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Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The global cancer burden (GCB) is expected to rise significantly and will disproportionately affect the less developed world (LDW). The aim of this review is to analyze the trends in GCB and describe the types, estimates, and causes of new cancer cases. The challenges and strategies associated with tackling this rising GCB are described in which surgeons can play a vital role. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:221–226. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The aim of this study was to analyze national trends in minimally invasive and open cases of all graduating residents in general surgery.A retrospective analysis was performed on data obtained from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education logs (1999-2008) of graduating residents from all US general surgery residency programs. Data were analyzed using Mantel-Haenszel χ(2) tests and the Bonferroni adjustment to detect trends in the number of minimally invasive and open cases.Minimally invasive procedures accounted for an increasing proportion of cases performed (3.7% to 11.1%, P.0001), with a proportional decrease in open cases. An increase in minimally invasive procedures with a proportional decrease in open procedures was noted in subcategories such as alimentary tract, abdominal, vascular, thoracic, and pediatric surgery (P.0001).The results of this study demonstrate that general surgery residents in the United States are performing a greater number of minimally invasive and fewer open procedures for common surgical conditions.

There are many causes of colonic obstruction ranging from anatomic to physiologic etiologies (Table 28.1). The type of obstructions also differ depend on region. In the United States, the most common cause of adult colonic obstruction is colorectal cancer, whereas in Russia and Africa, colonic volvulus is much more common. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management differ depending on the etiology; however, the initial assessment of the patient is similar regardless.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The global cancer burden (GCB) is expected to rise significantly and will disproportionately affect the less developed world (LDW). The aim of this review is to analyze the trends in GCB and describe the types, estimates, and causes of new cancer cases. The challenges and strategies associated with tackling this rising GCB are described in which surgeons can play a vital role.

To investigate the potential role of magnetic resonance imaging and duplex scanning in the diagnosis of catheter-induced subclavian vein thrombosis, we correlated the results of 43 arm phlebograms with duplex scans; 28 of these phlebograms were also correlated with magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thoracic veins. Eighteen of the 43 phlebograms were normal, and all had normal magnetic resonance imaging and duplex studies. Eleven subclavian veins were totally occluded on phlebography; all had duplex scans, and five were also scanned with magnetic resonance imaging. Duplex scans detected 6 of 11 occlusions, whereas magnetic resonance imaging detected 4 of the 5 occlusions scanned. The five occlusions that were not detected by either magnetic resonance imaging or duplex scans were short segmental occlusions of the medial one third of the left subclavian vein. Of 14 nonocclusive thrombi seen on phlebography, duplex scans correctly identified 8. Magnetic resonance imaging was done on eight nonocclusive thrombi but identified only two. All abnormal findings on duplex scanning and magnetic resonance imaging were confirmed by phlebography. Short occlusions of the proximal portion of the left subclavian vein were often undetected by duplex scanning but occasionally seen with magnetic resonance imaging. Neither modality was sensitive to the presence of nonocclusive mural thrombi. Magnetic resonance imaging is highly reliable in ruling out the presence of a thrombotic process in the subclavian vein, but it may on occasion fail to detect the presence of subclavian thrombi. For this reason, in cases with suspected subclavian vein thrombosis magnetic resonance imaging cannot be used as the only diagnostic modality. Contrast phlebography has to be used for positive exclusion of the possibility of vein thrombosis. (J VASC SURG 1991;13:391-7.)

Anesthetic experience with three cases of the resection of glucagonoma, a rare tumor of alpha cells of pancreatic islets, is presented. Marked increases of blood glucagon and glucose levels, with the potential for clinically significant metabolic and myocardial dysfunction, did not occur during anesthesia and surgery. Associated tumors of other endocrine cell types also were absent in the three study patients. Strategies for anticipating and managing other perioperative problems associated with glucagonoma also are discussed.

Thrombotic obstruction frequently prohibits infusion through or withdrawal of blood from central venous catheters and can occur in conjunction with symptomatic thrombosis of the subclavian vein. Thirty catheters were radiographically proved to be obstructed by thrombus and had not responded to at least one instillation of 5000 units of urokinase. All catheters were treated with a 12-hour infusion of urokinase at the rate of 40,000 units/hour. the obstructing thrombus was either eliminated or reduced in size in all instances and full function was restored in all but one catheter. No bleeding complications were seen. Six patients with obstructed catheters also had symptoms of subclavian vein thrombosis. All patients with symptoms of subclavian vein obstruction became asymptomatic on anticoagulant therapy even though no attempt at dissolving the thrombus obstructing the subclavian vein was made. A 12-hour infusion of low doses of urokinase can safely salvage function of obstructed catheters that otherwise may require replacement. Patients with concomitant subclavian vein thrombosis become asymptomatic on anticoagulant therapy without need to dissolve the obstructing thrombus.

