The British journal of surgery
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The majority of women with breast cancer present with localized disease. The optimal strategy for identifying patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional diagnostic yield from isotope bone scanning when added to CT staging of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis (CT-TAP) in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. ⋯ For patients diagnosed with breast cancer, CT-TAP is a satisfactory stand-alone investigation for systemic staging.
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The preoperative serum neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is still unclear what the NLR reflects precisely. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the NLR and TNM stage, and the role of NLR as a prognostic factor after liver resection for HCC. ⋯ Preoperative NLR was an important prognostic factor for TNM stage I HCC after liver resection with curative intent. These results suggest that the NLR may reflect the malignant potential of HCC.
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Comparative Study
Propensity score analysis of outcomes following laparoscopic or open liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Liver resection is a potentially curative approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Laparoscopic liver resections may reduce complication rates, especially in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the results of laparoscopic liver resection with those of open liver resection for HCC. ⋯ In comparison with the open approach, laparoscopic minor liver resections for HCC improved short-term outcomes, with similar survival results.
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Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can be used to monitor the immune response, and are important in predicting treatment responses and outcomes for various types of cancer. Recently, specific TIL subsets have been reported to be clinically useful in predicting treatment responses. The CD8+/FOXP3+ TIL ratio (CFR) may be a more sensitive indicator for monitoring immune function. This study investigated the clinical significance and value of CFR as a biomarker to predict treatment responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. ⋯ The CFR may be a useful biomarker to predict treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy in aggressive breast cancer subtypes, such as TNBC and HER2BC.
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Preoperative morphology influences thoracic aortic aneurysm sac expansion after endovascular repair.
The fate of the aneurysm sac after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains poorly defined. The aim of this study was to characterize the incidence of aneurysm sac expansion after TEVAR, and to determine the effect of aneurysm morphology on postoperative sac behaviour. ⋯ Sac expansion was common in this cohort of patients undergoing TEVAR for thoracic aortic aneurysm. Aneurysm sac expansion was significantly influenced by adverse morphological features in the aortic stent-graft sealing zones.