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Missed Opportunities: Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Patients with Prior Colonoscopies Lack Timely Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

In the era of widespread colonoscopy, many patients later diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) had prior screening colonoscopies, presenting missed opportunities for earlier detection. Among 221 referred patients, 49% had prior colonoscopies, yet only 18% had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) before EA diagnosis. Most displayed gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms or acid medication use during screening colonoscopy. An EGD at this stage could have identified EA earlier, emphasizing a significant diagnostic gap despite available screening tools.

Journal Article by McKay SC, DeSouza ML (…) DeMeester SR et 3 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

© 2023. The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

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Similar Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer with Different Neoadjuvant Therapies

Comparing neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy protocols for resectable esophageal cancer, this study finds no significant differences in postoperative mortality, complications, or toxicity. Both PF-based and CROSS protocols demonstrate effectiveness and safety, with squamous cell carcinoma and favorable tumor grading independently predicting a higher pathological complete response rate. The battle of protocols concludes with similar outcomes, providing valuable insights for treatment decisions in locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Journal Article by Lorenz E, Weitz A (…) Benedix F et 3 al. in Langenbecks Arch Surg

© 2023. The Author(s).

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Surviving Biliary Sepsis: Unveiling 90-Day Mortality and Risks

Surviving biliary sepsis: A retrospective study in a cancer center unveils a 30.3% 90-day mortality rate, with factors like metastatic stage, biliary tract tumor compression, and multi-drug resistant bacteria influencing outcomes. Antibiotic de-escalation emerges as a safe strategy, linked with better survival. Beyond organ dysfunctions, the study emphasizes the impact of cancer stage, bacteria colonization, and performance status on mortality. In the world of biliary sepsis, navigating factors and antibiotic strategies becomes crucial for a favorable 90-day survival.

Journal Article by Thibaud P, Chow-Chine L (…) Mokart D et 12 al. in HPB (Oxford)

Copyright © 2023 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Unveiling Hepatitis D: High Impact on Liver Health and a New Player in the Treatment Game

Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) hitchhikes on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), impacting 12 to 72 million globally with accelerated liver disease progression. Chronic HDV-HBV infection, deadlier than HBV alone, leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Limited awareness hampers diagnosis, but the HBV vaccine offers prevention. Interferon alfa shows efficacy, while bulevirtide and lonafarnib present promising therapies. With bulevirtide’s recent European approval, this review highlights HDV’s severe toll and evolving treatment landscape.

Journal Article by Negro F and Lok AS in JAMA

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Safe and Swift: Short-Stay Left Colectomy for Colon Cancer in the U.S.

Embracing modern surgical trends, this study scrutinizes the safety of brief hospital stays (≤24 hours) after left colectomy for colon cancer. Among 15,745 patients, a mere 1.87% experienced short stays, proving younger, healthier, and with lower morbidity rates than extended stays. Notably, short-stay patients exhibited comparable mortality and readmission rates to the 2-4 days group. This underscores the safety of short-stay left colectomies for well-selected patients, laying the groundwork for potential broader adoption.

Journal Article by Papanikolaou A, Chen SY (…) Chung H et 5 al. in J Am Coll Surg

Copyright © 2023 by the American College of Surgeons. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Identified as a Promising Imaging Target for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

In the realm of thyroid cancer, where iodine treatment falls short for some, researchers explored a new ally. The thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) took the spotlight, showing up in 62% of patients’ thyroid tissues. With a specially crafted radiolabeled compound, researchers witnessed TSHR’s potential for imaging differentiated thyroid cancer. This breakthrough hints at a fresh diagnostic approach for cases resisting conventional treatments, shedding light on a promising avenue for improved patient care.

Journal Article by Gimblet GR, Whitt J (…) Jaskula-Sztul R et 15 al. in BMC Surg

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Unlocking Hope for Neuroendocrine Carcinomas: Spheroid Screening Points to DNA Repair Inhibitors

In the quest for effective gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma treatments, researchers unleashed patient-derived tumor spheroids. A dazzling 16 compounds, notably tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitors, emerged as fierce warriors against over 75% of these rare tumors. Cytarabine, a standout from the bunch, synergized with standard drugs, intensifying the battle against cancer cells. These findings spotlight a promising avenue for combating neuroendocrine carcinomas and the potential of innovative drug combinations for improved outcomes.

Journal Article by Beyer GV, Hueser S (…) Ear PH et 5 al. in BMC Surg

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Safe and Feasible: Single-Incision Laparoscopy for Early Gastric Cancer Compared to Multiport Approach

In exploring single-incision laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, researchers found it safe and feasible compared to multiport laparoscopy. Analyzing cases from 2013 to 2021, the single-incision approach showed similar operation times and length of stay. Complication rates were comparable, supporting the cautious adoption of this method.

Journal Article by Lee S, Suh YS (…) Yang HK et 9 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Endoscopic Management Prevails Over Surgery in Infected Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Meta-Analysis Findings

For severe infected necrotizing pancreatitis, researchers compared endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) treatments in a meta-analysis. Analyzing five randomized controlled trials with 284 patients, endoscopic procedures (145 patients) outperformed MIS (139 patients), demonstrating significantly lower complication rates and better patient quality of life.

Journal Article by Tang P, Ali K (…) Zhang W et 5 al. in Ann Med

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Racial Disparities and Socioeconomic Factors Shape Pancreaticoduodenectomy Hospital Choices in the U.S.

In the U.S., racial disparities exist in the choice of high- or low-volume hospitals for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) surgeries, impacting outcomes. A review of 30 studies reveals that more racial minorities undergo PD in low-volume hospitals. Additionally, disparities in travel distance, education levels, and median income between high- and low-volume hospitals were noted. This study underscores the need for future research to comprehensively explore socioeconomic differences in patients undergoing PD surgery, shedding light on factors influencing healthcare access and outcomes.

Review by Ikram M, Shen C and Pameijer CR in Am Surg

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