Staging Procedure (staging + procedure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for High-Risk Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2007
RACHEL E. SAHN
BACKGROUND Although the utility of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the staging of melanoma is well established, its usefulness in high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The objective was to report our experience with patients who underwent SLNB for the staging of a high-risk NMSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 13 patients with a high-risk NMSC who underwent SLNB between 1998 and 2006 and conducted a retrospective review of their medical records and tumor pathology. Their status as regards tumor recurrence and survival was obtained when possible. RESULTS Of 13 patients, 9 had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 2 had sebaceous gland carcinoma, 1 had porocarcinoma, and 1 had atypical fibroxanthoma. All SLNB were negative for metastatic disease, but 1 appeared to be a false-negative finding. CONCLUSION Compared to melanoma, SCC of the skin are much less predictable as regards their tendency to metastasize to the regional lymph nodes. Although the SLNB appears to be a reliable staging procedure for NMSC (especially SCC), the yield may be too low to justify its routine use in this patient population. More data are needed to determine when a SLNB is justified in the management of NMSC. [source]


Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 9 2010
M Lens
Abstract Appropriate surgical management of regional lymph nodes is critical in patients with cutaneous melanoma. The use of intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has increased significantly in the past decade. SLNB is performed as minimally invasive procedure that provides accurate staging of melanoma patients with no clinically detectable nodal disease. In many melanoma units across the world, it became the standard for detection of occult regional node metastasis in patients with intermediate-thickness primary melanoma. Use of SLNB in patients with thin melanomas is still under evaluation. Although SLNB has been established as staging procedure in melanoma patients, its therapeutic role is still not clear. Large-scale ongoing randomized trials should elucidate whether SLNB with complete lymphadenectomy has a survival benefit in melanoma patients with early lymph node metastases compared to ,watch-and-wait' policy (observation). [source]


Stanley Fahn Lecture 2005: The staging procedure for the inclusion body pathology associated with sporadic Parkinson's disease reconsidered

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2006
Heiko Braak MD
Abstract The synucleinopathy known as sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem disorder that severely damages predisposed nerve cell types in circumscribed regions of the human nervous system. A recent staging procedure for the inclusion body pathology associated with PD proposes that, in the brain, the pathological process (formation of proteinaceous intraneuronal Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites) begins at two sites and continues in a topographically predictable sequence in six stages, during which components of the olfactory, autonomic, limbic, and somatomotor systems become progressively involved. In stages 1 to 2, the Lewy body pathology is confined to the medulla oblongata/pontine tegmentum and anterior olfactory structures. In stages 3 to 4, the substantia nigra and other nuclei of the basal mid- and forebrain become the focus of initially subtle and, then, severe changes. During this phase, the illness probably becomes clinically manifest. In the final stages 5 to 6, the lesions appear in the neocortex. This cross-sectional study originally was performed on 168 autopsy cases using material from 69 incidental cases and 41 clinically diagnosed PD patients as well as 58 age- and gender-matched controls. Here, the staging hypothesis is critically reconsidered and discussed. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source]


FDG-PET in the Clinically Negative Neck in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2006
Bart M. Wensing MD
Abstract Objective: With improved diagnostic imaging techniques, it remains difficult to reduce occult metastatic disease in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to less than 20%. Therefore, supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) still is a valuable staging procedure in these patients. Methods: Patients with clinically and ultrasonographically staged cN0 SCC of the oral cavity underwent FDG-PET before SOHND. Histologic examination of neck dissection specimens was used as a "gold standard." Results: Twenty-eight consecutive patients were included, representing 30 necks. Occult metastatic disease was found in 30% of SOHND specimens. Average diameter of metastatic deposits was 4.3 mm. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET was 33%, 76%, and 63%, respectively. Conclusions: In patients with cN0 SCC of the oral cavity, FDG-PET does not contribute to the preoperative workup. FDG-PET does not replace SOHND as a staging procedure. [source]


Defining the surgical management of suspected early-stage ovarian cancer by estimating patient numbers through alternative management strategies

