In vivo and ex vivo confocal microscopy for the evaluation of surgical margins of melanoma.

We report the first series of melanomas (MMs) where the surgical margins were evaluated both by ex vivo confocal microscopy (EVCM) and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). We evaluated the surgical margins of 42 cutaneous MMs of lentigo maligna/lentigo maligna melanoma type and 2 mucosal MMs with EVCM. Cutaneous MMs also underwent RCM mapping.

Supporting clinical decision making in advanced melanoma by preclinical testing in personalized immune-humanized xenograft mouse models.

Background: The mouse strains usually used to generate patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are immunocompromised, rendering them unsuitable for immunotherapy studies. Here we assessed the value of immune-PDX mouse models for predicting responses to anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients.

Patients And Methods: Melanoma biopsies contained in a retrospective biobank were transplanted into NOG mice or NOG mice expressing interleukin 2 (hIL2-NOG mice).

Short-term outcome of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy used as treatment of colo-rectal carcinomatosis: a multicentric study.

The aim of this study is to assess the morbidity and mortality related to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with colo-rectal carcinomatosis. A retrospective multi-institutional study from seven Italian Centers was performed. One hundred and seventy-two patients, submitted to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat carcinomatosis of colorectal origin, were recorded.

Mitochondrial protein enriched extracellular vesicles discovered in human melanoma tissues can be detected in patient plasma.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are secreted from all cells, and convey messages between cells in health and disease. However, the diversity of EV subpopulations is only beginning to be explored. Since EVs have been implicated in tumour microenvironmental communication, we started to determine the diversity of EVs specifically in this tissue.

Different Features of Tumor-Associated NK Cells in Patients With Low-Grade or High-Grade Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a rare disease defined as diffused implantation of neoplastic cells in the peritoneal cavity. This clinical picture occurs during the evolution of peritoneal tumors, and it is the main cause of morbidity and mortality of patients affected by these pathologies, though cytoreductive surgery with heated intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is yielding promising results. In the present study, we evaluated whether the tumor microenvironment of low-grade and high-grade PC could affect the phenotypic and functional features and thus the anti-tumor potential of NK cells.

Surgical oncology in the elderly.

Poor cancer-specific outcomes in the elderly group are primarily a surgical failure. Surgeons are insufficiently trained to draw a line between fit and frail patients; this results in over-treatment of the frail patient, as well as under-treatment of the fit one. Communication skills should be improved to better understand the patient's requests.

BRAF status as a predictive factor for response in isolated limb perfusion.

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a treatment option for unresectable in-transit melanoma metastases of the extremities. Approximately two-thirds of the patients have a complete response, and known predictive factors mainly regard tumor burden. In an attempt to identify subgroups with higher response rates, we retrospectively analyzed the predictive value of the BRAF V600E/K mutation for response at our institution.

Response and Toxicity of Repeated Isolated Limb Perfusion (re-ILP) for Patients With In-Transit Metastases of Malignant Melanoma.

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a safe and well-established treatment for in-transit metastases of melanoma. In case of relapse or disease progression, ILP can be repeated (re-ILP). This study aimed retrospectively to analyze a large consecutive series of re-ILP and compare clinical outcomes with first-time ILP.

Sentinel node for malignant melanoma: An observational study of a consecutive single centre experience.

Introduction: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for melanoma gives prognostic information, however the success is dependent on several factors. The aim of this study was to describe outcome data after the introduction of the technique at our centre, including analysis of false negative rate (FNR), predictive factors for positive sentinel node (SN) and non-sentinel node (NSN), as well as prognostic factors for melanoma-specific survival (MSS).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of a prospectively kept database at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Bowel vaginoplasty: a systematic review.

Among surgical procedures for constructing a neovagina, positive outcomes are reported in literature for bowel vaginoplasty for male-to-female transgenders and patients with vaginal aplasia. This systematic review shows outcomes of bowel vaginoplasty procedures, and rates the quality of evidence of the included studies. A search of the literature was performed in PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library and SveMed+, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, between January 2016 and February 2018.

The effect of perfusate buffering on toxicity and response in isolated hepatic perfusion for uveal melanoma liver metastases.

Background: Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) is a treatment option for patients with liver metastases. Previous studies have found that liver toxicity is one of the limiting factors, and in an attempt to reduce the toxicity a buffering agent was added to the perfusate. The aim was to retrospectively analyse if this buffering reduced toxicity and complication rates.

Isolated limb perfusion as a treatment option for rare types of tumours.

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is an established and effective treatment for advanced melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities with a high overall response rate. The aim of this study was to describe our experience of ILP for more rare types of tumours.

Methods: Patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) (n = 4), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 2), B-cell lymphoma (n = 1), desmoid tumours (n = 3), pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) (n = 1) and giant cell tumour (n = 1) were treated with ILP and analysed retrospectively.

Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients Who have In-Transit Melanoma Metastases Treated with Isolated Limb Perfusion.

Background: The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing, and up to 5 % of patients will experience in-transit metastases. Normally, the initial treatment is surgical excision, but when not possible, locoregional treatment options such as isolated limb perfusion (ILP) are an alternative. This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) prospectively for patients whose in-transit metastases is treated with ILP.

Long-Term Follow-Up Evaluation of 68 Patients with Uveal Melanoma Liver Metastases Treated with Isolated Hepatic Perfusion.

Background: This report describes the outcomes and long-term follow-up data from all isolated hepatic perfusions (IHPs) performed at a single institution in Sweden between the years 1989 and 2013 for patients with isolated uveal melanoma metastases.

Methods: A total of 68 patients (median age, 61 years) were treated consecutively at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Of the 68 patients, 67 % had fewer than 10 tumors.

Extraction of a foreign body in the liver using single incision laparoscopic surgery: a new application for minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common medical problem frequently observed in children, psychiatric patients and prisoners. Various cases have been found in the medical literature, with different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We report a case of a 41-year-old male inmate, hospitalized for right upper quadrant pain of the abdomen due to the ingestion of two syringe needles two weeks previously.

Which is the Ideal Breast Size?: Some Social Clues for Plastic Surgeons.

To provide plastic surgeons with more detailed information as to factors affecting the perception of female attractiveness, the present study was aimed to investigate whether the interaction effect of breast and body size on ratings of female attractiveness is moderated by sociodemographic variables and whether ratings of shapeliness diverge from those of attractiveness.A community sample of 958 Italian participants rated the attractiveness and the shapeliness of 15 stimuli (5 breast sizes × 3 body sizes) in which frontal, 3/4, and profile views of the head and torso of a faceless woman were jointly shown.Bigger breast sizes obtained the highest attractiveness ratings, but the breast-by-body size interaction was also significant.

Short-term outcome of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: preliminary analysis of a multicentre study.

Aim: To assess the incidence of morbidity and mortality of Cytoreductive Surgery plus Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective multicentric study was performed. Six hundred and eighty-three patients were recorded.