Surgery in reference centers improves survival of sarcoma patients: a nationwide study

BACKGROUND

NETSARC (netsarc.org) is a network of 26 sarcoma reference centers with specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTB) aiming to improve the outcome of sarcoma patients. Since 2010, presentation to an MDTB and expert pathological review are mandatory for sarcoma patients nationwide. In the present work, the impact of surgery in a reference center on the survival of sarcoma patients investigated using this national NETSARC registry.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients' characteristics and follow-up are prospectively collected and data monitored. Descriptive, uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were conducted in the entire series (N = 35 784) and in the subgroup of incident patient population (N = 29 497).

RESULTS

Among the 35 784 patients, 155 different histological subtypes were reported. 4310 (11.6%) patients were metastatic at diagnosis. Previous cancer, previous radiotherapy, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and Li-Fraumeni syndrome were reported in 12.5%, 3.6%, 0.7%, and 0.1% of patients respectively. Among the 29 497 incident patients, 25 851 (87.6%) patients had surgical removal of the sarcoma, including 9949 (33.7%) operated in a NETSARC center. Location, grade, age, size, depth, histotypes, gender, NF1, and surgery outside a NETSARC center all correlated to overall survival (OS), local relapse free survival (LRFS), and event-free survival (EFS) in the incident patient population. NF1 history was one of the strongest adverse prognostic factors for LRFS, EFS, and OS. Presentation to an MDTB was associated with an improved LRFS and EFS, but was an adverse prognostic factor for OS if surgery was not carried out in a reference center. In multivariate analysis, surgery in a NETSARC center was positively correlated with LRFS, EFS, and OS [P < 0.001 for all, with a hazard ratio of 0.681 (95% CI 0.618-0.749) for OS].

CONCLUSION

This nationwide registry of sarcoma patients shows that surgical treatment in a reference center reduces the risk of relapse and death.

Abstract P5-14-01: Chemotherapy randomization of the EORTC 10041/ BIG 3-04 MINDACT (microarray in node-negative and 1 to 3 positive lymph node disease may avoid chemotherapy) trial

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Response shift effects on measuring post-operative quality of life among breast cancer patients: a multicenter cohort study

PURPOSE

To characterize response shift effects in patients with breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

The QLQ-C30, BR23, and EurQOL-EQ-5D were assessed at baseline and at the end of the first hospitalization. We used the then-test approach to characterize changes in internal standards by calculating the mean difference between the then-test (retrospective measure) and pre-test baseline QoL assessments. The Ideal Scale Approach was also used to assess changes in standards by comparing health and QoL expectancies between baseline and the end of the first hospitalization. Successive Comparison Approach was used to assess changes in values through the longitudinal assessment of the relative importance of EuroQOL dimensions.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that recalibration RS effects occurred early after the first hospitalization for 6/15 dimensions of QLQ-C30 (emotional, cognitive, fatigue, insomnia, appetite loss, diarrhea) and 2/8 of BR-23 (future perspective, systemic therapy side effects). Moreover, health and QoL expectancies changed between the baseline and the end of the first hospitalization, and changes in values were seen for the self-care and usual activities dimensions of the EuroQOL-EQ-5D.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of RS early after the first hospitalization suggests that it needs to be taken into account to interpret QoL changes in BC.

Gene expression profile and response to trastuzumab-docetaxel-based treatment in breast carcinoma

Background:

Resistance to trastuzumab is often observed in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer and has been shown to involve multiple potential mechanisms. We examined the ability of microarray analyses to determine the potential markers of pathological complete response (pCR).

Methods:

We conducted an analysis of tumours from 38 patients with locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer who had received trastuzumab combined with docetaxel. Quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)–PCR was used to assess the expression of 30 key genes; microarray analyses were carried out on 25 tumours to identify a prognostic gene expression profile, with 13 blinded samples used to validate the identified profile.