One hundred sixty-eight bone marrow transplant recipients and 49 patients who received high-dose chemotherapy were evaluated for symptomatic thrombosis after Hickman catheter placement. The timing of thrombotic complications was different between these two groups, with the transplant group having a significantly lower thrombus-free survival by 28 days after catheter placement. By 100 days after placement the thrombus-free survival rates of the two groups were similar. The platelet count at time of catheter placement was significantly lower in the nontransplant group, and the thrombus-free survival was longer in patients whose catheter was placed when their platelet count was less than 150,000, suggesting that thrombocytopenia delays thrombotic complications. Placement of two Hickman catheters resulted in a 12.9% thrombosis rate (21 of 162 patients) and was significantly more likely to be associated with thrombosis than placement of one catheter. Long-term follow-up evaluation of patients treated without successful fibrinolytic therapy showed no residual symptoms of venous obstruction. In those patients presenting with concomitant catheter obstruction resulting from thrombosis, low-dose fibrinolytic therapy was successful in restoring catheter function 70% of the time. Placement of two Hickman catheters is associated with an inordinate incidence of thrombosis. Thrombocytopenia at the time of catheter placement may delay this complication. Thrombotic catheter obstruction can be treated successfully with low-dose fibrinolytic therapy. Even without fibrinolytic therapy, catheter-induced subclavian vein thrombosis rarely causes long-term disability.

Twenty-two silicone rubber apheresis catheters were placed into the subclavian veins of 18 cancer patients to allow serial leukapheresis for collection of circulating hematopoietic stem cells. The tips of the catheters were placed in the innominate vein to avoid reinfusion of citrate into the right atrium and the resulting tendency to cardiac arrhythmias. Sixteen catheters were placed without prophylactic anticoagulation. Anticoagulation was prematurely discontinued in one patient because of the inconvenience of the portable heparin infusion pump. Six of these 17 catheters developed venographically proven thrombotic complications and five others had presumed thrombosis-related access failure or caused symptoms of venous obstruction, but confirmation of the presence of a thrombus with venography was not obtained. Three catheters spontaneously withdrew from the vein, one during urokinase infusion for thrombosis. Only three catheters had uncomplicated apheresis courses. Prophylactic heparin infusions via portable infusion pumps were given after placement of six catheters. As long as the heparin infusions were continued all patients had uncomplicated apheresis courses. One patient's heparin was prematurely discontinued. Within 3 days of its discontinuance, radiographically proven thrombotic catheter occlusion occurred. Patients given heparin were less likely to develop complications (P less than 0.001). No unexpected complications of apheresis were encountered as a result of the use of these catheters. Silicone rubber subclavian catheters can be used for peripheral stem cell collection but have a high frequency of thrombotic complications. Systemic anticoagulation with heparin can minimize the likelihood of these complications.

Estrogens are a known risk factor for breast cancer. Studies indicate that initiation of breast cancer may occur by metabolism of estrogens to form abnormally high levels of catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones, which can then react with DNA to form depurinating adducts and, subsequently, induce mutations that lead to cancer. Among the key enzymes metabolizing estrogens are two activating enzymes: cytochrome P450 (CYP)19 (aromatase), which converts androgens to estrogens, and CYP1B1, which converts estrogens predominantly to the 4-catechol estrogens that are further oxidized to catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones. Formation of the quinones is prevented by methylation of the 4-catechol estrogens by the enzyme, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). In addition, catechol estrogen quinones can be reduced back to catechol estrogens by NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and/or are coupled with glutathione, preventing reaction with DNA. Thus, COMT and NQO1 are key deactivating enzymes. In this initial study, we examined whether the expression of these four critical estrogen activating/deactivating enzymes is altered in breast cancer. Control breast tissue was obtained from four women who underwent reduction mammoplasty. Breast tissues from five women with breast carcinoma, who underwent mastectomy, were used as cases. The level of expression of CYP19, CYP1B1, COMT and NQO1 mRNAs was quantified from total RNA using a real time RT-PCR method in an ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system. The control breast tissues showed lower expression of the activating enzymes, CYP19 and CYP1B1, and higher expression of the deactivating enzymes, COMT and NQO1, compared to the cases. In the cases, the reverse pattern was observed: greater expression of activating enzymes and lower expression of deactivating enzymes. Thus, in women with breast cancer, estrogen metabolism may be related to altered expression of multiple genes. These unbalances appear to be instrumental in causing excessive formation of catechol estrogen quinones that, by reacting with DNA, initiate the series of events leading to breast cancer.

