The concept of en bloc removal of tissue surrounding the esophagus was applied to intrathoracic esophageal cancers, and the first 80 cases were operated on by this technique between 1969 and 1981. Analysis of prognostic factors showed that only penetration through the esophageal wall and lymph node spread influenced survival. Since 1981, a new staging system based on wall penetration (W) and lymph nodes (N), as well as systemic metastases (M), and similar to the modified Dukes' system for colon cancer has been used to select patients before and during surgery for en bloc resection if favorable pathology (W1, N0, or N1) could be anticipated. When curative resection was not attainable, based on preoperative and operative staging, a standard esophagectomy was considered for relief of symptoms when necessary. From July 1981 to June 1984, 68 esophageal cancers were referred to us, and 31 were resected by the en bloc method, 21 by standard esophagectomy, and 16 were not resected. The success of preoperative staging was confirmed, as only nine of the 31 en bloc cases demonstrated both W2 and N2 pathology. The proportion of W2N2 cases subjected to en bloc esophagectomy was less (p less than 0.01) than that in the preceding series. This selection of cases showed a favorable deviation in the survival curve following en bloc esophagectomy since 1981 compared to the earlier interval. Patients treated by en bloc esophagectomy had a significantly greater survival than they did following standard esophagectomy at all time intervals after 6 months. There was no difference in hospital mortality or complications between the two operations. Further evidence for the value of the new staging system was shown by the significant difference in survival curves between those with favorable versus unfavorable staging and treated by en bloc esophagectomy. Among all cases resected between 1981 and 1984, 18-month survival in W1 stage was 67% compared to 35% for W2 disease. Survival with N0 disease was 58% versus 43% for N1 stage and 21% for N2 stage. The favorable survival rates after en bloc resection in those with limited (less than W2N2) disease support the concept of selecting patients for curative surgery based on preoperative and operative staging. Preoperative radiation therapy caused a significant decline in patient survival at 6 and 12 months and has been abandoned.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
This dataset is limited by the lack of a denominator as it remains unknown how many other patients with ACC presenting with IVC invasion did not undergo surgery. The relatively low perioperative mortality and the long disease-free survival achieved by some patients should encourage surgeons with adequate experience to offer surgical treatment to patients presenting with advanced adrenocortical cancers.
The aim of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is to ensure a rate of disease-free survival similar to that of patients transplanted due to benign disease. Therefore, we are forced to adopt strict criteria when selecting candidates for LT and prioritizing patients on the waiting list (WL), to have clarified indications for bridging therapy for groups at risk for progression or recurrence, and to establish certain limits for downstaging therapies. Although the Milan criteria (MC) remain the standard and most employed criteria for indication of HCC patients for LT by far, in the coming years, criteria will be consolidated that take into account not only data regarding the size/ volume and number of tumors but also their biology. This criteria will mainly include the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) values and, in view of their wide variability, any of the published logarithmic models for the selection of candidates for LT. Bridging therapy is necessary for HCC patients on the WL who meet the MC and have the possibility of experiencing a delay for LT greater than 6 mo or any of the known risk factors for recurrence. It is difficult to define single AFP values that would indicate bridging therapy (200, 300 or 400 ng/mL); therefore, it is preferable to rely on the criteria of a French AFP model score > 2. Other single indications for bridging therapy include a tumor diameter greater than 3 cm, more than one tumor, and having an AFP slope greater than 15 ng/mL per month or > 50 ng/mL for three months during strict monitoring while on the WL. When considering the inclusion of patients on the WL who do not meet the MC, it is mandatory to determine their eligibility for downstaging therapy prior to inclusion. The upper limit for this therapy could be one lesion up to 8 cm, 2-3 lesions with a total tumor diameter up to 8 cm, or a total tumor volume of 115 cm 3 . Selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: Past and future the WL should take into account the recently described HCC model for end-stage liver disease, which considers hepatic function, HCC size and the number and the log of AFP values. This formula has been calibrated with the survival data of non-HCC patients and produces a dynamic and more accurate assessment model.
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