Primary systemic therapy in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using mFOLFIRINOX: A pilot study.

Background And Objectives: Surgery followed by gemcitabine and/or a fluoropyrimidine is standard therapy for resectable PDAC. mFOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m , irinotecan 180 mg/m , leucovorin 400 mg/m Day 1, 5-FU 2400 mg/m  × 48 h IV, peg-filgrastim 6 mg SQ day 3, every 14 days) has substantial activity in metastatic PDAC. We wished to determine the tolerability/efficacy of peri-operative mFOLFIRINOX in resectable PDAC.

Comparison of tumor markers for predicting outcomes after resection of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: This study compares the predictability of 5 tumor markers for distant metastasis and mortality in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).

Methods: A total of 128 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for nonfunctioning PNETs between 1998 and 2011 were evaluated. Tumor specimens were stained via immunochemistry for cytoplasmic and nuclear survivin, cytokeratin 19 (CK19), c-KIT, and Ki67.

Predicting aggressive behavior in nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Purpose: The biologic potential of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is highly variable and difficult to predict before resection. This study was conducted to identify clinical and pathologic factors associated with malignant behavior and death in patients diagnosed with PNETs.

Methods: We used International Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes to identify patients who underwent pancreatectomy for PNETs from 1998 to 2011 in the databases of 4 institutions.

Hirschsprung disease of the colon, a vaginal mass and medullary thyroid cancer - a RET oncogene driven problem.

This case report emphasizes the fact that all patients with Hirschsprung disease should be screened for RET Oncogene mutation as there is a well known association between Hirschsprung Disease and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Type 2A. It also reminds us that Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma is known to cause elevated levels of CEA which does not originate from gastrointestinal tract.

Phase I study of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin by continuous infusion chronotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer.

Purpose: To determine the maximal tolerated dose of chronomodulated 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) given concurrently with radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: Forty-five patients with T3, T4 or recurrent rectal cancer received concurrent radiotherapy to a minimal dose of 4500 cGy. Chemotherapy was administered by a programmable pump in chronomodulated fashion, with 62.

Transanal excision of locally advanced rectal cancers downstaged using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Our institution has previously demonstrated a survival advantage conferred by preoperative neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancers. We now report our results using transanal excision as definitive surgical therapy in a selected group of patients who experienced significant downstaging of T3 rectal cancers after neoadjuvant therapy.

Study Design: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with locally advanced (T3) rectal cancers were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.