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Treatment and risk factors for recurrence after curative resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach.

The current definitive treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach is complete resection. GIST has a highly variable clinical course, and recurrent disease sometimes develops despite curative treatment. Although several known risk factors for recurrence exist, adequate treatment strategies are lacking. This study evaluated factors associated with relapse after curative treatment. Sixty patients with gastric GIST were identified from a hospital disease registry database. Clinicopathologic characteristics of these patients were reviewed and the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify recurrent risk factors. With a median follow-up of 60 months (range 5-286 months), recurrence occurred in eight (13%) patients, three of whom underwent resection of the recurrent disease and are alive to date. Univariate analysis demonstrated that invasion of the adjacent organs (p = 0.0005), tumor size (p = 0.0046), and expression of proliferative markers [MIB-1 proliferative index (PI) > or = 10%] (p = 0.0001) were significant risk factors for recurrence. Multivariate analysis with these three factors as variables revealed that only MIB-1 PI was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.0051). In conclusion, surgical resection may be indicated whenever a recurrent GIST is considered resectable. A high MIB-1 PI was identified as an independent indicator of risk for recurrent disease following curative surgery.

Adult↗

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for detection of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a noninvasive imaging technique capable of identifying primary tumors and metastases with high sensitivity and accuracy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of whole-body FDG-PET imaging for the detection of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer after surgery. Whole-body FDG-PET imaging was performed on 27 patients with suspected recurrent breast carcinoma. PET images were evaluated qualitatively for each patient and lesion. FDG-PET scans showed that there were 61 reference sites of malignant or benign lesions in 27 patients. In a patient-based analysis, FDG-PET scans correctly identified 16 of 17 patients with recurrent or metastatic disease and 8 of 10 without recurrence, resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 94%, 80%, and 89%, respectively. In a lesion-based analysis, FDG-PET scans correctly identified 46 of 48 lesion sites with recurrent or metastatic disease and 11 of 13 without recurrence. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for all lesion sites were 96%, 85%, and 93%, respectively. FDG-PET scans revealed unsuspected recurrent or metastatic diseases in 8 of 27 (30%) of patients and 11 of 20 (55%) distant metastatic lesions. In 13 patients treatment was altered by the outcome of the PET scan. We concluded that whole-body FDG-PET scan is a useful diagnostic imaging modality for detecting recurrent or metastatic breast carcinoma in patients suspected of having recurrent disease after primary surgery.

Adult↗

Tumor recurrence following resection for early gastric carcinoma and its implications for a policy of limited resection.

