0.1; low risk: LNR < 0.1), with LNR defined as number of GCC positive LN divided by number of informative LNs. Clinical outcomes included time to recurrence (TTR), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Stratified log-rank tests and multivariate Cox models assessed the association between clinical outcomes and GCC LN status.

Results: The 5-year recurrence rate in study 1 (n=241) was 15.8%, 24.9% in study 2 (n=69). GCC LNR high risk pts had significantly higher risk of TTR, OS, DSS and DFS, which remained after adjusting for age, T stage, grade, number of LNs examined, and presence of lymphovascular invasion ( Table ). In a secondary analysis of low risk stage II pts (T3, ≥12 LNs examined, and negative surgical margins, n=241), a strong relationship between GCC LNR and each endpoint remained (TTR HR=4.34, 95% CI=2.07 – 9.13, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Pts with GCC LNR high risk status have significantly poorer outcomes compared to pts with low risk status, particularly among those traditionally considered to be low risk.

[Table: see text]

Utilization and morbidity associated with placement of a feeding jejunostomy at the time of gastroesophageal resection

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the utilization and morbidity associated with feeding jejunostomy tubes (JT) placed at the time of gastroesophageal resection (GER).

METHODS

Under institutional review board approval, a prospective database of patients undergoing GER from January 2004 to September 2010 was reviewed. Data analyzed included patient demographics, postoperative complications, JT use, and JT specific complications. Fisher's exact tests explored associations with utilization of a JT following resection.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients (51 men, 22 women, median age of 59) underwent placement of a JT at the time of GER (total gastrectomy = 28, Ivor-Lewis = 28, subtotal gastrectomy = 8, proximal gastrectomy  = 6, and transhiatal esophagectomy  = 3) of both malignant (97%) and benign (3%) disease processes. Twenty-one JT specific complications (11 minor and 10 major) were identified. Reoperation was required in the management of two complications (small bowel obstructions), while all other complications were easily managed by an interventional radiologist (n = 8), bedside procedure (n = 5), or did not require intervention (n = 6). Eighty-six percent of patients were discharged tolerating a postgastrectomy diet, 10% nothing per orem, and 4% a liquid diet. Inpatient enteral nutrition (EN) was initiated in 68%, but continued on discharge in only 54% secondary to failure to thrive (54%), dysphagia (21%), anastomic leak (15%), chyle leak (3%), esophagostomy (3%), and duodenal stump leak (3%). The mean time to discontinuance of EN and removal of the JT was 44 days (range, 4-203) and 71 days (range, 15-337) respectively. Although only 13% (n = 5) of patients requiring adjuvant therapy were utilizing their JT at the commencement of therapy, 75% (n = 21) required EN during its course. The median time to adjuvant therapy was found to be slightly longer in those who required outpatient EN versus those who did not (61 vs. 90 days, p = 0.08). However, the median time to adjuvant therapy did not differ between those who were and were not receiving EN at the time of adjuvant therapy commencement (80 vs. 92 days, p = 0.2). Age (p = 0.4), number of co-morbidities (p = 0.2), preoperative percent body weight loss (p = 0.9), and clinical stage (p = 0.8) were not significantly associated with outpatient JT use. Patients who suffered a postoperative complication were most likely to require EN (p = 0.002), an association that strengthened as the number of complications increased (p = 0.0008). Although not statistically significant, a trend towards increased outpatient EN was noted in patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy and total gastrectomy (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

JT placement carries a considerable morbidity in patients undergoing GER. However, because it is difficult to preoperatively ascertain who will need prolonged EN, the routine placement of a JT is recommended, particularly in those who will likely require adjuvant therapy or are at high risk for postoperative complications. Despite patient desires for early removal of an unused JT, caution should be taken if adjuvant therapy is being considered.

