Interaction between tumor stage and age on survival outcomes of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC)is an aggressive,rare malignancy associated with rapid growth and metastasis,and a very poor prognosis.We investigated the clinical characteristics,survival outcomes and independent prognostic factors associated with anaplastic thyroid cancer.AIM To assess to what extent the interaction between age and tumor stage affects mortality.METHODS A total of 622 patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer,between 2010 and 2017 were enrolled in our study by retrieving data from the Surveillance,Epidemiology and End Results(SEER)database.We analyzed demographics,clinical characteristics,overall mortality(OM)and cancer specific mortality(CSM)of ATC.Variables with a P value<0.1 were incorporated into the multivariate cox model to determine the independent prognostic factors.Furthermore,we analyzed the interaction between age and tumor stage on mortality.RESULTS In the multivariate analyses,the divorced/separated population had a lower OM[hazard ratio(HR)=0.63,95%CI:0.42-0.94,P<0.05]and CSM(HR=0.61,95%CI:0.40-0.92,P<0.05).OM was higher in tumors with direct extension only(HR=6.26,95%CI:1.29-30.42,P<0.05)and tumors with distant spread(HR=5.73,95%CI:1.34-24.51,P<0.05).CSM was also higher in tumors with direct extension(HR=5.05,95%CI:1.05-24.19,P<0.05)and tumors with distant spread(HR=4.57,95%CI:1.08-19.29,P<0.05).Mortality was not adversely affected by lymph node involvement.OM was lower in patients who received radiation(HR=0.66,95%CI:0.53-0.83,P<0.01),chemotherapy(HR=0.63,95%CI:0.50-0.79,P<0.01)or surgery(HR=0.53,95%CI:0.43-0.66,P<0.01).CSM was also lower in patient who received radiation(HR=0.64,95%CI:0.51-0.81,P<0.01),chemotherapy(HR=0.62,95%CI:0.50-0.78,P<0.01)or surgery(HR=0.51,95%CI:0.41-0.63,P<0.01).There was no significant interaction between age and tumor stage that affected mortality.CONCLUSION In this large US SEER database retrospective study,we found the mortality to be higher in advanced stage tumors with direct extension and distant metastasis.However,patients who received aggressive therapy showed a better overall survival.The aim of our study is to emphasize the importance of detecting ATC at an early stage and provide aggressive therapy to these patients.Since advanced stage ATC is associated with a dismal prognosis,we emphasize the need for randomized control trials and development of novel therapies that will be used to treat ATC.

Current treatment paradigm and survival outcomes among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in China:a retrospective multicenter study

Objective:Evidence on the prognostic value of autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT)and minimal residual disease(MRD)dynamics of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM)in China is limited.Our objective in the current study was to understand the current care paradigm and outcomes of these patients.Methods:This longitudinal cohort study used historical data from three top-tier hematologic disease care hospitals that contributed to the National Longitudinal Cohort of Hematological Diseases-Multiple Myeloma.Treatment regimens[proteasome inhibitor(PI)-,immunomodulatory drug(IMiD)-,PI+IMiD-based,and conventional],post-induction response,ASCT and MRD status,and survival outcomes[progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)]were evaluated.Results:In total,454 patients with NDMM were included(median age,57 years;59.0%males)with a median follow-up of 58.7 months.The overall response rate was 91.0%,83.9%,90.6%,and 60.9%for PI-,IMiD-,PI+IMiD-based,and conventional regimens,respectively.Patients with ASCT during first-line therapy(26.2%)had a longer PFS and OS than patients who did not receive ASCT[median PFS,42.9 vs.21.2 months,P<0.001;median OS,not reached(NR)vs.65.8 months,P<0.001].The median OS was NR,71.5,and 56.6 months among patients with sustained MRD negativity,loss of MRD negativity,and persistent MRD,respectively(P<0.001).Multivariate analysis revealed that the lactic dehydrogenase level,International Staging System stage,extra-medullary disease,and upfront ASCT were independent factors in predicting OS among NDMM patients.Conclusions:Our study showed that novel agent-based regimens,first-line ASCT,and sustained MRD negativity were associated with a superior outcome for patients with NDMM in China(Identifier:NCT04645199).

