Visual Clustering of Transcriptomic Data from Primary and Metastatic Tumors-Dependencies and Novel Pitfalls.

Personalized oncology is a rapidly evolving area and offers cancer patients therapy options that are more specific than ever. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding transcriptomic similarities or differences of metastases and corresponding primary sites. Applying two unsupervised dimension reduction methods (t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP)) on three datasets of metastases ( =682 samples) with three different data transformations (unprocessed, log10 as well as log10 + 1 transformed values), we visualized potential underlying clusters.

Incidence, time course and independent risk factors for metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin--a longitudinal experience from a prospectively collected database of 1108 patients.

Background: Comprehensive evidence on the incidence, time course and independent risk factors of metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (metaPC) in gastric cancer patients treated with curative intent in the context of available systemic combination chemotherapies is lacking.

Methods: Data from a prospectively collected single-institutional Center Cancer Registry with 1108 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GC), clinical, histological and survival data were analyzed for independent risk factors and prognosis with focus on the development of metaPC. Findings were then stratified to the time periods of treatment with surgery alone, 5-Fluorouracil-only and contemporary combined systemic perioperative chemotherapy strategies, respectively.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis: role of heat shock proteins and dissecting effects of hyperthermia.

Background: In patients with isolated peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of gastrointestinal cancer, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) represents a promising treatment option integrated into multimodal concepts. Heat shock proteins (HSP) seem to play a major role in cellular stress during HIPEC therapy. We analyzed differentially hyperthermic conditions and HSPs responsible for cell stress-mediated repair mechanisms in tumor tissues from patients who underwent HIPEC therapy and in an in vitro hyperthermic model.

Optimizing of preoperative computed tomography for diagnosis in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Background And Objective: This study evaluates whether Computer Tomography is an effective procedure for preoperative staging of patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Method: A sample of 37 patients was analyzed with contrast enhanced abdominal Computer Tomography, followed by surgical staging. All Computer Tomography scans were evaluated 3 times by 2 radiologists with one radiologist reviewing 2 times.

Influence of modern systemic therapies as adjunct to cytoreduction and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis: a multicenter study.

Background: To evaluate the role of modern systemic therapies and its role as palliative or curative therapy for patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis with an emphasis on patient selection with the colorectal Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS).

Methods: From three specialized treatment centers, patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis were identified between December 1988 to December 2009 to receive best supportive care, standard, or modern systemic therapies. Intent was classified as palliative or curative (if treated by cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy).

Evaluation of best supportive care and systemic chemotherapy as treatment stratified according to the retrospective peritoneal surface disease severity score (PSDSS) for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.

Background: We evaluate the long-term survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with systemic chemotherapy regimens, and the impact of the of the retrospective peritoneal disease severity score (PSDSS) on outcomes.

Methods: One hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients treated with PC from colorectal cancer between years 1987-2006 were identified from a prospective institutional database. These patients either received no chemotherapy, 5-FU/Leucovorin or Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

The importance of radiological controls of anastomoses after upper gastrointestinal tract surgery - a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: This study was designed to analyze whether routine radiological controls of anastomoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract an early detection of anastomotic leaks.

Patients And Methods: 135 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal tract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in the first group (n = 55) underwent routine radiological control of the anastomoses.

Morbidity and mortality of 109 consecutive cytoreductive procedures with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) performed at a community hospital.

Background: Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is playing an increasing role in the management of isolated peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal malignancies. Historically this surgery is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Recognizing this, our study was developed to prospectively evaluate morbidity and mortality after cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC performed at a community hospital.