Results:

No gene was found to correlate with response by RT–PCR. The microarray analysis identified a gene expression profile of 28 genes, with 12 upregulated in the pCR group and 16 upregulated in non-pCR. The leave-one-out cross-validation test exhibited 72% accuracy, 86% specificity, and 55% sensitivity. The 28-gene expression profile classified the 13 validation samples with 92% accuracy, 89% specificity, and 100% sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that genes not involved in classical cancer pathways such as apoptosis or DNA repair could be involved in responses to a trastuzumab–docetaxel-based regimen. They also describe for the first time a gene expression signature that predicts trastuzumab response.

A multicenter cohort study to compare quality of life in breast cancer patients according to sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection

BACKGROUND

This prospective multicenter study assessed and compared the impact of different surgical procedures on quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-BR-23 questionnaires were used to assess global health status (GHS), arm (BRAS) and breast (BRBS) symptom scales, before surgery, just after surgery and 6 and 12 months later. The Kruskal-Wallis test with the Bonferroni correction was used to compare scores. A mixed model analysis of variance for repeated measurements was then applied to assess the longitudinal effect of surgical modalities on QoL.

RESULTS

Before surgery, GHS (P = 0.7807) and BRAS (P = 0.7688) QoL scores were similar whatever the surgical procedure: sentinel node biopsy (SLNB), axillary node dissection (ALND) or SLNB + ALND. As compared with other surgical groups, GHS 75.91 [standard deviation (SD) = 17.44, P = 0.041] and BRAS 11.39 (SD = 15.36, P < 0.0001) were better in the SLNB group 12 months after surgery. Whatever the type of surgery, GHS decreased after surgery (P < 0.0001), but increased 6 months later (P = 0.0016). BRAS symptoms increased just after surgery (P = 0.0329) and until 6 months (P < 0.0001) before decreasing (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

SLNB improved GHS and BRAS QoL in breast cancer patients. However, surgeons must be cautious, SLNB with ALND results in a poorer QoL.

Bevacizumab combined with taxanes in second-line or more for metastatic breast cancer: Efficacy and predictive factors of response

1122

Background: In metastatic breast cancer (MBC), bevacizumab (BEVA) and taxanes (TAX) (paclitaxel or docetaxel) are very efficient as first line metastatic therapy. However, such combination is questionable in subsequent lines of therapy. Aims: evaluate the efficacy and the factors of response of BEVA and TAX combination in second line or more for MBC. Methods: A retrospective study was done on all the MBC patients treated with BEVA combined with TAX, between July 2007 and November 2008, in the medical oncology department. Statistics were descriptive for the population and the efficacy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the predictive factors of response. Results: 31 patients received BEVA combined with paclitaxel in 30 cases (96.7%) or docetaxel in one case (3.3%). Mean age was 55.3 years (IC95% [50.8–59.7]). Median number of previous lines was 4 (range [2–10]). 14 patients had already progressed under TAX therapy. Mean follow up was 7.1 months (IC 95% [5.9–8.4]). Thirteen (41.9%) patients had a clinical response, partial in 12 (38.7%) and complete in 1 (3.2%) patients. Four (12.9%) additional patients were stabilized therefore clinical benefit (CR+PR+SD) was obtained in 17 (60.7%) patients. The mean duration of the clinical benefit, measured as the delay between the first day of BEVA-TAX treatment and the date of progression or last news date, was of 5.8 months (IC95% = [4.4–7.1]). The progression delay, for patients who presented a progression and needed the introduction of a new therapy, was of 2.4 months (IC95% = [1.7–3.1]). Eleven (35.5%) patients had no clinical benefit and readily progressed under therapy. Multivariate analysis showed that age less than 65 (OR = 14.5 IC95% = [1.6–128.7]; p = 0.016) and a number of previous lines less than 6 (OR = 11.0 IC95% = [1.2–102.7]; p = 0.036) were related to the clinical benefit. Previous TAX resistance had no significant influence on the efficacy of the combination. Conclusions: In pretreated MBC patients, the combination of BEVA and TAX can be effective with a mean duration of clinical benefit around 6 months. Age over than 65 and a number of previous lines over 5 could be considered as factors of resistance to such a combination. These results have to be confirmed in larger studies.