Some patients suffer postoperative recurrence after curative resection of early gastric carcinoma. This study reviewed consecutive patients with a single primary lesion and analyzed the relation between the pathologic findings and recurrence of early gastric carcinomas for determining indications for limited surgery. Among the 1585 consecutive patients with a solitary primary lesion of an early gastric carcinoma who had undergone curative surgery between 1963 and 1989 at one general hospital, pathologic findings relating to recurrence were analyzed according to Japan's General Rules for Gastric Cancer Study in Surgery and Pathology. Of these carcinomas, mucosal carcinomas comprised 701 (44.2%) and submucosal ones 884 (55.8%). The total recurrence rate in this series was 1.0%. Submucosal carcinomas (1.6%) were significantly (p < 0.02) more recurrent than mucosal ones (0.29%). Of the 16 patients with recurrence, 10 (62.5%) died within 5 years after surgery, frequently because of blood-borne metastasis. Macroscopically elevated components, the degree of histologic differentiation, and lymph node metastasis significantly contributed to the postoperative recurrence. After detailed analysis of submucosal carcinomas, it is strongly suspected that carcinomas with a macroscopically elevated component were significantly associated with nodal involvement and microvessel invasion, and that these abnormalities lead to recurrence. Among the early gastric carcinomas, differentiated submucosal carcinomas with a macroscopically elevated component, lymph node metastasis, or both have the most potential of recurrence after surgery. Mucosal carcinomas must be restricted to limited surgery, but, blood-borne metastasis should be carefully avoided.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Radical excision of pediatric craniopharyngioma: recurrence pattern and prognostic factors.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the pattern of recurrence and the prognostic factors for recurrence of pediatric craniopharyngiomas after radical excision. A series of 36 patients with craniopharyngiomas (21 boys and 15 girls; age range 1-15 years; mean 7.3 years) were reviewed. All patients had undergone radical excision without radiotherapy. The mean follow-up period was 52 months (range 1-149 months). Tumors recurred in 14 patients within 83 months (mean 31.4 months). The overall 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 55%. Regular neuroimaging follow-up detected tumor recurrence while the lesions were still small before symptoms developed (P<0.05). At the first surgical procedure, the optic nerve/chiasm (n=23) was the most common adhesion site. The most frequent sites of recurrence were the optic nerve/chiasm (n=6) and the pituitary fossa (n=6). Tumor location was the single significant clinical predictor of recurrence. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 39% for those who had an intrasellar tumor component and 81% for those who did not (P<0.05). The Ki-67 labeling indices (LIs) of primary tumors did not have prognostic value for recurrence. Recurrent tumors tended to have higher Ki-67 LIs than their primary counterparts. On the basis of this study, we concluded that craniopharyngiomas with intrasellar components should be followed cautiously and the necessity for regular follow-up should be emphasized, even when the tumor is "totally" resected.

Adolescent↗

Endorectal ultrasound-directed biopsy: a useful technique to detect local recurrence of rectal cancer.

AIMS: This study assesses the value of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS)-directed biopsy in detecting local recurrence of rectal cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients undergoing ERUS by a single surgeon for surveillance after treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma. Lesions suggestive of local recurrence underwent ERUS-assisted core-needle biopsy (EAB) via a proctoscope after precise ERUS localization or direct ERUS-guided biopsy (EGB) via a B&K Medical probe. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2003, 525 patients underwent 2,490 surveillance ERUS. Of these patients, 51 underwent 62 biopsy sessions: 36 EGB and 26 EAB. The mean age of patients was 67.2 years (range 38-93 years); 22 (43%) were female. Only 11 patients (22%) had undergone prior radical resection of their primary tumor. No patient experienced a complication from the biopsies despite five being anticoagulated. Of 39 patients whose cancer recurrence was documented during follow-up, 32 (82%) were diagnosed at the initial biopsy session, and in five (13%), recurrence was detected only with ERUS. The combined sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EAB and EGB in detecting recurrence was 83, 100, and 87%, respectively. In 26 patients with local recurrence, resection was performed with curative intent. CONCLUSION: ERUS with biopsy is useful in detecting local recurrence after treatment of rectal cancer. It is safe, with a high diagnostic yield. It may be particularly useful in patients at higher risk for local recurrence (i.e., after endocavitary radiation and local excision) and may allow early detection of local recurrence, thereby permitting attempts at curative resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prediction of recurrence after laparoscopic fundoplication for erosive reflux esophagitis based on anatomy-function-pathology (AFP) classification.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of the anatomy-function-pathology (AFP) score was examined to evaluate its prediction of recurrence after laparoscopic fundoplication for erosive reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Of the patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication for erosive reflux esophagitis of Los Angeles classification grade A or higher from December 1994 to December 2004, 107 who underwent preoperative barium esophagogram, pH monitoring, and endoscopy were selected as subjects. The AFP score was calculated by A, F, and P factor grades of the AFP classification. By comparing patients with and without recurrence, the usefulness of the AFP score for predicting recurrence was examined. RESULTS: Reflux esophagitis recurred in seven patients. No significant difference in age, sex, or A or F factor was observed between the groups, whereas a significant difference was observed in the P factor (p = 0.008). On the other hand, the mean AFP score in the recurrence group was 16.9 +/- 5.3, whereas that in the nonrecurrence group was 8.9 +/- 5.3 (p = 0.0021). Among the patients with a score of 17 points or more (n = 23), recurrence was found in 6 patients (26%). On the other hand, among the patients with a score lower than 17 points (n = 84), recurrence was found in 1 patient, but not in the remaining 83 patients (1%). Sensitivity was thus 85.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.1-99.6), and specificity was 83% (95% CI, 74.2-89.8). The positive predictive value was 26.1% (95% CI, 10.2-48.4), and the negative predictive value was 98.8% (95% CI, 93.5-99.9). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and receiver operating characteristics curves were obtained. The area under the curve for the AFP score was 0.8457, whereas that for the P factor was 0.7907 (p = 0.0045), suggesting that the AFP score may more accurately predict recurrence than the P factor. CONCLUSION: The AFP score may be useful for predicting postoperative recurrence. If surgery is performed when the AFP score is lower than 17 points, the likelihood of postoperative recurrence is expected to be very low.

