Prognostic implications of advancing nodal stage in anal cancer: evaluating AJCC 8 staging changes through an NCDB analysis.

Purpose: In the AJCC8, nodal staging for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) has been changed to a binary format (N0 or N+), and overall stage groups have been redefined. We evaluated the effect of AJCC8 nodal stage by T stage and hypothesized similar survival regardless of the extent of AJCC7-defined nodal involvement.

Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients' SCCA.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy improves survival and reduces treatment time in squamous cell carcinoma of the anus: A National Cancer Data Base study.

Background: Chemoradiation with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin remains the standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. A prolonged treatment time is associated with inferior disease-specific outcomes. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial 0529 demonstrated decreased toxicity and fewer treatment breaks with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), but this has not been assessed in a randomized trial.

Acute complications of patients with pelvic fractures after pelvic angiographic embolization.

Background: Hemodynamically unstable patients with a pelvic fracture and arterial pelvic bleeding frequently are treated with pelvic angiographic embolization (PAE). PAE is reported to be a safe and effective method of controlling hemorrhage. However, the loss of blood supply and subsequent ischemia from embolization may lead to adverse consequences.

The Duffy Antigen/Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) and prostate-cancer risk among Jamaican men.

As an evolutionary response to prevent malaria infection, most Africans do not express the Duffy Antigen/Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) on their red blood cells. Results from experimental studies suggest that DARC expression inhibits prostate-tumor growth. We tested the hypothesis that men of African descent who lack DARC expression are at increased risk of prostate cancer.