An economic model of long-term use of celecoxib in patients with osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex, Pfizer Inc, USA) have produced conflicting results. The recent controversy over the cardiovascular (CV) risks of rofecoxib and other coxibs has renewed interest in the economic profile of celecoxib, the only coxib now available in the United States. The objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of celecoxib compared with nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsNSAIDs) in a population of 60-year-old osteoarthritis (OA) patients with average risks of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complications who require chronic daily NSAID therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used decision analysis based on data from the literature to evaluate cost-effectiveness from a modified societal perspective over patients' lifetimes, with outcomes expressed as incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the impacts of advancing age, CV thromboembolic event risk, different analytic horizons and alternate treatment strategies after UGI adverse events.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our main findings were: 1) the base model incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for celecoxib versus nsNSAIDs was $31,097 per QALY; 2) the ICER per QALY was$19,309 for a model in which UGI ulcer and ulcer complication event risks increased with advancing age; 3) the ICER per QALY was $17,120 in sensitivity analyses combining serious CV thromboembolic event (myocardial infarction, stroke, CV death) risks with base model assumptions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our model suggests that chronic celecoxib is cost-effective versus nsNSAIDs in a population of 60-year-old OA patients with average risks of UGI events.</p

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma - From diagnosis to treatment

Breast lymphomas comprise a rare group of malignant breast tumors. Among these, a new entity has emerged as a potentially under diagnosed disease. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BI-ALCL) most often manifests as a late periprosthetic effusion between 1 and 10 years after the implantation of silicone or saline-filled breast prostheses. BI-ALCL is an anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative T-cell lymphoma that has a distinctively different clinical course than other breast lymphomas or ALCLs. Diagnosis is based on aspiration of the effusion around the implant and CD30 positivity of the sample. Every periprosthetic effusion after breast augmentation or reconstruction using implants should be considered as potential BI-ALCL until proven otherwise. The majority of cases at diagnosis are in the in situ stage, i.e., confined to the lumen around the prosthesis. Most patients have an excellent prognosis when complete removal of the capsule and prosthesis with negative margins is achieved surgically. Some patients, however, develop infiltrative disease with a potentially life-threatening clinical course. Treatment planning regarding the extent of surgery and role of adjuvant therapy, especially in advanced cases, requires further investigation. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd, BASO-The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Leiomyosarcoma of intravascular origin - a rare tumor entity: clinical pathological study of twelve cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leiomysarcoma of intravascular origin is an exceedingly rare entity of malignant soft tissue tumors. They are most frequently encountered in the retroperitoneum arising from the inferior vena cava and are scarcely found to arise from vessels of the extremities. These tumors were analysed with particular reference to treatment outcome and prognosis. The aim of this article is to broaden the knowledge of the clinical course of this rare malignancy.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>During 2000 and 2009 twelve patients were identified with an intravascular origin of a leiomyosarcoma. Details regarding the clinical course, follow-up and outcome were assessed with focus on patient survival, tumor relapse and metastases and treatment outcome. 3 year survival probability was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Vascular leiomyosarcomas accounted for 0.7% of all malignant soft tissue tumors treated at our soft tissue sarcoma reference center. The mean follow up period was 38 months. Tumor relapse was encountered in six patients. 6 patients developed metastatic disease. The three year survival was 57%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Vascular leiomysarcoma is a rare but aggressive tumor entity with a high rate of local recurrence and metastasis.</p