Esophagitis, Peptic↗

Laparoscopic repair of recurrent hernias.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence after primary conventional inguinal herniorrhaphy occurs in approximately 10% of patients depending on the type of repair and expertise of the surgeon. The repair of the resulting recurrent hernia is a daunting task because of already weakened tissues and obscured and distorted anatomy. The failure rate of these repairs using an open anterior approach may reach as high as 36%. Because of such a high failure rate, a number of investigators have focused on repairing these difficult recurrent hernias laparoscopically using a tension-free approach. Some of the earlier reports suggested a low recurrence rate of 0.5% to 5% when a laparoscopic approach was used to repair these hernias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic treatment for recurrent hernias in our institutions. METHODS: Between February 1991 and February 1995, 96 recurrent hernias were repaired in 85 patients (78 men and 7 women). There were 48 right, 26 left, and 11 bilateral hernias. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (range, 18-86 years); the mean height was 69 in. (range, 54-77 in.); and the mean weight was 176 pounds (range, 109-280 pounds). A total of 68 herniorrhaphies were performed using the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) method: 19 using intraperitoneal on-lay mesh (IPOM) repair and 8 using the total extraperitoneal (TEP) method. The method of repair in one patient was not recorded. The mean operating time was 76 min (range, 47-172 min). Thirteen patients underwent additional procedures. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up was performed by questionnaire, examination, or both in 76 patients (85 hernias). Median follow-up time was 27 months (range, 2-56 months). There were four recurrences (2 in IPOM and 2 in TAPP). Three of these were repaired laparoscopically and one conventionally. There were 20 minor and 14 major complications and no mortality. One conversion occurred in the TAPP group. Mean postoperative stay was 1.4 days (range, 0-4 days). It was felt by 92% of the patients that their symptoms were completely relieved, whereas 4% of the patients continued to exhibit symptoms for which their hernia was repaired, and 3.6% failed to answer. As reported, 86% of the patients preferred their laparoscopic repair; 1% preferred the conventional repair; and 13% failed to reply. Afterward, 77% of the patients returned to normal activity, and 35% returned to vigorous activity within 4 weeks of surgery. Satisfaction with laparoscopic repair was expressed by 92% of the patients, whereas 8% either were dissatisfied or did not answer. In the end, 95% of the patients stated that they would recommend laparoscopic hernia surgery to their family and friends. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data show that laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernia is a safe alternative procedure with acceptable rates of recurrence and complications.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias after endoscopic herniorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND: Although the recurrence rate for endoscopic herniography is low (0-3%), it is still debatable whether these recurrences should be corrected laparoscopically or by the conventional method. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these recurrences can be repaired by means of the laparoscopic approach with acceptable complication and recurrence rates. METHODS: From October 1992 to December 1997, 34 patients with recurrent inguinal hernias at physical examination underwent surgery at our institutions. All the recurrences occurred following endoscopic inguinal hernia repair with mesh prostheses. The recurrences were repaired endoscopically using a transabdominal approach. Depending on the size of the defect, a new polypropylene mesh was used. RESULTS: Mean surgery time was 69 min. There were no conversions to the anterior approach. After a mean follow-up of 35 months, no recurrences had been diagnosed. CONCLUSION: The transabdominal preperitoneal approach is a reliable technique for recurrent inguinal hernia repair after previous endoscopic herniorrhaphy.