[Table: see text]

Intraoperative intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy with cisplatin and escalated dose of epinephrine in patient with recurrent peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian cancer: A phase I study

16019

Background: IP epinephrine (E) has been shown to enhance the accumulation and antitumor activity of IP cisplatin in rats with peritoneal carcinomatosis (Duvillard et al. Int J Cancer, 1999). E induces a vasoconstriction of peritoneal vascular bed which limits platin peritoneal leakage and enhances drug penetration into tumor nodules. Results of a phase I study with the association of IP E and IP cisplatin in patient with refractory peritoneal carcinomatosis has been reported (Molucon-Chabrot et al, Anticancer Drugs, 2006). We conducted a phase I study to evaluate intraoperative IP chemotherapy with the association of cisplatin and escalated dose of E. Methods: 18 patients (pts) with recurrent ovarian cancer were enrolled. The median age was 56 years old (range 42–66). After an optimal cytoreductive surgery, IP chemotherapy was performed during surgery by filling twice the peritoneal cavity with 3 liters of an isotonic saline pre heated at 37°C and 90 mg of cisplatin associated with increasing concentrations of E during 1 hour. Results: E was escalated according to the following dosage: 0, 1, 2, 3 mg/L (3 pts by step). No toxicity was observed during and after intraoperative IP chemotherapy in the first 10 patients. The 2nd patient included in the 3 mg/L level of E experienced a tachycardia ≥ 120/min, ventricular extrasystoles (VES) ≥ 2/min, increase of troponine plasmatic concentration without significant electric sign of cardiac ischemia. The 3rd patient at this level experienced a tachycardia ≥ 120/min with ventricular VES ≥ 2/min and no increase of troponine concentration or electric sign of cardiac ischemia. According to the protocol design, 6 additional patients were included in the lower dose of 2 mg/L of E and no toxicity occurred. One can consider that the recommended dose of E was established. Conclusion: The combination of IP E with IP cisplatin in intraoperative chemotherapy after optimal cytoreductive surgery is feasible. The limiting toxicity was the cardiovascular effect which occurred with 3 mg/L dose of E. A phase II-III study is planned to investigate if IP chemotherapy adds to a second look surgery for the initial treatment of stage III ovarian carcinoma.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Malignant extraovarian endometriosis: A review

AIMS

Malignant transformation in extra-ovarian endometriosis is a rare but known complication. This distinct pathological entity is reviewed with a specific focus on aetiology and treatment.

METHODS

Studies were identified by searching the English language literature in the MEDLINE database and by an extensive review of bibliographies from articles found through that search.

FINDINGS

Up to 1% of women with endometriosis will develop endometriosis-associated neoplasm. Almost a quarter of the reported cases of malignancy in endometriosis have involved extra-ovarian tissues. In many cases, hormonal factors may play a role in its pathogenesis. Estrogen monotherapy in obese patients significantly increase the risk of malignant extra-gonadal endometrial transformation. Genetic anomalies have also been reported such as loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 5q. For patients with disease confined to the site of origin, a 82-100% 5-year survival has been noted for endometrioid cell type; disseminated intraperitoneal disease, however, has a very poor associated prognosis, with a 0-12% 5-year survival overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with endometriosis-associated cancers most likely represent a different class of patients than traditional ovarian cancer patients and may require different therapeutic options.

Pre-operative systemic (neo-adjuvant) therapy with trastuzumab and docetaxel for HER2-overexpressing stage II or III breast cancer: results of a multicenter phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy has become the standard of care for women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab-based pre-operative systemic (neo-adjuvant) therapy (PST) also appears promising, warranting further investigation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with HER2-positive, stage II/III non-inflammatory, operable breast cancer requiring a mastectomy (but who wished to conserve the breast) received weekly trastuzumab and 3-weekly docetaxel for six cycles before surgery. The primary end point was pathological complete response (pCR) rate, determined from surgical specimens.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were enrolled. The majority (79%) had T2 tumors, with 42% being N1/2. Twenty-nine patients completed six cycles of therapy and one patient withdrew prematurely due to progressive disease. A complete or partial objective clinical response was seen in 96% (73% and 23%, respectively) of patients. Surgery was performed in 30 patients, breast conserving in 23 (77%). In an intention-to-treat analysis, tumor and nodal pCR was seen in 14 (47%) patients. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 85% of patients while febrile neutropenia was encountered in 18%. Only three patients withdrew prematurely due to toxicity. No symptomatic cardiac dysfunction was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

