DR. TINA J. HIEKEN, M.D.

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This study surveyed melanoma experts worldwide to understand their opinions on surgery options after immunotherapy for stage III melanoma. Findings revealed that 74% of experts now see immunotherapy as the standard treatment, and support for a less invasive surgery method increased from 27% to 40%. Despite this, many still want more evidence before fully adopting changes to treatment guidelines, citing safety and standardization concerns. Who this helps: This benefits patients with stage III melanoma who may face less invasive surgical options.

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This study looked at a rare type of breast cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) that develops in the deeper part of the breast tissue. The researchers reported a case of a 52-year-old woman with this specific cancer, which showed distinct characteristics that matched MCC. This is only the sixth known case of this kind of breast MCC, and understanding it helps doctors make better treatment choices for similar rare cancers. Who this helps: This helps patients with rare breast cancers and their doctors.

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This study looked at the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with clinical stage III melanoma who were treated with a combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy before surgery. Researchers found that while 90% of patients with detectable ctDNA at the start of treatment cleared it after therapy, about 43% of those who achieved a major pathological response still experienced a recurrence of their disease. These findings highlight that both ctDNA clearance and achieving a major pathological response do not reliably predict whether the cancer will come back, indicating a need for further research to understand the best ways to monitor these patients. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and patients with stage III melanoma by providing insights into treatment outcomes.

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This study looked at the outcomes of patients with cutaneous melanoma who had cancer in their sentinel lymph nodes and received a specific treatment called adjuvant immunotherapy. Of the 544 patients studied across several countries, those who received this immunotherapy had a lower risk of their cancer returning, with a recurrence rate of 25% for nodal, 6% for in-transit, and 19% for distant metastasis over 5 years. Understanding these outcomes is important because it helps identify how different treatment strategies can impact recurrence patterns in high-risk melanoma patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with melanoma and their doctors in making treatment decisions.

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This report highlights cancer statistics for 2022 from a large database, focusing on three types of cancer: esophageal, melanoma, and prostate. It found that nearly half of esophageal cancer patients were diagnosed at a late Stage IV, with only about 30% receiving surgery; for melanoma, most cases were early-stage, and the most common type was superficial spreading melanoma; and for prostate cancer, most men were diagnosed at Stage II, with the majority not undergoing surgery. Understanding these trends helps improve treatment approaches and increase awareness about when patients should seek care. Who this helps: This information benefits patients and healthcare providers by improving cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.

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This study looked at how well surgical trainees in the U.S. understand the Commission on Cancer's (CoC) guidelines for cancer surgeries. Only 30% of trainees knew about these guidelines, while 68% of more advanced trainees (fellows) were familiar with them. This lack of knowledge shows that there needs to be better education on these important standards in training programs, which can help improve the quality of cancer surgery and patient care. Who this helps: This helps surgical trainees and ultimately cancer patients by ensuring surgeries are performed to high standards.

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The Commission on Cancer created six new rules to make cancer surgery more consistent and standardized across hospitals. Inspectors who visit these hospitals to check compliance found that the rules are working well, but success depends on whether hospital leaders support them, departments communicate effectively, and there are enough staff and resources—and whether surgeons are willing to follow them. To make these standards actually stick, hospitals need strong leadership backing them up and need to get surgeons on board, while inspectors should officially take on a mentoring role to help hospitals improve rather than just checking boxes.

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This study looked at the genetic mutations in women with phyllodes tumors (PT), which are rare breast tumors. Researchers found that 14.1% of the 248 women tested had harmful genetic mutations, with many of these mutations linked to higher cancer risk conditions. This finding is important because identifying these genetic variants can help in planning better cancer screening and treatment options for patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with phyllodes tumors and their doctors in understanding their genetic risks.

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This study looked at a new way to deliver radiation therapy to patients with early-stage breast cancer to see if it could reduce side effects while still being effective. Researchers treated 161 patients using a shortened, 3-day radiation approach and found that only 2.3% had poor cosmetic outcomes after three years, down from 14.5% at the start. It also achieved a high success rate in preventing cancer recurrence, with 98% of patients remaining free from local cancer after five years. Who this helps: This benefits patients with small, hormone-positive breast cancers and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

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This study looked at gene expression profiling (GEP) tests for patients with melanoma, focusing on their usefulness in guiding treatment decisions. The panel of melanoma experts reviewed 137 research articles published over more than a decade and found that the current evidence does not support using these tests to reliably predict important treatment outcomes. They concluded that GEP tests should mainly be used in research settings, rather than in standard clinical practice, due to insufficient data. Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors understand the current limitations of gene expression tests in treating melanoma patients.