Adult↗

The risk of recurrence of hemolytic uremic syndrome after renal transplantation in children.

We reviewed the literature to analyze the risk of recurrence of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after renal transplantation in children. Among 118 children transplanted after post-diarrheal (D+) HUS, 1 (0.8%) had recurrence with graft loss. Among 63 children transplanted after HUS not associated with a prodrome of diarrhea (D-) of unknown mechanism, 13 (21%) had recurrence with graft loss. Of 11 patients with HUS associated with factor H deficiency who were transplanted, 5 lost the graft because of recurrence. Of 7 patients with HUS associated with normal factor H concentration but mutations in factor H gene who were transplanted, probably 2 had recurrence. Three patients with HUS associated with low serum C3, but no factor H deficiency or mutation lost their graft because of recurrence. The risk of recurrence in the autosomal recessive forms of HUS of unknown mechanism is not documented in children, but is around 60% in adults. A similar risk has been reported in the autosomal dominant forms. The only transplant patient with a constitutional deficiency of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease had recurrence. Further efforts to document the post-transplant course of patients with D- HUS and progress in the understanding of the mechanisms and genetics of the disease are needed to allow more accurate prediction of the recurrence risk and to define therapeutic approaches.

ADAM Proteins↗

Perforating veins in recurrent esophageal varices evaluated by endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography with a galactose-based contrast agent.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the usefulness of endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) with Levovist, a galactose-based contrast agents, for detecting veins in the esophageal wall in patients with recurrent esophageal varices after endoscopic therapies. METHODS: We compared vessel images detected prior to the use of contrast with those detected by enhanced ECDUS in 29 patients with recurrent esophageal varices. After the pre-contrast ECDUS examination, all 29 patients received Levovist intravenously, at a concentration of 300 mg/ml. A 7.5-ml dose of the contrast agent was injected at a slow infusion rate, of 1 ml/min. The perforating veins detected by ECDUS were classified, according to flow direction, into three different types. Type 1 showed inflow from the paraesophageal veins to the esophageal varices. Type 2 showed outflow from the esophageal varices to the paraesophageal veins, while type 3 was a mixed type with both inflow and outflow. For comparison, 26 patients without recurrent esophageal varices were studied. RESULTS: Color flow images of perforating veins were obtained in 9 (31.0%) of the 29 patients with recurrent esophageal varices with pre-contrast ECDUS. The detection rate of perforating veins in the patients with recurrent esophageal varices (31.0%) was significantly higher than that in patients without recurrent esophageal varices (0 of 26; 0%) with pre-contrast ECDUS. Color flow images of perforating veins were detected in 22 (75.9%) of the 29 patients with recurrent esophageal varices after Levovist contrast. On the other hand, color flow images of perforating veins were not detected in any of the 26 patients without recurrent esophageal varices after Levovist contrast. Type 1 perforating veins were recognized in 6 (20.7%) of the 29 patients, type 2 in 2 (6.9%) of the 29, and type 3 in 1 (3.4%) of the 29 prior to the use of contrast. After the enhanced ECDUS, type 1 perforating veins were recognized in 13 (44.8%) of the 29 patients, type 2 in 6 (20.7%) of the 29, and type 3 in 3 (10.3%) of the 29. All color-flow images detected with pre-contrast ECDUS were enhanced after Levovist contrast. CONCLUSIONS: Perforating veins can be detected at a high rate by ECDUS with Levovist in patients with recurrent esophageal varices after endoscopic therapy.

