Outcomes of Distal Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in the Netherlands: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Large multicenter series on outcomes and predictors of survival after distal pancreatectomy (DP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are scarce.

METHODS

Adults who underwent DP for PDAC in 17 Dutch pancreatic centers between January 2005 and September 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome was survival, and predictors of survival were identified using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 761 consecutive patients after DP were assessed, of whom 620 patients were excluded because of non-PDAC histopathology (n = 616) or a lack of data (n = 4), leaving a total of 141 patients included in the study [45 % (n = 63) male, mean age 64 years (SD = 10)]. Multivisceral resection was performed in 43 patients (30 %) and laparoscopic resection was performed in 7 patients (5 %). A major complication (Clavien-Dindo score of III or higher) occurred in 46 patients (33 %). Mean tumor size was 44 mm (SD 23), and histopathological examination showed 70 R0 resections (50 %), while 30-day and 90-day mortality was 3 and 6 %, respectively. Overall, 63 patients (45 %) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Median survival was 17 months [interquartile range (IQR) 13-21], with a median follow-up of 17 months (IQR 8-29). Cumulative survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 64, 29, and 22 %, respectively. Independent predictors of worse postoperative survival were R1/R2 resection [hazard ratio (HR) 1.6, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.4], pT3/pT4 stage (HR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.3-2.9), a major complication (HR 1.7, 95 % CI 1.1-2.5), and not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 1.5, 95 % CI 1.0-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Survival after DP for PDAC is poor and is related to resection margin, tumor stage, surgical complications, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Further studies should assess to what extent prevention of surgical complications and more extensive use of adjuvant chemotherapy can improve survival.

Colorectal Liver Metastasis, Primary Gallbladder Carcinoma and Myelofibrosis Present Simultaneously in a Liver Resection Specimen

Myelofibrosis and gallbladder carcinoma are both very rare diseases. This case report describes a patient with a history of myelofibrosis and colorectal carcinoma who was diagnosed with colorectal liver metastases. Surgery was performed to remove the metastases, and on site, the gallbladder was removed because of involvement in one of the liver lesions. After pathological examination, a primary gallbladder carcinoma and myelofibrosis were found in addition to the liver metastases. The combination of diseases was not likely to be interconnected but rather an unlucky course of events for the patient.

Pre-operative sentinel lymph node localization in breast cancer with superparamagnetic iron oxide MRI: the SentiMAG Multicentre Trial imaging subprotocol

OBJECTIVE

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) tracer was shown to be non-inferior to the standard combined technique in the SentiMAG Multicentre Trial. The MRI subprotocol of this trial aimed to develop a magnetic alternative for pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy (LS). We evaluated the feasibility of using MRI following the administration of magnetic tracer for pre-operative localization of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and its potential for non-invasive identification of lymph node (LN) metastases.

METHODS

Patients with breast cancer scheduled to undergo SLNB were recruited for pre-operative LS, single photon emission CT (SPECT)-CT and SPIO MRI. T1 weighted turbo spin echo and T2 weighted gradient echo sequences were used before and after interstitial injection of magnetic tracer into the breast. SLNs on MRI were defined as LNs with signal drop and direct lymphatic drainage from the injection site. LNs showing inhomogeneous SPIO uptake were classified as metastatic. During surgery, a handheld magnetometer was used for SLNB. Blue or radioactive nodes were also excised. The number of SLNs and MR assessment of metastatic involvement were compared with surgical and histological outcomes.

RESULTS

11 patients were recruited. SPIO MRI successfully identified SLNs in 10 of 11 patients vs 11 of 11 patients with LS/SPECT-CT. One patient had metastatic involvement of four LNs, and this was identified in one node on pre-operative MRI.

CONCLUSION

SPIO MRI is a feasible technique for pre-operative localization of SLNs and, in combination with intraoperative use of a handheld magnetometer, provides an entirely radioisotope-free technique for SLNB. Further research is needed for the evaluation of MRI characterization of LN involvement using subcutaneous injection of magnetic tracer.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study is the first to demonstrate that an interstitially administered magnetic tracer can be used both for pre-operative imaging and intraoperative SLNB, with equal performance to imaging and localization with radioisotopes.

