Therapeutic Value of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients With Melanoma: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a standard staging procedure for cutaneous melanoma. Regional disease control is a clinically important therapeutic goal of surgical intervention, including nodal surgery.

Objective

To determine how frequently SLN biopsy without completion lymph node dissection (CLND) results in long-term regional nodal disease control in patients with SLN metastases.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-II), a prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial, randomized participants with SLN metastases to either CLND or nodal observation. The current analysis examines observation patients with regard to regional nodal recurrence. Trial patients were aged 18 to 75 years with melanoma metastatic to SLN(s). Data were collected from December 2004 to April 2019, and data were analyzed from July 2020 to January 2022.

Interventions

Nodal observation with ultrasonography rather than CLND.

Main Outcomes and Measures

In-basin nodal recurrence.

Results

Of 823 included patients, 479 (58.2%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 52.8 (13.8) years. Among 855 observed basins, at 10 years, 80.2% (actuarial; 95% CI, 77-83) of basins were free of nodal recurrence. By univariable analysis, freedom from regional nodal recurrence was associated with age younger than 50 years (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34-0.70; P < .001), nonulcerated melanoma (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.36-0.49; P < .001), thinner primary melanoma (less than 1.5 mm; HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27-0.78; P = .004), axillary basin (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44-0.86; P = .005), fewer positive SLNs (1 vs 3 or more; HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.14-0.75; P = .008), and SLN tumor burden (measured by diameter less than 1 mm [HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.26-0.60; P = .001] or less than 5% area [HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.54; P < .001]). By multivariable analysis, younger age (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.84; P = .004), thinner primary melanoma (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.70; P = .002), axillary basin (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.96; P = .03), SLN metastasis diameter less than 1 mm (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33-0.81; P = .007), and area less than 5% (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38-0.88; P = .01) were associated with basin control. When looking at the identified risk factors of age (50 years or older), ulceration, Breslow thickness greater than 3.5 mm, nonaxillary basin, and tumor burden of maximum diameter of 1 mm or greater and/or metastasis area of 5% or greater and excluding missing value cases, basin disease-free rates at 5 years were 96% (95% CI, 88-100) for patients with 0 risk factors, 89% (95% CI, 82-96) for 1 risk factor, 86% (95% CI, 80-93) for 2 risk factors, 80% (95% CI, 71-89) for 3 risk factors, 61% (95% CI, 48-74) for 4 risk factors, and 54% (95% CI, 36-72) for 5 or 6 risk factors.

Conclusions and Relevance

This randomized clinical trial was the largest prospective evaluation of long-term regional basin control in patients with melanoma who had nodal observation after removal of a positive SLN. SLN biopsy without CLND cleared disease in the affected nodal basin in most patients, even those with multiple risk factors for in-basin recurrence. In addition to its well-validated value in staging, SLN biopsy may also be regarded as therapeutic in some patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00297895.

Hepatic lobe torsion: A rare disease necessitating surgical management

BACKGROUND

Accessory liver lobes and other congenital liver abnormalities are rare and most often asymptomatic. However, these abnormalities can result in liver torsion, requiring surgical resection.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a 72-year-old woman with hepatic lobe torsion. She presented with an acute onset of chest pain and was discovered to have hypoperfusion of the left lobe of the liver on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. An exploratory laparotomy revealed left hepatic lobe torsion with irreversible ischemic changes requiring left hepatic lobe resection.

CONCLUSION

Even though hepatic torsion is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for abdominal pain and appropriately imaged so that surgical teams can prepare for the complex surgical procedure.

What is the Risk of Diagnostic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography before Cholecystectomy?

