Our aim was to clarify the optimum pre-ablative thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level for initial radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). From ...December 2015 to May 2019, 689 patients undergone RRA at Nuclear Medicine Department, Second Hospital of Shandong University were included in the study. Patients were categorized by their pre-ablative TSH level grouping of < 30, 30-70 and ≥ 70 mIU/L. Response to RRA were evaluated as complete response (including excellent and indeterminate response) and incomplete response (including biochemical and structural incomplete response) after a follow-up of 6-8 months. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to explore the optimum pre-ablative TSH level range and independent factors associated with response to RRA. Rates of complete response to RRA were 63.04%, 74.59% and 66.41% in TSH level groups of < 30, 30-70 and ≥ 70 mIU/L, separately. With multivariate analysis, the study found that pre-ablative TSH levels, gender and lymph node dissection were independent predictors of response to RRA. TSH between 30 and 70 mIU/L had a higher rate of complete response compared with TSH < 30 mIU/L, OR 0.451 (95% CI 0.215-0.958, P = 0.036). A pre-ablative TSH level of 30-70 mIU/L was appropriate for patients with DTC to achieve a better response to RRA.
To revise the staging system for cutaneous melanoma on the basis of data from an expanded American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Melanoma Staging Database.
The melanoma staging recommendations ...were made on the basis of a multivariate analysis of 30,946 patients with stages I, II, and III melanoma and 7,972 patients with stage IV melanoma to revise and clarify TNM classifications and stage grouping criteria.
Findings and new definitions include the following: (1) in patients with localized melanoma, tumor thickness, mitotic rate (histologically defined as mitoses/mm(2)), and ulceration were the most dominant prognostic factors. (2) Mitotic rate replaces level of invasion as a primary criterion for defining T1b melanomas. (3) Among the 3,307 patients with regional metastases, components that defined the N category were the number of metastatic nodes, tumor burden, and ulceration of the primary melanoma. (4) For staging purposes, all patients with microscopic nodal metastases, regardless of extent of tumor burden, are classified as stage III. Micrometastases detected by immunohistochemistry are specifically included. (5) On the basis of a multivariate analysis of patients with distant metastases, the two dominant components in defining the M category continue to be the site of distant metastases (nonvisceral v lung v all other visceral metastatic sites) and an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level.
Using an evidence-based approach, revisions to the AJCC melanoma staging system have been made that reflect our improved understanding of this disease. These revisions will be formally incorporated into the seventh edition (2009) of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual and implemented by early 2010.
To determine the survival rates and independent predictors of survival using a contemporary international cohort of patients with stage III melanoma.
Complete clinicopathologic and follow-up data ...were available for 2,313 patients with stage III disease in an updated and expanded American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging database. Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analyses were performed.
Among all 2,313 patients with stage III disease, 81% had micrometastases, and 19% had clinically detectable macrometastases. The 5-year overall survival was 63%; it was 67% for patients with nodal micrometastases, and it was 43% for those with nodal macrometastases (P < .001). Tremendous heterogeneity in survival was observed, particularly in the microscopically detected nodal metastasis subset (from 23% to 87% for 5-year survival). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that in patients with nodal micrometastases, number of tumor-containing lymph nodes, primary tumor thickness, patient age, ulceration, and anatomic site of the primary independently predicted survival (all P < .01). When added to the model, primary tumor mitotic rate was the second-most powerful predictor of survival after the number of tumor-containing nodes. In contrast, for patients with nodal macrometastases, the number of tumor-containing nodes, primary ulceration, and patient age independently predicted survival (P < .01).
In this multi-institutional analysis, we demonstrated remarkable heterogeneity of prognosis among patients with stage III melanoma, especially among those with nodal micrometastases. These results should be incorporated into the design and interpretation of future clinical trials involving patients with stage III melanoma.
Background
Current evidence‐based guidelines support stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for patients with up to four brain metastases (BMs). However, debate continues about how many tumors may be ...treated by SRS alone.
Methods
This retrospective study included non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with BMs treated with gamma knife as the initial treatment for cerebral lesions. The patients were followed up to obtain their survival information. The outcomes were statistically analyzed to compare the differences in survival between the <5 BMs and ≥5 BMs groups and to identify prognostic factors.
