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ABSTRACT: Radiation exposure from medical imaging has received increasing attention in recent years. Ongoing calls to report radiation doses received during radiology studies as a means of recording cumulative exposure and identifying rare over-exposures have culminated in the State of California passing a mandatory reporting requirement effective July 1, 2012. Herein we describe a radiology housestaff-led quality improvement project to track radiation dose reporting a full year prior to state reporting mandates using a template-driven reporting system and our results over the first 12 months of its implementation.
Effective July 2011, all radiology trainees were instructed to use a standard computed tomography (CT) report template that included a CT dose measurement derived from dose information routinely displayed on our picture archiving and communication system. Consecutive reports from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, of patients who underwent CT examinations at our institution were then retrospectively reviewed. Compliance of each study with the reporting requirement was assessed based on the presence or absence of a radiation dose statement within the finalized report.
A total of 36,217 eligible consecutive CT reports were identified within the review period. Of these, 91.9% reported the radiation dose for the examination, greatly exceeding the initial goal of 80% compliance with the dose reporting requirement.
Successful reporting of CT radiation doses resulted from template-driven reporting, readily accessible calculation tools to facilitate dose calculation, and minimization of reporting burden on the radiologist a full year prior to state regulatory mandates.
Academic radiology 06/2013; 20(6):769-72. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to investigate the determinants of second-order bile duct visualization at CT cholangiography in living potential liver donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We retrospectively identified 143 potential living liver donors (83 men and 60 women; mean age, 37 years) evaluated with CT cholangiography, which included a slow infusion of iodipamide meglumine with CT acquisition 15 minutes after biliary contrast agent administration. Two readers independently scored the visualization of the second-order bile duct branches on a previously established 4-point scale (0 = not seen, 1 = faintly seen, 2 = well seen, and 3 = excellent visualization). Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the correlation between visualization scores and potential determinants of second-order bile duct opacification, specifically age, body mass index, creatinine level, total and direct bilirubin levels, alkaline phosphatase level, aspartate aminotransferase level, alanine aminotransferase level, patient maximum linear width, CT noise, and hepatosplenic attenuation difference at unenhanced CT. RESULTS. The mean (± SD) second-order bile duct visualization scores were 2.35 ± 0.66 and 2.55 ± 0.60 for readers 1 and 2, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of reduced second-order bile duct visualization were higher alkaline phosphatase level (p = 0.01) and higher CT noise (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION. Higher serum alkaline phosphatase level and higher CT noise in potential living liver donors indicate a higher risk of poor second-order bile duct visualization at CT cholangiography.
American Journal of Roentgenology 05/2013; 200(5):1028-33. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The objective of our study was to evaluate and describe CT features that may differentiate inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcomas from primary retroperitoneal masses.
A records search revealed 18 CT examinations with a soft-tissue mass contacting the IVC. Three readers evaluated the scans for four signs: an imperceptible IVC at the interface with the mass; a "positive embedded organ" sign (IVC embedded in the periphery of the mass); a "negative embedded organ" sign (IVC compressed at the perimeter of the mass); and tumor in the IVC lumen. CT findings were compared with pathology and operative reports. Performance and significance of CT features and interobserver agreement were calculated.
Four of 18 (22%) retroperitoneal masses were IVC leiomyosarcomas. The IVC was imperceptible at the interface with the mass in three of the four (75%) IVC leiomyosarcomas (κ = 0.88) and in no alternate diagnosis (p < 0.02). No IVC leiomyosarcoma showed a positive embedded organ sign versus one of 14 masses of alternate origin (p = 1.0, κ = 0.56). The negative embedded organ sign was seen in most primary retroperitoneal masses (11/14 or 79%, κ = 0.85) but in no case of IVC leiomyosarcoma (p = 0.01). Intraluminal tumor was seen in one of four (25%) IVC leiomyosarcomas and in two of 14 other retroperitoneal masses (p = 1.0, κ = 1.0).
An imperceptible IVC at the point of maximal contact with a retroperitoneal mass was the most useful CT feature for predicting the origin of IVC leiomyosarcoma. A negative embedded organ sign was useful for excluding IVC origin. Knowledge of these CT features may assist with preoperative planning.