Surgical treatment of nonpalpable primary invasive and in situ breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most-common cancer among women worldwide, and over one-third of all cases diagnosed annually are nonpalpable at diagnosis. The increasingly widespread implementation of breast-screening programmes, combined with the use of advanced imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), will further increase the numbers of patients diagnosed with this disease. The current standard management for nonpalpable breast cancer is localized surgical excision combined with axillary staging, using sentinel-lymph-node biopsy in the clinically and radiologically normal axilla. Wire-guided localization (WGL) during mammography is a method that was developed over 40 years ago to enable lesion localization preoperatively; this technique became the standard of care in the absence of a better alternative. Over the past 20 years, however, other technologies have been developed as alternatives to WGL in order to overcome the technical and outcome-related limitations of this technique. This Review discusses the techniques available for the surgical management of nonpalpable breast cancer; we describe their advantages and disadvantages, and highlight future directions for the development of new technologies.

Personalisation of breast cancer follow-up: a time-dependent prognostic nomogram for the estimation of annual risk of locoregional recurrence in early breast cancer patients

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a time-dependent logistic regression model for prediction of locoregional recurrence (LRR) of breast cancer and a web-based nomogram for clinical decision support. Women first diagnosed with early breast cancer between 2003 and 2006 in all Dutch hospitals were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (n = 37,230). In the first 5 years following primary breast cancer treatment, 950 (2.6 %) patients developed a LRR as first event. Risk factors were determined using logistic regression and the risks were calculated per year, conditional on not being diagnosed with recurrence in the previous year. Discrimination and calibration were assessed. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. Data on primary tumours diagnosed between 2007 and 2008 in 43 Dutch hospitals were used for external validation of the performance of the nomogram (n = 12,308). The final model included the variables grade, size, multifocality, and nodal involvement of the primary tumour, and whether patients were treated with radio-, chemo- or hormone therapy. The index cohort showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.84, 0.77, 0.70, 0.73 and 0.62, respectively, per subsequent year after primary treatment. Model predictions were well calibrated. Estimates in the validation cohort did not differ significantly from the index cohort. The results were incorporated in a web-based nomogram (http://www.utwente.nl/mira/influence). This validated nomogram can be used as an instrument to identify patients with a low or high risk of LRR who might benefit from a less or more intensive follow-up after breast cancer and to aid clinical decision making for personalised follow-up.

Long-term effects of a regional care pathway for patients with rectal cancer

PURPOSE

Introducing care pathways is seen as a method to realise patient-focussed care conform evidence-based guidelines. The goal of this study is to determine the long-term effects of a regional care pathway for patients with rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data on almost 400 patients with rectal carcinoma from three hospitals were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit. Results on seven structure and process indicators were analysed and compared before and at two time points after implementing a regional care pathway over a total period from 2007 to 2012. To determine motivation and interpret the results, relevant professionals of the participating hospitals were interviewed.

RESULTS

After implementing the care pathway, the performance of computed tomography (CT) scans in the diagnostic phase significantly improved (p = 0.007/0.07). The number of patients discussed in the preoperative multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting improved significantly (p = <0.001), and after implementing the care pathway, 94% of the patients were discussed. Further, a significant reduction in time between the first tumour biopsy and the MDT meeting was realised (p = 0.01). Professionals stated that the regional care pathway has led to more clarity about the patient route and more awareness about complying with evidence-based guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

The regional care pathway provided a solid basis for uniforming care, working according evidence-based guidelines and further cooperation on regional level. For mainly the waiting and throughput times, the guidelines and norms had probably a stronger effect on the results than the care pathway.