Adult↗

Prognosis after reoperation for local recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors associated with a favorable prognosis after reoperation for local recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), we reviewed 45 patients who underwent surgery for first local recurrence of PTC. METHODS: We divided the patients into two groups. Group A (n = 28) had no second recurrence, and group B (n = 17) had second local recurrence after surgery for recurrence. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after reoperation was 56.9 months. The mean age at the time of reoperation in group A was significantly lower than that in group B, at 48.1 years versus 62.3 years, respectively (P = 0.0007). The mean age at the time of the initial operation in group A was also significantly lower than that in group B, at 40.1 years versus 55.1 years, respectively (P = 0.0006). Patients with recurrent tumors only outside the area dissected at the initial operation (n = 27) had a better outcome than those with recurrence within the dissected area (n = 18; P = 0.0127). Patients who underwent systematic partial or modified neck dissection (n = 36) had a better outcome than those who underwent only simple local resection (n = 9; P = 0.0169). CONCLUSION: For local recurrent PTC, systematic neck dissection is recommended over local resection of recurrent tumors.

Adult↗

Tumor angiogenesis predicts recurrence with normal serum carcinoembryonic antigen in advanced rectal carcinoma patients.

Many studies have established the usefulness of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) oriented serial monitoring for predicting recurrence and prognosis; however, few studies have so far investigated serum CEA-negative recurrence. The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature of CEA-negative recurrence regarding tumor angiogenesis. Fifty-seven patients with T3/T4 rectal cancer were divided into the two groups according to the serum CEA status. Angiogenesis was defined as the intratumoral vessel count by immunohistochemical staining using CD31. The CD31 count was significantly higher in the recurrent patients in both groups and the ratio of nodal involvement was significantly higher in the recurrent patients of the CEA-negative group. Local recurrence mainly developed in the CEA-negative group; however, the CD31 count did not predict the sites of recurrence nor the relapse period in the both groups. A multivariate analysis showed a high CD31 count >26) to be a prognostic factor not only for recurrence but also for survival (P = 0.001, 0.043, respectively). These results suggest that a high degree of tumor angiogenesis in sections of T3/T4 rectal cancer may therefore be an important predictor for CEA-negative recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Radiation therapy for intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The intrahepatic recurrence rate after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high, and management of recurrence is thus important for long-term survival. The use of radiation therapy has been relatively uncommon in the treatment of recurrent HCC. METHODS: Eight patients underwent radiation therapy for recurrent HCC 12-98 months after hepatectomy. Five of them were treated with protons (250 MeV; 68.8-84.5 Gy), and three were treated with X-rays (6 MV; 60 or 70 Gy). One patient received radiation therapy twice for another lesion with a 79-month interval. The target tumors were 1.2-4.5 cm. All patients also underwent transcatheter arterial embolization or other regional therapy. RESULTS: Although transient ascites was found in three patients after radiation therapy, no patient died as a result of the irradiation. Seven patients died 9 months to 4 years (median 1 year 6 months) after radiation therapy. Re-recurrence was observed in the irradiated liver in two patients (local control 78%). Four patients died of lung metastasis after radiation therapy. The median survival time was 3 years 3 months (range 1 year 1 month to 8 years 6 months) after recurrence. CONCLUSION: Multimodality therapy is necessary for the management of recurrence. Radiation therapy could be beneficial when other therapies present some difficulty regarding application or are performed incompletely. It must be emphasized that radiation therapy should be considered in addition to other regional therapies for the treatment of recurrent or re-recurrent HCC, and that radiation therapy can be repeated in selected patients.