American Journal of Roentgenology 01/2013; 200(1):205-9. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To review the imaging findings in late complications of cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Late postcholecystectomy complications include papillary stenosis, choledocholithiasis, biliary stricture, remnant gallbladder, and dropped gallstones. Such complications can cause substantial morbidity, and knowledge of the imaging appearances can facilitate expeditious diagnosis and treatment.
Clinical imaging 11/2012; 36(6):763-7. · 0.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to report the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation in adults.
We retrospectively identified 9 adults with renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation who underwent baseline cross-sectional imaging with CT (n = 9) or MRI (n = 3). All available clinical, imaging, and histopathological records were reviewed.
Mean patient age was 24 years (range, 18-45 years). Eight of 9 cancers demonstrated imaging findings of hemorrhage or necrosis (n = 3), advanced stage disease (n = 2), or both (n = 3) at CT or MRI.
The possibility of renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation should be considered for a renal mass seen in a patient 45 years or younger, which demonstrates hemorrhage or necrosis or advanced stage disease at CT or MRI.
Journal of computer assisted tomography 11/2012; 36(6):669-74. · 1.38 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of renal cyst pseudoenhancement at 16- and 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients. METHODS: MDCT images from 90 patients with renal cysts >1 cm in diameter (n=122) were retrospectively analyzed for the presence and predictors of cyst pseudoenhancement. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of cysts 1-2 cm demonstrated pseudoenhancement (ranged from 11 to 35 HU). Cyst pseudoenhancement was more pronounced when imaged with 64-row CTs compared to 16-row CT. Cyst size, postcontrast renal parenchymal density, and number of scanner detector rows were independent predictors of pseudoenhancement. CONCLUSION: Pseudoenhancement occurs most frequently in patients with renal cysts <2 cm imaged with 64-detector-row MDCT.
Clinical imaging 10/2012; · 0.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate if the presence and distribution of intraluminal air in the appendix contributes to the computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of appendicitis. We identified 100 consecutive patients (57 men and 43 women; mean age, 38) with CT prior to appendectomy for acute appendicitis over a 5-year period and a control group of 100 consecutive patients (29 men and 71 women; mean age, 39) who underwent CT for acute abdominal pain without appendicitis. Patients were scanned using multidetector row CT scanners at 1.25 or 5-mm slice thickness, peak tube voltage of 120 kVp, and milliamperse automatically adjusted to attain a noise index of 12. Ninety-two of 100 study patients and 95 of 100 controls received 150 mL intravenous contrast. Two independent readers noted the presence and distribution pattern of intraluminal air in the appendix, appendiceal diameter, wall hyperemia, wall thickening (>3 mm), and wall stratification and presence of any secondary signs of appendicitis including fat stranding and free fluid. Data were compared between groups using Fisher's exact test and Student's t test. Intraluminal air in the appendix was more common in control patients versus patients with appendicitis (66 of 100 versus 27 of 100, p < 0.001). No significant differences in the patterns of intraluminal air were found between cases and controls. Among appendicitis cases, there was no significant difference in mean appendiceal diameter (12.8 versus 12.0, p = 0.20) or number of CT signs of appendicitis (1.93 versus 1.86, p = 0.78) in cases with intraluminal air versus without. No case of appendicitis demonstrated intraluminal air without secondary signs of appendicitis. Although intraluminal air is sometimes assumed to exclude a diagnosis of appendicitis, it is actually a common finding seen in up to 27 % of cases at CT. The pattern of intraluminal air was not helpful in differentiating a normal appendix from appendicitis.
Emergency Radiology 09/2012;
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for staging of prostate cancer.
A total of 101 men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer undergoing both T2-weighted endorectal MR imaging and B-mode TRUS for local tumor staging prior to radical prostatectomy were retrospectively identified. Three MR readers rated the likelihood of locally advanced disease using a 5-point scale. An ultrasound reader performed the same rating. Staging accuracy was compared using receiver operating characteristic curves.
Staging accuracy was not significantly different between MR imaging (A(z) = 0.69-0.70) and TRUS (A(z) = 0.81, P>.05).
T2-weighted MR imaging demonstrates comparable accuracy to B-mode TRUS for depicting locally invasive prostate cancer.
