This is an RSS newsfeed from BioMed Central It is intended to be used with an RSS reader. For more information about RSS newsfeeds from BioMed Central, visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/about/rss/ http://www.issoonline.com The latest articles from International Seminars in Surgical Oncology (ISSN 1477-7800) published by BioMed Central Herceptin is widely regarded as the most important development in the treatment of breast cancer since Tamoxifen and the development of the multidisciplinary team (MDT). It is particularly exciting from an oncological polint of view as it represents success in the emerging field of specific targeted therapies to specific molecular abnormalities in tumour cells. This review will focus on the nature of the Her2 overexpression and the role of herceptin in the treatment of early breast cancer. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/9 Ashok Subramanian and Kefah Mokbel International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:9 2008-04-28 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-9 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 9 2008-04-28 Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration is part of a rare spectrum of neurological syndromes whereby gynaecological, lung or breast cancers present primarily with neurological manifestations. The presence of onconeural antibodies and PET scanning help in the challenging diagnosis of these conditions but despite the treatment of the primary cancer, the prognosis for the neurological symptoms is poor. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/8 Alia Noorani, Zaid Sadiq, Neda Minakaran, Catherine Coleman, Val A Thomas and Kefah Mokbel International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:8 2008-04-21 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-8 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 8 2008-04-21 In recent years, a group of tumors that have been designated "perivascular epithelioid cell tumors" (PEComa) have been reported with increasing frequency from a wide variety of anatomic locations. The uterus and retroperitoneum appear to be the most frequent sites of origin for these lesions. PEComas belong to an identically named family of tumors comprised of conventional angiomyolipomas, clear cell sugar tumors, lymphangiomyomatosis and clear cell myomelanocytic tumor of the falciform ligament/ligament teres, and are also known as PEComa-NOS. This article is a primer for clinicians on the most salient clinicopathologic features of uterine PEComas, as most of the debate and discussion have taken place in the pathologic literature. The author appraises in detail the current state of knowledge on PEComas of the uterus based on a review of published data on the 44 previously reported cases, and comments on areas of controversy. The latter are centered predominantly on the significant morphologic and immunophenotypic overlap that exists between uterine PEComa and some smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. The clinicopathologic features of cases reported as epithelioid smooth muscle tumors and cases reported as uterine PEComas are compared and contrasted, and a practical approach to their reporting is proposed. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/7 Oluwole Fadare International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:7 2008-03-06 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-7 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 7 2008-03-06 Not applicable http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/6 Chung T Lim and Chung S Lim International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:6 2008-02-29 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-6 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 6 2008-02-29 Not applicable http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/5 Chung T Lim and Chung S Lim International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:5 2008-02-29 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-5 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 5 2008-02-29 IntroductionGranular cell tumours of the abdominal wall are extremely rare: less than 10 have been reported in the worldwide medical literature. We report this interesting case, review the relevant literature on this tumour and discuss surgical abdominal wall reconstruction options.Case presentationA 70 year old lady presented with a left abdominal mass. This was thought to be a soft tissue sarcoma on CT imaging prior to surgical excision. En-bloc surgical resection was performed. Surgical reconstruction of the abdominal wall defect was performed using Permacol® mesh. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen showed it to be a granular cell tumour. Conclusion: Although rare, granular cell tumours can present as an abdominal wall mass. It is important that clinicians are aware of their existence. The closure of large defects, after surgical resection of abdominal wall tumours, is a surgical challenge. We used a new biosynthetic procine mesh (Permacol®) which appeared to work well in this situation. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/4 Aisha Chaudhry, Ewen A Griffiths, Nigam Shah and Srinivasan Ravi International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:4 2008-02-25 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-4 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 4 2008-02-25 Keloid scar is a manifestation of abnormal wound healing in predisposed individuals. Many treatment modalities have been tried with varying degrees of success. Radiotherapy is one such modality that is widely recognised. We present a case report and literature review based on a patient who developed unilateral keloid scarring following bilateral breast reduction surgery. Some 4 years previously, she had undergone breast conserving surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer. After her breast reduction surgery, she developed keloid scarring on the non-irradiated breast only. This case highlights a possible 'preventative' effect of radiotherapy in keloid formation. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/3 Haresh Devalia, Lucy Mansfield, Neda Minakaran and Dibyesh Banerjee International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:3 2008-02-24 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-3 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 3 2008-02-24 Background: Both obesity and over-expression of HER II are associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer. In vitro experiments suggest that anti-tumour activity of the anti-obesity drug Orlistat is likely to be due to transcriptional suppression of HER II expression. The overexpression of HER II is also positively correlated with other markers of prognosis of breast cancer such as cathepsin expression.HypothesisThe hypothesis we tested was that the obese women with breast cancer might over-express HER II more often than their lean counterparts to account for the poor prognosis.Patients and methodsOne hundred consecutive patients were included in this study. Their body mass indexes were correlated with overexpression of HER II. Results: There was also no association between oestrogen or progesterone receptor positivity and obesity or HER II over expression in premenopausal or post-menopausal women with breast cancer. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the poor outcome of breast cancer in obese patients is not due to over expression of HER II. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/2 Chaminda Sellahewa, Peter Nightingale and Amtul R Carmichael International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:2 2008-02-24 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-2 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 2 2008-02-24 Background: External hemipelvectomy is associated with high post operative morbidity and a poor functional outcome. We aim to explore a reconstruction technique to improve function and post operative appearance for patients who undergo external hemipelvectomy.Case presentationWe present a Case where extensive cancer involvement of pelvis and femur was managed with a novel surgical technique, which involved a calf sparing modified anterior flap hemipelvectomy combined with rotationplasty of the spared calf and fixation of calcaneus to the sacrum, thereby recreating a new thigh stump. Conclusion: Tibia-hindfoot rotationplasty result in good functional outcome and appearance for selected patients undergoing external hemipelvectomy with unaffected external iliac and femoral vessels. http://www.issoonline.com/content/5/1/1 George YX Kong, Hannes A Rudiger, Eugene TH Ek, Wayne A Morrison and Peter FM Choong International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:1 2008-01-21 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-1 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 5 1 2008-01-21 AimsThis paper describes a simple technique of axillary and breast massage which improves the successful identification of blue sentinel nodes using patent blue dye alone. Methods: Patent blue dye was injected in the subdermal part of the retroaroelar area in 167 patients having surgical treatment for invasive breast cancer. Three stage axillary lymphatic massage was performed prior to making the axillary incision for sentinel lymph node biopsy. All patients had completion axillary sampling or clearance. Results: A blue lymphatic duct leading to lymph nodes of the first drainage was identified in 163 (97%) of the patients. Results are compared with 168 patients who had sentinel lymph node biopsy using blue dye without axillary massage. Allergic reactions were observed in four patients (1.2%). Conclusion: Three stage axillary lymphatic massage improves the successful identification of a blue sentinel lymph node in breast cancer patients. http://www.issoonline.com/content/4/1/30 Robert M Kirby, Abdul Basit, Quang T Nguyen, Anthony Jaipersad and Rebecca Billingham International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2007, 4:30 2007-12-22 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-4-30 International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 1477-7800 4 30 2007-12-22