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 9 2009
J Warwick
Objective, To establish the optimal management strategy for women with suspected stage 1 ovarian cancer. Design, We created a flowchart to illustrate each of six hypothetical management strategies. These considered two surgical approaches (systematic lymphadenectomy versus no lymph node dissection at all) in combination with three different policies for giving adjuvant chemotherapy. Setting, Gynaecological cancer centre, London, UK. Data sources, Patient data and published papers. Methods, We developed a deterministic model that uses information from multiple sources to estimate patient flow through each level of a hypothesised decision tree. Results, We estimated that for every 100 cases of suspected early-stage ovarian cancer, there would be 37 cases with ,apparent' stage 1 disease and that of these, two (6%) would be denied potentially life-saving adjuvant treatment if systematic lymphadenectomy was not performed. The number of women given chemotherapy would not, according to our estimates, differ greatly between the two surgical approaches, the 7% increase with systematic lymphadenectomy being because of cases identified as having nodal metastases. Conclusions, We present a model of the intraoperative decision-making process that determines the extent of the staging procedure to be performed within our department when early-stage ovarian cancer is suspected. Unless adjuvant chemotherapy is prescribed for all, systematic pelvic and para-aortic node dissection is required to optimise survival. However, in our department, this would result in 32% of women with suspected early-stage ovarian cancer undergoing systematic node dissection. This flexible focused model may facilitate multidisciplinary team discussion when this part of the surgical staging procedure is considered within the context of the population presenting to the team, the morbidity of the procedure within the department and the predictive values of frozen section within that department. As the model is not disease-specific, it may be useful for decision making in other medical disciplines. [source]


Changes in management techniques and patterns of disease recurrence over time in patients with breast carcinoma treated with breast-conserving therapy at a single institution

CANCER, Issue 4 2004
Helen Pass M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND The authors reviewed changes in the initial clinical presentation, management techniques, and patterns of disease recurrence over time (1981,1996) in patients with breast carcinoma treated with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) at a single institution. The goals of the current study were to determine the frequency and use of optimal local and systemic therapy techniques and to evaluate the impact of these changes on treatment efficacy. METHODS Six hundred seven patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage I or II invasive breast carcinomas treated with BCT at William Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, MI) constituted the study population. All patients received at least an excisional biopsy of the primary tumor, an axillary lymph node staging procedure, and postoperative radiotherapy (RT) (a median tumor bed dose of 61 Gray [Gy] was administered). All sides were reviewed by one pathologist. Numerous clinicopathologic and treatment-related factors were analyzed to monitor changes that occurred over time. Changes in patterns of disease recurrence and treatment efficacy over time also were analyzed. RESULTS Over the time period analyzed, changes at initial presentation included an increase in the mean age at diagnosis (age 56.1 years vs. 61.4 years; P < 0.001), a decrease in the number of patients with clinically palpable tumors (78% vs. 36%; P < 0.001), a decrease in the mean tumor size (2.2 cm vs. 1.6 cm; P < 0.001), but no change in the percentage of patients with negative lymph nodes (79% vs. 78%; P = 0.83). No differences over time were observed in mean tumor grade (2.0 vs. 1.9; P = 0.2) or the presence of angiolymphatic invasion (27% vs. 26%; P = 0.25). Changes in surgical management and pathologic assessment included the more frequent use of reexcision (46% vs. 81%; P < 0.001), larger mean total volumes of breast tissue specimens excised (115 cm3 vs. 189 cm3; P = 0.001), a larger percentage of patients with final negative surgical margins (74% vs. 97%; P < 0.001), and a small increase in the mean number of lymph nodes excised (13.8 lymph nodes vs. 14.1 lymph nodes; P = 0.01). The only other significant change in the pathologic management of patients over time included a doubling in the mean number of slides examined (10.6 slides vs. 21.1 slides; P < 0.001). Changes in adjuvant local and systemic therapy included an increase in the percentage of patients treated with > 60 Gy to the tumor bed (66% vs. 95%; P < 0.001), a doubling in the mean number of days from the last surgery to the start of RT (24 days vs. 50 days; P < 0.001), and a decrease in the use of regional lymph node RT (24% vs. 8%; P < 0.001). The use of adjuvant tamoxifen increased from 10% to 61% (P < 0.001). Finally, improvements were observed in the 5-year and 12-year actuarial rates of local disease recurrence (8% vs. 1% and 21% vs. 9%, respectively; P = 0.001) and distant metastases (12% vs. 4% and 22% vs. 9%, respectively; P = 0.006). No changes in the mean number of years to ipsilateral (6.5 years vs. 6.4 years; P = 0.59) or distant disease recurrence (4.6 years vs. 3.8 years; P = 0.73) were observed. CONCLUSIONS The impact of screening mammography and substantial changes in surgical, pathologic, RT, and systemic therapy recommendations were observed over time in the study population. These changes were associated with improvements in 5-year and 12-year local and distant control rates and suggested that improvements in outcome can be realized through adherence to best practice guidelines and continuous monitoring of treatment outcome data. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society [source]


Real-time RT-PCR detection of CK19, CK7 and MUC1 mRNA for diagnosis of lymph node micrometastases in non small cell lung carcinoma

