Efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation in the treatment of lung cancer lesions.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we reviewed a clinical series composed by all malignant lung lesions submitted to computed tomography-guided percutaneous thermal radiofrequency ablation, in our hospital, a rather recent technique that has been gaining scientific recognition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For data purposes, all radiofrequency ablation and corresponding clinical records were retrospectively analysed. A computed tomography scan was performed before and after each procedure to evaluate the tumour's features, and at a second step to assess results and complications. The frequency of local recurrence and disease progression were determined based on imaging follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival. Univariate analysis recognized clinical and pathological factors affecting survival. These were also tested by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 28 malignant lung lesions, 20 primary and 8 metastatic, from 28 patients (78.6% male; mean age 62 ± 17 years old), were submitted to computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation between January 2004 and July 2010. Total necrosis was achieved in 74.1% of the lesions. Immediate radiofrequency ablation-related complications were observed in half of the procedures. Among major complications, death occurred in one patient only. Median overall survival was 43.0 months for a mean 2-years follow-up.Median progression-free survival was 31.6 months. Lesion's size smaller than 35 mm, stage III disease by the TNM classification and previous treatment attempts were significantly associated with better outcomes. Disease-related mortality was 46.4%. DISCUSSION: This procedure proved to be efficient to treat lung cancerous lesions, with a low-rate of major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that appears to be valuable in the treatment of lung cancer lesions

Usefulness of Perfusion CT to Assess Response to Neoadjuvant Combined Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate perfusion computed tomography (CT) for assessment of changes in tumor vascularity after chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer and to analyze the correlation between baseline perfusion parameters and tumor response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with rectal cancer underwent baseline perfusion CT before CRT, and in 11 an examination after CRT was also performed. For each tumor, blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability-surface area product (PS) were quantified. The Mann-Whitney U test compared baseline perfusion parameters of responders and nonresponders and pre- and post-CRT measurements were compared by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < .05 statistically significant for both tests). RESULTS: Baseline BF was significantly lower (P = .013) and MTT was significantly higher (P = .006) in responders. Both were able to discriminate responders from nonresponders with a sensitivity of 80% and 100% and a specificity of 73.3% and 86.7%, respectively, for BF and MTT. Baseline BV and PS were not significantly different in responders and nonresponders. Perfusion parameters changed significantly in post-CRT scans compared to baseline: BF (P = .003), BV (P = .003), and PS (P = .008) decreased, whereas MTT increased (P = .006). CONCLUSION: Baseline BF and MTT can discriminate patients with a favorable response from those that fail to respond to CRT, potentially selecting high-risk patients with resistant tumors that may benefit from an aggressive preoperative treatment approach

An Improved LC-MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Thirteen Cytostatics on Workplace Surfaces

This research was funded by Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031297 (CytoStraTech).—funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES; Base Funding—UIDB/00511/2020 of the LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy; and UIDB/50020/2020 of the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM—funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). The APC was funded by Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031297 (CytoStraTech)