Survival outcomes of patients with cervical esophageal cancer who received definitive radiotherapy:a retrospective study conducted in a single institution

Objective Cervical esophageal cancer(CEC)is a relatively rare condition,with limited treatment options.The current study aimed to assess the survival outcomes of patients with CEC who received definitive radiotherapy.Methods In total,63 consecutive patients with CEC who received definitive radiotherapy between 2010 and 2018 were included in this study.The survival outcomes were analyzed based on statistics.Results The median progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)of the patients were 12 and 19 months,respectively.There were no significant differences in terms of survival outcomes between the groups who received radiation doses≥60 and<60 Gy.Interestingly,in the proximal CEC subgroup,the PFS(P=0.039),OS(P=0.031),and loco-regional failure-free survival(LRFFS)(P=0.005)improved significantly in patients who received a radiation dose≥60 Gy compared with those who received a radiation dose<60 Gy.However,in the distal CEC subgroup,the PFS,OS,and LRFFS did not significantly improve between patients who received radiation doses≥60 and<60 Gy.Definitive radiotherapy was well tolerated,and no significant differences were observed in terms of treatment-related toxicities between the groups who received radiation doses≥60 and<60 Gy.Conclusion The survival outcomes of patients with CEC should be improved.In proximal CEC,a radiation dose≥60 Gy is significantly correlated with better PFS,OS,and LRFFS.However,further research must be performed to validate this finding.

Determinants of survival outcomes among esophageal cancer patients at a national referral hospital in Kenya

Introduction:The overall 5-year survival rate for esophageal cancer patients in low-and middle-income countries was reported to be low,despite the availability of advanced treatments.Thus,this study aimed to assess determinants of survival outcomes among esophageal cancer patients in Kenya.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was employed among 299 adult esophageal cancer patients.The data were collected using a data abstraction tool consisting of patients’clinical characteristics and survival outcome measuring parameters.Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS)statistical software(version 20.0,IBM.USA)was used to analyze the data.The Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the survival outcome and determinants of mortality,respectively.Results:The mortality rate was 43.1%,and 11.1%of patients demonstrated distant metastases in the follow-up period.Despite treatment,20.1%had progressed disease,and 13.0%did not respond to treatment.Radiotherapy(AHR:3.3,95%CI:1.4−7.8,p=0.007),chemotherapy(AHR:3.9,95%CI:1.2−6.1,p=0.020),and chemoradiation(AHR:5.6,95%CI:1.6−10.2,p=0.006)were the significant determinants of survival in advanced stage(III and and IV)patients.Conclusions:There was a high mortality rate,disease progression,and nonresponse of esophageal cancer patients.Hence,it is essential to improve the survival of patients through early detection and timely initiation of the available treatment options.

Survival outcome of lobar or segmental transcatheter arterial embolization with ethanol-lipiodol mixture in treating hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the dinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of transcatheter arterial ethanol-lipiodoi embolotherapy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: One hundred patients with HCC who were treated only by lobar or segmental transarterial embolization (TAE) with ethanol-lipiodoi mixture were enrolled in this study. The 1st- and 2nd-year survival rates were analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of its method. These outcomes of our patients were individually correlated to the Child-Pugh classification and the computed tomographic features of HCC. RESULTS: The overall 1st- and 2nd-year survival rates were 72% and 46%, respectively. The patients were classified into three groups according to their liver function status: 68 patients as Child-Pugh class A, 26 as Child B, and 6 as Child C. Child A had better survival rate than the Child B and/or C. The 1st-year survival rates of patients with Child A-C were 84%, 50%, and 33.3% respectively and the 2nd-year survival rates were 55.5%, 28.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. According to the computed tomographic features, solitary HCC with maximum diameter less than 5 cm had the best outcome with the lst-year survival rate of 100% and the 2nd-year survival rate of 71.4%, while solitary HCC with maximum diameter over 5 cm and multiple HCC had the lst-year survival rates of 75% and 63.7%, respectively, and the 2nd-year survival rates of 33.3% and 44.4%, respectively. Only one patient was complicated with abscess formation and was cured with antibiotic therapy. No mortality resulted from the procedures performed. CONCLUSION: TAE with ethanol-lipiodoi mixture is an economic, safe and feasible method for treating HCC, especially for the patients with smaller solitary HCC or with liver function status of Child-Pugh class A.