Clinical imaging 09/2012; 36(5):547-52. · 0.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe the imaging features of diseases that may closely simulate pancreatic adenocarcinoma, either radiologically or pathologically. CONCLUSION: Neoplastic and inflammatory diseases that can closely simulate pancreatic adenocarcinoma include neuroendocrine tumor, metastasis to the pancreas, lymphoma, groove pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, and focal chronic pancreatitis. Atypical imaging findings that should suggest diagnoses other than adenocarcinoma include the absence of significant duct dilatation, incidental detection, hypervascularity, large size (> 5 cm), IV tumor thrombus, and intralesional ducts or cysts.
American Journal of Roentgenology 08/2012; 199(2):301-8. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 153 patients with breast cancer undergoing serial abdominal computed tomography (CT). During a median follow-up of 40 months, 2 (1.4%) of 153 patients developed bilateral hydronephrosis in the absence of radiologically visible obstructing pathology. Surgery confirmed malignant infiltration of the ureters by metastatic lobular carcinoma in both patients, suggesting that new unexplained bilateral hydronephrosis on serial CT in patients with breast cancer is likely to reflect infiltrative retroperitoneal involvement of the ureters by metastatic lobular carcinoma.
Clinical imaging 07/2012; 36(4):263-6. · 0.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pictorial essay is to review the imaging findings of acute, chronic, and tumor-related nontraumatic adrenal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Rapid development or evolution of a nonenhancing adrenal mass or masses with an adreniform shape or high T1 signal intensity on MR images of a patient under stress or with a bleeding diathesis, including anticoagulant use, suggests acute adrenal hemorrhage. Chronic hemorrhage appears as a thin-walled pseudocyst or atrophy. Imaging findings that may indicate underlying tumor include intralesional calcification, enhancement, and hypermetabolic activity on PET images.
American Journal of Roentgenology 07/2012; 199(1):W91-8. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although widespread PSA screening has inevitably led to increased diagnosis of lower risk prostate cancer, the number of patients with nodal involvement at baseline remains high (nearly 40% of high risk patients initially staged cN0). These rates probably do not reflect the true incidence of prostate cancer with lymph node involvement among patients selected for external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), as patients selected for surgery often have more favorable prognostic features. At many institutions, radical treatment directed only at the prostate is considered standard and patients known to have regional disease are often managed palliatively with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for presumed systemic disease. New imaging tools such as MR lymphangiography, choline-based PET imaging or combined SPECT/CT now allow surgeons and radiation oncologists to identify and target nodal metastasis and/or lymph nodes with a high risk of occult involvement. Recent advances in the field of surgery including the advent of extended nodal dissection and sentinel node procedures have suggested that cancer-specific survival might be improved for lymph-node positive patients with a low burden of nodal involvement when managed with aggressive interventions. These new imaging tools can provide radiation oncologists with maps to guide delivery of high dose conformal radiation to a target volume while minimizing radiation toxicity to non-target normal tissue. This review highlights advances in imaging and reports how they may help to define a new paradigm to manage node-positive prostate cancer patients with a curative-intent.
Cancer treatment reviews 06/2012; 38(8):956-67. · 5.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A biopsy-proven fat-containing metastasis to the adrenal gland in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated low density on nonenhanced CT, heterogeneity on contrast-enhanced CT, and marked signal loss on opposed-phase gradient-echo MRI, mimicking an adrenal adenoma. However, the mass was not present on older studies and showed increased FDG uptake on PET. The possibility of a fat-containing metastasis should be considered for an apparent adrenal adenoma in a patient with a primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
Clinical nuclear medicine 06/2012; 37(6):e157-9. · 3.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings of cervical ectopic pregnancy in the second trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging findings of cervical ectopic pregnancy in the second trimester include intracervical location of the fetus, endometrial hyperplasia within an otherwise empty endometrial cavity, and irregular placentation in the cervix. Correct recognition of the condition is critical because of the potential for catastrophic and life-threatening maternal bleeding.
Journal of computer assisted tomography 03/2012; 36(2):249-52. · 1.38 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine if local recurrence of prostate cancer after radiation therapy occurs at the same site as the primary tumor before treatment, using longitudinal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging to assess dominant tumor location.
This retrospective study was HIPAA compliant and approved by our Committee on Human Research. We identified all patients in our institutional prostate cancer database (1996 onward) who underwent endorectal MR imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging before radiotherapy for biopsy-proven prostate cancer and again at least 2 years after radiotherapy (n = 124). Two radiologists recorded the presence, location, and size of unequivocal dominant tumor on pre- and postradiotherapy scans. Recurrent tumor was considered to be at the same location as the baseline tumor if at least 50% of the tumor location overlapped. Clinical and biopsy data were collected from all patients.