Successful treatment of fulminant postoperative bleeding due to acquired haemophilia

Acquired haemophilia is a rare but life-threatening phenomenon in patients who have undergone surgical treatment. We describe a patient with a history of pancreatic cancer and a conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy, who underwent elective resection of an enterocutaneous fistula, complicated by fulminant haemorrhagic shock, caused by acquired haemophilia A. Eventually, the bleeding was controlled by a combination of aggressive haemostatic and immunosuppressive therapy. Prompt diagnosis of acquired haemophilia is crucial to allow early and appropriate haemostatic treatment and reduce the period of increased bleeding risk by eradicating the inhibitor with immunosuppressive therapy.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery versus surgery alone in high-risk patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases: the CHARISMA randomized multicenter clinical trial

Background

Efforts to improve the outcome of liver surgery by combining curative resection with chemotherapy have failed to demonstrate definite overall survival benefit. This may partly be due to the fact that these studies often involve strict inclusion criteria. Consequently, patients with a high risk profile as characterized by Fong’s Clinical Risk Score (CRS) are often underrepresented in these studies. Conceptually, this group of patients might benefit the most from chemotherapy. The present study evaluates the impact of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk patients with primary resectable colorectal liver metastases, without extrahepatic disease. Our hypothesis is that adding neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery will provide an improvement in overall survival (OS) in patients with a high-risk profile.

Methods/Design

CHARISMA is a multicenter, randomized, phase III clinical trial. Patients will be randomized to either surgery alone (standard treatment, arm A) or to 6 cycles of neo-adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, followed by surgery (arm B). Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age with liver metastases of histologically confirmed primary colorectal carcinoma. Patients with extrahepatic metastases are excluded. Liver metastases must be deemed primarily resectable. Only patients with a CRS of 3–5 are eligible. The primary study endpoint is OS. Secondary endpoints are progression free survival (PFS), quality of life, morbidity of resection, treatment response on neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and whether CEA levels can predict treatment response.

Discussion

CHARISMA is a multicenter, randomized, phase III clinical trial that will provide an answer to the question if adding neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery will improve OS in a well-defined high-risk patient group with colorectal liver metastases.

Trial registration

The CHARISMA is registered at European Union Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT), number: 2013-004952-39, and in the “Netherlands national Trial Register (NTR), number: 4893.

Metachronous metastases from colorectal cancer: a population-based study in North-East Netherlands

PURPOSE

The main cause of death of colorectal cancer patients is metastatic disease. Approximately 20-25% of the patients present with metastases at time of diagnosis. The clinical course of patients who develop metachronous metastases, however, is less clear. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence, treatment and survival of patients with metachronous metastases from colorectal cancer and to determine risk factors for developing metachronous metastases.

METHODS

From the Netherlands Cancer Registry, patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma in the period 2002-2003 in North-East Netherlands were selected. Patients were followed for 5 years after diagnosis of the primary tumour. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to determine predictors for developing metastases and to analyse overall survival.

RESULTS

In total, 333 of 1743 (19%) patients developed metachronous metastases. The majority (83%) of these metastases were diagnosed within 3 years, and the most frequent site was the liver. Patients with advanced stage and patients with tumours in the descending colon or in the rectum were more likely to develop metastases. Approximately 10% of all patients underwent intentionally curative treatment for their metastases, with a 5-year survival rate of 60%. Treatment of metastases and pathologic N (pN) status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Site and stage of the primary tumour were predictors for developing metachronous metastases. A limited number of patients with metastatic disease were treated with a curative intent. These patients had a good prognosis. Therefore, focus should be on identifying more patients who could benefit from curative treatment.

[A woman with a symptomatic abdominal swelling]

A 51-year-old woman visited the surgery outpatient clinic with an abdominal swelling. The swelling had become larger over the past few years and caused mechanical complaints. With MRI a liver cyst measuring 14 x 11 cm was diagnosed. The patient underwent laparoscopic deroofing of the liver cyst.

Meta-analysis of superficial versus deep injection of radioactive tracer and blue dye for lymphatic mapping and detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of care for axillary staging in early breast cancer. Currently, no consensus exists on the optimal site of injection of the radioactive tracer or blue dye.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing superficial and deep injections of radioactive tracer or blue dye for lymphatic mapping and SLNB was performed. The axillary and extra-axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification rates obtained by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative SLNB were evaluated. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent c.i. were estimated using fixed-effect analyses, or random-effects analyses if there was statistically significant heterogeneity (P < 0·050).