PST with trastuzumab plus docetaxel achieved promising efficacy, with a high pCR rate and good tolerability, in women with stage II or III HER2-positive breast cancer.

[Pseudomyxoma peritonei: new concept and new therapeutic approach]

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare disease, usually diagnosed after the discover of "jelly belly" by laparotomy. With the progress of immunohistochemistry, most authors now acknowledge the appendix to be the principal origin of this disease. Pseudomyxoma peritonei need to considered as border line malignant disease because of its inevitable persistence and progression without adapted therapeutic approach: cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia and/or immediate postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy) into specialized centres. The principal prognostic factors are the prior surgical history, the completeness of cytoreduction and especially the histopathologic grade.

[Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents: therapeutic strategy according to clinic presentation]

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this retrospective study was to propose a therapeutic strategy according to clinic and pathologic presentations, in differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients less than 20 years of age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1995 to 2002, 74 patients less than 20 years of age were operated on for a differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Patients were divided in two groups according to the presence of lymph node (LN) detected before operation (19 "with LN" and 55 "without LN").

RESULTS

Surgery consisted of total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection in the group "with LN". In the second group "without LN", total thyroidectomy was performed in 19 patients (associated with lymph node dissection in seven) and loboisthmectomy in 29 patients. Post operative radio iodine ablation was performed in 25 patients (16 "with LN" and nine "without LN"). During the follow up (median 71 months), 9/19 patients "with LN" underwent surgery for lymph node recurrence. Four patients of the "without LN" group were reoperated for recurrence in the controlateral thyroid lobe after initial loboisthmectomy. Initial presence of lymph nodes was a risk factor for reoperation. Survival without reoperation at 5 and 10 years was 58% and 38% for the "with LN" group and 96% and 91% for the "without LN" group respectively (P < 0.001). At the time of analysis, all patients were alive. Ninety percent of patients were in remission (68% of "with LN" and 98% of "without LN" patients).

CONCLUSION

The risk of reoperation for lymph node recurrence during first post operative year is important in the "with LN" group. Therapeutic strategy consists of total thyroidectomy, complete lymph node dissection, radio iodine administration and l-thyroxine treatment. In "without LN" patients risk of lymph node recurrence is low. Treatment consist of total thyroidectomy, lymph node dissection and radio iodine administration are not systematic.

[Current management of pheochromocytoma: about 50 cases]

STUDY AIM

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess our experience of the laparoscopic surgery of pheochromocytoma. We report indications and results of laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between january 1994 and may 2002, 50 patients underwent laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy for pheocromocytoma. The perioperative hemodynamic parameters were assessed for each patient. In each case, urinary metanephrine levels were measured at the second month postoperatively. The long term outcome was assessed in 44 patients. The mean follow-up was 39 months.

RESULTS

Ten patients underwent open adrenalectomy: 8 patients for unilateral tumors (tumor size was > 8 cm in 7 cases) and 2 patients for bilateral tumors (1 recurrence and 1 cystic polylobed tumor). Fourty patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy: in 32 cases, including 1 patient with a bilateral tumor, no conversion was performed (tumor size was < 5 cm in 29 cases). In 8 cases (20%), a conversion to an open operation was performed. The reasons to convert were bleeding and periadrenal fibrosis in 7 cases. In laparoscopic adrenalectomy group, hemodynamic troubles were not more frequent, the hospital stay was shorter and there was no recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the Gold standard procedure for patients with pheochromocytoma. But open adrenalectomy is sometimes indicated: tumor size > 8 cm, periadrenal fibrosis, and recurrence tumor.

