Fruit for thought: Low‐temperature microwave hydrothermal processing of orange peel not only enables the separation of the major components but also adds further value through the production of other high‐value products: pectin and D‐limonene, together with a rare form of mesoporous cellulose, are produced in a single step, without added acid. A process temperature change enables the conversion of D‐limonene to α‐terpineol.

A few studies have suggested a relatively better prognosis for breast cancer (BC) cases reporting a positive family history (FH). We aimed at comparing the survival of patients according to FH in a large hospital-based series of 1,278 BC cases. Information on FH for BC was obtained at diagnosis by interview. All cases reporting a first-or second-degree FH for breast carcinoma were compared with cases without FH. Overall survival was estimated using a product-limit method. Hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusted for confounding factors, were computed using proportional hazard models. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women in developed countries and the total number of living BC patients is growing because of increasing crude incidence rates, early detection and longer survival. A positive family history (FH) of BC is a well-known risk factor, 1 and it is widely believed to account for 6 -19% of all new BC cases. 2-4 About 20% of women with BC have a positive FH and a smaller fraction, 4 -10%, have hereditary BC. 5,6 Based on some theoretical and experimental considerations and on the hypothesis that survival is significantly influenced by primary genetic factors, better prognosis for BC cases reporting FH has been suggested.Studies on survival in familial BC are inconclusive and results vary considerably because of the source of patients, eligibility criteria and definitions of FH. 7 FH has been associated with increased survival, 8 -14 decreased survival 15,16 and unchanged survival. [17][18][19][20][21][22] Some bias (i.e., lead-time/length bias/ascertainment bias) affecting comparisons and improved survival, found in cases reporting a positive FH, may be due to early diagnosis. Women with FH, particularly first-degree FH, may be more prone to screening procedures or to self-examination (as a result of a higher awareness caused by BC FH); and an earlier stage distribution may explain, at least partly, the different prognosis.Our study, derived from a large hospital-based series of BC cases previously published, 23 compares survival rates and explores the hypothesis of a different prognosis for subjects with a positive FH. MATERIAL AND METHODSA total of 1,278 invasive BC cases, residing in the Florence area at the time and operated on by the same surgeon (GC) between 1989 -1997, were analysed. A detailed description of our study design has already been published. 23 All cases had invasive carcinomas histologically verified and were submitted to surgical treatment and axillary dissection of at least levels I and II.The surgical database provides information on the date of birth, date of diagnosis, site and laterality of the BC. In addition, it provides information about initial surgical treatment and radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy schedules. Information about pathologic size and lymph node status according to pathologic TNM classification was available for all cases.Oestrogen and progesterone receptor status was collected from histopathologic results...

The authors evaluate 213 consecutive breast cancer cases with positive fine-needle aspiration cytology. Cytologic smears were reviewed and classified according to a grading system. A correlation between cytologic grading and pathological stage (T and N category) was observed. Univariate analysis of 5-yr overall survival rate showed a significant negative association with prognosis only for G3 (90%) compared to G1 (72%) cases. Such prognostic correlation was no longer significant at multivariate (Cox) analysis adjusting for potential confounders such as T or N categories. The prognostic value of cytologic grading is limited and dependent on other classic prognostic indicators that are currently determined in breast cancer patients. Its practical value is negligible, as it does not improve the prognostic judgment.

The authors have examined the survival rate of 111 patients with colorectal cancer (Dukes' A, B, and C stages) treated by potentially curative surgery. In particular, the survival has been evaluated with regard to the appearance of postoperative fever and/or septic complications. The preliminary results demonstrate that these factors do not significantly influence the long-term prognosis.

The results of chest X-ray (CXR) survey in the follow-up of 1697 breast cancer patients are reviewed. Intrathoracic metastases (ITM) accounted for 26% of total first recurrences, but the rate dropped to 13% if isolated ITM and to 7% if asymptomatic isolated ITM were considered. Thus the role of CXR survey was limited to the detection of 39 cases of isolated ITM in the asympatomatic phase out of 7100 patients-year for a total number of 11,543 CXR examinations. Moreover, no difference in mean survival was observed if symptomatic and asymptomatic ITM were considered and survival was calculated from the time of first treatment. A small gain of 3 months, not statistically significant, of mean life from metastases diagnosis was recorded for asymptomatic cases, which is probably entirely due to the lead time effect of anticipated diagnosis. CXR survey in breast cancer follow-up may add to the knowledge of the natural history of the disease, but it appears worthless for other purposes. Thus the high costs related to CXR survey may be unacceptable, and a randomized study on the role of CXR is suggested and justified.