European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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The majority of patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) malignancies are older than 65 years. Due to the heterogeneity of this older population, decisions regarding surgical treatment cannot rely solely on treatment guidelines, but have to take into account patient frailty, geriatric impairments and resilience as well as patient preferences. In the few studies of older patients with HBP malignancies that have included a preoperative geriatric assessment (GA), frailty and elements from the GA such as reduced functional status have emerged as powerful predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality, length of stay, type of treatment received and survival. A GA is a systematic evaluation of functional status, comorbidities, polypharmacy, cognition, nutritional status, emotional status, and social support. ⋯ Although scarcely investigated, frailty and elements from a GA seem to be associated with negative short- and long-term treatment outcomes in older patients with HBP malignancies. Future studies should investigate the impact of geriatric interventions and prehabilitation on outcomes.
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Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon T cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) associated with breast implants. Raising awareness of the possibility of BIA-ALCL in anyone with breast implants and new breast symptoms is crucial to early diagnosis. The tumour begins on the inner aspect of the peri-implant capsule causing an effusion, or less commonly a tissue mass to form within the capsule, which may spread locally or to more distant sites in the body. ⋯ Surgical removal of the implant with the intact surrounding capsule (total en-bloc capsulectomy) is usually curative. Late diagnosis may require more radical surgery and systemic therapies and although these are usually successful, poor outcomes and deaths have been reported. By adopting a structured approach, as suggested in these guidelines, early diagnosis and successful treatment will minimize the need for systemic treatments, reduce morbidity and the risk of poor outcomes.
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Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to considerably reduce complications, length of stay and costs after most of surgical procedures by standardised application of best evidence-based perioperative care. The aim was to elaborate dedicated recommendations for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) ± hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in a two-part series of guidelines based on expert consensus. The present part I of the guidelines highlights preoperative and intraoperative management. ⋯ The present ERAS recommendations for CRS±HIPEC are based on a standardised expert consensus process providing clinicians with valuable guidance. There is an urgent need to produce high quality studies for CRS±HIPEC and to prospectively evaluate recommendations in clinical practice.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Survival outcome and perioperative complication related to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel for advanced ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
To compare the effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) to primary debulking surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy (PDS) for advanced ovarian cancer. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that NACT-IDS with carboplatin and paclitaxel does not negatively impact the survival of women with advanced ovarian cancer compared to PDS, while perioperative complications and mortality are significantly reduced by 70-80%.
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Review
How best to palliate and treat emergency conditions in geriatric patients with colorectal cancer.
Almost one third of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases are diagnosed in an emergency setting, mostly among geriatric patients. Clinical scenarios are often complex and decision making delicate. Besides the obvious need to consider the patient's and/or family and care givers' desires, the surgeon should be able to make the best educated guess on future outcomes in three areas: oncological prognosis, morbidity and mortality risk, and long-term functional loss. ⋯ Post-operative morbidity and mortality rates are high in emergency surgery for CRC, but if the geriatric patient survives the post-operative period, oncological prognosis seems to be similar to younger patients. Because the occurrence of complications is the strongest predictor of functional decline and death, post-operative care plays a major role to optimize outcomes. Future studies should further investigate emergency surgery of CRC in the older adults focusing in particular on functional outcomes in order to help physicians counsel patients and families for a tailored treatment.