Nine patients had unequivocal dominant tumor on both pre- and postradiotherapy imaging, with mean pre- and postradiotherapy dominant tumor diameters of 1.8 cm (range, 1-2.2) and 1.9 cm (range, 1.4-2.6), respectively. The median follow-up interval was 7.3 years (range, 2.7-10.8). Dominant recurrent tumor was at the same location as dominant baseline tumor in 8 of 9 patients (89%).
Local recurrence of prostate cancer after radiation usually occurs at the same site as the dominant primary tumor at baseline, suggesting supplementary focal therapy aimed at enhancing local tumor control would be a rational addition to management.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 02/2012; 82(5):e787-93. · 4.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and incremental prognostic importance of gross locally advanced disease seen at endorectal MRI in patients with prostate cancer.
We retrospectively identified the cases of all patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer who underwent pretreatment endorectal MRI over a 6-year period (n = 1777). Three experienced radiologists identified by consensus patients with gross locally advanced disease, defined as unequivocal extracapsular extension or unequivocal seminal vesicle invasion. Outcome among these patients was compared with that in a control group without gross locally advanced disease matched by D'Amico risk stratification.
Sixty-six of 1777 (3.7%) patients had gross locally advanced disease. One of 1085 (0.1%) patients had low-risk disease, 25 of 489 (5.1%) had intermediate-risk disease, and 40 of 203 (19.7%) had high-risk disease. Follow-up data were available for 44 of these 66 patients. During a median follow-up period of 79 months, biochemical failure and metastasis had developed in 17 and 6 of these 44 patients compared with 9 and none of the 65 patients in the control group (p < 0.001).
Almost 4% of patients with prostate cancer, particularly those with intermediate- and high-risk disease, have gross locally advanced disease at endorectal MRI and have a significantly worse prognosis than matched controls. These patients may be candidates for more aggressive treatment.
American Journal of Roentgenology 12/2011; 197(6):1369-74. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this article is to determine the negative appendectomy rates of patients who did and did not undergo preoperative CT and to determine, more specifically, whether men benefit from preoperative CT.
We identified 512 patients who had a nonincidental appendectomy between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2007. Pathology records were compared with a radiology records search to determine which patients underwent preoperative CT. Proportions of patients were compared between groups using the Fisher exact test.
Of 512 patients who had a nonincidental appendectomy, 465 (91%) underwent preoperative CT, and 47 (9%) underwent appendectomy only on the basis of clinical findings. Overall, 22 of 465 patients (4.7%) who underwent preoperative CT had a negative appendectomy compared with six of 47 patients who did not undergo preoperative imaging (negative appendectomy rate, 12.7%; p = 0.03). Among men, six of 237 (2.5%) with preoperative CT had a negative appendectomy, versus five of 42 without imaging (negative appendectomy rate, 11.9%; p = 0.01).
The negative appendectomy rate was decreased for adult patients who underwent preoperative CT compared with patients who did not undergo preoperative imaging. Although most prior studies have suggested that CT is efficacious only in decreasing the negative appendectomy rate among women, we found that men benefit from CT as well.
American Journal of Roentgenology 10/2011; 197(4):861-6. · 2.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging findings can improve predictions made with the Kattan nomogram for radiation therapy.
The institutional review board approved this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study. Ninety-nine men who underwent endorectal MR and MR spectroscopy before external-beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer (January 1998 to June 2007) were included. Linear predictors were calculated with input variables from the study sample and the Kattan original coefficients. The linear predictor is a single weighted value that combines information of all predictor variables in a model, where the weight of each value is its association with the outcome. Two radiologists independently reviewed all MR images to determine extent of disease; a third independent reader resolved discrepancies. Biochemical failure was defined as a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 2 ng/mL (2 μg/L) or more above nadir. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the probabilities of treatment failure (biochemical failure) in 5 years. One model included only the Kattan nomogram data; the other also incorporated imaging findings. The discrimination performance of all models was determined with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses. These analyses were followed by an assessment of net risk reclassification.