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between superficial and deep injections of radioactive tracer for axillary SLN identification on lymphoscintigraphy (OR 1·59, 95 per cent c.i. 0·79 to 3·17), during surgery (OR 1·27, 0·60 to 2·68) and for SLN identification using blue dye (OR 1·40, 0·83 to 2·35). The rate of extra-axillary SLN identification was significantly greater when deep rather than superficial injection was used (OR 3·00, 1·92 to 4·67). The discordance rate between superficial and deep injections ranged from 4 to 73 per cent for axillary and from 0 to 61 per cent for internal mammary node mapping.

CONCLUSION

Both superficial and deep injections of radioactive tracer and blue dye are effective for axillary SLN identification. Clinical consequences of discordance rates between the two injection techniques are unclear. Deep injections are associated with significantly greater extra-axillary SLN identification; however, this may not have a significant impact on clinical management.

A nationwide comparison of laparoscopic and open distal pancreatectomy for benign and malignant disease

BACKGROUND

Cohort studies from expert centers suggest that laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is superior to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) regarding postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. But the generalizability of these findings is unknown because nationwide data on LDP are lacking.

STUDY DESIGN

Adults who had undergone distal pancreatectomy in 17 centers between 2005 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. First, all LDPs were compared with all ODPs. Second, groups were matched using a propensity score. Third, the attitudes of pancreatic surgeons toward LDP were surveyed. The primary outcome was major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III).

RESULTS

Among 633 included patients, 64 patients (10%) had undergone LDP and 569 patients (90%) had undergone ODP. Baseline characteristics were comparable, except for previous abdominal surgery and mean tumor size. In the full cohort, LDP was associated with fewer major complications (16% vs 29%; p = 0.02) and a shorter median [interquartile range, IQR] hospital stay (8 days [7-12 days] vs 10 days [8-14 days]; p = 0.03). Of all LDPs, 33% were converted to ODP. Matching succeeded for 63 LDP patients. After matching, the differences in major complications (9 patients [14%] vs 19 patients [30%]; p = 0.06) and median [IQR] length of hospital stay (8 days [7-12 days] vs 10 days [8-14 days]; p = 0.48) were not statistically significant. The survey demonstrated that 85% of surgeons welcomed LDP training.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite nationwide underuse and an impact of selection bias, outcomes of LDP seemed to be at least noninferior to ODP. Specific training is welcomed and could improve both the use and outcomes of LDP.

Isosorbide dinitrate ointment vs botulinum toxin A (Dysport) as the primary treatment for chronic anal fissure: a randomized multicentre study

AIM

Nitric oxide donors, such as isosorbide dinitrate ointment (ISDN), are considered as first-choice agents in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. Injection with botulinum toxin A in the internal anal sphincter is often used as a second-line therapy, although it may give better results and fewer side effects than nitric oxide donors. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to investigate whether botulinum toxin A (Dysport) is more effective than ISDN in the primary treatment of chronic anal fissure.

METHOD

From April 2005 until October 2009, 60 patients (32 men) with a median age of 42 (25-82) years were randomized to receive either ISDN 10 mg/ml (1%) (n = 33) or injection with 60 units of Dysport (n = 27). The primary end-point was the percentage of complete fissure healing after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

After a median of 9 weeks complete fissure healing was noted in 18 of 27 patients in the Dysport group and in 11 of 33 patients in the ISDN group (P = 0.010). Absolute improvement of pain scores after 9 weeks was similar in both groups (P = 0.733). Patients treated with Dysport had fewer side effects than patients treated with ISDN (P = 0.028). Of the patients with a healed fissure, 28% of the Dysport group and 50% of the ISDN group had a recurrence within 1 year (P = 0.286; hazard ratio 2.08; 95% CI = 0.54-7.97).

CONCLUSION

Dysport is more effective than ISDN ointment and has fewer side effects in the primary treatment of chronic anal fissure. The recurrence rate within 1 year in both treatment groups is high.