Estrogens are a known risk factor for breast cancer. Studies indicate that initiation of breast cancer may occur by metabolism of estrogens to form abnormally high levels of catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones, which can then react with DNA to form depurinating adducts and, subsequently, induce mutations that lead to cancer. Among the key enzymes metabolizing estrogens are two activating enzymes: cytochrome P450 (CYP)19 (aromatase), which converts androgens to estrogens, and CYP1B1, which converts estrogens predominantly to the 4-catechol estrogens that are further oxidized to catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones. Formation of the quinones is prevented by methylation of the 4-catechol estrogens by the enzyme, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). In addition, catechol estrogen quinones can be reduced back to catechol estrogens by NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and/or are coupled with glutathione, preventing reaction with DNA. Thus, COMT and NQO1 are key deactivating enzymes. In this initial study, we examined whether the expression of these four critical estrogen activating/deactivating enzymes is altered in breast cancer. Control breast tissue was obtained from four women who underwent reduction mammoplasty. Breast tissues from five women with breast carcinoma, who underwent mastectomy, were used as cases. The level of expression of CYP19, CYP1B1, COMT and NQO1 mRNAs was quantified from total RNA using a real time RT-PCR method in an ABI PRISM 7700 sequence detection system. The control breast tissues showed lower expression of the activating enzymes, CYP19 and CYP1B1, and higher expression of the deactivating enzymes, COMT and NQO1, compared to the cases. In the cases, the reverse pattern was observed: greater expression of activating enzymes and lower expression of deactivating enzymes. Thus, in women with breast cancer, estrogen metabolism may be related to altered expression of multiple genes. These unbalances appear to be instrumental in causing excessive formation of catechol estrogen quinones that, by reacting with DNA, initiate the series of events leading to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude of the discrepancy in injury death rates between urban and rural counties and which types of injury deaths contribute most to this discrepancy. DESIGN: A review of Nebraska death certificates over the period 1985-1989 was undertaken. Counties were divided into four groups according to population. Group I: urban counties (n = 3); group II: counties with a town of greater than 10,000 (n = 9); group III: counties with a total population of greater than 10,000 (n = 19); group IV: counties with a total population of less than 10,000 (n = 62). Age-adjusted death rates for heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and injury were tabulated. Injury deaths were further categorized by intentional injury (homicide, suicide), and unintentional injury (motor vehicle-related, falls, drownings, poisoning, farm machinery-related, choking, firearms-related, fire-related and burns). INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 population (with 95% confidence intervals) in group IV were lower than in group I for heart disease: 209 (193.9-224.1) vs. 227.4 (216.3-238.5); cancer: 135.9 (123.7-148.1) vs. 176.3 (166.6-186.0); cerebrovascular disease: 39.9 (33.3-46.5) vs. 44.6 (39.7-49.5); pneumonia: 19.6 (15.0-24.2) vs. 23.4 (19.8-27.0); and intentional injury deaths: 13.3 (9.5-17.0) vs. 15.1 (12.2-18.0). However, age-adjusted unintentional injury death rates were 54.2% higher in group IV than in group I: 42.7 (35.9-49.5) vs. 27.7 (23.8-31.6). Motor vehicle-related death rates were 93% higher: 23.3 (18.2-28.4) vs. 12.1 (9.5-14.7); and farm machinery-related deaths were 1250% higher: 2.7 (1.0-4.4) vs. 0.2 (-0.1-0.5). CONCLUSION: Age-adjusted unintentional injury death rates are higher in the rural counties of Nebraska, even though death rates for the four other leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, cerebral vascular disease, and pneumonia) and intentional injury are lower. Although farm machinery-related deaths have the largest percentage difference between rural and urban counties, motor vehicle-related deaths are the major contributor to the unintentional injury death rate discrepancy in rural Nebraska.

