pT but not pN stage of the 8th TNM classification significantly improves prognostication in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The UICC TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) staging system for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been a matter of debate over decades because survival prediction based on T stages was weak and unreliable. To improve staging, the recently published 8th TNM edition (2016) introduced a conceptually completely changed strictly size-based T staging system and a refined N stage for PDAC. To investigate the clinical value of the novel TNM classification, we compared the prognostic impact of pT and pN stage between the 7th and 8th edition in two well-characterised independent German PDAC cohorts from different decades, including a total number of 523 patients.

Chromoendoscopy is a valuable tool for screening of high-risk patients with head and neck cancer for early detection of esophageal cancer.

Background: The incidence of esophageal cancer is markedly increased in patients with head and neck cancer, and the presence of esophageal cancer is associated with reduced survival rates.

Aims: We investigated whether the results of screening for esophageal cancer in patients with head and neck cancer using chromoendoscopy would change the treatment of such patients.

Patients: 87 patients with head and neck cancer and known alcohol or nicotine abuse were screened for esophageal cancer.