[Adrenocortical carcinoma: prognostic factors for local recurrence and indications for reoperation. A report on a series of 22 patients]

STUDY AIMS

The aim of this retrospective study was to identify prognostic factors on local recurrence in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and to assess the effect of reoperations.

METHODS

From 1985 to 2001, 22 patients were operated for adrenocortical carcinoma. We evaluated the correlation between actuarial survival without local recurrence and tumor staging, Weiss criteria, mitotic index, extensive resection and Op'DDD therapy by univariate analysis. Then we evaluated the effect of reoperations on survival.

RESULTS

Local recurrence was observed in 7 patients and the 5-years actuarial survival without local recurrence was 50%. Tumor stage (I et II versus III et IV), Weiss criteria (< or = 6 criteria versus > 6) and mitotic index (< or = 20 mitoses/50 HPF versus > 20) affected survival without local recurrence. Extensive resection could reduce local recurrence rate. Op'DDD therapy was ineffective in prolonging survival without local recurrence. Four patients underwent repeat resections: 2 patients were still alive with disease free, 54 and 8 months after reoperations and 2 patients died, 19 and 25 months after reoperations. Three patients did not have repeat resection. They rapidly died within 8 months.

CONCLUSION

Pathologic features (tumor staging and mitotic index) affected local recurrence prognostic. But extensive resection to adjacent organs could facilitate complete resection tumor and reduce the local recurrence rate. Complete repeat resection of local recurrence can improve survival. The disabling effects of Op'DDD were important and its efficacy was not clear.

[Primary juvenile hyperparathyroidism. Report of 24 cases]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Primary hyperparathyroidism usually affects elderly patients. Juvenile primary hyperparathyroidism is rare, and raises diagnostic and prognostic problems. The aim of this retrospective study on 24 patients is to establish clinical, histological, and therapeutic features of juvenile primary hyperparathyroidism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1986 to 2001, 673 patients were treated for primary hyperparathyroidism in our department. Twenty four patients were younger than 30 years old (3.5%). There were 14 women and 10 men. Mean age was 23 year (14-30). Clinical manifestations, pathologics findings and postoperative results were studied.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients presented a sporadic form of primary hyperparathyroidism with a single adenoma. Clinical manifestations were renal symptoms in 11 cases and acute hypercalcemia syndrome in 2 cases. Seven patients had a NEM I syndrome: parathyroid lesions were 6 hyperplasia and one adenoma. A 27 years old woman presented a recurrent familial isolated hyperparathyroidism. She was operated on 10 years before and at reoperation parathyroid carcinoma was found. Nineteen patients were cured after a post operative follow up ranging from 3 to 168 months. One patient had an asymptomatic hypercalcemia recurrence. Two patients presented permanent hypoparathyroidism treated with calcitriol and calcium.

CONCLUSION

Sporadic forms represent majority of cases of juvenile hyperparathyroidism. Renal manifestations are usual. Nevertheless, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 has to be evocated.

Prophylactic pancreaticoduodenectomy for premalignant duodenal polyposis in familial adenomatous polyposis

The frequency of duodenal adenomas in patients with, familial adenomatous polyposis is high. Duodenal adenoma has malignant potential, and duodenal adenocarcinoma is one of the main causes of death in patients who have had previous proctocolectomy. A conservative approach to the treatment of duodenal adenomas (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, endoscopy, polypectomy through duodenotomy) is inefficient and unsafe. When invasive cancer occurs in duodenal adenomas, the result of surgery is poor. We have performed prophylactic pancreaticoduodenal resection (PDR) for nonmalignant severe duodenal polyposis in five patients since 1991. No operative mortality was observed. One patient developed a pancreatic fistula which was successfully managed by medical treatment. The mean follow-up was 35 months. All five patients are still alive and have a good functional outcome. Prophylactic PDR may be indicated in familial adenomatous polyposis when duodenal polyposis is severe. Stages III and IV of Spigelman's classification, periampullary adenoma, age above 40, and family history of duodenal cancer are factors that may lead to the decision to perform prophylactic PDR.