The proceedings of the Southwestern Surgical Congress (SWSC) over the last 50 years have contained .200 presentations related to the field of breast, endocrine, and oncologic surgery. Of these, I have selected 62 for review. A review of the proceedings revealed that in most areas the papers mirrored the evolution of American surgery over the last half century. The breast presentations, beginning in the early 1960s, challenged the rationale of the Halstedian approach to breast cancer and reported comparable results with less disfiguring procedures. In the field of endocrine surgery, as surgeons began embracing newer techniques in diagnosis (fine needle aspiration [FNA], abdominal computed tomography [CT], and flow cytometry), earlier diagnoses and more information on prognosis became available. The papers related to melanoma presented a persuasive argument away from wider radical resections and amputation to operations with smaller margins, with no discernible effect on survival figures. In the area of abdominal oncologic surgery, the most striking trend seemed to be an increasingly aggressive operative approach to pancreatic cancer at the same time as operative mortality rates fell from .30% to ,5%.

background : Pancreatic islet cell tumors are categorized as either functioning or nonfunctioning. Functioning islet cell tumors (FIT) elaborate a variety of hormones, producing dramatic symptoms, while the initial presentation of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors (NIT) is commonly an abdominal mass or symptom complex related to invasion of adjacent structures. As a result, NIT are purported to present at a later stage, with lower resectability rates, and an overall poorer prognosis, when compared to FIT. In addition, a number of reports have indicated that the incidence of NIT has increased significantly in recent years. patients and methods : Twenty-eight patients were studied retrospectively. All had islet cell tumors of the pancreas and were seen at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and affiliated Nebraska Methodist Hospital during a 19-year period. results : There were 9 patients (32%) in the NIT group and 19 (68%) in the FIT group. The mean ages at presentation were 61 years for the NIT and 52 years for the FIT group. In the NIT group, all presented with either abdominal pain (n = 7) or jaundice (n = 2). In contrast, over 90% of the patients with FIT had symptoms referable to the specific hormone elaborated by the tumor. Primary tumor size for NIT was 4.1 ± 0.7 cm versus 5.0 ± 0.6 cm for the FIT group. No significant difference was found for NIT versus FIT with respect to the incidence of metastatic disease at presentation (44% versus 53%), resectability rate with curative intent (44% versus 53%), or disease-free survival at 2 years (67% versus 40%). conclusions : This series, in contrast to earlier reports, suggests that nonfunctioning islet cell tumors do not present at a more advanced stage, have lower resectability rates, or an overall poorer long-term prognosis when compared to functioning tumors.

• Subclavian catheterization in patients with cancer is associated with up to a 38% incidence of subclavian vein thrombosis. These thrombi seldom recanalize. The persistent occlusion of the subclavian vein may hinder subsequent catheter placement. To determine the frequency of this occurrence and to determine if preoperative duplex scanning could identify these individuals, we performed preoperative duplex scanning in 22 patients who had previously had an indwelling subclavian catheter for chemotherapy. Subsequent subclavian vein catheterization was attempted without knowledge of the results of the duplex scan. Nineteen scans were normal. Of these, 18 patients underwent successful catheter placement. In one patient, catheterization was unsuccessful and an intraoperative venogram showed a focal obstruction of the proximal portion of the subclavian vein. Three scans showed noncompressibility of the vein, and catheter placement was unsuccessful in these three veins. In patients who have had previous subclavian catheters, persistent obstruction of the vein prevents subsequent catheter placement in 14%. Duplex scanning before subsequent catheter placement generally identifies these individuals. ( Arch Surg . 1992;127:229-230)

We reviewed our experience with 90 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts to determine if the cause of pancreatitis influenced the patients' outcome. Acute pancreatitis (AP) occurred in 57 (63%) patients due to alcoholic (n = 15), postoperative (n = 14), biliary (n = 12), and other etiologies (n = 16). Thirty-three (37%) patients had chronic pancreatitis (CP) secondary to alcohol use (n = 27) or other causes (n = 6). Multiple pseudocysts were significantly more frequent in patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis (47% versus 19%, p0.05). Spontaneous resolution occurred within 8 weeks in 10 (11%) patients with pseudocysts (AP = 9%, CP = 15%, p = NS). However, no patient with pseudocyst associated with biliary or postoperative pancreatitis underwent spontaneous resolution. Although pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis were smaller in size (8.0 +/- 4.7 versus 5.7 +/- 3.8 cm, p0.05), a similar proportion of them required operation compared with AP pseudocysts (56% versus 58%). There were significantly more deaths in patients with postoperative pancreatitis compared with all other groups (29% versus 7%, p0.05). The outcome of pseudocysts was similar regardless of size (greater than 6 cm versus less than 6 cm) and presentation (acute versus delayed). Thus, the etiology of pancreatitis was a more important determinant of pseudocyst outcome than pseudocyst size or presentation.

