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Purpose: To investigate the utility of combined tumour and lymph node (LN) radiomics features in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) among patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 176 ESCC patients from January 2013 to December 2016. Tumour and targeted LN segmentation were performed on venous phase CT images. Models were constructed using LASSO Cox regression: a clinical model, a clinical-tumour radiomics model, and a clinical-tumour-LN radiomics model. Model fitting was evaluated using Akaike information criterion and likelihood ratio (LR), while performance was assessed using Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results: The clinical model included clinical stage and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Integration of tumour features significantly improved prognostic accuracy (clinical-tumour model vs. clinical model, LR: 17.84 vs. 11.84, P = 0.049). Subsequent integration of LN features further augmented model performance (clinical-tumour-LN model vs. clinical-tumour model, LR: 24.48 vs. 17.84, P = 0.009). The final model included clinical stage, NLR, two tumour features (Conventional_mean and GLZLM_HGZE), and one LN feature (GLCM_entropy). The C-index was 0.68 for the training set and 0.70 for the test set. The nomogram based on these features effectively stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The clinical-tumour-LN model, integrating clinical stage, NLR, and radiomics features, outperformed simpler models in predicting DFS among ESCC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection. This underscores the potential of radiomics data to enhance prognostic models, offering clinicians a more robust tool for assessment.

Background: Lymphatic route is the main pathway for gastric cancer (GC) spread, and lymph node (LN) involvement is a major prognostic factor after curative resection. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of specific LN station dissection.

Methods: Patients with locally advanced (cT2-4N0-3M0) GC who underwent multimodal treatment between 2013 and 2023 were included in the study. Patients who had not undergone gastrectomy, had early (cT1) or metastatic GC, who had undergone multiorgan resections, palliative care, had died before the end of curative-intent planned treatment, or had incomplete clinical or pathological information were excluded. The primary endpoint was the development of serious complications, and the secondary outcome was OS.

Results: Mulivariable analysis revealed, that among patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), it was observed that station 10 lymphadenectomy was associated with a higher risk of serious postoperative complications. (27.6 % vs 8.7 %; OR = 3.28) Among the no-NAC group, it was observed that station 13 lymphadenectomy was associated with a higher risk of serious postoperative complications. (57.1 % vs 13.2 %; OR = 6.96). Among the NAC group, a lower risk of death was observed in patients with station 8 (HR = 0.53) or 11 lymphadenectomy (HR = 0.53).

Conclusion: While D2 lymphadenectomy remains crucial, particularly in in high-volume, experienced GC centers, the necessity of a more extensive D2+ lymphadenectomy is not supported by our findings. Moreover, we aimed to highlight the importance of tailored surgical approaches and emphasize the significance of LN station dissection in influencing both short-term complications and long-term survival outcomes.

Background: One-third of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) present alterations in conventional coagulation test results. However, perioperative coagulation has not been systematically investigated in these patients. This study aimed to investigate hemostatic changes in such patients.

Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis who underwent CRS-HIPEC. Variables of conventional coagulation and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters of patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC at baseline (time 0, T0: before surgery) were compared with those of healthy blood donors (HBD). Blood samples were collected at baseline (T0), 2-h (T2), and 72-h (T72) after surgery.

Results: 44 patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC and 40 HBDs were included. At T0, patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC presented with lower hemoglobin levels and elevated C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, factor XIII (FXIII), and D-dimer levels than HBDs. At T2, significant decreases in hemoglobin, platelet count, fibrinogen, and FXIII levels were observed. In contrast, D-dimer and von Willebrand factor levels increased. Regarding ROTEM parameters, in the postoperative period, increased clotting time in thromboelastometry with extrinsic activation, and maximum clot firmness in thromboelastometry with fibrin contribution, along with a significant decrease in maximum clot firmness in thromboelastometry with extrinsic activation without a hyperfibrinolysis pattern, were observed. Platelet function, as assessed using the platelet function assay, was normal.

Conclusions: CRS-HIPEC causes coagulopathy secondary to a pronounced platelet drop, worsening of fibrinogen and FXIII levels, and impaired clot firmness as evidenced by ROTEM. A proinflammatory status was ubiquitously observed.

Surgical and neuropathologists continuously search for new and disease-specific features, such as independent predictors of tumor prognosis or determinants of tumor entities and sub-entities. This is a task where artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) systems could significantly contribute to help with tumor outcome prediction and the search for new diagnostic or treatment stratification biomarkers. AI systems are increasingly integrated into routine pathology workflows to improve accuracy, reproducibility, productivity and to reveal difficult-to-see features in complicated histological slides, including the quantification of important markers for tumor grading and staging. In this article, we review the infrastructure needed to facilitate digital and computational pathology. We address the barriers for its full deployment in the clinical setting and describe the use of AI in intraoperative or postoperative settings were frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded materials are used. We also summarize quality assessment issues of slide digitization, new spatial biology approaches, and the determination of specific gene-expression from whole slide images. Finally, we highlight new innovative and future technologies, such as large language models, optical biopsies, and mass spectrometry imaging.