Hepatocellular carcinoma after danazol treatment for hereditary angio-oedema

Hereditary angio-oedema is characterised by recurrent episodes of laryngeal, intra-abdominal, facial or peripheral oedema. Danazol can be used as prophylaxis for recurrent attacks. Hepatotoxicity is a recognised adverse effect of danazol. We report an exceptional case of a danazol-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in a 75-year-old patient with hereditary angio-oedema.

High 1-year complication rate after anterior resection for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical options after anterior resection for rectal cancer include a primary anastomosis, anastomosis with a defunctioning stoma, and an end colostomy. This study describes short-term and 1-year outcomes of these different surgical strategies.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgical resection for primary mid and high rectal cancer were retrospectively studied in seven Dutch hospitals with 1-year follow-up. Short-term endpoints were postoperative complications, re-interventions, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality. One-year endpoints were unplanned readmissions and re-interventions, presence of stoma, and mortality.

RESULTS

Nineteen percent of 388 included patients received a primary anastomosis, 55% an anastomosis with defunctioning stoma, and 27% an end colostomy. Short-term anastomotic leakage was 10% in patients with a primary anastomosis vs. 7% with a defunctioning stoma (P = 0.46). An end colostomy was associated with less severe re-interventions. One-year outcomes showed low morbidity and mortality rates in patients with an anastomosis. Patients with a defunctioning stoma had high (18%) readmissions and re-intervention (12%) rates, mostly due to anastomotic leakage. An end colostomy was associated with unplanned re-interventions due to stoma/abscess problems. During follow-up, there was a 30% increase in patients with an end colostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a high 1-year morbidity rate after anterior resection for rectal cancer. A defunctioning stoma was associated with a high risk for late complications including anastomotic leakage. An end colostomy is a safe alternative to prevent anastomotic leakage, but stomal problems cannot be ignored. Selecting low-risk patients for an anastomosis may lead to favorable short- and 1-year outcomes.

Abdominal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

A 28-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, weight loss and a palpable intra-abdominal mass. A CT scan revealed a tumor with a diameter of 7 cm with sharp margins, intra-tumoral fatty components and enhancing soft tissue. After initial workup, which suggested an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), she underwent laparotomy with complete resection. Pathological examination indeed revealed IMT. IMT is a rare benign neoplasm and has been described in nearly the entire body. It presents with nonspecific symptoms. The therapy of abdominal IMT consists of radical surgery because of high local recurrence rates. In this case report clinical, surgical, radiological and histological features with a review of the relevant literature are described.

Cauda equina syndrome secondary to complicated diverticulitis

A 58-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with cauda equina syndrome and sepsis. The symptoms were attributed to a complicated episode of sigmoid diverticulitis. MRI showed that the diverticulitis had caused an intra-abdominal fistula to a presacrally localized abscess expanding into the spinal canal, compressing the cauda equina nerves. Although Hartmann's procedure was performed, the neurological symptoms persisted, causing the patient to remain partially paraplegic. This case report illustrates that cauda equina syndrome is a condition that can also be caused by intra-abdominal pathology such as diverticulitis.

Appearance of breast cysts in planar geometry photoacoustic mammography using 1064-nm excitation

In the search for improved imaging modalities for detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, a high negative prediction value is also important. Photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging is a relatively new technique that has high potential for visualizing breast malignancies, but little is known about the photoacoustic appearance of benign lesions. In this work, we investigate the visibility of benign breast cysts in forward-mode photoacoustic mammography using 1064-nm light, as currently applied in the Twente photoacoustic mammoscope. Results from (Monte Carlo and k-wave) simulations and phantom measurements were used to interpret results from patient measurements. There was a strong agreement among the results from simulations, phantom, and patient measurements. Depending on the absorption contrast between cyst and breast tissue, cysts were visible as either one or two confined high-contrast areas representing the front and the back of the cyst, respectively. This edge enhancement is most likely the consequence of the local sudden change in the absorbed energy density and Grüneisen coefficients. Although the current forward-mode single-wavelength photoacoustic mammoscope cannot always unambiguously discriminate cysts from malignancies, this study reveals specific features of cysts compared to malignancies, which can be exploited for discrimination of the two abnormalities in future modifications of the imager.