Aged↗

Is there any difference in recurrence rates in laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease compared with conventional surgery? A long-term, follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The long-term outcome of laparoscopic ileocolic resection in patients with Crohn's disease is not well defined. This study was designed to define the surgical recurrence rate after laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease and to compare it with that seen after open ileocolic resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of 113 records of patients who underwent index ileocolic resection for terminal ileal Crohn's disease was performed (1987-2003). Recurrence was defined as development of new preanastomotic Crohn's disease requiring surgical intervention. Details of recurrence and use of chemoprophylaxis was determined by phone interview and chart review. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (26 males; mean age, 35.2 years) underwent laparoscopic ileocolic resection and 50 had open ileocolic resection (17 males; mean age, 37.1 years). Surgical recurrence developed in 6 of 63 patients (9.5 percent) in the laparoscopic ileocolic resection group (mean follow-up, 62.9 months) and in 12 of 50 patients (24 percent) in the open ileocolic resection group (mean follow-up, 81.8 months). Rates of chemoprophylaxis were similar between groups (laparoscopic ileocolic resection, 39 percent; open ileocolic resection, 54 percent; P = not significant). Median times to recurrence after laparoscopic ileocolic resection and open ileocolic resection were 60 (range, 36-72) months and 62 (range, 12-180) months, respectively. Fifty percent of the recurrences in the laparoscopic ileocolic resection group and 4 of 12 in the open ileocolic resection group were able to be retreated laparoscopically. Re-recurrence occurred in 4 of 12 open ileocolic resection patients (33 percent) at a mean of 63.6 months, and one patient had a third recurrence at 28 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the long-term outcome after laparoscopic ileocolic resection was not shown to be statistically different from that of open ileocolic resection. The relatively low recurrence rates in both groups may be explained by our aggressive use of chemoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗

Mesorectal grades predict recurrences after curative resection for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Local recurrence after curative excision for rectal cancer is frequently regarded as a failure of surgery. The macroscopic quality of the excised mesorectum after total mesorectal excision has been proposed as a means of assessment of the adequacy of surgery. This study was designed to determine the utility of mesorectal grading in prediction of local and overall recurrence after curative surgery. METHODS: All patients undergoing resection for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum had a mesorectal grading prospectively applied to their resection specimens, according to the classification proposed by Quirke et al. (Grades 1-3; 3 is the best). The outcome of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery from 2001 to 2003 was reviewed. Prognostic significance of mesorectal grades was determined by multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients with a median follow-up of 26 (range, 17-42) months were studied. The local and overall recurrences were 8.4 and 15 percent, respectively. The mesorectum was reported as Grade 3 in 61 patients (47 percent), Grade 2 in 52 patients (40 percent), and Grade 1 in 17 patients (13 percent). Patients with Grade 1 mesorectum had 41 percent local recurrence and 59 percent overall recurrence, respectively. However, patients with Grade 2 and Grade 3 mesorectum had 5.7 and 1.6 percent local recurrences, respectively, and 17 and 1.6 percent overall recurrence, respectively. By Cox's regression analysis, grade of mesorectum independently influenced both local and overall recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: The macroscopic quality of mesorectum after curative excision of rectal cancer is an important predictor of local and overall recurrences. The mesorectal grades may be of value in decisions regarding postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Management of extremity recurrences after complete responses to isolated limb perfusion in patients with melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite high rates of complete responses (CRs) to isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for patients with in-transit melanoma (60% to 90%), extremity recurrences are common. We evaluated our experience with managing these recurrences to determine how best to treat these patients. METHODS: Between April 1992 and April 1998, 72 patients experienced CRs after hyperthermic ILP using Melphalan, with (n = 46) or without (n = 26) tumor necrosis factor. Of these, 25 patients (35%) experienced initial recurrences in the extremities, and they form the basis of this study. RESULTS: Three patients who underwent repeat ILP for treatment of their recurrences experienced a second CR and recurrence in the extremity (at 9, 15, and 16 months), allowing analysis of 28 cases. For 5 of 20 recurrences managed with excision, 2 of 6 managed with repeat ILP, and 0 of 2 managed with systemic treatment, the patient was free of disease at the last follow-up examination (median follow-up period, 11 months). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated extremity recurrences after CRs to ILP occurred in 35% of patients. Initially, these could be managed successfully by excision or repeat ILP for the majority of patients (92%). We recommend excision of small-volume recurrent disease, reserving repeat ILP for patients with increasing numbers of lesions or increasing rapidity of in-field recurrences.