Background: Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is an effective but technically demanding procedure. The learning curve of RAMIE has been studied to help guide training and to ensure its safe implementation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the first 83 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent robot-assisted minimally invasive Mckeown esophagectomy (RAMIE-MK) between May 2021 and August 2023, all performed by a single surgeon. A cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was applied to generate the learning curve of RAMIE-MK, based on total operation time.

Results: The learning curve was divided into two phases based on the CUSUM analysis: Phase I, the initial learning phase (cases 1-27) and Phase II, the proficiency phase (cases 28-83). When comparing the proficiency phase with the initial phase, we observed a significant decreased trends in total operation time (329.6 ± 71.0 min vs 221.3 ± 33.5 min, P＜0.001). No significant differences were found in other clinicopathological characteristics.

Conclusion: For a surgeon experienced in open and thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy, and who also received systematic robot-assisted thoracic surgery training on animals, a total of 27 cases were required to gain technical proficiency in RAMIE-MK.

Introduction: With the global aging, the number of elderly candidates for esophageal resection is increasing. However, studies on esophagectomy in elderly patients have yielded conflicting results, and individuals over 75 years old are frequently excluded from studies on esophageal cancer. This study aimed to analyze perioperative and survival outcomes post-esophagectomy in elderly patients using propensity score matching (PSM).

Materials and methods: Patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy (2006-2020) were studied. A 1:2 PSM was performed, with matching variables, including operational approach, type of operation, Charlson Comorbidity Index without age score, clinical stage, and treatment modality. Perioperative and survival outcomes were compared between the age groups.

Results: After PSM, 91 elderly and 182 non-elderly patients were analyzed. The postoperative in-hospital mortality rate was identical for both groups at 1.1 %. The non-elderly group had a significantly higher 4-week discharge rate (91.8 % vs. 84.6 %, p = 0.032). There were no significant differences in overall postoperative complications (p = 0.886). Grade III-IV complications occurred in 16.5 % of elderly and 8.8 % of non-elderly patients, with no significant difference (p = 0.092). The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower in the elderly group (47.3 % vs. 69.8 %, p = 0.022), while the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate showed no significant difference (45.7 % vs. 63.6 %, p = 0.119).

Conclusions: Elderly patients undergoing esophagectomy were similar to non-elderly patients in overall complications and in-hospital mortality. Despite a tendency for increased severity of complications and a significantly lower 4-week discharge rate, esophagectomy remains acceptable for elderly patients.

Background: Although most melanomas drain to the more common major lymph node basins (axilla, groin, neck), rarely they drain to deep SLN locations such as intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic (including intercostal and internal mammary) sites, which pose a higher surgical risk and complexity for procurement. Our study is aimed at determining the rate of positivity and likelihood of recurrence in these nodal sites to guide management decisions for patients with truncal melanomas which drain to these 'deep' SLN locations.

Methods: Retrospective data collected between May 2008 and May 2022 including all patients with truncal melanomas who underwent lymphoscintigraphy resulting in the identification of deep SLNs in intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic sites were included. The associations between retrieval of SLNs and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

Results: 74 patients with a total of 91 SLNs located at deep sites were included. 11 (15 %) patients with a total of 12 lymph nodes had SLNB of these deep nodes, all of which were intercostal nodes. Only 1 patient had a positive SLNB. In total, 24 (32 %) patients developed recurrence. However, the remaining patients did not recur at the deep SLN sites. There were no statistically significant associations between retrieval of deep SLNs and RFS or OS. 3-year RFS in the patients who had deep SLNB performed was 62 % compared to 54 % and 50 % in those who had no SLNB or incomplete SLNB, respectively (p = 0.63).

Conclusion: In this study omitting procurement of these deep SLNs did not result in reduced RFS or OS.

Background: Treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) includes several options with impact on the patient journey and may depend on presentation and patient characteristics. The aim of the study was to investigate how treatment sequencing in index hepatectomy for synchronous or metachronous CRLM may potentially impact treatment pathways and oncological outcomes.

Methods: An observational cohort study (ACROBATICC; NCT0176813) of patients having surgery for CRLM. Patient and tumour characteristics, treatment and recurrence patterns were recorded. Recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test).

Results: The study included 132 patients, median age 67 yrs, 69 % men and 55 % had synchronous CRLM. Overall, 65 (50 %) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 45 (63 %) in synchronous and 20 (33 %) in metachronous CRLM (odds ratio, OR 0.30 95%CI 0.15-0.62; p < 0.001). Patient- and tumour characteristics did not differ except number of metastases (synchronous CRLM median 2 (range 1-4) vrs metachronous median 1 (1-2), respectively; p < 0.001). Some 99 (75 %) patients relapsed, 38 % had liver-recurrence. Repeat hepatectomy was performed in one-third, with equal rates between synchronous or metachronous CRLM. Median OS of all patients was 68 months, for a difference of 24 months between synchronous and metachronous CRLM (59 and 83 months, respectively; p = 0.334). RFS survival did not differ between groups.

Conclusion: Pre-operative chemotherapy was given twice as often for patients with synchronous CRLM who also had more metastases and more frequently rectal primaries. Liver recurrence rates, repeat hepatecomy and overall survival was comparable between groups. Intrinsic cancer biology needs to be better investigated to provide better outcomes.