Many surgeons prefer to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before cholecystectomy, specifically in patients at significant risk of having biliary pathology. However, a preoperative diagnostic ERCP, without the use of an endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy, remains controversial. This is the result of the risk of either performing an unnecessary procedure and/or the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We performed a retrospective review of all surgeon-performed ERCPs at our institution between July 2011 and May 2013. This was done to examine patients who had pericholecystectomy ERCP. We had 550 ERCPs performed at our institution during this time period, 169 of which were pericholecystectomy procedures. We divided the 169 patients who had a diagnostic procedure (Diagnostic group) from those who had known biliary pathology before intervention (Therapeutic group). As a result, 34 patients (20.1%) were placed in the Diagnostic group and 135 patients (79.9%) in the Therapeutic group. Of the 34 Diagnostic patients, four (11.8%) developed PEP. Fifteen (44.1%) had unnecessary procedures, two of which had PEP (2.9%). Of the 135 ERCPs in the Therapeutic group, 18 patients (13.4%) developed PEP. Five of the 11 who had unnecessary procedures developed PEP. Based on the low incidence of complications, diagnostic ERCP has an acceptable rate of pancreatitis and/or unnecessary procedures when performed in highly selected patients and before cholecystectomy when compared with patients undergoing therapeutic ERCP. However, more aggressive use of diagnostic imaging before ERCP should be adopted given the number of unnecessary procedures performed.

What is the risk of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography before cholecystectomy?

Many surgeons prefer to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before cholecystectomy, specifically in patients at significant risk of having biliary pathology. However, a preoperative diagnostic ERCP, without the use of an endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy, remains controversial. This is the result of the risk of either performing an unnecessary procedure and/or the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We performed a retrospective review of all surgeon-performed ERCPs at our institution between July 2011 and May 2013. This was done to examine patients who had pericholecystectomy ERCP. We had 550 ERCPs performed at our institution during this time period, 169 of which were pericholecystectomy procedures. We divided the 169 patients who had a diagnostic procedure (Diagnostic group) from those who had known biliary pathology before intervention (Therapeutic group). As a result, 34 patients (20.1%) were placed in the Diagnostic group and 135 patients (79.9%) in the Therapeutic group. Of the 34 Diagnostic patients, four (11.8%) developed PEP. Fifteen (44.1%) had unnecessary procedures, two of which had PEP (2.9%). Of the 135 ERCPs in the Therapeutic group, 18 patients (13.4%) developed PEP. Five of the 11 who had unnecessary procedures developed PEP. Based on the low incidence of complications, diagnostic ERCP has an acceptable rate of pancreatitis and/or unnecessary procedures when performed in highly selected patients and before cholecystectomy when compared with patients undergoing therapeutic ERCP. However, more aggressive use of diagnostic imaging before ERCP should be adopted given the number of unnecessary procedures performed.

Histology, not lymph node involvement, predicts long-term survival in bronchopulmonary carcinoids

Recently, the incidence of bronchopulmonary carcinoid has increased substantially, whereas survival associated with both subtypes has declined. We reviewed our experience with bronchopulmonary carcinoid to identify factors associated with long-term survival. We reviewed our cancer registry from 1985 to 2009 for all patients undergoing surgical resection for bronchopulmonary carcinoid. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic factors. Fifty-two patients met criteria for inclusion. Forty-three patients (82%) presented with typical histology. The likelihood of lymph node metastasis was similar for patients with typical histology and patients with atypical histology. For patients with typical histology, the 5-year survival rates with and without lymph node metastases were 100 per cent and 97 per cent, respectively (P = 0.420). The overall survival rate for patients with typical histology (97% at 5 years; 72% at 10 years) was significantly better than for patients with atypical histology (35% at 5 years, 0% at 10 years) (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that long-term survival was associated with histology but not lymph node involvement (hazards ratio = 14.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 125.2). Our data suggests that long-term survival is associated with histology, not lymph node involvement. We found tumor histology to be the strongest predictor of long-term survival in patients with pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

Histology, not Lymph Node Involvement, Predicts Long-Term Survival in Bronchopulmonary Carcinoids