Timing of surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy affects oncologic outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND The optimal time interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)and esophagectomy in esophageal cancer has not been defined.AIM To evaluate whether a prolonged time interval between the end of nCRT and surgery has an effect on survival outcome in esophageal cancer patients.METHODS We searched PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library,Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for relevant articles published before November 16,2019,to identify potential studies that evaluated the prognostic role of different time intervals between nCRT and surgery in esophageal cancer.The hazard ratios and 95%confidence intervals(95%CI)were merged to estimate the correlation between the time intervals and survival outcomes in esophageal cancer,esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma using fixed-and random-effect models.RESULTS This meta-analysis included 12621 patients from 16 studies.The results demonstrated that esophageal cancer patients with a prolonged time interval between the end of nCRT and surgery had significantly worse overall survival(OS)[hazard ratio(HR):1.107,95%CI:1.014-1.208,P=0.023]than those with a shorter time interval.Subgroup analysis showed that poor OS with a prolonged interval was observed based on both the sample size and HRs.There was also significant association between a prolonged time interval and decreased OS in Asian,but not Caucasian patients.In addition,a longer wait time indicated worse OS(HR:1.385,95%CI:1.186-1.616,P<0.001)in patients with adenocarcinoma.CONCLUSION A prolonged time interval from the completion of nCRT to surgery is associated with a significant decrease in OS.Thus,esophagectomy should be performed within 7-8 wk after nCRT.

Liver transplantation in patients with incidental hepatocellular carcinoma/cholangiocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma： a single-center experience

BACKGROUND： Reports of fiver transplantation （LT） in patients with mixed hepatocellular carcinoma/cholangiocarcinoma （HCC/CC） and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC） are modest and have been mostly retrospective after pathological categorization in the setting of presumed HCC. Some studies suggest that patients undergoing LT with small and unifocal ICC or mixed HCC/CC can achieve about 40%-60% 5-year post-transplant survival. The study aimed to report our experience in patients undergoing LT with explant pathology revealing HCC/CC and ICC. METHODS： From a prospectively maintained database, we performed cohort analysis. We identified 13 patients who underwent LT with explant pathology revealing HCC/CC or ICC. RESULTS： The observed recurrence rate post-LT was 31% （4/13） and overall survival was 85%, 51%, and 51% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Disease-free survival was 68%, 51%, and 41% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. In our cohort, four patients would have qualified for exception points based on updated HCC Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network imaging guidelines. CONCLUSIONS： Lesions which lack complete imaging characteristics of HCC may warrant pre-LT biopsy to fully elucidate their pathology. Identified patients with early HCC/CC or ICC may benefit from LT if unresectable. Additionally, incorporating adjunctive perioperative therapies such as in the case of patients undergoing LT with hilar cholangiocarcinoma may improve outcomes but this warrants further investigation.

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Improving Survival Outcomes for Esophageal Carcinoma： An Updated Meta-analysis

Background： The effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy （NCRT） treatment for patients with esophageal carcinoma （EC） remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of NCRT followed by surgery （NCRTS） with surgery alone （SA） for EC. Methods： The PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched up to August 2015 for all the published studies that investigated EC patients receiving either NCRTS or SA, and the reference lists were also manually examined for the eligible studies. The risk ratio （RR） with 95% confidence intervals （CI s） as effective size was determined to assess the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates （SRs）, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative mortality. Heterogeneity was determined using the Q-test. The Begg＇s test and Egger＇s test were used for assessing any potential publication bias. Results： Of 1120 identified studies, 16 eligible studies were included in this analysis （involving 2549 patients）. Overall, the pooled results suggested that NCRTS was associated with significantly improved 1-year （RR： 1.07, 95% CI： 1.02–1.13）, 3-year （RR： 1.26, 95% CI： 1.14–1.39）, and 5-year （RR： 1.36, 95% CI： 1.18–1.56） SRs. However, the results also indicated that NCRTS had no or little effect on postoperative morbidity （RR： 0.93, 95% CI： 0.82–1.05） and postoperative mortality （RR： 1.17, 95% CI： 0.56–2.44）. Conclusions： Compared with SA, NCRTS can increase 1-, 3-, and 5-year SRs in patients with EC.

