Personalized Endoscopy in Complex Malignant Hilar Biliary Strictures

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (HBO) represents a complex clinical condition in terms of diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment, endoscopic approach, and palliation. The main etiology of malignant HBO is hilar cholangiocarcinoma that is considered an aggressive biliary tract’s cancer and has still today a poor prognosis. Endoscopy plays a crucial role in malignant HBO from the diagnosis to the palliation. This technique allows the collection of cytological or histological samples, direct visualization of the suspect malignant tissue, and an echoendoscopic evaluation of the primary tumor and its locoregional staging. Because obstructive jaundice is the most common clinical presentation of malignant HBO, endoscopic biliary drainage, when indicated, is the preferred treatment over the percutaneous approach. Several endoscopic techniques are today available for both the diagnosis and the treatment of biliary obstruction. The choice among them can differ for each clinical scenario. In fact, a personalized endoscopic approach is mandatory in order to perform the proper procedure in the singular patient.

The Role of Imaging in Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common cancer of the urinary tract in the United States. Imaging plays a significant role in the management of patients with BC, including the locoregional staging and evaluation for distant metastatic disease, which cannot be assessed at the time of cystoscopy and biopsy/resection. We aim to review the current role of cross-sectional and molecular imaging modalities for the staging and restaging of BC and the potential advantages and limitations of each imaging modality. CT is the most widely available and frequently utilized imaging modality for BC and demonstrates good performance for the detection of nodal and visceral metastatic disease. MRI offers potential value for the locoregional staging and evaluation of muscular invasion of BC, which is critically important for prognostication and treatment decision-making. FDG-PET/MRI is a novel hybrid imaging modality combining the advantages of both MRI and FDG-PET/CT in a single-setting comprehensive staging examination and may represent the future of BC imaging evaluation.

Multidetector Computed Tomography with Dedicated Protocol for Breast Cancer Locoregional Staging: Feasibility Study

Background: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of performing multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with a dedicated protocol for locoregional staging in breast cancer patients. Methods: This prospective single-center study included newly diagnosed breast cancer patients submitted to contrast-enhanced chest MDCT and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MDCT was performed in prone position and using subtraction techniques. Fleiss’ Kappa coefficient (K) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess agreement between MRI, MDCT, and pathology, when available. Results: Thirty-three patients were included (mean age: 47 years). Breast MRI and MDCT showed at least substantial agreement for evaluation of tumor extension (k = 0.674), presence of multifocality (k = 0.669), multicentricity (k = 0.857), nipple invasion (k = 1.000), skin invasion (k = 0.872), and suspicious level I axillary lymph nodes (k = 0.613). MDCT showed higher number of suspicious axillary lymph nodes than MRI, especially on levels II and III. Both methods had similar correlation with tumor size (MRI ICC: 0.807; p = 0.008 vs. MDCT ICC: 0.750; p = 0.020) and T staging (k = 0.699) on pathology. Conclusions: MDCT with dedicated breast protocol is feasible and showed substantial agreement with MRI features in stage II or III breast cancer patients. This method could potentially allow one-step locoregional and systemic staging, reducing costs and improving logistics for these patients.

Impact of breast magnetic resonance imaging on the locoregional staging and management of breast cancer

Objective: To assess the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the locoregional staging of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 61 patients with breast cancer who underwent pre-treatment breast MRI, between August 2015 and April 2016. An experienced breast surgeon determined the surgical treatment, on the basis of the findings of conventional imaging examinations, and made a subsequent treatment recommendation based on the MRI findings, then determining whether the MRI changed the approach, as well as whether it had a positive or negative impact on the treatment. Results: The mean age was 50.8 years (standard deviation, 12.0 years). The most common histological type was invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (in 68.9%), and the most common molecular subtype was luminal B (in 45.9%). Breast MRI modified the therapeutic management in 23.0% of the cases evaluated, having a positive impact in 82.7%. Conclusion: Breast MRI is an useful tool for the locoregional staging of breast cancer, because it provides useful information that can have a positive impact on patient treatment.