BACKGROUNDThe management of proximal esophageal cancer differs from that of tumors located in the mid and lower part of the esophagus due to the close vicinity of vital structures. Non-surgical... Show moreBACKGROUNDThe management of proximal esophageal cancer differs from that of tumors located in the mid and lower part of the esophagus due to the close vicinity of vital structures. Non-surgical treatment options like radiotherapy and definitive chemoradiation (CRT) have been implemented. The trends in (non-)surgical treatment and its impact on overall survival (OS) in patients with proximal esophageal cancer are unclear, related to its rare disease status. To optimize treatment strategies and counseling of patients with proximal esophageal cancer, it is therefore essential to gain more insight through real-life studies.AIMTo establish trends in treatment and OS in patients with proximal esophageal cancer.METHODSIn this population-based study, patients with proximal esophageal cancer diagnosed between 1989 and 2014 were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The proximal esophagus consists of the cervical esophagus and the upper thoracic section, extending to 24 cm from the incisors. Trends in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, and OS were assessed. Analyses were stratified by presence of distant metastasis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses was performed to assess the effect of period of diagnosis on OS, adjusted for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics.RESULTSIn total, 2783 patients were included. Over the study period, the use of radiotherapy, resection, and CRT in non-metastatic disease changed from 53%, 23%, and 1% in 1989-1994 to 21%, 9%, and 49% in 2010-2014, respectively. In metastatic disease, the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy increased over time. Median OS of the total population increased from 7.3 mo [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4-8.1] in 1989-1994 to 9.5 mo (95%CI: 8.1-10.8) in 2010-2014 (logrank P < 0.001). In non-metastatic disease, 5-year OS rates improved from 5% (95%CI: 3%-7%) in 1989-1994 to 13% (95%CI: 9%-17%) in 2010-2014 (logrank P < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated a significant treatment effect over time on survival. In metastatic disease, median OS was 3.8 mo (95%CI: 2.5-5.1) in 1989-1994, and 5.1 mo (95%CI: 4.3-5.9) in 2010-2014 (logrank P = 0.26).CONCLUSIONOS significantly improved in non-metastatic proximal esophageal cancer, likely to be associated with an increased use of CRT. Patterns in metastatic disease did not change significantly over time. Show less
Introduction: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is found in 35% of patients with pancreatic cancer. However, these patients often have occult metastatic disease. Patients with occult... Show moreIntroduction: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is found in 35% of patients with pancreatic cancer. However, these patients often have occult metastatic disease. Patients with occult metastases are unlikely to benefit from locoregional treatments. This study evaluated the yield of occult metastases during staging laparoscopy in patients with LAPC.Methods: Between January 2013 and January 2017 all patients with LAPC underwent a staging laparoscopy after a recent tri-phasic CT-scan of the chest and abdomen. Data were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict metastasis found at laparoscopy.Results: A total of 91 (41% male, median age 64 years) LAPC patients were included. The median time between CT-scan and staging laparoscopy was 21 days. During staging laparoscopy metastases were found in 17 patients (19%, 95% CI: 12%-28%). Seven (8%) patients had liver-only, 9 (10%) patients peritoneal-only, and 1 (1%) patient both liver and peritoneal metastases. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that CEA (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.007-1.107, p = 0.02) was the only preoperative predictor for occult metastases. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis of the preoperative risk factors again only CEA was an independent predictor for occult metastatic disease (p = 0.03). Patients with a CEA above 5 mu g/l. had a risk of occult metastasis of 91%. FOLFIRINOX was given to 69 (76%) of the patients with a median number of cycles of 8. Subsequent radiotherapy was given to 44 (48%) patients after the FOLFIRINOX treatment. Six (14%) patients underwent a resection after FOLFIRINOX and radiotherapy. The overall 1-year survival was 53% in patients without occult metastasis versus 29% with occult metastasis (p = 0.11). The 1-year OS for patients that completed FOLFIRINOX and radiotherapy was 84%.Conclusion: The yield of staging laparoscopy for occult intrahepatic or peritoneal metastases in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer was 19%. Staging laparoscopy is recomended for patients with LAPC for accurate staging to determine optimal treatment. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd, BASO similar to The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved. Show less
Groeneveld, G.H.; Veldkamp, K.E.; Dissel, J.T. van 2019
Investigations and treatment options of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) differ internationally. This manuscript reviews the similarities and differences between international guidelines. The... Show moreInvestigations and treatment options of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) differ internationally. This manuscript reviews the similarities and differences between international guidelines. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) guideline (2017), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Committee Opinion (2013) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guideline (2011) were appraised using the AGREE II criteria. The guidelines were checked for definitions, risk factors, investigations and therapeutic options. The guidelines agreed on acquired thrombophilia analysis. All guidelines agreed on a regimen for the treatment of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome consisting of aspirin and heparin, but only the ESHRE guideline specified the order of starting these medications. Treatment of thrombophilia and uterine anomalies was advised against; all guidelines recommended supportive care for unexplained RPL. The guidelines did not agree on the definition of RPL and differed in investigations regarding lifestyle, karyotype analysis of parents and/or pregnancy tissue, and the diagnostic tool for uterine anomalies. All three guidelines indicate an association between lifestyle and RPL; the ESHRE recommends health behaviour changes. Couples suffering from RPL should be informed about possible investigations and treatment options, and whether those are evidence-based. It is important for clinicians to realize that the guidelines differ internationally. Show less