Hepatic Resection Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation versus Hepatic Resection Alone for Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinomas:A Meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection（HR） alone for the treatment of multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas（HCC）. A literature search was conducted from the database including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials（CENTRAL） and China Biology Medicine（CBM） disc. The primary outcomes included the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival（OS） and disease-free survival（DFS） rate. The secondary outcomes contained the intraoperative parameters and postoperative adverse events（AEs）. These parameters were all analyzed by Rev Man 5.3 software. After carefully screening relevant studies, four retrospective studies of high quality involving 466 patients（197 in the combined group and 269 in the HR group） were included in this study. The pooled results showed that the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rate in the combined group were comparable with those in the HR group（OR=0.77, 0.96, 0.88; P=0.33, 0.88, 0.70, respectively）. Similarly, there was no significant difference in 1-, 3-, 5-year DFS rate between the combined group and the HR alone group（OR=0.57, 0.83, 0.72; P=0.17, 0.37, 0.32, respectively）. And the intraoperative parameters and postoperative AEs were also comparable between the above two cohorts. However, two included studies reported that tumor often recurred in the ablation site in the combined group. The present meta-analysis indicated that the HR combined with RFA could reach a long-term survival outcome similar to curative HR for multifocal HCC patients. And this therapy may be a promising alternative for these patients with marginal liver function or complicated tumor distribution. Furthermore, high quality randomized controlled trials（RCTs） are imperative to verify this conclusion.

Prognostic value of modified Lauren classification in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND It remains controversial as to which pathological classification is most valuable in predicting the overall survival(OS)of patients with gastric cancer(GC).AIM To assess the prognostic performances of three pathological classifications in GC and develop a novel prognostic nomogram for individually predicting OS.METHODS Patients were identified from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results program.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors.Model discrimination and model fitting were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves and Akaike information criteria.Decision curve analysis was performed to assess clinical usefulness.The independent prognostic factors identified by multivariate analysis were further applied to develop a novel prognostic nomogram.RESULTS A total of 2718 eligible GC patients were identified.The modified Lauren classification was identified as one of the independent prognostic factors for OS.It showed superior model discriminative ability and model-fitting performance over the other pathological classifications,and similar results were obtained in various patient settings.In addition,it showed superior net benefits over the Lauren classification and tumor differentiation grade in predicting 3-and 5-year OS.A novel prognostic nomogram incorporating the modified Lauren classification showed superior model discriminative ability,model-fitting performance,and net benefits over the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition tumor-nodemetastasis classification.CONCLUSION The modified Lauren classification shows superior net benefits over the Lauren classification and tumor differentiation grade in predicting OS.A novel prognostic nomogram incorporating the modified Lauren classification shows good model discriminative ability,model-fitting performance,and net benefits.

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma:In the era of extended lymphadenectomy,is the value of neoadjuvant therapy being attenuated?

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)and oesophagectomy is the standard of care for resectable oesophageal adenocarcinomas.Survival outcomes following resection have been improving over time while NACT remain largely unchanged.Indeed,a recent meta-analysis of randomized control trials did not demonstrate a survival benefit in adding NACT,raising the possibility that improved surgical techniques may be reducing the perceived effectiveness of NACT.AIM To compare the effect of addition of NACT to a standardized surgery and lymphadenectomy on overall and disease-free survival in patients undergoing curative oesophagectomy for oesophageal adenocarcinoma.METHODS Patient data were analysed from a prospectively maintained surgical survival database.Demographic,surgical,and survival outcomes were compared between groups according to treatment and nodal count.RESULTS The data of 243 consecutive patients were identified.79 patients were given NACT and 162 had surgery only.The NACT group were younger,and there was less frequent stage I adenocarcinoma.Overall survival was similar between NACT and surgery only groups(5YS:48.7%vs 42.5%;P=0.113),as was diseasefree survival(5YS:40.6%vs 39.9%;P=0.635).There were≥30 nodes removed in 46 patients,and<30 in 197 patients,but were otherwise similar.There was improved survival in patients with≥30 nodes removed than those with<30 nodes(5YS:64.4%vs 40.7%;P=0.015),and a better disease-free survival that neared significance(5YS:54.9%vs 36.6%;P=0.078).CONCLUSION NACT did not appear to affect overall or disease-free survival.However,an overall survival benefit was observed in patients with≥30 lymph nodes removed,and a benefit in disease-free survival which was not significant.

Survival Outcome of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma

Background： Sinonasal inverted papilloma （IP） is a rare benign tumor of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. It is destructive or bone-rcmodeling, tends to recur alter surgical resection, and has a significant malignant potential. The present study aimed to pertbnn a retrospective analysis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） arising from IP, including characteristics, survival outcome, and predictors of associated malignancy. Methods： The medical records of 213 patients diagnosed with IP from January 1970 to January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-seven patients were diagnosed with SCC/IP; their clinical characteristics, treatments, and survival outcomes were analyzed. Results： Of the 87 patients with SCC/IP, the 5- and 10-year overall survival outcomes were 39.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Twenty-nine of these patients received surgery and 58 received combined surgery and radiation. Of the patients with stages III-IV, the 5-year survival rate was 30.7% for those treated with surgery only and 39.9% for those given the combination treatment （P = 0.849）. Factors associated with significantly poor prognosis were advanced-stage, metachronous tumors, or with cranial base and orbit invasion. Age, synchronous or metachronous tumors, and pathological stage were independent risk factors for mortality, shown by multivariate analysis. Conclusion： Patients with SCC/IP had low overall survival outcomes. Advanced age, stage, and metachronous tumors are the main factors affecting prognosis. Treatment planning should consider high-risk factors to improve survival outcome.