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This study looked at three treatments for patients with advanced melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery: isolated limb infusion/perfusion (ILI/ILP), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), and intralesional therapy with TVEC. Researchers analyzed 551 patients treated between 1990 and 2022, finding that those receiving TVEC had the highest chance of completely eliminating their tumors and showed longer periods without disease progression compared to the other treatments. Specifically, TVEC patients had nearly double the odds of a complete response and better survival rates than those treated with ILI/ILP. Who this helps: This benefits patients with advanced melanoma, particularly those with earlier-stage disease and lower tumor burden.

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This study looked at how well surgeons followed new requirements for documenting breast cancer surgeries starting January 2023. Out of 592 patients who had 623 surgeries, compliance rates were high, with 71% meeting one standard and 97% meeting another. After some mid-year reviews and direct communication with surgeons, 98% of the documentation met the first standard by the end of the year, showing that providing feedback can significantly improve adherence to new guidelines. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients by ensuring better surgical practices and more accurate records.

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This study looked at how social factors, like insurance type and travel distance, affect patients' follow-up care for melanoma after their initial treatment. Out of 519 patients with a specific type of melanoma, only 41.6% kept up with the required ultrasounds, although that number rose to 75.1% when considering other types of imaging as well. The study found that people on Medicaid or who were uninsured were much more likely to miss follow-up appointments, which highlights the need for better support for these vulnerable groups to ensure they receive the necessary care. Who this helps: This helps melanoma patients, especially those with Medicaid or no insurance, by identifying barriers to care and encouraging better support systems.

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This study looked at a new test called the Merlin Assay, which helps identify which patients with head and neck melanoma can skip a surgical procedure known as sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Researchers analyzed data from 250 patients and found that the SLNB positivity rate was 14%. The Merlin Assay could reduce unnecessary SLNB procedures by up to 56.3% in early-stage patients while maintaining a very high accuracy, with a negative predictive value of 98.9%. This matters because it can help low-risk patients avoid surgery and its associated complications. Who this helps: This helps patients with early-stage head and neck melanoma.

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This study looked at how race and ethnicity affect the characteristics of a specific type of breast cancer and the treatment women receive for it. Researchers found that non-Hispanic Black patients tend to have larger tumors and more complex cases, while non-Hispanic White patients had more aggressive types of tumors. Additionally, non-White patients were less likely to have surgery, and treatments varied significantly among different groups. This is important because it highlights the need for tailored care and resources for women based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds to improve outcomes. Who this helps: This research helps patients and healthcare providers understand how treatment disparities can affect women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

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This study focused on a combination treatment for patients with stage III melanoma, a serious skin cancer, to see if using both targeted therapy and immunotherapy together would improve outcomes. Researchers found that patients with a specific mutation (BRAF-mutated) had a very good response, with none showing signs of cancer recurrence after treatment, while those without the mutation had a median time before relapse of about 40.8 months. The study also discovered that the makeup of gut bacteria in patients was linked to how well they did, indicating that understanding these bacteria could help customize treatments in the future. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with high-risk melanoma by potentially improving treatment strategies.

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This study looked at two ultrasound techniques—real-time elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound—to see how effective they are at evaluating a specific type of breast lesion known as BI-RADS 4A. Out of 52 lesions examined, 27 were benign and 25 were malignant. Using both ultrasound techniques improved the diagnostic accuracy from 76.9% to 80.8%, which could help avoid unnecessary biopsies for lesions that are not cancerous. Who this helps: This benefits patients with suspicious breast lesions and their doctors.

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This study looked at a new way to restore feeling in the nipple after mastectomy by using nerves from the patient's own body instead of donor nerves. In a small trial with six patients, three had their nipple sensation restored by directly connecting the remaining nerves, while the other three had the nerves grafted from other parts of their body. No complications were reported, making this approach a safe and more affordable option for improving quality of life after breast surgery. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients seeking to regain nipple sensation after mastectomy.

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This study looked at a combination treatment using two drugs, atezolizumab and tiragolumab, given before surgery to patients with high-risk Stage III melanoma. The results showed that 47.1% of patients had a significant reduction in tumor cells after treatment, and after one year, 72% were free from disease progression. This research is important as it suggests a new treatment option that is effective and safe for patients with this aggressive form of skin cancer, requiring more investigation for future use. Who this helps: This study benefits patients with high-risk Stage III melanoma.

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This study looked at how well PET-CT scans predict the spread of melanoma in patients who have undergone treatment before surgery. It found that while the scans and surgical results matched about 60% of the time and 67% of patients had mismatched findings about affected lymph nodes, the PET-CT scans often underestimated the disease's spread, especially in those treated with immunotherapy alone. Understanding the accuracy of these scans is important for planning surgeries and improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps melanoma patients and their doctors make better decisions about surgery options.

