European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
-
The retroperitoneal tumor (RPT) service in the North West costal region of England was centralized in May 2011 by the merger of the Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire, Cumbria sarcoma networks. Our aim was to analyze the impact of centralization of services on patient outcomes. ⋯ Centralization in the management of RPS has resulted in an increase in resection rates and more complex MVRs, without compromising R0/1 resection rates; peri-operative mortality or overall survival.
-
Limited data is available from studies that directly compare oncoplastic breast surgery and conventional breast-conserving surgery (CBCS) procedures. The aim of this study was to compare three volume displacement oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) techniques to CBCS procedures, providing more evidence and facilitating the standardization of OBCS techniques. ⋯ The investigated OBCS procedures allowed the removal of large volumes of breast tissue with improved cosmetic outcomes without delay in adjuvant therapies, maintaining the oncological safety. However, OBCS required longer operation time. Furthermore, the extended radicality of the OBCS could reduce the rate of re-excision and completion mastectomy, although it may result in the overtreatment of some breast cancer patients.
-
Observational Study
Sentinel node for malignant melanoma: An observational study of a consecutive single centre experience.
Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for melanoma gives prognostic information, however the success is dependent on several factors. The aim of this study was to describe outcome data after the introduction of the technique at our centre, including analysis of false negative rate (FNR), predictive factors for positive sentinel node (SN) and non-sentinel node (NSN), as well as prognostic factors for melanoma-specific survival (MSS). ⋯ In this study Breslow thickness was the only independent predictive factor for a positive SN, no predictive factors were identified for NSN. Independent prognostic factors for MSS were SN status, Breslow thickness and ulceration. Interestingly, there was no survival difference depending on SN tumour burden when using 1 mm as cut-off.