Clinical significance of intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal sentinel lymph nodes detected on lymphoscintigraphy in truncal melanoma patients.

Background: Although most melanomas drain to the more common major lymph node basins (axilla, groin, neck), rarely they drain to deep SLN locations such as intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic (including intercostal and internal mammary) sites, which pose a higher surgical risk and complexity for procurement. Our study is aimed at determining the rate of positivity and likelihood of recurrence in these nodal sites to guide management decisions for patients with truncal melanomas which drain to these 'deep' SLN locations.

Methods: Retrospective data collected between May 2008 and May 2022 including all patients with truncal melanomas who underwent lymphoscintigraphy resulting in the identification of deep SLNs in intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic sites were included.

Survival Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Pelvic Exenteration for Pelvic Mucosal Melanomas: Retrospective Single Institution Australian Study.

Background: Pelvic mucosal melanomas, including anorectal and urogenital melanomas, are rare and aggressive with a median overall survival of up to 20 months. Pelvic mucosal melanomas behave differently to its cutaneous counterparts and presents late with locoregional disease, making pelvic exenteration its only curative surgical option.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes post pelvic exenteration in pelvic mucosal melanomas at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Oncogenic mutations in the TP53 and PI-3 kinase/AKT pathway are independent predictors of survival for advanced thyroid cancer: Analysis from the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST) program.

Background: Thyroid cancers with mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT pathway have a poorer prognosis. However, knowledge about the relationship between histology, mutation profile, and outcomes is still developing. This study assessed the prognostic value of genomic profiles for patients with advanced thyroid cancer who experienced progression on conventional treatment.

Initial experience of minimally invasive mesh explantation for inguinodynia.

Background: Chronic pain after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair with mesh can have debilitating effects on quality of life (QOL), limiting daily activities and ability to work. Many medical and surgical options for treatment have been proposed, however there is no consensus on the role of mesh explantation in the management of these patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent groin mesh removal by robotic or laparoscopic approach from July 2012 to July 2023 at our institution.

Oligometastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma to the spleen and ovaries.

In the context of colorectal cancer, splenic and ovarian metastases are rare outside of widely disseminated disease. Growing evidence suggests that 'oligometastatic' or limited metastatic disease can be treated surgically with good oncological outcomes. Splenic and ovarian metastases are not well represented in studies of oligometastatic colorectal cancer, resulting in uncertainty in the best management for these patients.

Surgical Management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: An Update of Clinical Evidence.

To investigate the surgical management of malignant pleural mesothelioma, 2 randomized controlled trials have been completed. We discuss the findings from these trials and the current evidence of various surgical techniques to treat this challenging disease.