The prognostic significance of microsatellites in cutaneous melanoma.

Microscopic satellite metastases are an adverse prognostic feature in primary cutaneous melanoma patients. The prognostic significance of microsatellites, including their number, size and distance from the primary melanoma, using the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer definition, has not previously been evaluated. This study sought to determine the prognostic significance of microsatellites in histopathologically reviewed cases.

Four different treatment strategies in aggressive fibromatosis: A systematic review.

Background: The treatment approach for aggressive fibromatosis is changing. Although surgery is the mainstay in common practice, recent literature is reporting a more conservative approach. We compared the local control rate for surgery, surgery with radiotherapy, radiotherapy alone and a wait and see policy in a systematic review.

Factors influencing the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the Netherlands.

Background: In the US, whether a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is performed depends on tumor and patient factors, including socioeconomic status (SES) and type of health care insurance. We analyzed which patient and tumor characteristics influenced the use of SLNB in a country where every patient has equal access to healthcare.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with a cutaneous invasive melanoma of ≥1 mm between 2004 and 2011 and living in the northeastern part of the Netherlands were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

Pathology review significantly affects diagnosis and treatment of melanoma patients: an analysis of 5011 patients treated at a melanoma treatment center.

Background: Pathologists sometimes disagree on the diagnosis of melanoma or its histopathologic staging, which may have implications for treatment and follow-up. For this reason, melanoma patients referred to Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) for further treatment routinely have their pathology slides reviewed by MIA pathologists. This study sought to determine whether diagnosis, staging, and treatment of melanoma patients changed significantly after central pathology review.

Reproducibility of AJCC staging parameters in primary cutaneous melanoma: an analysis of 4,924 cases.

Background: Pathology reports are of critical importance for conveying information to clinicians who must make important management decisions for their patients. This study sought to assess and compare the precision, reproducibility, and completeness of external pathology reports and pathology reports generated by central review of each case in a large cohort of primary cutaneous melanoma patients.

Methods: Details of matched external pathology reports and corresponding review reports for 4,924 primary cutaneous invasive melanomas diagnosed and treated at Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) between 2001 and 2011 were analyzed.

[A patient with a possible Mirizzi's syndrome].

Background: Mirizzi's syndrome is a rare cause of jaundice. The syndrome refers to common hepatic duct obstruction or choledoch duct obstruction caused by extrinsic compression of an impacted stone in the gallbladder neck or cystic duct.

Case Description: A 42-year-old woman was referred to the emergency department with symptoms indicative of obstructive icterus.