Changing patterns of recurrent disease in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Due to changes in staging, (neo)-adjuvant treatment and surgical techniques for colorectal cancer (CRC), it is expected that the recurrence pattern will change as well. This study aims to report the current incidence of, and time to recurrent disease (RD), further the localization(s) and the eligibility for successive curative treatment.

METHODS

A consecutive cohort of CRC patients, whom were routinely staged with CT and underwent curative treatment according to the national guidelines, was analyzed (n = 526).

RESULTS

After a mean and median FU of 39 months, 20% of all patients and 16% of all AJCC stage 0-III patients had developed RD. The annual incidences were the highest in the first two years but tend to retain in the succeeding years for stage 0-III patients. The majority of RD was confined to one organ (58%) and 28% of these patients were again treated with curative intent.

CONCLUSIONS

In follow-up nowadays, less recurrences are found than reported in historical studies but these can more often be treated with curative intent. A main cause for the decreased incidence of RD, next to improvements in treatment, is probably stage shift elicited by pre-operative staging. The outcomes support continuation of follow-up in colorectal cancer.

A phrygian cap

A Phrygian cap is a congenital anomaly of the gallbladder with an incidence of 4%. It can simulate a mass in the liver during hepatobiliary imaging and is sometimes mistaken for pathology. A Phrygian cap, however, has no pathological significance and normally causes no symptoms. A case will be presented where a Phrygian cap was found by coincidence during surgery. The patient was operated for colon cancer with liver metastasis in segment V. He underwent a simultaneous right hemicolectomy and wedge resection of the liver lesion. During perioperative inspection, a gallbladder with a folded fundus was seen. This deformity was, in retrospective, detected on the preoperative MRI scan. The patient underwent cholecystectomy to make the wedge resection easier to perform. Otherwise, cholecystectomy for a Phrygian cap is only indicated in case of symptoms. Radiographic imaging can be helpful in narrowing the differential diagnosis. To our knowledge, there is no recent literature about the Phrygian cap and its imaging aspects. Nowadays, multiphase MRI, or multiphase CT in case of MRI contraindication, are the first choices of hepatobiliary imaging.

Individual risk profiling for breast cancer recurrence: towards tailored follow-up schemes

Background:

Breast cancer follow-up is not tailored to the risk of locoregional recurrences (LRRs) in individual patients or as a function of time. The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors and to estimate individual and time-dependent LRR risk rates.

Methods:

Prognostic factors for LRR were identified by a scoping literature review, expert consultation, and stepwise multivariate regression analysis based on 5 years of data from women diagnosed with breast cancer in the Netherlands in 2005 or 2006 (n=17 762). Inter-patient variability was elucidated by examples of 5-year risk profiles of average-, medium-, and high-risk patients, whereby 6-month interval risks were derived from regression estimates.

Results:

Eight prognostic factors were identified: age, tumour size, multifocality, gradation, adjuvant chemo-, adjuvant radiation-, hormonal therapy, and triple-negative receptor status. Risk profiles of the low-, average-, and high-risk example patients showed non-uniform distribution of recurrence risks (2.9, 7.6, and 9.2%, respectively, over a 5-year period).

Conclusion:

Individual risk profiles differ substantially in subgroups of patients defined by prognostic factors for recurrence and over time as defined in 6-month time intervals. To tailor follow-up schedules and to optimise allocation of scarce resources, risk factors, frequency, and duration of follow-up should be taken into account.