Results
A total of 77 patients were divided into two groups (54 patients with <5 BMs and 23 patients with ≥5 BMs). The median overall survival (OS) was 18.3 months in the <5 BMs group and 17.7 months in the ≥5 BMs group. The median intracranial progression‐free survival (IPFS) was 9.0 months in the <5 BMs group and 9.9 months in the ≥5 BMs group. There was no significant difference in OS and IPFS between the two groups. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that adenocarcinoma, controlled primary cancer, higher Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), and salvage treatment were independent prognostic factors favoring longer OS.
Conclusion
SRS alone as the initial treatment for NSCLC patients with more than four BMs was non‐inferior to SRS for those with one to four BMs in terms of OS and IPFS.
SRS alone as the initial treatment for NSCLC patients with more than four BMs was non‐inferior to SRS for those with one to four BMs in terms of OS and IPFS. Adenocarcinoma, controlled primary cancer, higher KPS, and salvage treatment were independent prognostic factors favoring longer OS.
The aim of this study was to assess the independent prognostic value of primary tumor mitotic rate compared with other clinical and pathologic features of stages I and II melanoma.
From the American ...Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging database, information was extracted for 13,296 patients with stages I and II disease who had mitotic rate data available.
Survival times declined as mitotic rate increased. Ten-year survival ranged from 93% for patients whose tumors had 0 mitosis/mm(2) to 48% for those with ≥ 20/mm(2) (P < .001). Mean number of mitoses/mm(2) increased as the primary melanomas became thicker (1.0 for melanomas ≤ 1 mm, 3.5 for 1.01 to 2.0 mm, 7.3 for 3.01 to 4.0 mm, and 9.6 for > 8 mm). Ulceration was also associated with a higher mitotic rate; 59% of ulcerated melanomas had ≥ 5 mitoses/mm(2) compared with 16% of nonulcerated melanomas (P < .001). In a multivariate analysis of 10,233 patients, the independent predictive factors for survival in order of statistical significance were as follows: tumor thickness (χ(2) = 104.9; P < .001), mitotic rate (χ(2) = 67.0; P < .001), patient age (χ(2) = 48.2; P < .001), ulceration (χ(2) = 46.4; P < .001), anatomic site (χ(2) = 34.6; P < .001), and patient sex (χ(2) = 33.9; P < .001). Clark level of invasion was not an independent predictor of survival (χ(2) = 3.2; P = .37).
A high mitotic rate in a primary melanoma is associated with a lower survival probability. Among the independent predictors of melanoma-specific survival, mitotic rate was the strongest prognostic factor after tumor thickness.
In this study, we investigated the effect of various oxygen therapy regimens on oxygenation in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD).
A quasi-randomized controlled trial was conducted, ...in which patients with AAD hospitalized for surgery from June to September 2021 were assigned to the control group (patients received conventional oxygen therapy after postoperative mechanical ventilation, weaning, and extubation) and those who were admitted from October to December 2021 were assigned to the observation group patients underwent optimally adjusted therapy based on the treatment of the control group, which mainly included prioritized elevation of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and restricted use of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2).The postoperative oxygenation index, blood gas analysis, and duration of mechanical ventilation were compared between the two groups.
There were significant differences in oxygenation observed at 2 h postoperatively between the groups. 12, 24, and 72 h postoperatively, the oxygenation index varied significantly between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences in the time effects of the oxygenation index and PaO2 between the two groups, as well as significant differences in the length of stay in the intensive care unit.
For the postoperative care of patients with AAD, it is suggested that the minimum FiO2 required for oxygenation of patients be maintained. In addition, it is possible to enhance PEEP as a priority when PaO2 is low.
Background
More than a third of thyroid carcinoma (TC) patients require treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI), but the timing of initial RAI therapy after thyroidectomy remains controversial.
...Methods
We included 1224 differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients during 2015–2019, divided them into the early (≤3 months) and the delayed (>3 months) groups based on the interval between surgery and the initial RAI. Clinical outcomes were assessed within 6–8 months of treatment with RAI, including excellent response (ER), indeterminate response (IDR), biochemical incomplete (BIR) and structural incomplete response (SIR). Further transformed them into dichotomous outcomes, we therefore introduced the ordered/binary logistic regression to assess the relation of time interval and quaternary/dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Finally, we conducted a meta‐analysis for cohort study to investigate the effect of timing of RAI therapy on the prognosis of TC.
Results
Delay RAI therapy beyond 3 months reduced the IR (BIR + SIR) rate in the present cohort study (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49–91). Following meta‐analysis including 38,688 DTC patients confirmed these results (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.91), further revealed the duration of treatment does not influence OS (pooled RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.83–1.33).
