Patient survival after D 1 and D 2 resections for gastric cancer: long-term results of the MRC randomized surgical trial

Controversy still exists on the optimal surgical resection for potentially curable gastric cancer. Much better long-term survival has been reported in retrospective/non-randomized studies with D 2 resections that involve a radical extended regional lymphadenectomy than with the standard D 1 resections. In this paper we report the long-term survival of patients entered into a randomized study, with follow-up to death or 3 years in 96% of patients and a median follow-up of 6.5 years. In this prospective trial D 1 resection (removal of regional perigastric nodes) was compared with D 2 resection (extended lymphadenectomy to include level 1 and 2 regional nodes). Central randomization followed a staging laparotomy

Lymph node retrieval in a randomized trial on western-type versus Japanese-type surgery in gastric cancer

Purpose: In the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system, no recommendations are provided on what lymph node retrieval technique is to be used to determine lymph node status, which leads to variability in nodal status assessment and TNM staging. Patient and Methods: Lymph node retrieval was quantitated using data from 237 curatively resected gastric cancer patients, from a prospective, randomized trial that compared the Western resection with limited (D1) and the Japanese resection with extended lymphadenectomy (D2), and compared data from the literature, Moreover, the efficacy of different lymph node retrieval techniques was determined. Results: The mean yield of lymph nodes was 15 in D1 and 30 in D2, which is similar to results from German investigators, but substantially lower than results from Japanese investigators (60 in D2). Use of a fat-clearance technique significantly increased (P=.01) nodal yields compared with conventional retrieval. Significantly higher yields (P Conclusion: Despite some anatomical variability in the distribution of lymph nodes, advice on the number of nodes to examine per N level, feasible in all patients, should be incorporated into the TNM classification to standardize nodal status assessment, Based on our findings, we advocate retrieval of nodes immediately postoperatively by the surgeon. (C) by American Society of Clinical Oncology

Angiotensin II antagonists for hypertension: Are there differences in efficacy?

We compared the antihypertensive efficacy of available drugs in the new angiotensin-II-antagonist (AIIA) class. the antihypertensive efficacy of losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, and candesartan was evaluated from randomized controlled trials (RCT) by performing a metaanalysis of 43 published RCT. These trials involved AIIA compared with placebo, other antihypertensive classes, and direct comparisons between AIIA. A weighted-average for diastolic and systolic blood pressure reduction with AIIA monotherapy, dose titration, and with addition of low-dose hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) were calculated. Weighted-average responder rates were also determined. the metaanalysis assessed a total of 11,281 patients. the absolute weighted-average reductions in diastolic (8.2 to 8.9 mm Hg) and systolic (10.4 to 11.8 mm Hg) blood pressure reductions (not placebo-corrected) for AIIA monotherapy were comparable for all AIIA. Responder rates for AIIA monotherapy were 48% to 55%. Dose titration resulted in slightly greater blood pressure reduction and an increase in responder rates to 53% to 63%. AIIA/hydrochlorothiazide combinations produced substantially greater reduction in systolic (16.1 to 20.6 mm Hg) and diastolic (9.9 to 13.6 mm Hg) blood pressure reductions than AIIA monotherapy and responder rates for AIIA/HCTZ combinations were 56% to 70%. This comprehensive analysis shows comparable antihypertensive efficacy within the AIIA class, a near-flat AIIA-dose response when titrating from starting to maximum recommended dose, and substantial potentiation of the antihypertensive effect with addition of HCTZ. (C) 2000 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.Brigham & Womens Hosp, Endocrinol Hypertens, Boston, MA 02115 USAHarvard Univ, Sch Med, Boston, MA 02115 USAUniv Western Ontario, Siebens Drake Robarts Res Inst, London, ON, CanadaUniv Leicester, Inst Cardiovasc Res, Leicester, Leics, EnglandUNIFESP, EPM, Div Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilKeio Univ, Ctr Hlth, Tokyo, JapanUniv Texas, Sch Med, Houston, TX USAMerck & Co Inc, Whitehouse Stn, NJ USAUNIFESP, EPM, Div Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

GASTRIC-CANCER - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF SURGICAL-TREATMENT

Despite declining incidence and improved surgical care, gastric cancer remains associated with high mortality. Incidence and survival show remarkable geographic differences. Japanese patients have a much better chance of cure than Western patients. Whether biological differences between Japanese and Western patients are responsible for this remains unclear. Japanese surgeons, however, generally use a different surgical approach. The so-called R2 resection for gastric cancer has been investigated in a number of retrospective trials and, even in the West, evidence is accumulating that a more extensive resection of lymph nodes might positively influence stage dependent survival rates. Whether this approach indeed improves treatment and not just influences staging is currently being studied in a nation-wide, prospective randomized trial in the Netherlands. The design and the first results of this trial are presented here.</p