Geertsema, D.; Meinardi, J.E.; Kempink, D.R.J.; Fiocco, M.; Sande, M.A.J. van de 2019
Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) plays a major role in the physiology of cardiac and aortic mechanics, as well as in the pathophysiology of cardiac disease. VAC assessment possesses independent... Show moreVentricular-arterial coupling (VAC) plays a major role in the physiology of cardiac and aortic mechanics, as well as in the pathophysiology of cardiac disease. VAC assessment possesses independent diagnostic and prognostic value and may be used to refine riskstratification and monitor therapeutic interventions. Traditionally, VAC is assessed by the non-invasive measurement of the ratio of arterial (Ea) to ventricular end-systolic elastance (Ees). With disease progression, both Ea and Ees may become abnormal and the Ea/Ees ratio may approximate its normal values. Therefore, the measurement of each component of this ratio or of novel more sensitive markers of myocardial (e.g. global longitudinal strain) and arterial function (e.g. pulse wave velocity) may better characterize VAC. In valvular heart disease, systemic arterial compliance and valvulo-arterial impedance have an established diagnostic and prognostic value and may monitor the effects of valve replacement on vascular and cardiac function. Treatment guided to improve VAC through improvement of both or each one of its components may delay incidence of heart failure and possibly improve prognosis in heart failure. In this consensus document, we describe the pathophysiology, the methods of assessment as well as the clinical implications of VAC in cardiac diseases and heart failure. Finally, we focus on interventions that may improve VAC and thus modify prognosis. Show less
Boonstra, P.A.; Steeghs, N.; Farag, S.; Coevorden, F. van; Gelderblom, H.; Grunhagen, D.J.; ... ; Etten, B. van 2019
Background: A cohort of 201 patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treated between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2016 in five GIST expertise centers in the... Show moreBackground: A cohort of 201 patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treated between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2016 in five GIST expertise centers in the Netherlands was analyzed. Goal of this study was to describe the clinical, surgical and pathological characteristics of this rare subpopulation of GIST patients, registered in the Dutch GIST registry.Methods: Clinical outcomes and risk factors of patients with small bowel GIST who underwent surgery or treated with systemic therapy were analyzed. A classification was made based on disease status at diagnosis (localized vs. metastasized).Results: 201 patients with small bowel GIST were registered of which 138 patients (69%) were diagnosed with localized disease and 63 patients (31%) with metastatic disease. Approximately 19% of the patients had emergency surgery, and in 22% GIST was an accidental finding. In patients with high risk localized disease, recurrence occurred less often in patients who received adjuvant treatment (4/32) compared to patients who did not (20/31, p < 0.01). Disease progression during palliative imatinib treatment occurred in 23 patients (28%) after a median of 20.7 (range 1.8-47.1) months. Ongoing response was established in 52/82 patients on first line palliative treatment with imatinib after a median treatment time of 30.6 (range 2.5-155.3) months.Conclusion: Patients with small-bowel GIST more frequently present with metastatic disease when compared to patients with gastric GIST in literature. We advocate for Prospective registration of these patients and investigate the use of surgery in patients with limited metastatic disease. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd, BASO similar to The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved. Show less
Claassen, Y.H.M.; Dikken, J.L.; Hartgrink, H.H.; Steur, W.O. de; Slingerland, M.; Verhoeven, R.H.A.; ... ; Velde, C.J.H. van de 2018
In this thesis we aimed to investigate ways to optimize treatment strategies and the choice of treatment for individual patients, to be implemented in a worldwide context. Although major advances... Show moreIn this thesis we aimed to investigate ways to optimize treatment strategies and the choice of treatment for individual patients, to be implemented in a worldwide context. Although major advances have been made in the treatment of RA, it is still uncertain which treatment is the best choice for each individual patient. This can result in both overtreatment and undertreatment, increasing the burden of RA for patients as well as for society. In clinical trials and daily practice there appears to be a development towards earlier treatment, with higher dosages of medication and more stringent treatment targets. In part 1 of this thesis, some of these developments were investigated and challenged. In countries across the world, patients do not benefit similarly from recent advances in the treatment of RA. In part 2 of this thesis, we aimed to identify contributing factors to inequalities in access to treatment and care and clinical outcomes across countries, as a first step towards improvement. Show less
