The impact of demographics and socioeconomic status on the receipt of immunotherapy for stage III melanoma.

Background: There is limited data examining potential disparities in the receipt of immunotherapy among patients with stage III melanoma.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort review using the National Cancer Database (NCDB) including adult patients with stage III melanoma between 2004 and 2017. We compared receipt of immunotherapy based on demographic and socioeconomic factors for patients diagnosed 2004-2014 and 2016-2017, before and after FDA approval of immune checkpoint blockade.

Timing After Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Mortality in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: Currently most surgeons allow 6-12 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy prior to recommending esophagectomy. Given that complete pathologic response correlates to improved survival, some have advocated a longer interval should be entertained to increase the pathologic response. The impact of an expanded neoadjuvant therapy-surgery timing is not currently well understood.

Outcomes of adjuvant radiation therapy after chemotherapy in resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database analysis.

Background: Adjuvant capecitabine is considered a standard of care for resected cholangiocarcinoma per the BILCAP trial. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in that trial was not addressed. This study was designed to examine the outcomes of adjuvant radiation in patients who received chemotherapy for resected cholangiocarcinoma.

Comparative outcomes of transthoracic versus transhiatal esophagectomy.

Background: Surgical resection has become a mainstay of therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer and can increase survival significantly. With the advancement of minimally invasive surgery, there is still debate on the best approach for esophagectomy. We report a modern analysis of outcomes with transthoracic versus transhiatal esophagectomy.

Multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves response and survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

Background: We sought to examine the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), single agent (SA) or multi-agent (MA) chemotherapy, and chemoradiation (NCRT) on response and survival in pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database, we identified patients who underwent resection of the pancreatic head for adenocarcinoma [2006-2013]. Overall survival (OS) analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Comparative Perioperative Outcomes by Esophagectomy Surgical Technique.

Introduction: Surgical resection is vital in the curative management of patients with esophageal cancer. However, a myriad of surgical procedures exists based on surgeon preference and training. We report on the perioperative outcomes based on esophagectomy surgical technique.

Comparative outcomes of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted esophagectomy.

Objective: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to open approaches. The myriad of techniques has precluded the recommendation of a standard approach. The addition of robotics to esophageal resection has potential benefits.