Purpose Despite the identification of several baseline prognostic indicators, the outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is generally heterogeneous. The effects of autologous (AuSCT) or allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) are still under evaluation. Minimal residual disease (MRD) states may be essential for assigning patients to therapy-dependent risk categories. Patients and Methods By multiparametric flow cytometry, we assessed the levels of MRD in 142 patients with AML who achieved complete remission after intensive chemotherapy. Results A level of 3.5 × 10−4 residual leukemia cells (RLCs) after consolidation therapy was established to identify MRD-negative and MRD-positive cases, with 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates of 60% and 16%, respectively (P < .0001) and overall survival (OS) rates of 62% and 23%, respectively (P = .0001). Of patients (n = 77) who underwent a transplantation procedure (56 AuSCT and 21 SCT procedures); 42 patients (55%) were MRD positive (28 patients who underwent AuSCT and 14 patients who underwent SCT) and 35 patients (45%) were MRD negative (28 patients who underwent AuSCT and seven who underwent SCT). MRD-negative patients had a favorable prognosis, with only eight (22%) of 35 patients experiencing relapse, whereas 29 (69%) of 42 MRD-positive patients experienced relapse (P < .0001). In this high-risk group of 42 patients, we observed that 23 (82%) of 28 of those who underwent AuSCT experienced relapse, whereas six (43%) of 14 who underwent SCT experienced relapse (P = .014). Patients who underwent SCT also had a higher likelihood of RFS (47% v 14%). Conclusion A threshold of 3.5 × 10−4 RLCs postconsolidation is critical for predicting disease outcome. MRD-negative patients have a good outcome regardless of the type of transplant they receive. In the MRD-positive group, AuSCT does not improve prognosis and SCT represents the primary option.

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We present a case of a patient who developed a metachronous splenic metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma, for which he has undergone a left nephrectomy 14 years earlier. During his routine follow up a CT scan showed a splenic mass which was considered an isolated metastasis possibly originating from the renal cancer. A splenectomy was performed and histopatological examination of the spleen confirmed the presence of clear cell carcinoma with infiltration of the capsule. Splenic metastases are uncommon and from the reported literature we understand that splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare. The optimal treatment seems to be splenectomy with a good long term outcome. With this report the authors would like to discuss the possibility that it could be a case of local recurrence rather than a real metastasis. A revision of previous reports in the literature is performed too.

BMs should be developed by all surgical trainees during their training. Fields for future improvement regard endoscopy and complex laparoscopic operations for which ad hoc BMs are not available.

The incidence of some benign gastrointestinal pathologies in liver transplant candidates is different from the asymptomatic population but not that of colorectal cancer or colonic polyps.

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Following stoma construction, parastomal hernia is the most frequent complication. Many surgical techniques have been postulated for these patients, and prosthetic surgery represents the first-choice treatment. We report our personal experience with 8 cases of parastomal hernia in patients submitted to abdominal perineal resection according to Miles, for carcinoma of the lower rectum. Polypropylene mesh was shaped according to the size of the fascial defects, characterized by a romboid incision about 4 cm in length. The mesh was placed in suprafascial position, after suturing the fascial tear. One case of wound infection occurred and, to date, none of the patients have presented with recurrence after a 3-year follow-up. In conclusion, the use of polypropylene mesh for parastomal hernia repair represents a safe and successful technique.

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