Background: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), contains tumour-specific gene mutation in blood circulation and could aid in postoperative risk stratification of non-metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of detecting PIK3CA gene mutations in ctDNA in the preoperative (preop) and postoperative period (postop), and its prognostic significance in patients with breast cancer.
Methods: A cohort of patients with breast cancer undergoing curative surgery with available blood samples preoperatively and postoperatively (Post op) at either Post op time period; week 1-2, week 3-4 or weeks 5-12 were enrolled.
Background: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential non-invasive biomarker of disease status in patients with cancer, and provides important diagnostic and prognostic information in breast cancer. The goal of this study was to quantify cfDNA concentrations during the perioperative period and investigate its potential utility to detect recurrence outcomes in patients with breast cancer.
Methods: Sixty-two (n = 62) patients with non-metastatic breast cancer, undergoing curative-intent surgery were screened for inclusion.
Background: Liquid biopsy is gaining increasing clinical utility in the management of cancer patients. The main components of a liquid biopsy are circulating nucleic acids, circulating tumour cells and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Circulating nucleic acids including cell free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in particular have been the focus of recent attention as they have demonstrated excellent potential in cancer screening, provision of prognostic information and in genomic profiling of a tumour without the need for repeated tissue biopsies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Fragmented DNA is continuously released into the circulation following apoptosis and necrosis of both cancerous and noncancerous cells; when it is released by cancer cells, it is specifically known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Previous studies have suggested that ctDNA can reflect tumor burden and guide potential therapeutic targets.
Objective: To determine the association of ctDNA with breast cancer disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival in early, locally advanced, and metastatic breast cancer.
The systemic inflammatory response plays a role in tumor progression and development. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biochemical marker of systemic inflammation and is increasingly gaining appreciation for its prognostic role in predicting breast cancer outcomes. Previous research has demonstrated that patients who achieve a complete pathologic response (pCR) to neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment have a more favorable disease-free survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy have largely replaced open adrenal surgery, particularly in benign disease. Laparoscopic surgery results in less post-operative pain, fewer surgical site complications and reduced length of hospital stay. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the characteristics of patients and evolution of surgical technique in adrenal surgery at Cork University Hospital over a 12-year period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a promising advance in the management of closed surgical incisions. NPWT application induces several effects locally within the wound including reduced lateral tension and improving lymphatic drainage. As a result, NPWT may improve wound healing and reduce surgical site complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study examines the association of cell-free DNA with tumor recurrence in patients with colon cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 31-year-old male patient with chronic constipation of unknown aetiology presented emergently with worsening nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension of one week duration. On examination, his abdomen was distended with minimal tenderness. A plain film of the abdomen demonstrated severe faecal loading.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 69-year-old woman was admitted electively for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pre-operatively she had an ultrasound abdomen which demonstrated a large gallbladder (GB) stone. Intraoperatively, a nodule was noted on the liver supero-lateral to GB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of prophylactic negative pressure dressings on postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) rates in closed laparotomy wounds.
Summary Of Background Data: Laparotomy wounds are associated with high rates of SSI. The effect of prophylactic negative pressure dressing of closed incisional wounds on SSI rate is unknown.
Purpose Of Review: This article assesses the role of the mesentery in Crohn's disease.
Recent Findings: The mesentery is centrally positioned both anatomically and physiologically. Overlapping mesenteric and submucosal mesenchymal contributions are important in the pathobiology of Crohn's disease.
Background: It remains difficult to distinguish between complicated appendicitis (CAP) and uncomplicated appendicitis (UAP). There is a paucity of studies utilizing inflammatory markers to stratify the severity of acute appendicitis. This study aimed to evaluate and demonstrate the potential clinical utility of inflammatory markers as adjuncts in distinguishing CAP and UAP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Surg Case Rep
August 2015
Introduction: The diagnosis of abdominal complications due to fish bone ingestion is particularly difficult as the presentation may mimic common abdominal pathologies.
Presentation Of Case: 65 year-old male presented with a two day history of right iliac fossa pain. He denied any nausea and vomiting.
Int J Surg Case Rep
May 2015
Introduction: Incarcerated femoral hernias usually contain a simple loop of bowel. Occasionally other abdominal structures may be found within the hernial sac. Rarely femoral hernias may contain metastatic tumour deposits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Acute appendicitis is increasingly being managed in the setting of a dedicated emergency theatre. However understanding of hospital factors that influence time-to-theatre (TTT) is poor. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify factors that influence TTT and to observe the effect of prolonged TTT on patient outcome.
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