Adult↗

Immunological status in the aetiology of recurrent otitis media with effusion: serum immunoglobulin levels, functional mannose-binding lectin and Fc receptor polymorphisms for IgG.

The objective was to study the role of serum immunoglobulin levels, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and Fc gamma receptor (FcgammaR) polymorphisms on the development of recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME). Children aged between two and seven years with persisting OME received bilateral tympanostomy tubes and immunological parameters were investigated in relation with OME recurrence within six months after tube extrusion. No statistically significant differences in serum immunoglobulin levels were present between children with and without OME recurrence. In children with bilateral recurrence (n = 56), median levels of MBL were 1.39 mg/L compared to 2.48 mg/L in children with OME recurrence (n = 17) (p = 0.29). In addition, 34% of the children with bilateral recurrence were homozygous for the genotype FcgammaRIIa-R/R131, whereas less than 20% of the children with unilateral recurrence or those without recurrence were homozygous for this Fcgamma receptor (p = 0.26). Serum mannose-binding lectin and FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 polymorphism may play a role in the aetio-pathogenesis of recurrent OME.

Child↗

Recurrent vulvar cancer.

Recurrent vulvar cancer occurs in an average of 24% of cases after primary treatment after surgery with or without radiation. The relatively few primary vulvar cancers, combined with the low proportion of recurrences, has made it difficult to perform randomized studies to document the most appropriate therapeutic modalities. Most reports are small retrospective studies and anecdotal reviews that have emphasized the importance of surgery and have led to new approaches with respect to chemoradiation. Traditionally, the most accepted treatment of vulvar cancer has been and continues to be surgery. Recently, radiation and chemotherapy have been combined with very encouraging results. The therapeutic modality used depends on the location and extent of the recurrence. Most recurrences occur locally near the original resection margins or at the ipsilateral inguinal or pelvic lymph nodes. Lateralized local vulvar recurrences treated with a wide radical local excision with inguinal lymphadectomy results in an excellent cure rate of 70%. With a central pelvic recurrence with antecedent radiotherapy involving the urethra, upper vagina, and rectum, total pelvic exenteration is indicated in a select group of patients with curative intent. Radiotherapy or chemoradiation concomitantly with wide radical local excision of an advanced vulvar has proven successful in avoiding an exenteration, with improved survival and less morbidity. Prospective and retrospective studies have shown excellent results using radiation or chemoradiation with wide radical local excision in patients with locally advanced disease in whom adequate resection margins are difficult to achieve (with a central lesion requiring exenteration) or with debilitating medical conditions that preclude surgery. In these patients, chemoradiation has shown favorable results when used before a wide local resection. In patients with advanced local disease, external beam and interstitial radiation has been used for palliative and curative intent with encouraging results. Regional recurrences to the inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes have been shown to have a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate. We recommend that inguinal recurrences without prior radiation therapy undergo excision followed by radiotherapy with chemosensitization. In patients with previous radiation to the inguinal lymph nodes, we try to avoid any excisional procedures because of the high rate of complications. We offer these patients brachytherapy for palliation. With pelvic recurrences, we recommended chemoradiation as the treatment modality. In the subset of patients with distant metastasis, chemotherapy may be offered; however, few studies have been performed to advocate any single combination. The literature supports the use of 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin as single agents or in combination to have sensitivity against squamous cells. There are few studies revealing improvement in 5-year survival, thus these patients may benefit from recruitment into research protocols.

Antineoplastic Agents↗