Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes worldwide

The first Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery was published in 2015 and serves as a landmark paper in the field of cancer surgery. The Commission highlighted the burden of cancer and the importance of cancer surgery, while documenting the many inadequacies in the ability to deliver safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgical care. This Commission builds on the first Commission by focusing on solutions and actions to improve access to cancer surgery globally, developed by drawing upon the expertise from cancer surgery leaders across the world. We present solution frameworks in nine domains that can improve access to cancer surgery. These nine domains were refined to identify solutions specific to the six WHO regions. On the basis of these solutions, we developed eight actions to propel essential improvements in the global capacity for cancer surgery. Our initiatives are broad in scope, pragmatic, affordable, and contextually applicable, and aimed at cancer surgeons as well as leaders, administrators, elected officials, and health policy advocates. We envision that the solutions and actions contained within the Commission will address inequities and promote safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgery for every patient, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.

Secretory carcinoma of the breast limited to the dermis: Cutaneous or breast primary?

We offer a case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with a painless breast mass. Physical examination of the breast was unrevealing other than a palpable mass in close proximity to the nipple areolar region. No lymphadenopathy was noticed in the axilla or supraclavicular region. Sonographic assessment was performed and the findings were classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4. Because of the proximity of the mass to the skin surface, an excisional biopsy was performed. Final pathology disclosed a 5-mm invasive carcinoma. On pathologic examination, histopathologic and immunophenotypes supported the diagnosis of secretory carcinoma; however, whether the origin was from the breast parenchyma or skin tissue was not clearly discernable. Therefore, the patient was scheduled for sentinel lymph node biopsy with plans for axillary dissection if positive. While the overall prognosis for secretory carcinoma is good, with a low chance of metastasis, any ambiguity in breast mass diagnosis should be discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board and should be treated aggressively particularly in younger patients.

Sternal fixation for isolated traumatic sternal fractures improves pain and upper extremity range of motion

INTRODUCTION

Sternal fractures are debilitating due to intractable pain, constant fracture movement and limited range of motion (ROM) of the upper extremities (UE). Traditional treatment comprises mainly of pain control, delaying return to daily activities. Recently, sternal fixation has gained popularity. There is, however, a lack of literature demonstrating efficacy. We report our experience of traumatically fractured sternal fixation.

METHODS

Following IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was completed for all patients undergoing sternal fixation by a single trauma surgeon at our Level I trauma center. Basic demographics were obtained. Primary outcomes included average cumulative pain scores, total cumulative narcotic amounts and total number of pain medication agents utilized prior to and after sternal fixation. Secondary outcome included physical therapy UE ROM before and after surgery. Paired t tests were used for comparison; significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients underwent sternal fixation from 8/2016 to 2/2018. Average age was 54.4 ± 20.8 years; 54% were female. All patients experienced blunt trauma; average injury severity score was 15.8 ± 10.9 and abbreviated chest injury score was 2.5 ± 0.51. Average intensive care unit/hospital length of stay was 2.3/10.2 days. Average pain scores significantly improved by a score of 3.5 postoperatively (preoperative = 7.08 ± 2.3, postoperative = 3.54 ± 2.5; p = 0.001). Total pain medications required by sternal fixation patients significantly decreased by 1 medication postoperatively (preoperative = 4.2 medications, postoperative = 3.2 medications; p = 0.002). Average narcotic requirements significantly decreased by 7.59 morphine milligram milliequivalents (MME) after sternal fixation (preoperative amount = 71.78 MME, postoperative amount = 64.19 MME; p = 0.041). Every patient had limited UE ROM preoperatively; however, all but one patient resumed full UE ROM postoperatively (p < 0.001). There were no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Sternal fixation is a safe and effective procedure resulting in improved pain, decreased narcotic requirements, and faster recovery.

Rib fracture displacement worsens over time

PURPOSE

Rib fractures (RF) occur in 10% of trauma patients; associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite advancing technology of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF), treatment and indications remain controversial. Lack of displacement is often cited as a reason for non-operative management. The purpose was to examine RF patterns hypothesizing RF become more displaced over time.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all RF patients from 2016-2017 at our institution. Patients with initial chest CT (CT1) followed by repeat CT (CT2) within 84 days were included. Basic demographics were obtained. Primary outcomes included RF displacement in millimeters (mm) between CT1 and CT2 in three planes (AP = anterior/posterior, O = overlap/gap, and SI = superior/inferior). Displacement was calculated by subtracting CT1 fracture displacement from CT2 displacement for each rib. Given anatomic and clinical characteristics, ribs were grouped (1-2, 3-6, 7-10, 11-12), averaged, and analyzed for displacement. Secondary outcome included number of missed RF on CT1. Non-parametric sign test and paired t test were used for analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.002.

RESULTS

78 of 477 patients with RF on CT1 had CT2 during the study period: primarily male (76%) and age 55.8 ± 20.1 with blunt mechanism of injury (99%). Median Injury Severity Score was 21 (IQR, 13-27) with Chest Abbreviated Injury Score of 3 (IQR, 3-4). Median time between CT1 and CT2 was 6 days (IQR, 3-12). Missed RF rate for CT1 was 10.1% (p = 0.11). Average fracture displacement was significantly increased for all rib groupings except 11-12 in all planes (p < 0.002).

CONCLUSION

RF become more displaced over time. Pain regimens and SSRF considerations should be adjusted accordingly.

Global trends in esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Esophageal Cancer (EC) is a lethal malignancy with poor prognosis and significant variations in the incidence, mortality, and histopathology based on geographic regions. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze these variations to identify patterns and areas for further research.

METHODS

We utilized the GLOBOCAN 2012, and Cancer Incidence in five Continents, Volume X (CI5X) database to analyze variations in EC incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

We found the EC incidence and mortality is geographically varied with a particularly high burden in East Asia and Eastern/Southern Africa where esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) predominates over adenocarcinoma (AC). Interestingly, there is a dichotomy between the high incidence of esophageal SCC in East Africa and low incidence in West Africa. The global incidence and mortality from EC is expected to rise in the coming decades. Asia, and China in particular, will continue to be the areas most burdened by EC, while Africa is expected to surpass the incidence and mortality rates of Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

The global burden of EC is expected to rise in the coming years. Understanding the geographic, environmental, and genetic contributors to the development of EC will be essential in combating its prevalence.