Nipple viability after nipple-sparing mastectomy in patients with prior circum-areolar incisions.

Nipple-areola-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is becoming more commonplace as it offers a more esthetic breast appearance while still appropriately treating malignancy. However, patients with prior circum-areolar incisions are often considered at risk for nipple viability. The authors present a case series of all patients undergoing NSM at their institution between 2012 and 2016.

Implications of Internal Mammary Lymph Node Sampling During Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

Introduction: Internal mammary lymph node (IMN) chain assessment for breast cancer is controversial; however, current oncologic data have shed new light on its importance. Metastatic involvement of the IMN chain has implications for staging, prognosis, treatment, and survival. Here, we analyzed our data gathered during sampling of the IMN and the oncologic treatment changes that resulted from our findings.

Targeting the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor with a monoclonal antibody impairs the growth of human colorectal cancer in the liver.

Background: Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The authors hypothesized that targeting uPAR, a receptor involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, and angiogenesis, would impair the growth of CRC in the liver, the most common site of metastasis.

Methods: Human CRC cell lines were examined for uPAR expression by Western blot analysis.

Chemoresistant colorectal cancer cells, the cancer stem cell phenotype, and increased sensitivity to insulin-like growth factor-I receptor inhibition.

5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and oxaliplatin are standard therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but the development of chemoresistance is inevitable. Because cancer stem cells (CSC) are hypothesized to be chemoresistant, we investigated CSC properties in newly developed chemoresistant CRC cell lines and sought to identify targets for therapy. The human CRC cell line HT29 was exposed to increasing doses of 5FU (HT29/5FU-R) or oxaliplatin (HT29/OxR) to achieve resistance at clinically relevant doses.

Neuropilin-2-mediated tumor growth and angiogenesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Neuropilin-2 (NRP-2) is a coreceptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on endothelial cells. NRP-2 is overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells relative to nonmalignant ductal epithelium. This study determined the role of NRP-2 in PDAC cells.

Effect of molecular therapeutics on liver regeneration in a murine model.

Purpose: Unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) can be rendered resectable with systemic chemotherapy in approximately 20% of cases. Most patients with metastatic CRC receive chemotherapy with the addition of targeted therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies. We sought to determine whether anti-VEGF receptor (VEGFR) or anti-EGFR therapy would impair liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in mice.

Endoglin (CD105): a marker of tumor vasculature and potential target for therapy.

Endoglin (CD105) is an accessory protein of the transforming growth factor-beta receptor system expressed on vascular endothelial cells. Mutation of the endoglin gene is associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasias, or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, and has been studied extensively in the context of this disease. The expression of endoglin is elevated on the endothelial cells of healing wounds, developing embryos, inflammatory tissues, and solid tumors.

Melanoma adrenal metastasis: natural history and surgical management.

Background: Few data exist regarding melanoma metastasis to the adrenal gland. We reviewed our experience to determine the natural history of this condition and the appropriate role for surgical intervention.

Methods: A retrospective review of melanoma patients with adrenal metastasis was performed.

Sentinel lymph node evaluation does not improve staging accuracy in colon cancer.

Background: Lymph node involvement is an important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) evaluation for assessing lymph node status in colorectal cancer remains controversial. Here we evaluated the sensitivity, predictive value, and accuracy of SLN evaluation for determining lymph node status in resectable colon cancer.

Functional significance of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors on gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be the major mediator of physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. VEGF was initially thought to be an endothelial cell specific ligand, but recently, VEGF has been shown to mediate tumor cell function via activation of receptors on tumor cells themselves. Here, we review the expression patterns and binding profiles of the VEGF receptors and their ligands on gastrointestinal tumor cells.

Toxicity and outcomes associated with surgical cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with sarcomatosis.

Background: Treatment of peritoneal recurrence following surgical resection of intra-abdominal sarcomas presents a significant challenge to clinicians. Historically, treatment with systemic chemotherapy has been ineffective and surgical resection alone has not been durable. We prospectively evaluated the feasibility of cytoreductive surgery followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with cisplatin (CDDP) alone or in combination with mitoxantrone (MITOX) for the treatment of sarcomatosis.

Preoperative evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions: cost-benefit analysis and proposed management algorithm.

Background: This study was performed to develop a management algorithm that accurately predicts the necessity of operative intervention and results in significant cost savings for patients with cystic pancreatic tumors.

Methods: We reviewed 60 patients treated between 1992 and 2003. Accuracy rates of tests used to differentiate benign from premalignant and malignant cysts were calculated.