Recently, the incidence of bronchopulmonary carcinoid has increased substantially, whereas survival associated with both subtypes has declined. We reviewed our experience with bronchopulmonary carcinoid to identify factors associated with long-term survival. We reviewed our cancer registry from 1985 to 2009 for all patients undergoing surgical resection for bronchopulmonary carcinoid. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic factors. Fifty-two patients met criteria for inclusion. Forty-three patients (82%) presented with typical histology. The likelihood of lymph node metastasis was similar for patients with typical histology and patients with atypical histology. For patients with typical histology, the 5-year survival rates with and without lymph node metastases were 100 per cent and 97 per cent, respectively ( P = 0.420). The overall survival rate for patients with typical histology (97% at 5 years; 72% at 10 years) was significantly better than for patients with atypical histology (35% at 5 years, 0% at 10 years) ( P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that long-term survival was associated with histology but not lymph node involvement (hazards ratio = 14.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 125.2). Our data suggests that long-term survival is associated with histology, not lymph node involvement. We found tumor histology to be the strongest predictor of long-term survival in patients with pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ

Although ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) does not require axillary evaluation, controversy exists regarding the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with DCIS diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB). Advocates of concomitant SLNB and lumpectomy cite the low morbidity of SLNB, the high rate of invasive ductal carcinoma in resected specimens, and the positive nodes found in 1 to 2 per cent of patients with resected DCIS despite finding no invasive component. Opponents of this practice cite the complication risk and the improbability of clinically significant axillary recurrence. We therefore proposed to determine our rate of invasive cancer in DCIS diagnosed by CNB and to determine whether SLNB at first operation would decrease return to the operating room. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with DCIS by CNB from 2003 to 2008. Standard clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed. In 110 patients, the prevalence of invasive cancer on final resection pathology was 13.6 per cent (15 of 110). Of those patients with invasive cancer, 93 per cent (14 of 15) had high-grade DCIS (P = 0.077) by CNB. Seventeen per cent (14 of 82) of patients with high-grade DCIS had invasive cancer. Of 34 patients with SLNB, three (9%) had positive nodes. Fifteen patients required re-excision to obtain negative margins, including 13 patients with invasive cancer. Five patients (4.5%) were spared additional operative intervention by initially performing SLNB. We suggest using concomitant SLNB when a high clinical suspicion of invasive cancer exists, in the presence of a palpable mass, or when mastectomy precludes future SLNB. Intraoperative margin assessment is needed to avoid return to the operating room.

The Use of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

Although ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) does not require axillary evaluation, controversy exists regarding the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with DCIS diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB). Advocates of concomitant SLNB and lumpectomy cite the low morbidity of SLNB, the high rate of invasive ductal carcinoma in resected specimens, and the positive nodes found in 1 to 2 per cent of patients with resected DCIS despite finding no invasive component. Opponents of this practice cite the complication risk and the improbability of clinically significant axillary recurrence. We therefore proposed to determine our rate of invasive cancer in DCIS diagnosed by CNB and to determine whether SLNB at first operation would decrease return to the operating room. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with DCIS by CNB from 2003 to 2008. Standard clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed. In 110 patients, the prevalence of invasive cancer on final resection pathology was 13.6 per cent (15 of 110). Of those patients with invasive cancer, 93 per cent (14 of 15) had high-grade DCIS ( P = 0.077) by CNB. Seventeen per cent (14 of 82) of patients with high-grade DCIS had invasive cancer. Of 34 patients with SLNB, three (9%) had positive nodes. Fifteen patients required re-excision to obtain negative margins, including 13 patients with invasive cancer. Five patients (4.5%) were spared additional operative intervention by initially performing SLNB. We suggest using concomitant SLNB when a high clinical suspicion of invasive cancer exists, in the presence of a palpable mass, or when mastectomy precludes future SLNB. Intraoperative margin assessment is needed to avoid return to the operating room.

