Annals of surgical oncology
-
Comparative Study
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma: a case-control study.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the most precise method for staging invasive cutaneous melanoma, but its therapeutic effect has been difficult to assess, and SLNB is not routinely used in all melanoma treatment centers. ⋯ SLNB is recommended for routine use in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma because the sentinel node status carries unique prognostic information on the survival of melanoma patient. Improved regional disease control is an obvious therapeutic advantage of SLNB and immediate completion lymph node dissection.
-
To characterize the representation of racial/ethnic minorities, women, and older persons among participants in surgical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). ⋯ The enrollment in surgical oncology trials is very low across all demographics. However, racial/ethnic minorities and older persons are less likely to be enrolled in cooperative group surgical oncology trials than are whites and younger patients. The high EF for women is due to the high availability of trials for women with breast cancer. Strategies to increase accrual to surgical trials and ameliorate disparities related to race/ethnicity, gender, and age are needed.
-
Comparative Study
Career satisfaction, practice patterns and burnout among surgical oncologists: report on the quality of life of members of the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Studies show that 30-50% of medical oncologists experience burnout, but little is known about burnout among surgical oncologists. We hypothesized that wide variation in burnout and career satisfaction exist among surgical oncologists. ⋯ Although surgical oncologists indicated a high level of career satisfaction, nearly a third experienced burnout. Factors associated with burnout in this study may inform efforts by program directors and SSO members to promote personal health and retain the best surgeons in the field of surgical oncology. Additional research is needed to inform evidenced-based interventions at both the individual and organizational level to reduce burnout.
-
This study was conducted to determine whether laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with complete D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is a safe and effective surgical option. ⋯ The current study suggests that LADG with D2 lymph node dissection is oncologically feasible, and phase-III clinical trials will be needed.
-
Negative surgical margins minimize the risk of local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery. Intraoperative frozen section analysis (FSA) is one method for margin evaluation. We retrospectively analyzed records of patients who received breast-conserving therapy with intraoperative FSA of the lumpectomy cavity to assess re-excision rates and local control. ⋯ Intraoperative FSA allows resection of suspicious or positive margins at the time of lumpectomy and results in low rates of local recurrence and re-excision. The low local recurrence rate reported here is comparable to those reported with other margin assessment techniques.