Glucagonomas, considered among the rarest of the islet cell neoplasms, produce a well-defined clinical syndrome characterized by necrolytic migratory erythema, diabetes mellitus, glossitis, anemia, and weight loss. This report describes seven patients with glucagonoma treated at our institution. All seven had the characteristic dermatologic manifestations, present from 1 to 6 years prior to diagnosis. Five patients had extensive disease at the time of initial operation, three of whom underwent aggressive cytoreductive surgery, whereas the other two had biopsy only. The remaining two patients presented with a single nodule each, underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and remain free of disease 2 and 6 years postoperatively. Earlier recognition of the distinctive physical findings peculiar to this syndrome should increase survival. Aggressive cytoreductive surgery results in prolonged remission.

Twenty-eight peritoneovenous shunts were placed to relieve ascites in 26 patients with a variety of underlying malignancies. Nine of the patients had documented liver metastases and hyperbilirubinemia. Severe thrombocytopenia with laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurred in four of these nine patients following shunt placement. Relative or absolute thrombocytopenia was also commonly observed in this series. Other complications included pulmonary edema, ventricular tachycardia, culture-negative fever, pneumonia, and late shunt occlusion. Good palliation, with relief of abdominal pain or respiratory compromise, was achieved in 57% of these patients. Our experience suggests that DIC following peritoneovenous shunts in patients with malignancy may be more common than previously reported, although not as frequent as the incidence of DIC associated with shunt placement for cirrhotic ascites. Platelet aggregation or Factor X activation by ascitic fluid and failure of the liver to inactivate activated clotting factors may play a role in this coagulopathy. Because of the risk of potentially fatal DIC, palliative peritoneovenous shunts should be considered with caution in patients with liver metastases and hyperbilirubinemia.

Fifty-five peritoneovenous shunts (PVS) were implanted in 45 patients (29 LeVeen and 26 Denver shunts). Seventy-five percent of patients experienced relief of symptoms referable to their ascites. The mean survival time post-shunt placement was 33 weeks; however, considerable variation was noted in survival times for the various tumor types (pancreas 7 weeks, ovary 71 weeks). Significant alterations in coagulation parameters consistent with subclinical disseminated intervascular coagulation (DIC) were present in all patients with functioning shunts. These coagulation changes have proven reliable indicators of shunt patency. Shunt revision was necessary in 18 percent of patients. No significant difference in shunt patency was detected when Denver and LeVeen shunts were compared. This experience indicates that PVS offers effective palliation without undue morbidity for malignant ascites. The best results can be expected in those patients with ovarian and breast primary tumors. Because of the short time from onset of disabling ascites until death, PVS is not indicated in the majority of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the parotid gland is an extremely rare lesion of which there have been only four other reported cases. The importance of these lesions rests in the possibility of their being a harbinger of multiple myeloma or their subsequent transformation to multiple myeloma. Because of its extreme rarity, the proper management remains unclear.

We report a patient who developed pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Ten cases have been reported in the literature. Despite the patient's serious condition, celiotomy was performed to rule out perforation of a hollow viscus and none was found. The likelihood of visceral perforation in this setting is high and despite increasing recognition of pneumoperitoneum that does not require surgical intervention, nonoperative management should not be entertained in this setting unless visceral perforation can be excluded.

Urine polyamine content is increased in patients with colorectal malignancy and may be a useful tumor marker in the management of these patients. Urinary excretion of putrescine and spermidine was measured preoperatively and in the first week postoperatively in nine patients with inflammatory bowel disease, eight with other benign colorectal disease, and 13 with colorectal cancer. Preoperative urine putrescine levels were elevated similarly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and malignancy. Polyamine levels were increased in all three groups in the early postoperative period. Urinary polyamine excretion did not correlate with serum CEA levels, tumor volume, or stage of disease in patients with cancer. Because elevated levels of urinary polyamines are not specific for malignancy and do not correlate with other prognostic indicators, such measurements are unlikely to be useful in tumor detection and determining prognosis. Polyamine levels, however, may prove useful in monitoring response to therapy and detecting recurrences in individual patients.

The undifferentiated malignant neoplasm presents a significant problem in the intelligent selection of therapy. Because of advances in chemotherapy, there are cancers that are effectively palliated, and sometimes cured if appropriately treated. Characterization of tumors by immunohistochemical stains drastically reduces the incidence of "undifferentiated" diagnoses and will optimize patient management, as illustrated by two cases of large-cell lymphoma arising in skeletal muscle. (JAMA1985;254:2625-2626)