Utilization of Interventional Radiology in the Postoperative Management of Patients after Surgery for Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer

The surgical management of locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer requires complex operations frequently resulting in complicated postoperative courses. We sought to evaluate the utilization of interventional radiologic (IR) procedures in the management of postoperative complications. Under Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database of colorectal cancer patients undergoing resection from July 1999 to January 2010 was analyzed. Data collected included demographics, operative procedure, complications, length of stay, and IR utilization. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression explored associations with necessitating an IR procedure during the postoperative period. Continuous variables were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. One hundred and one patients underwent surgery and 66 received intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). Primary procedures included pelvic exenteration (n = 35), abdominoperineal resection (n = 25), low anterior resection (n = 23), paraaortic node dissection (n = 7), resection of isolated pelvic/retroperitoneal tumor (n = 7), and colectomy (n = 4). Sixty-two patients required multivisceral resection including partial/total cystectomy (n = 30), small bowel resection (n = 25), oophorectomy (n = 15), vaginectomy (n = 12), hysterectomy (n = 12), hepatectomy (n = 3), and nephrectomy (n = 3). Seventeen partial sacral resections and 47 pelvic sidewall resections were also required. One hundred and thirty-eight complications were identified in 72 patients, 30 of which required a procedural intervention. Twenty-seven IR procedures were performed including drainage of fluid collections (n = 14), nephrostomy tube placement (n = 8), arterial embolization (n = 2), inferior vena cava filter placement (n = 2), and pleural drainage (n = 1). Only three reoperations were required, none related to failure of IR procedures. There were no deaths. Estimated blood loss > 2000 mL ( P = 0.002), IOERT ( P = 0.03), and incomplete resection ( P = 0.02) were found to be associated with postoperative IR utilization. Surgery for locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity but low mortality. IR procedures play a significant role in the postoperative management of these patients and may decrease the need for reoperation.

Utilization of interventional radiology in the postoperative management of patients after surgery for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer

The surgical management of locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer requires complex operations frequently resulting in complicated postoperative courses. We sought to evaluate the utilization of interventional radiologic (IR) procedures in the management of postoperative complications. Under Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database of colorectal cancer patients undergoing resection from July 1999 to January 2010 was analyzed. Data collected included demographics, operative procedure, complications, length of stay, and IR utilization. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression explored associations with necessitating an IR procedure during the postoperative period. Continuous variables were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. One hundred and one patients underwent surgery and 66 received intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). Primary procedures included pelvic exenteration (n = 35), abdominoperineal resection (n = 25), low anterior resection (n = 23), paraaortic node dissection (n = 7), resection of isolated pelvic/retroperitoneal tumor (n = 7), and colectomy (n = 4). Sixty-two patients required multivisceral resection including partial/total cystectomy (n = 30), small bowel resection (n = 25), oophorectomy (n = 15), vaginectomy (n = 12), hysterectomy (n = 12), hepatectomy (n = 3), and nephrectomy (n = 3). Seventeen partial sacral resections and 47 pelvic sidewall resections were also required. One hundred and thirty-eight complications were identified in 72 patients, 30 of which required a procedural intervention. Twenty-seven IR procedures were performed including drainage of fluid collections (n = 14), nephrostomy tube placement (n = 8), arterial embolization (n = 2), inferior vena cava filter placement (n = 2), and pleural drainage (n = 1). Only three reoperations were required, none related to failure of IR procedures. There were no deaths. Estimated blood loss > 2000 mL (P = 0.002), IOERT (P = 0.03), and incomplete resection (P = 0.02) were found to be associated with postoperative IR utilization. Surgery for locally advanced primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity but low mortality. IR procedures play a significant role in the postoperative management of these patients and may decrease the need for reoperation.

Young Women with Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Who Achieve Breast Conservation after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Have a Low Local Recurrence Rate

Women with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) who are breast conservation (BCT) candidates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have the best long-term outcome and low local-regional recurrence (LRR) rates. However, young women are thought to have a higher risk of LRR based on historical data. This study sought to evaluate LRR rates in young women who undergo BCT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We identified 122 women aged 45 years or younger with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage II to III breast cancer, excluding T4d, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 1991 to 2007 from a prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved, single-institution database. Data were analyzed using Fisher eExact test, Wilcoxon tests, and the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up was 6.4 years. Fifty-four (44%) patients had BCT and 68 (56%) mastectomy. Forty-six per cent were estrogen receptor-positivity and 28 per cent overexpressed Her2. Mean pretreatment T size was 5.6 cm in the BCT group and 6.7 cm in the mastectomy group ( P = 0.04). LRR rates were no different after BCT compared with mastectomy (13 vs 18%, P = 0.6). Higher posttreatment N stage ( P < 0.001) and AJCC stage ( P = 0.008) were associated with LRR but not pretreatment staging. Disease-free survival was better for patients achieving BCT, with 5-year disease-free survival rates of 82 per cent (95% CI, 69 to 90%) compared with 58 per cent (95% CI, 45 to 69%) for mastectomy ( P = 0.03). Young women with LABC who undergo BCT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy appear to have similar LRR rates compared with those with mastectomy. This suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy may identify young women for whom BCT may have an acceptable risk of LRR.