Combined treatment of dendritoma vaccine and low-dose interleukin-2 in stage IV renal cell carcinoma patients induced clinical response: A pilot study

Vaccination using dendritic/tumor cell hybrids represents a novel and promising cancer immunotherapy. We have developed a technology that can instantly purify the hybrids (dendritomas) from the fusion mixture of dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor cells. Our animal studies and a phase I study of stage IV melanoma patients demonstrated that dendritoma vaccination could be conducted without major toxicity and induced tumor cell-specific immunological and clinical responses. In this pilot study, ten stage IV renal cell carcinoma patients were studied. Dendritomas were made from autologous DCs and tumor cells and administered by subcutaneous injection. After initial vaccination, three escalating doses of IL-2 (3, 6, and 9 million units each) were followed within five days. This treatment regimen was tolerated well without severe adverse events directly related to the dendritoma vaccine. Most adverse events were related to IL-2 administration or pre-existing disease. Patient-specific immune responses were evaluated by flow cytometric measurement of interferon-gamma-producing T-cells before and after vaccination in response to stimulation with tumor antigens. Nine out of nine patients eligible for the analysis showed an increase of IFN-gamma-expressing CD4+ T cells after vaccination(s); while five out of eight patients eligible for the analysis showed an increase of IFN-gamma-expressing CD8+ T cells. Clinical responses were documented in 40% of the patients, three with stabilization of disease and one with a partial response documented by a reduction in tumor size. This pilot study demonstrated that dendritoma vaccines could be administered safely to patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, while producing both clinical and immunologic evidence of response.

Effect of lymphatic mapping on the new tumor-node-metastasis classification for colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Sensitive detection methods and accurate reporting are necessary to determine the prognostic significance of micrometastases (MM) and isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in lymph nodes that drain colorectal cancers (CRCs). This study examined the role of lymphatic mapping (LM) in the application of the new tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification for MM and ITC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients at the John Wayne Cancer Institute underwent LM immediately before standard resection of primary CRC between 1996 and 2001. Sentinel nodes (SNs) were identified using blue dye and/or radiotracer and were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, cytokeratin immunohistochemistry, and multilevel sectioning. The comparison group comprised 370 patients whose primary CRCs were resected without LM during the same period at the same institution.

RESULTS

LM was successfully performed in 115 of 120 (96%) patients and correctly predicted the tumor status of the nodal basin in 110 of 115 (96%) patients. Thirty-seven patients (32%) were lymph node-positive by H&E, ITC and MM were found in 23 patients (29.4%) whose lymph nodes were negative by H&E. Tumor deposits were found in the SN only in 29 patients (50%). Nodal involvement was identified for 14.3%, 30%, 74.6%, and 83.3% of T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors, respectively, in the study group, and for 6.8%, 8.5%, 49.3%, and 41.8% of T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors, respectively, in the comparison group. The study group had a higher percentage of nodal metastases (53% v 36%; P <.01) and a higher incidence of MM and ITC (29.4% v 1.9%; P <.0001). The mean number of lymph nodes found in the study group (14) was also significantly more than the number found in the comparison group (10; P <.00001).

CONCLUSION

Conventional examination of lymph nodes for CRC is inadequate for the detection of MM and ITC as described in the new TNM classification. Thus, LM and focused SN analysis should be considered to fully stage CRC.

Heart-targeted overexpression of caspase3 in mice increases infarct size and depresses cardiac function

Up-regulation of proapoptotic genes has been reported in heart failure and myocardial infarction. To determine whether caspase genes can affect cardiac function, a transgenic mouse was generated. Cardiac tissue-specific overexpression of the proapoptotic gene Caspase3 was induced by using the rat promoter of alpha-myosin heavy chain, a model that may represent a unique tool for investigating new molecules and antiapoptotic therapeutic strategies. Cardiac-specific Caspase3 expression induced transient depression of cardiac function and abnormal nuclear and myofibrillar ultrastructural damage. When subjected to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, Caspase3 transgenic mice showed increased infarct size and a pronounced susceptibility to die. In this report, we document an unexpected property of the proapoptotic gene caspase3 on cardiac contractility. Despite inducing ultrastructural damage, Caspase3 does not trigger a full apoptotic response in the cardiomyocyte. We also implicate Caspase3 in determining myocardial infarct size after ischemia-reperfusion injury, because its cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression increases infarct size.