Sentinel lymph node biopsy validation for large tumors.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) remains under discussion for large size tumors. The aim of this work has been to study the false negative rate (FNR) of SLNB for large tumors and predictive factors of false negative (FN).

Materials And Methods: A study of a multicentric cohort, involved patients presenting N0 breast cancer with a SLNB eventually completed by complementary axillary lymph node dissection (cALND).

Surgical Management of Benign and Borderline Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast.

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are uncommon fibroepithelial breast neoplasms and there is currently no clear consensual treatment for these tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the surgical management and outcome of benign and borderline PT. We retrospectively assessed 76 cases of benign or borderline PT managed at the Leon Berard comprehensive cancer center in Lyon, France between July 2003 and December 2013.

TIF1γ interferes with TGFβ1/SMAD4 signaling to promote poor outcome in operable breast cancer patients.

Background: The Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling has a paradoxical role in cancer development and outcome. Besides, the prognostic significance of the TGFβ1, SMAD4 in breast cancer patients is an area of many contradictions. The transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) is thought to interact with the TGFβ/SMAD signaling through different mechanisms.

[Metastatic screening before adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer].

Introduction: Systematic metastasis staging in early breast cancer is no longer recommended. However, it is still performed before adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We assessed metastasis screening of asymptomatic women with a local breast cancer without lymph node involvement when adjuvant chemotherapy was indicated.

The incidence and clinical significance of the micrometastases in the sentinel lymph nodes during surgical staging for early endometrial cancer.

Introduction: The status of regional node remains one of the most important factors to guide adjuvant therapy in endometrial cancer (EC). Pelvic recurrence occurs in up to 15% of early EC patients with negative pelvic lymph nodes (LNs). The prognostic significance of detecting micrometastases (μM) in LN is debated.

Quality of life of surgical oncology residents and fellows across Europe.

Background: Data are currently lacking regarding the quality of life of surgical oncology (SO) trainees. We sought to assess the training conditions and quality of life of SO residents and fellows across Europe.

Material And Methods: Members of the European Society for Surgical Oncology were invited to complete a Web-based survey that included a questionnaire specifically designed for SO trainees.

Primary ovarian borderline tumor in the inguinal lymph node.

We report the case of a primary serous ovarian borderline tumour developed in an inguinal lymph node. No primary ovarian borderline tumour was observed within the ovaries after bilateral ovariectomy and complete pathological examination. We considered the diagnosis of ectopic ovarian tissue because the tumour was completely surrounded by normal ovarian tissue with positive FOXL2 staining.

[Adjuvant treatments in breast cancer: interest of completion of axillary dissection in case of micrometastases or isolated tumor cells in sentinel lymph node].

Prognostic signification of micrometastases ou isolated tumor cells (ITC) has not yet been clearly precised. Management of the axilla in case of micrometastases or ITC depends on the local pratices: no surgical completion or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Axillary lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer; morbidity of ALND is now well known whereas its therapeutic benefit has not been demonstrated.

[Insights of young French surgical oncologists: motives and training].

Introduction: In France, surgical oncology is not recognized as a unique specialty, but as a sub-specialization offered to surgeons in training. To date, their motives and training have not been studied.

Materials And Methods: We set a dedicated online survey suggested to 102 surgeons applying for the specific national degree in surgical oncology.

New developments in treatment of ovarian carcinoma: focus on trabectedin.

Trabectedin is a new marine-derived compound that binds the DNA minor groove and interacts with proteins of the DNA repair machinery. Trabectedin has shown promising single-agent activity in pretreated patients with soft tissue sarcoma, and ovarian and breast cancer, and combination with various other chemotherapeutic drugs seems feasible. Toxicities are mainly hematologic and hepatic, with Grade 3-4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia observed in approximately 50% and 20% of patients, respectively, and Grade 3-4 elevation of liver enzymes observed in 35%-50% of patients treated with trabectedin.

Coagulation assessment by rotation thrombelastometry in normal pregnancy.

We analysed changes in coagulation during normal pregnancy with a novel point-of-care device based on thrombelastometry (ROTEM). We compared the results obtained with those of standard coagulation tests in 104 patients: 20 non-pregnant women (controls) and 84 women in the first (T1, n = 17), second (T2, n = 9) and third (T3, n = 58) trimesters of pregnancy. We measured the clotting time (CT), the maximum clot firmness (MCF), the early clot amplitude at 5 and 15 minutes (CA(5), CA(15)) and the clot lysis index (CLI(30)) with four tests containing specific reagents.