The areas under the ROC curve for the Kattan nomogram and the model incorporating MR imaging findings were 61.1% (95% confidence interval: 58.1%, 64.0%) and 78.0% (95% confidence interval: 75.7%, 80.4%), respectively. Comparison of performance showed that the model with imaging findings performed significantly better than did the model with clinical variables alone (P < .001). Overall, the addition of imaging findings led to an improvement in risk classification of about 28%, ranging from approximately a minimum of 16% to a maximum of 39%, depending on the risk change considered important.
MR imaging data improve the prediction of biochemical failure with the Kattan nomogram after external-beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The number needed to image to improve the prediction of biochemical failure in one patient ranged from three to six.
Radiology 08/2011; 261(2):477-86. · 5.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To describe the utility, histopathological basis, and clinical correlates of the broccoli sign.
The committee on human research approved this HIPAA compliant study and waived written informed consent. Based on the records of the senior author and our multidisciplinary Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board, we retrospectively identified thirteen women (mean age of 48.8 years; range, 34-74) with a cervical mass seen at MR imaging (n=13) or CT (n=5) that demonstrated the previously reported broccoli sign (i.e., a soft tissue stalk connecting the cervical mass to the uterine cavity) on one or other modality. All available clinical, imaging, and histopathological records were reviewed, with particular emphasis on initially suspected diagnosis, final proven diagnosis, and outcome.
Cervical cancer was the initial clinically suspected diagnosis in 6 of 13 patients. Surgical resection demonstrated prolapsed uterine tumor in all patients, consisting of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (n=7), carcinosarcoma (n=2), adenosarcoma (n=1), and leiomyoma (n=3). Excluding the three patients with leiomyomas, currently, 7 patients with malignant tumors are disease free after a mean interval of 15 months (range, 3-45) and 3 patients have been lost to follow-up.
A stalk connecting an apparent cervical mass seen at CT or MR imaging to the endometrial cavity ("broccoli sign") favors the diagnosis of a prolapsed uterine tumor; these prolapsed uterine tumors can often be malignant but appear to have a good prognosis.
European journal of radiology 05/2011; 81(8):1931-6. · 2.65 Impact Factor
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Andrew H Ko,
Anne M Espinoza,
Kimberly A Jones,
Alan P Venook,
Emily K Bergsland,
Robin K Kelley,
Elizabeth Dito,
Anna Ong,
Cherry S Hanover, Fergus V Coakley,
Margaret A Tempero
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ABSTRACT: This multisite study sought to optimize the dosing, schedule, and administration of fixed-dose rate (FDR) gemcitabine plus capecitabine for advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancers using an alternating-week dose schedule of both agents.
Patients with previously untreated advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancers with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were eligible. For the dose-finding portion, a standard 3+3 dose-escalation schema was used, with the gemcitabine dose kept at 1000 mg/m administered by FDR (10 mg/m/min) on day 1 of each 14-day cycle, and capecitabine given on days 1 to 7 at doses ranging from 800 to 1500 mg/m twice daily. Primary study objective was determination of maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The cohort at MTD was expanded for further efficacy assessment.
A total of 45 patients (median age 61 y; 93% pancreatic/7% biliary; 84% with metastatic disease) were enrolled. Median number of cycles received was 11.5. The MTD using this dose schedule was FDR gemcitabine 1000 mg/m plus capecitabine 1000 mg/m bid, due to a high incidence of late hand-foot syndrome observed at the next higher dose level. Most common nonhematologic adverse events related to treatment included nausea/vomiting (overall rate, 64%; all grade 1/2) and hand-foot syndrome (overall rate, 60%; grade 3, 22%). The incidence of grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events was 24%. Six of 41 evaluable patients (14.6%) had a partial response; 18 of 31 patients (58%) with elevated baseline CA 19-9 level had ≥50% biomarker decline during treatment. Estimated median time to tumor progression and overall survival were 5.5 and 9.8 months, respectively (5.5 and 10.1 mo in the metastatic pancreatic cancer cohort).
This dosing schedule of FDR gemcitabine plus capecitabine is active in patients with advanced pancreatobiliary cancers. Given its favorable toxicity profile and convenience, this regimen represents an appropriate front-line option for this patient population and may serve as the foundation on which new investigational agents are added in future trial design.
American journal of clinical oncology 05/2011; 35(5):411-7. · 2.21 Impact Factor