Conclusion
Delayed initial RAI therapy beyond 3 months but no later than 6 months did not impair the prognosis of TC.
We conducted a cohort study to investigate whether the time of initial radioactive iodine (RAI) administration would affect the clinical responses, and incorporate these results into the current body of evidence by performing meta‐analysis. Providing a solid theoretical basis for the revision of clinical guidelines.
CD38 and ZAP-70 are both useful prognostic markers for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but are variably discordant with IGHV mutation status. A total of 5 human Fc receptor–like molecules ...(FCRL1-5) have tyrosine-based immunoregulatory potential and are expressed by B-lineage subpopulations. To determine their prognostic potential in CLL, FCRL expression was compared with IGHV mutation status, CD38 and ZAP-70 expression, and clinical features from 107 patients. FCRL1, FCRL2, FCRL3, and FCRL5 were found at markedly higher levels on CLL cells bearing mutated IGHV genes than on unmutated CLL cells or CD19+ polyclonal B lymphocytes. Univariate comparisons found that similar to CD38 and ZAP-70, FCRL expression was strongly associated with IGHV mutation status; however, only FCRL2 maintained independent predictive value by multivariate logistic analysis. Strikingly, FCRL2 demonstrated 94.4% concordance with IGHV mutation compared with 76.6% for CD38 and 80.4% for ZAP-70. Compared with other indicators, FCRL2 was also superior at predicting the time to first therapy; the median treatment-free interval was 15.5 years for patients with high FCRL2 expression compared with 3.75 years for FCRL2-low patients. Our studies indicate that FCRL2 has robust predictive value for determining IGHV gene mutation status and clinical progression and thus may further improve prognostic definition in CLL.
To develop an easy-to-use nomogram for discrimination of malignant thyroid nodules and to compare diagnostic efficiency with the Kwak and American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, ...Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS).
Retrospective diagnostic study.
The Second Hospital of Shandong University.
From March 2017 to April 2019, 792 patients with 1940 thyroid nodules were included into the training set; from May 2019 to December 2019, 174 patients with 389 nodules were included into the validation set. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to develop a nomogram for discriminating malignant nodules. To compare the diagnostic performance of the nomogram with the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated.
The nomogram consisted of 7 factors: composition, orientation, echogenicity, border, margin, extrathyroidal extension, and calcification. In the training set, for all nodules, the area under the curve (AUC) for the nomogram was 0.844, which was higher than the Kwak TI-RADS (0.826,
= .008) and the ACR TI-RADS (0.810,
< .001). For the 822 nodules >1 cm, the AUC of the nomogram was 0.891, which was higher than the Kwak TI-RADS (0.852,
< .001) and the ACR TI-RADS (0.853,
< .001). In the validation set, the AUC of the nomogram was also higher than the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS (
< .05), each in the whole series and separately for nodules >1 or ≤1 cm.
When compared with the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS, the nomogram had a better performance in discriminating malignant thyroid nodules.
Background
We postulated that the worse prognosis of melanoma with advancing age reflected more aggressive tumor biology and that in younger patients the prognosis would be more favorable.
Materials ...and Methods
The expanded AJCC melanoma staging database contained 11,088 patients with complete data for analysis, including mitotic rate.
Results
With increasing age by decade, primary melanomas were thicker, exhibited higher mitotic rates, and were more likely to be ulcerated. In a multivariate analysis of patients with localized melanoma, thickness and ulceration were highly significant predictors of outcome at all decades of life (except for patients younger than 20 years). Mitotic rate was significantly predictive in all age groups except patients <20 and >80 years. For patients with stage III melanoma, there were four independent variables associated with patient survival: number of nodal metastases, patient age, ulceration, and mitotic rate. Patients younger than 20 years of age had primary tumors with slightly more aggressive features, a higher incidence of sentinel lymph node metastasis, but, paradoxically, more favorable survival than all other age groups. In contrast, patients >70 years old had primary melanomas with the most aggressive prognostic features, were more likely to be head and neck primaries, and were associated with a higher mortality rate than the other age groups. Surprisingly, however, these patients had a lower rate of sentinel lymph node metastasis per T stage. Among patients between the two age extremes, clinicopathologic features and survival tended to be more homogeneous.
Conclusions
Melanomas in patients at the extremes of age have a distinct natural history.