BACKGROUND/AIM Previous reports have demonstrated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a risk factor for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN). Here, the results of these previous studies were comprehensively assessed via a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS After a database search to select eligible studies, a meta-analysis was performed using a forest plot, followed by an assessment of the heterogeneity and publication bias and a subgroup analysis. RESULTS Seven studies were extracted as candidates. All were retrospective studies and evaluated the effect of NSAIDs on CIN as a secondary endpoint. According to the meta-analysis, total odds ratio was 1.88 (95% confidence interval=1.44-2.45). Further, high heterogeneity and publication bias were not observed. A subgroup analysis of the chemotherapy evaluation period revealed that CIN tended to be enhanced in the first course group (evaluation in only 1 course) and was significantly enhanced in the total course group (evaluation in 1 or more courses) by NSAIDs co-administration. CONCLUSION NSAIDs co-administration could be a risk factor for CIN. BACKGROUND/AIM The present study examined the impact of systemic inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP)/Albumin (Alb) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR)/Alb on the prognosis of patients treated with first line molecular targeted therapy for advanced RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 131 patients with advanced RCC treated with molecular targeted therapy as first line treatment from May 2008 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS High CRP, high NLR, low Alb and high CRP/Alb showed significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than low CRP, low NLR, high Alb, low CRP/Alb and low NLR/Alb, respectively. In multivariate analyses, prior nephrectomy (p=0.0321) and NLR/Alb ratio (p=0.0327) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Furthermore, prior nephrectomy (p=0.0013) and CRP/Alb ratio (p=0.0020) were independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION CRP/Alb and NLR/Alb ratios are useful and independent prognostic biomarkers in patients with advanced RCC treated with molecular targeted therapy. AIM To compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) with Japanese D3 dissection for descending colon cancer (DCC) with those of open colectomy (OC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-two patients who underwent OC or LAC with D3 dissection for clinical stage II/III DCC between September 2002 and June 2019 were evaluated in terms of short-term outcomes. The long-term outcomes of the 59 patients who underwent surgery between September 2002 and June 2016 were evaluated. RESULTS Twenty-six patients underwent OC and 46 patients underwent LAC. The blood loss was significantly less in the LAC group. The complication rate was similar in both groups. The rates of 5-year overall survival (95.8% in the OC group vs. 89.9% in the LAC group) and relapse-free survival (79.2% in the OC group vs. 82.1% in the LAC group) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION LAC is an acceptable treatment option for stage II/III DCC. AIM To assess the ability of ultrasound (US)-guided vacuum-assisted breast excision (VAE) to remove Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) ≥3 breast lesions in order to analyze US features most frequently associated with complete excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 266 BI-RADS ≥3 lesions without microcalcifications underwent US-VAE. US-VAE and gold standard pathological results were compared. US features of lesions were analyzed. RESULTS The complete excision rate was 93.61%; the VAE agreement rate was 99.62%. Circumscribed margins, regular shape, parallel orientation, and the absence of posterior features were favorable US features associated with complete excision. Lesions completely excised were BI-RADS 3 ≤21.10 mm and BI-RADS 4 ≤18.70 mm with one unfavorable US characteristic, and BI-RADS 4 lesions ≤13.5 mm with two unfavorable US features hindered complete removal. Two atypical ductal hyperplasias ( less then 10 mm, one unfavorable feature) and eight ductal carcinomas in situ (≤8.7 mm, one/two unfavorable features) were completely removed. CONCLUSION US-VAE is highly accurate for diagnostic purpose and, in some cases, highly successful for complete lesion excision. This success also depends on the US characteristics and size of the lesion. BACKGROUND/AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the current role of frozen section in identifying patients who could benefit from an immediate axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), following the criteria of the ASOCOG Z0011 and IBCSG 23-10 trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review was performed involving 2,079 patients with early breast cancer who underwent conservative surgery or total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. RESULTS Sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were 63.8% and 90.3%, respectively. Sensitivity was significantly higher (p less then 0.001) in finding macrometastases (81.8%) compared to micrometastases (11.9%). Frozen section was useful only in 7.7% of the patients who met the criteria of the IBCSG 23-01 and ACOSOG Z0011 trials. CONCLUSION Frozen section continues to be very useful in the intraoperative assessment of the SLN, offering a high sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. Omission of ALND in 24.4% of patients who met the ACOSOG Z0011 criteria would have resulted in their undertreatment. BACKGROUND/AIM To investigate factors that affect colorectal polyp or colorectal cancer (CRC) detection amongst patients referred urgently to colorectal services for suspected bowel cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective observational study at a UK colorectal centre (2017-2018). Logistic regression determined odds ratios for colorectal polyp or CRC according to age, gender, previous polyp or cancer, and the 6 NICE referral (NG12) categories. RESULTS A total of 605 patients were included in the study; median age 66 (IQR=54-76); 47.9% male. Nineteen (3.1%) patients had CRC and 64 (10.6%) had polyps. No individual variable increased the likelihood of CRC detection, but male patients had a higher likelihood of having either polyp or CRC (OR=1.72; 95%CI=1.07-2.80; p less then 0.05). CONCLUSION At the point of an urgent referral to a colorectal clinic, the likelihood of CRC detection appears to be unaffected by age, gender, or any individual referral criterion.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk-2837808A.html  However, overall disease detection may be more likely amongst male patients.