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2005
Pierre Saintigny
Abstract Metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) are the major prognostic factor in resected non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, almost 50% of pN0 patients relapse, suggesting metastatic cells undetected by current staging procedures. A combination of markers [cytokeratins 19 and 7 (CK19, CK7) and mucin type 1 (MUC1) mRNAs] was therefore evaluated by real-time RT-PCR in order to detect occult cancer cells. Forty-three NSCLC tumor samples, 4 micrometastatic, 6 metastatic and 84 histologically negative mediastinal LNs from 19 patients with NSCLC were evaluated as well as blood mononuclear cells from 29 healthy volunteers and 17 benign LNs. When tested on cell lines, RT-PCR was particularly efficient for evaluation of CK19, CK7 and MUC1 mRNA expression. All tumor samples were positive for at least 1 marker and 74% of samples were positive for all 3 markers. CK7 and CK19 mRNA were not detected in benign LN and blood cells from healthy donors in contrast with MUC1 mRNA. Only CK7 and CK19 mRNA were therefore used for evaluation of mediastinal LNs: the 6 histologically metastatic and the 4 micrometastatic LNs were positive for at least one marker. Among the 84 histologically negative LNs, 6 (7%) were positive for at least one marker, potentially changing the stage of 2 out of 19 patients. In conclusion, in our feasibility study, parallel molecular detection of CK19 and CK7 mRNA can be considered a specific diagnostic tool for the assessment of microscopic lymphatic spread. Its prognostic impact remains to be evaluated in a prospective study. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Anaphylaxis to Patent Blue V. II.

ALLERGY, Issue 1 2010
A unique IgE-mediated reaction
Abstract Background:, Patent Blue V (PBV) is injected in order to map sentinel nodes during cancer staging procedures. Anaphylactic reactions, allegedly IgE antibody mediated, have been reported. The aim of the study was to explore the immunological mechanism of anaphylaxis to PBV. Methods:, PBV allergen threshold basophil sensitivity, CD-sens, was performed on cells from nine patients diagnosed as having had adverse reactions to PBV. The mechanisms of the CD-sens were studied by immunological and immuno-chemical methods. Results:, Five of the nine patients had a positive CD-sens to PBV which was completely eliminated by washing the cells in phosphate buffered saline before allergen challenge. However, the positive CD-sens was completely reconstituted by incubating the cells in plasma or serum of that patient or the other PBV-anaphylactic patients for 15 min at room temperature. In some patients the factor mediating CD-sens was completely or partially destroyed by heating at +56°C for 30 min or being exposed to the low pH used for elution from anti-Ig columns. A 1000-fold excess of monoclonal IgE blocked the reconstitution by approximately 50%. Conclusion:, Anaphylactic reactions to PBV are mediated by IgE antibodies giving a classical CD-sens reaction. However, the allergenic configuration seems to constitute a structure completely dependent on PBV, as a hapten, linked to a, so far, unknown carrier that seems to be unique for patients having experienced a PBV-induced reaction. Further studies are needed to characterize the postulated carrier. [source]


Diagnostics and staging procedures in non-small cell lung cancer , is less more?

THE CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008
David Felix Heigener
Abstract Introduction:, Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common cancer with approximately 85% of patients dying of the disease. The only chance for cure is in the early stages, when surgery or definite chemoradiotherapy can be performed. Diagnosis and staging of lung cancer can sometimes be difficult, particularly because the intrathoracic structures are not easy to reach. Objective:, This review discusses the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Results:, When performing lung cancer diagnostics, both invasive and noninvasive procedures, such as computed tomogram of the chest, bronchoscopy and abdominal ultrasound, are mandatory. Suspected mediastinal involvement should be differentiated: bulky disease, contralateral or high mediastinal nodes need further clarification by endoscopic ultrasound, endobronchial ultrasound or mediastinoscopy. In opposition to current guidelines, in all other cases, surgery should be performed. Positron emission tomography will gain even more importance when becoming widely accessible and might replace other imaging techniques in the future. In case of advanced disease, staging should be limited to those examinations with impact on symptom control. Conclusion:, The diagnosis and staging of lung cancer should involve both invasive and noninvasive diagnostic procedures. In the case of advanced disease, staging should be limited to those examinations with impact on symptom control, whereas early stages call for rapid and thorough diagnosis. Please cite this paper as: Heigener DF, Diemel K-D, Reck M and Gatzemeier U. Diagnostics and staging procedures in non-small cell lung cancer , is less more? The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 67,73. [source]