Performance of Multiple Risk Assessment Tools to Predict Mortality for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy： An External Validation Study Based on Chinese Single-center Data

Background： There has been no external validation of survival prediction models for severe adult respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation （ECMO） therapy in China. The aim of study was to compare the performance of multiple models recently developed for patients with ARDS undergoing ECMO based on Chinese single-center data. Methods： A retrospective case study was performed, including twenty-three severe ARDS patients who received ECMO from January 2009 to July 2015. The PRESERVE （Predicting death for severe ARDS on VV-ECMO）, ECMOnet, Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Prediction （RESP） score, a center-specific model developed lbr inter-hospital transfers receiving ECMO, and the classical risk-prediction scores of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation （APACHE） II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment （SOFA） were calculated. In-hospital and six-month mortality were regarded as the endpoints and model performance was evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUC）. Results： The RESP and APACHE II scores showed excellent discriminate performance in predicting survival with AUC of 0.835 （95% confidence interval [CI], 0.659-1 .010, P = 0.007） and 0.762 （95% CI, 0.558-0.965, P = 0.035）, respectively. The optimal cutoff values were risk class 3.5 for RESP and 35.5 for APACHE II score, and both showed 70.0% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity. The excellent performance of these models was also evident for the pneumonia etiological subgroup, for which the SOFA score was also shown to be predictive, with an AUC of 0.790 （95% CI, 0.571-1.009, P = 0.038）. However, the ECMOnet and the score developed for externally retrieved ECMO patients failed to demonstrate significant discriminate power for the overall cohort. The PRESERVE model was unable to be evaluated fully since Conclusions： The RESP, APCHAE 11, and SOFA scorings only one patient died six months postdischarge. systems show good predictive value for intra-hospital survival of ARDS patients treated with ECMO in our single-center evaluation. Future validation should include a larger study with either more patients＇ data at single-center or by integration of domestic multi-center data. Development of a scoring system with national characteristics might be warranted.

Prognosis of microscopic polyangiitis with renal involvement:report of 60 Chinese patients

With the widespread clinical application of renal biopsy and serum antineutrophil cytoplasmicantibody （ANCA） testing, the percentage of renal injuries caused by systemic small vessel vasculitis （ SVV ） including microscopic polyangiitis （ MPA ） and Wegener＇ s granulomatosis （WG） is on the rise in China. According to our previous report, SVV constituted 1.09% of diagnoses from all renal biopsies （5. 8% in secondary nephritis） and 14.4% of that from renal biopsies from patients with chronic renal failure,

Clinical outcome of Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (Y-90 SIRT) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Experience from a tertiary care center

Background and aim:Whereas Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy(Y-90 SIRT)was shown to improve local tumor control in non-Asian population,the efficacy of this therapy for Asian population in real-world setting remains poorly detailed.We aimed to determine outcomes and identify predictors of response in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients treated by Y-90 SIRT.Methods:We retrospectively enrolled 52 HCC patients receiving Y-90 SIRT at our tertiary center between 2014 and 2019.Overall survival(OS),progression free survival(PFS),and predictive factors were determined by KaplaneMeier method and Cox-proportional hazard analysis.Results:Of the 52 patients(81% male,mean age 64.9 years),71%and 29% were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C and B HCC,respectively;63% had portal vein thrombosis,and 35% had objective tumor response defined by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(mRE-CIST)criteria.OS and PFS were 11.0 and 2.4 months,respectively.Two patients were successfully down-staged and further underwent surgical resection.Multifocal lesion,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)≥200 ng/mL,and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG)score≥1 were significantly associated with poor sur-vival,with adjusted hazard ratio(95% confidence interval)of 7.7(2.0e29.8),5.4(2.0e14.7),and 3.1(1.0 e9.6),respectively(all in P<0.05).Conclusions:Y-90 SIRT is an effective treatment for the local tumor control of HCC without serious adverse events.Single lesion,AFP level and ECOG status were predictors of response.