Blood-Based Multi-Cancer Detection Using a Novel Variant Calling Assay (DEEPGEN): Early Clinical Results.

This is an early clinical analysis of the DEEPGENTM platform for cancer detection. Newly diagnosed cancer patients and individuals with no known malignancy were included in a prospective open-label case-controlled study (NCT03517332). Plasma cfDNA that was extracted from peripheral blood was sequenced and data were processed using machine-learning algorithms to derive cancer prediction scores.

Totally robotic vs hybrid abdominoperineal resection: A retrospective multicenter analysis.

Introduction: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) for low rectal cancers is technically demanding. Robotic assistance may be of help and can be hybrid (HAPR) or totally robotic (RAPR). The present study describes outcomes of robotic APR and compares both approaches.

Novel technique of robotic extralevator abdominoperineal resection with gracilis flap closure.

Background: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a robotic assisted approach to extralevator abdominoperineal excision in the modified Lloyd-Davis position with reconstruction of the perineum using pedicled gracilis flaps, and to discuss outcomes in a cohort of six patients.

Methods: Data was collected by chart review on six patients who underwent extralevator excision with gracilis flap reconstruction from 10/2013 to 06/2015. Technical details, operative data, oncologic outcomes, and wound healing complications were evaluated.

Robotic Rectal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis.

Background: Conventional laparoscopy has been applied to colorectal resections for more than 2 decades. However, laparoscopic rectal resection is technically demanding, especially when performing a tumor-specific mesorectal excision in a difficult pelvis. Robotic surgery is uniquely designed to overcome most of these technical limitations.

Hospital-based, acute care encounters after radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumours.

Background: The use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for cancer is increasing; however, post-discharge outcomes have not been well described. The aim of the present study was to determine rates of hospital-based, acute care utilization within 30 days of discharge after RFA.

Methods: Using state-level data from California, patients were identified who were at least 40 years of age who underwent RFA of hepatic tumours without a concurrent liver resection from 2007-2011.

Short-term outcomes of ablation therapy for hepatic tumors: evidence from the 2006-2009 nationwide inpatient sample.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of hepatic tumors has been increasingly used across the United States. Whether treatment-related morbidity has remained low with broader adoption is unclear. We conducted this study to describe in-hospital morbidity associated with RFA for hepatic tumors and to identify predictors of adverse events in a nationally representative database.

Open versus laparoscopic liver resection: looking beyond the immediate postoperative period.

Background: Laparoscopic liver resection for malignant disease has shown short-term benefit. This study aimed to compare in-house, 30-day, and 1-year morbidity between laparoscopic and open liver resections.

Methods: The charts for all patients who underwent liver resection for malignant disease between April 2006 and October 2009 were reviewed.

Senescence-associated gene YPEL3 is downregulated in human colon tumors.

Background: Previous work has demonstrated YPEL3 to be a growth-suppressive protein that acts through a pathway of cellular senescence. We set out to determine whether human colon tumors demonstrated downregulation of YPEL3.

Methods: We collected colon tumor samples with matched normal control samples and analyzed them for YPEL3 gene expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and CpG hypermethylation of the YPEL3 promoter by base-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Tumors at the aortoiliac/inferior vena cava bifurcation: preoperative, anesthetic, and intraoperative considerations.

Primary and recurrent retroperitoneal tumors can involve the aortoiliac vasculature. They are often considered inoperable or incurable because of the locally advanced nature of the disease or the technical aspects involved in safely resecting the lesion. Safe resection of these lesions requires experience and extensive preoperative planning for success.

Colorectal cancer metastasis presenting as a testicular mass: case report and review of the literature.

Metastatic lesions to the testicle are uncommon. The authors report a testicular mass as the initial manifestation of distant metastasis from colorectal cancer. This case describes a 51-year-old white man who presented with an enlarged right testicle 9 months after undergoing a right hemicolectomy for a stage IIIC colon adenocarcinoma.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy after neoadjuvant therapy in a Jehovah's witness with locally advanced pancreatic cancer: case report and approach to avoid transfusion.

Although the morbidity and mortality rates associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) have been improving over the past several decades, perioperative transfusions are often needed. Here, we review the preoperative planning and overall management of a Jehovah's Witness patient with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who would not accept blood transfusion. Management of this case is reviewed, along with the relevant literature regarding major surgery in the Jehovah's Witness population.

The physiologic effects of laparoscopy: applications in oncology.

The use of laparoscopic approaches to surgical disease continues to advance quickly. Laparoscopy applied to oncologic surgery continues to be debated. We review the experience of laparoscopy as it relates to surgery for tumors.

Evaluation of Charlson-Age Comorbidity Index as predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

The Charlson-Age Comorbidity Index (CACI) is a validated tool used to predict patient outcome based on comorbid medical conditions. We wanted to determine if the CACI would predict morbidity and mortality outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma. Records of 279 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who underwent laparotomy by a single surgical group between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed in a retrospective fashion for patient demographics, stage at diagnosis, operation, surgeon, perioperative complications, tumor characteristics, comorbid diseases, performance status, length of stay (LOS), disposition, and mortality.

Axillary lymph node metastasis following resection of abdominal wall laparoscopic port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer.

Abdominal wall port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer is well described in the literature in patients that have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the incidental finding of a gallbladder cancer. The etiology and consequences of this type of metastatic recurrence are unclear. This report describes two cases with the unique sequelae of the interval development of nodal metastases to the axillary lymph nodes following resection of an abdominal wall laparoscopic port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer.

Merkel cell carcinoma metastatic to the head of the pancreas.

Context: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous tumor without clearly defined treatment and high propensity for metastasis.

Case Report: This case describes a sixty four year old presenting with obstructive jaundice approximately two years after having a Merkel cell carcinoma resected from his finger. He underwent a successful pancreaticoduodenectomy with pathology confirming metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.