Annals of surgical oncology
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Approximately 5% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) originate in the rectum, and historically, radical resection was commonly performed. Little is known about the outcome for rectal GIST in the era of imatinib. ⋯ The use of imatinib is associated with organ preservation and improved oncologic outcome for patients with rectal GIST.
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Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) rates in younger women with unilateral breast cancer have more than doubled. Studies of cost and quality of life of the procedure remain inconclusive. ⋯ From this refined model, UM with routine surveillance costs less and provides an equivalent quality of life. Patients undergoing CPM may eliminate the anxiety of routine surveillance, but they face the burden of higher lifetime medical costs.
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Comparative Study
Radioactive Seed Localization Versus Wire-Guided Localization for Nonpalpable Breast Cancer: A Cost and Operating Room Efficiency Analysis.
This study aimed to compare the cost and resource use between our first-year experience using breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radioactive seed localization (RSL) and the previous-year standard practice of BCS with wire-guided localization (WGL) for patients with nonpalpable breast cancer at a large Canadian tertiary center. ⋯ In this study, RSL had lower costs than WGL, allowed for more efficient use of radiology scheduling and resources, and had shorter wait times for patients on their day of surgery. In addition, RSL led to fewer vasovagal reactions at insertion. Therefore, RSL should be used instead of WGL given the reduced cost, decreased need of human resources, improved efficiency, and potential benefits to the patient experience.