Browsing by UMass Chan Affiliation "Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology"
Now showing items 1-4 of 4
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Coordination and optimization of FDG PET/CT and COVID-19 vaccination; Lessons learned in the early stages of mass vaccinationAs the world embarks on mass vaccination for COVID-19, we are beginning to encounter unintended dilemmas in imaging oncology patients; particularly with regards to FDG PET/CT. In some cases, vaccine-related lymphadenopathy and FDG uptake on PET/CT can mimic cancer and lead to confounding imaging results. These cases with findings overlapping with cancer pose a significant dilemma for diagnostic purposes, follow-up, and management leading to possible treatment delays, unnecessary repeat imaging and sampling, and patient anxiety. These cases can largely be avoided by optimal coordination between vaccination and planned imaging as well as preemptive selection of vaccine administration site. This coordination hinges on patient, oncologist, and radiologists’ awareness of this issue and collaboration. Through close communication and patient education, we believe this will eliminate significant challenges for our oncology patients as we strive to end this pandemic.
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Identification of genetic risk for pancreatic adenocarcinomaRecent consortium guidelines support research-based screening for those at high risk of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)). Genetic testing plays an important role in the establishment of high-risk PDAC research clinics by delineating those individuals who would benefit from screening protocols. We retrospectively examined patients referred for PDAC-related genetic testing from January 2009 to June 2014. Patients were referred for a personal and/or family history of PDAC or a questioned diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis (HP). Of the 75 referred patients, 36 underwent testing, of which 11 (31%) were mutation-positive. In total, 36% of patients with chronic pancreatitis carried a mutation, 11% of patients with a family history of PDAC carried a mutation, and 20% of patients with a personal history of PDAC carried a mutation. The most common barrier to testing was lack of insurance coverage. Genetic testing yields a suitable number of mutation-positive individuals who may benefit from increased screening. Subjects with possible HP yielded the highest positive rate. Individuals with idiopathic pancreatitis, onset of pancreatitis before the age of 30 years, and those with a family history of PDAC should be considered for testing. Sub-optimal insurance coverage remains a major deterrent to obtaining testing.
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Palliative cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion: current clinical practice or misnomerCytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS/HIPEC) is being used more and more frequently for the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Despite significant improvements in oncologic outcomes and the risk of complications and mortality, CRS/HIPEC remains one of the most morbid treatments offered for advanced cancers. Consequently CRS/HIPEC is still considered controversial by many, even in the setting of cancers that are potentially curable. However, as high volume surgical oncologists become more experienced with CRS/HIPEC, the potential role of "palliative CRS/HIPEC" in the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis is being raised. Given the often limited survival benefit expected after CRS/HIPEC, understanding the impact of the treatment on quality of life (QOL) needs to be an essential part of the decision to proceed and is critical to optimizing recovery afterwards. This article reviews the potential definitions of "palliative CRS/HIPEC" in various clinical contexts and describes the current state of the QOL experience after CRS/HIPEC.
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Thirty-day outcomes underestimate endocrine and exocrine insufficiency after pancreatic resectionBACKGROUND: Long-term incidence of endocrine and exocrine insufficiency after pancreatectomy is poorly described. We analyze the long-term risks of pancreatic insufficiency after pancreatectomy. METHODS: Subjects who underwent pancreatectomy from 2002 to 2012 were identified from a prospective database (n = 227). Subjects who underwent total pancreatectomy or pancreatitis surgery were excluded. New post-operative endocrine and exocrine insufficiency was defined as the need for new pharmacologic intervention within 1000 days from resection. RESULTS: 28 (16%) of 178 subjects without pre-existing endocrine insufficiency developed post-operative endocrine insufficiency: 7 (25%) did so within 30 days, 8 (29%) between 30 and 90 days, and 13 (46%) after 90 days. 94 (43%) of 214 subjects without pre-operative exocrine insufficiency developed exocrine insufficiency: 20 (21%) did so within 30 days, 29 (31%) between 30 and 90 days, and 45 (48%) after 90 days. Adjuvant radiation was associated with new endocrine insufficiency. On multivariate regression, pancreaticoduodenectomy and chemotherapy were associated with a greater risk of exocrine insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Reporting 30-day functional outcomes for pancreatic resection is insufficient, as nearly 45% of subjects who develop disease do so after 90 days. Reporting of at least 90-day outcomes may more reliably assess risk for post-operative endocrine and exocrine insufficiency.