Brain abscess after transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization: a case report

A relatively new therapy in the treatment of hemorrhoids is transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD). We report a case of brain abscess caused by Streptococcus milleri following THD. Although a brain abscess after drainage of a perianal abscess has been described in the literature, no report exists of a brain abscess following treatment of hemorrhoids. A healthy 51-year-old man with hemorrhoids underwent THD. Two weeks later he presented with a headache, bradyphrenia, flattened behavior and a left hemiplegia. No perianal complaint and/or perianal abscess was present. A contrast CT scan of the cerebrum showed a right temporoparieto-occipital abscess, with edema and compression of the surrounding tissue and lateral ventricles. MRI showed an abscess with leakage in the right lateral ventricle. Treatment with dexamethasone and intravenous antibiotics was started. Because of progression of symptoms, 3 weeks later ventriculoscopy was performed and the abscess was drained. Culture of the punctuate showed S. milleri. Because of developing hydrocephalus 3 days after ventriculoscopy, first an external ventricle drain and later a ventriculoperitoneal drain was placed. Hereafter the hemiplegia and cognitive disorders improved. This case report describes a severe complication following treatment of hemorrhoids with THD which until now, to our knowledge, has never been described in the literature.

Quantitative analysis of superparamagnetic contrast agent in sentinel lymph nodes using ex vivo vibrating sample magnetometry

As the first step in developing a new clinical technique for the magnetic detection of colorectal sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), a method is developed to measure the magnetic content in intact, formalin fixated lymph nodes using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). A suspension of superparamagnetic nanoparticles is injected ex vivo around the tumor in the resected colon segments. A selection of three lymph nodes is excised from the region around the tumor and is separately measured in the VSM. The iron content in the lymph nodes is quantified from the magnetic moment curve using the Langevin model for superparamagnetism and a bimodal particle size distribution. Adverse, parasitic movements of the sample were successfully reduced by tight fixation of the soft tissue and using a small vibration amplitude. Iron content in the lymph nodes is detected with 0.5 μg accuracy and ranged from 1 to 51 μg. Histological staining confirmed iron presence. The current method of measuring intact biological tissue in a VSM is suitable to show the feasibility and merit of magnetic detection of SLNs in colorectal cancer. For clinical validation of magnetic SLN selection in colorectal cancer, a new magnetometer with high specificity for superparamagnetic nanoparticles is required.

Validation of the Dutch functional, communicative and critical health literacy scales

OBJECTIVE

While most existing health literacy (HL) measures focus primarily on reading comprehension, the functional, communicative and critical HL scales from Ishikawa et al. [19] aim to measure a broader HL spectrum. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Dutch translation of this instrument.

METHODS

Two survey studies (n = 79 and n = 209) and one cognitive interview study (n = 18) were performed among samples of breast cancer patients and patients with rheumatic diseases.

RESULTS

Analyses showed the scales measured three distinct factors and convergent validity was satisfactory for communicative and critical HL. Nevertheless, the comprehension of the items and the suitability of the response options raised some problems.

CONCLUSION

The HL scales seem promising to measure a broad definition of HL. By revising some of the items and response options as proposed in this article, the scale will become more understandable for people with low HL skills, which might increase the content validity and the distributional properties of the scale.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The scale should be revised and revalidated. An improved version should be used in practice to gain insight into HL levels of patients. This will help to develop suitable education programs for people with low HL skills.

Future Prospects in Breast Cancer Research - Cancer Stem Cells

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. Although significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis and management are made, still every year half a million women die of breast cancer. Personalised treatment has the potential to increase treatment efficacy, and hence decrease mortality rates. Moreover, understanding cancer biology and translating this knowledge to the clinic, will improve the breast cancer therapy regime tremendously. Recently, it has been proposed that cancer stem cells (CSC) play an important role in tumour biology. CSC have the ability for self-renewal and are pivotal in setting the heterogeneous character of a tumour. Additionally, CSC possess several characteristics that make them resistant and more aggressive to the conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. Nowadays, breast cancer therapy is focused on killing the differentiated tumour cells, leaving the CSC unharmed, potentially causing recurrence of the disease and metastasis. Specific targeting of the CSC will improve the disease-free survival of breast cancer patients. In this article, two methods are described, aiming at specifically attacking the differentiated tumour cells ('Apoptosis chip') and the cancer stem cell. For this, microfluidics is used.