Use of fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green for sentinel node mapping during gastric cancer surgery: Results of an intercontinental Delphi survey.

Background: Understanding the extent of tumor spread to local lymph nodes is critical to managing early-stage gastric cancer. Recently, fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green has been used to identify and characterize sentinel lymph nodes during gastric cancer surgery, but no published guidelines exist. We sought to identify areas of consensus among international experts in the use of fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green for mapping sentinel lymph nodes during gastric-cancer surgery.

Somatic mutation profiling of hobnail variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Hobnail variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (HPTC) represents a recently described, aggressive and rare group of thyroid tumors with poorly understood pathogenesis. Molecular data about this group of cancers are few, and a more detailed molecular characterization of these tumors is needed. The main objective of the study is to define a comprehensive molecular typing of HPTC.

Prognostic factors in 868 advanced gastric cancer patients treated with second-line chemotherapy in the real world.

Background: Although second-line therapy is often considered for advanced gastric cancer patients, the optimal candidates are not well defined.

Methods: We retrospectively collected baseline parameters, tumour features, and treatment data for 868 advanced gastric cancer patients exposed to multiple treatment lines at 19 Italian centres. Cross-tables and chi-square tests were used to describe categorical features.

Second-line chemotherapy in advanced biliary cancer progressed to first-line platinum-gemcitabine combination: a multicenter survey and pooled analysis with published data.

Background: After progression to a standard first-line platinum and gemcitabine combination (GP), there is no established second-line therapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancers (aBTC). Indeed, literature data suggest limited activity of most second-line agents evaluated so far.

Methods: We collected a large retrospective series of aBTC patients treated with second-line chemotherapy after progression to a first-line GP regimen at different Italian institutions.

Multivariate prognostic factors analysis for second-line chemotherapy in advanced biliary tract cancer.

Background: The role of second-line chemotherapy (CT) is not established in advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC). We investigated the outcome of aBTC patients treated with second-line CT and devised a prognostic model.

Methods: Baseline clinical and laboratory data of 300 consecutive aBTC patients were collected and association with overall survival (OS) was investigated by multivariable Cox models.

Tomotherapy treatment plan quality assurance: the impact of applied criteria on passing rate in gamma index method.

Purpose: Pretreatment patient plan verification with gamma index (GI) metric analysis is standard procedure for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the variability of the local and global gamma index obtained during standard pretreatment quality assurance (QA) measurements for plans performed with Tomotherapy unit. The QA measurements were performed with a 3D diode array, using variable passing criteria: 3%∕3 mm, 2%∕2 mm, 1%∕1 mm, each with both local and global normalization.

Clinical outcome in women with HER2-positive de novo or recurring stage IV breast cancer receiving trastuzumab-based therapy.

Background: Five to 10% of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have synchronous metastases (de novo stage IV). A further 20% will develop metastases during follow-up (recurring stage IV). We compared the clinical outcomes of women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving first-line trastuzumab-based therapy according to type of metastatic presentation.

Dose to organs at risk in the upper abdomen in patients treated with extended fields by helical tomotherapy: a dosimetric and clinical preliminary study.

Background: The aim of this work was to determine the technical feasibility and safety of extended-field radiotherapy (EF), performed by Helical TomoTherapy, in patients with positive pelvic and/or para-aortic nodes. Dosimetric data were collected and acute and sub-acute toxicities of the upper abdominal organs at risk (OAR) were evaluated.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients suitable for EF irradiation for local disease and/or nodal disease in the pelvic or para-aortic area were treated.