Young women with locally advanced breast cancer who achieve breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a low local recurrence rate

Women with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) who are breast conservation (BCT) candidates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have the best long-term outcome and low local-regional recurrence (LRR) rates. However, young women are thought to have a higher risk of LRR based on historical data. This study sought to evaluate LRR rates in young women who undergo BCT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We identified 122 women aged 45 years or younger with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage II to III breast cancer, excluding T4d, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 1991 to 2007 from a prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved, single-institution database. Data were analyzed using Fisher eExact test, Wilcoxon tests, and the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up was 6.4 years. Fifty-four (44%) patients had BCT and 68 (56%) mastectomy. Forty-six per cent were estrogen receptor-positivity and 28 per cent overexpressed Her2. Mean pretreatment T size was 5.6 cm in the BCT group and 6.7 cm in the mastectomy group (P = 0.04). LRR rates were no different after BCT compared with mastectomy (13 vs 18%, P = 0.6). Higher posttreatment N stage (P < 0.001) and AJCC stage (P = 0.008) were associated with LRR but not pretreatment staging. Disease-free survival was better for patients achieving BCT, with 5-year disease-free survival rates of 82 per cent (95% CI, 69 to 90%) compared with 58 per cent (95% CI, 45 to 69%) for mastectomy (P = 0.03). Young women with LABC who undergo BCT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy appear to have similar LRR rates compared with those with mastectomy. This suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy may identify young women for whom BCT may have an acceptable risk of LRR.

Impact of breast cancer molecular subtypes on locoregional recurrence in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Gene expression studies have identified distinct breast cancer subtypes, including luminal A, luminal B, Her2-enriched, and Basal-like, which differ in survival. The impact of subtypes on locoregional recurrence (LRR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer is unknown.

METHODS

A total of 149 patients with stage II and III breast cancer with known ER, PR, and HER2 who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 1991 to 2005 were analyzed. We used clinical assays to distinguish luminal A (ER or PR+/HER2-, n = 55), luminal B (ER or PR+/HER2+, n = 25), HER2 (ER and PR-/HER2+, n = 20), and Basal-like (ER, PR, and HER2-, n = 49) subtypes. Covariates associated with LRR were evaluated by logistic regression and differences between subtypes tested using Wald χ(2).

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 55 months. Forty-nine (33%) patients had breast conservation (BCT) with radiation, 82 (55%) had a mastectomy with radiation, and 18 (12%) had a mastectomy alone. Eighty-eight (59%) were clinically node positive. A pathologic complete response was seen in 39 (26%) patients. LRR was identified in 11 (7%) patients: 2 after BCT (4%) and 9 after mastectomy (9%). LRR rates by subtype are as follows: luminal A 2 of 55 (4%), luminal B 1 of 25 (4%), Her2 1 of 20 (5%), and basal-like 7 of 49 (14%). Compared with all other subtypes, basal-like patients were more likely to have a LRR (7/49 (14%) vs. 4/100 (4%), p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular subtype predicts LRR with basal-like patients more likely to develop LRR. These patients may be candidates for investigation with novel chemotherapy regimens and radiation sensitizing agents, which may offer improvement in local control.

Surgical treatment of esophagogastric dysfunction forty years after reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty for congenital esophageal anomaly

BACKGROUND

In 1968, Burrington first described use of the reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty for esophageal replacement in children with esophageal atresia or acquired stenosis. There are few documented cases of long-term follow-up of these patients.

CASE REPORT

We describe a 41-year-old female who presented with progressive dysphagia 40 years after reverse gastric tube for a congenital esophageal stenosis as an infant. Repeated endoscopic dilations were unsuccessful in relieving her symptoms, and she subsequently underwent a modified Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy with resection of the reverse gastric tube and reconstruction using her remaining gastric remnant.

CONCLUSIONS

This report describes what we believe to be the longest recorded follow-up after reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty and highlights the potential for long-term complications after surgery for congenital anomalies.