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There is no consensus on follow-up after gastric surgery for cancer, nor evidence that it improves outcomes. We investigated the impact of intensity of follow-up, comparing the regimens adopted by two centres, in Italy and in the UK. Patients who underwent surgery for gastric and junctional type-3 adenocarcinoma, between September 2009 and April 2013, at the Surgical Clinic, University of Brescia (Italy), and at the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, University College London Hospital (UK), were identified. Patients' demographics, stage, recurrence rates, modality of detection and treatment were recorded. Overall survival and costs were compared between the two protocols. A total of 128 patients were included. Recurrence rates were similar (p = 0.349), with more than 70% diagnosed during regular follow-up appointments in both centres. At univariate and multivariate analysis, stage I and treatment of recurrence were associated with a better survival. Patients treated for recurrence at the Italian centre showed an almost significant better survival (p = 0.052). The intensive Italian surveillance protocol was associated with significant higher costs per year. Follow-up and early detection of recurrence did not affect survival in the analysed series, focused on periods in which chemotherapy was ineffective towards recurrence. However, intensive follow-up allowed a greater number of patients to receive a treatment for recurrence; this might prove useful in the next few years, when more effective chemotherapy combinations are expected to become available. The costs could be reduced by adopting a less intensive surveillance programme.

Background: A score predictive of tumor recurrence after radical surgery for non-cardia gastric cancer was previously developed in Italian centers. The aim of this study was to validate the score in a consecutive cohort with prospectively collected follow-up data., Study Design: Of 1,178 patients surgically treated between 1998 and 2006, six hundred and thirty-five patients who fulfilled the selection criteria and completed the follow-up program were available for analysis. The score value for each patient was calculated using the formula obtained from a logistic regression model. Discrimination and calibration of the score in the validation group were evaluated and compared with the data of 438 patients in the study group where the score was developed., Results: Most patients in both groups had very low or very high score values. In the validation group, the observed recurrence rates ranged from 5% to 92% in different score strata. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.889 (95% CI, 0.864-0.914; p < 0.001), indicating a high discrimination value of the score for recurrence. A good calibration was observed by comparing the predicted risk with the actual risk of recurrence. With a score cut-off value of 50, sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy were 74%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. An inverse correlation between the time to recurrence and score level was also estimated (R(2) = 0.119; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The high predictive value of the score was validated in a consecutive cohort. These results might allow the introduction of the score in clinical practice for Western patients., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer supports the practice of follow-up after radical surgery for gastric cancer., Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study (1998-2009) included patients with T1-4N0-3M0 gastric cancer who had undergone D2 gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy, with at least 15 lymph nodes examined, and who had developed recurrent disease. Timing and site of recurrence were correlated to the actual scheduled follow-up timing and modalities., Results: From eight centers, 814 patients with recurrent cancer and over 1,754 (46.4 %) patients undergoing gastrectomy were investigated (median follow-up 31 months). The most frequent sites of recurrence were local/regional lymph nodes (35.4 %), liver (24.3 %), peritoneum (30.3 %), lung (10.4 %) and intraluminal (7.5 %). Ninety-four percent of the recurrences were diagnosed within 2 years and 98 % within 3 years. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18-FDG-PET) detected more than 90 % of recurrences, abdominal ultrasound detected 70 % and tumor markers detected 40 %, while <10 % were identified by physical examination, chest X-ray, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Twenty-six percent of patients with recurrence were treated, but only 3.2 % were treated with potentially radical intent., Conclusion: Oncological follow-up after radical surgery for gastric cancer should be focused in the first 3 years, and based mainly on thoracoabdominal CT scan and 18-FDG-PET.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive factors, the therapy, and the prognosis of intrahepatic recurrence (IR) after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Summary Background Data: The predictive factors of IR are debated. To class the recurrence according to the modality of presentation may help to find a correlation and to select the right therapy for the recurrence., Methods: A total of 213 patients were evaluated. Risk factors for recurrence were related to time (<2 years and >2 years) and type of presentation (marginal, nodular, and diffuse). Prognosis and therapy for the recurrence were studied in each group of patients., Results: IR was observed in 143 patients; 109 were early (group 1) and 34 late recurrences (group 2). Cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and HCV positivity were independently related to the risk of recurrence with a cumulative effect (92.5% of recurrences in patients with 3 prognostic factors). For group 1, the neoplastic vascular infiltration together with cirrhosis, HCV positivity, CAH, and transaminases were significant; all the 11 patients with 5 negative prognostic factors showed an early recurrence. On the contrary, only cirrhosis was related to a late recurrence. Survival rate was significantly better in late than in early recurrence (61.9%, 27.1% and 25.7%, 4.5% at 3-5 years); a curative procedure was performed in 67.6% in group 1 and 29.3% in group 2. After a radical treatment of IR, the survival was comparable with the group of patients without recurrence., Conclusions: Early and late recurrences are linked to different predictive factors. The modality of presentation of the recurrence together with the feasibility of a radical treatment are the best determinants for the prognosis.

Radiofrequency ablation is considered safe for inoperable liver neoplasms; with small lesions the rate of success is very high, the local recurrence is marginal and generally suitable for a retreatment. We have little information about the possibility of rapid regrowth of the tumor after a response judged as complete. We present four patients, affected by primary (3 patients) and metastatic (1 patient) uninodular cancer. All the lesions were small, superficial and well suited for surgery, but were treated by radiofrequency ablation elsewhere. The early instrumental evaluations stated a complete result in all the patients. Cancer regrowth was diagnosed at 3, 4, 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency ablation, always starting from the treated lesion. In case 1 the whole right lobe was involved together with a controlateral multinodular recurrence; cases 2 and 3 presented an extensive liver and parietal wall involvement; while in the fourth patient a diffuse biliary colonization was observed. Only 1 patient was suitable for surgery; the others died 6, 2 and 4 months, respectively, after recurrence. Recurrence after radiofrequency ablation may show an aggressive evolution precluding any possibility of cure. Radiofrequency ablation must not be considered a suitable alternative to surgery in patients with a low surgical risk.