ROLE OF AXILLARY SURGERY IN EARLY BREAST CANCER: REVIEW OF THE CURRENT EVIDENCE

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 7 2000
Andrew J. Spillane
Background: Controversy continues to surround the best practice for management of the axilla in patients with early breast cancer (EBC), particularly the clinically negative axilla. The balance between therapeutic and staging roles of axillary surgery (with the consequent morbidity of the procedures utilized) has altered. This is due to the increasing frequency of women presenting with early stage disease, the more widespread utilization of adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy and, more recently, the advent of alternative staging procedures, principally sentinel node biopsy (SNB). The aim of the present review is to critically analyse the current literature concerning the preferred management of the axilla in early breast cancer and make evidence-based recommendations on current management. Methods: A review was undertaken of the English language medical literature, using MEDLINE database software and cross-referencing major articles on the subject, focusing on the last 10 years. The following combinations of key words have been searched: breast neoplasms, axilla, axillary dissection, survival, prognosis, and sentinel node biopsy. Results: Despite the trend to more frequent earlier stage diagnosis, levels I and II axillary dissection remain the treatment of choice in the majority of women with EBC and a clinically negative axilla. Conclusions: Sentinel node biopsy has no proven superiority over axillary dissection because no randomized controlled trials have been completed to date. Despite this, SNB will become increasingly utilized due to encouraging results from major centres responsible for its development, and patient demand. Therefore if patients are not being enrolled in clinical trials strict quality controls need to be established at a local level before SNB is allowed to replace standard treatment of the axilla. Unless this is strictly adhered to there is a significant risk of an increase in the frequency of axillary relapse and possible increased understaging and resultant inadequate treatment of patients. [source]


Association between quality of life scores and short-term outcome after surgery for cancer of the oesophagus or gastric cardia

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 12 2005
J. M. Blazeby
Background: Evidence suggests that baseline quality of life (QOL) scores are independently prognostic for survival in patients with cancer, but the role of QOL data in predicting short-term outcome after surgery is uncertain. This study assessed the association between QOL scores and short-term outcomes after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancer. Methods: Consecutive patients selected for oesophagectomy or total gastrectomy between November 2000 and May 2003 completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's quality of life questionnaire, QLQ-C30. Multivariable regression models, adjusting for known clinical risk factors, were used to investigate relationships between QOL scores, major morbidity, hospital stay and survival status at 6 months. Results: Of 130 patients, 121 completed the questionnaire (response rate 93·1 per cent). There were 29 major complications (24·0 per cent) and 22 patients (18·2 per cent) died within 6 months of operation. QOL scores were not associated with major morbidity but were significantly related to survival status at 6 months after adjusting for known clinical risk factors. A worse fatigue score of 10 points (scale 0,100) corresponded to an increase in the odds of death within 6 months of surgery of 37·4 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 12·4 to 67·8) per cent (P = 0·002). Pretreatment social function scores were moderately associated with hospital stay (P = 0·021); a reduction in social function by 10 points corresponded to an increase in hospital stay of 0·93 (95 per cent c.i. 0·12 to 1·74) days. Conclusion: QOL scores supplement standard staging procedures for oesophageal and gastric cancer by providing prognostic information, but they do not contribute to perioperative risk assessment. Copyright © 2005 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Restaging surgery for women with borderline ovarian tumors

CANCER, Issue 6 2004
Results of a French multicenter study
Abstract BACKGROUND The purpose of the current study was to examine the surgical management of women with borderline ovarian tumors and the adequacy of initial staging according to the guidelines of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics; to evaluate the impact of restaging operations; and to identify risk factors for initial understaging. METHODS In a retrospective French multicenter study, 54 of 360 women with borderline ovarian tumors underwent a restaging operation. After excluding women with initial complete staging (n = 62), epidemiologic, surgical, and histologic parameters and risk of recurrence were compared between women who underwent restaging (n = 54) and those who did not (n = 244). RESULTS One hundred fifty (41.6%) of 360 women underwent intraoperative histologic examination, which led to the diagnosis of a borderline tumor in 97 cases (64.7%). Thirty-seven (38.1%) of these 97 women had undergone complete initial staging procedures. A restaging operation was performed for 54 women. A lower median age and a higher rate of conservative treatment were noted in the group that underwent restaging. Eight (14.8%) of the 54 women who underwent restaging had their tumors upstaged: 7 of the 41 cases initially diagnosed as Stage IA tumors were upstaged to Stage IB (n = 3) or to Stage IIA, IIB, IIIA, or IIIC (n = 1 for each); in the eighth case, a Stage IC tumor was upstaged to Stage IIIA. Upstaging tended to be more common in women with serous borderline tumors (P = 0.06) and in women who underwent cystectomy (P = 0.08). There was no difference in recurrence rates according to whether a restaging operation was performed. The recurrence rates after conservative and radical treatment were 15.6% (25 of 160) and 4.5% (9 of 200), respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Women who initially were diagnosed with Stage IA disease and who had serous borderline tumors or underwent cystectomy appeared to derive the most benefit from restaging surgery. Nonetheless, the indications for restaging surgery remain controversial, as no difference in recurrence rate was observed between women who underwent restaging and those who did not. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society. [source]