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This study looked at whether a specific imaging method called RECIST 1.1 could accurately predict the status of lymph nodes in breast cancer patients after they received a type of treatment called neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. Among 75 patients analyzed, 64% showed no signs of cancer in their lymph nodes after treatment, but the RECIST 1.1 method failed to reliably predict this outcome, as only 55% of patients met its criteria. Importantly, the study found that patients with fewer suspicious lymph nodes after treatment were more likely to have no cancer remaining (71% versus 42%). Who this helps: This research benefits breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy, as it highlights the need for better imaging assessments.

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This study looked at a new gene test (called CP-GEP) to see if it could help identify patients with melanoma who are unlikely to have cancer spread to their sentinel lymph nodes, allowing them to avoid unnecessary surgeries. It analyzed data from 1,761 patients and found that 37% were considered low-risk by the test, with a low rate (only 7.1%) of cancer spread in this group, giving the test a high accuracy rate of 92.9%. This is important because it helps doctors better determine which patients can safely skip the surgery, reducing risk and stress for those with a low chance of metastasis. Who this helps: This benefits melanoma patients and their doctors in making more informed treatment decisions.

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This study looked at different types of partial breast radiation treatments for women with early-stage breast cancer to see how well they prevent the cancer from coming back in the same breast. It involved over 1,000 women, and after about three years of follow-up, the overall chance of cancer recurrence was about 3%. The findings showed that women with larger tumors (over 10 mm) had a significantly higher risk of cancer returning with brachytherapy compared to other methods, indicating that doctors need to be more careful when choosing this treatment option for certain patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with early-stage breast cancer by providing clearer information on treatment options.

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This study looked at whether a surgical technique called immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) helps reduce the number of days patients need to keep drainage tubes in after surgery. Researchers found that patients who had ILR had a median of 15 drain days, while those who did not have ILR had a median of 11 drain days. However, the patients with ILR experienced fewer seromas (3.5%) compared to those without ILR (12.1%). This matters because fewer seromas can lead to less discomfort and complications for breast cancer patients after surgery. Who this helps: Patients recovering from breast cancer surgery.

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Researchers looked at how well hospitals followed new guidelines for checking lymph nodes in lung cancer surgeries. In 2022, 54% of hospitals met the standard, but this dropped to just 232 out of 504 (46%) in 2023 due to stricter requirements. These findings highlight a significant challenge in ensuring that patients receive optimal care, as improving lymph node evaluation can lead to better treatment outcomes. Who this helps: Patients with lung cancer benefit from better lymph node evaluations during surgery.

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The study looked at how well hospitals follow new cancer surgery guidelines set by the American College of Surgeons to improve care for patients. Over three years, they checked nearly 1,000 cancer treatment programs and found that compliance rates ranged from 53% to 88%, with Community Cancer programs struggling the most, especially with technical aspects of surgeries. These findings show that while some hospitals perform well, many need support to ensure all patients receive the best possible surgical care. Who this helps: This helps cancer patients by promoting better surgical practices at hospitals.

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This study looked at how well hospitals are performing sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) for melanoma patients. Researchers found that over 48,000 patients were treated across more than 1,100 hospitals, with an average of 2.4 lymph nodes removed and about 18% testing positive for cancer. The results showed that SLNB procedures are consistent across facilities, but there is still room for improvement, particularly in other related surgeries. Who this helps: This benefits melanoma patients and the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at how new guidelines from the American Society of Breast Surgery influenced the rates of preventive surgery (called contralateral prophylactic mastectomy) in women diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast. Out of 3,208 women, the rate of these surgeries dropped from 62% before the guidelines were implemented (2015-2016) to 55% after (2017-2019). However, the rates went up again to 61% from 2020 to 2022, showing that more could be done to educate patients about their options, especially when genetic testing indicates no risk. Who this helps: This helps patients with breast cancer by providing clearer information on their surgical options.

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This study looked at patients who had breast cancer return locally after having a mastectomy and whether performing a second sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery was effective. Out of 73 patients, 89% had a successful SLN surgery, meaning they retrieved at least one lymph node. For those who had positive lymph nodes, half went on to further surgery, while patients who didn’t have positive nodes were less likely to need extensive surgery, which is significant for treatment planning. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients with localized recurrence after mastectomy by providing useful insights for their treatment options.

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This study looked at how effective a combination of two breast cancer drugs, fulvestrant and anastrozole, is compared to anastrozole alone for postmenopausal women with early-stage estrogen receptor-rich and HER2-negative breast cancer. Researchers found that after six months, 18.7% of patients on anastrozole, 22.8% on fulvestrant, and 20.5% on the combination showed a positive response in terms of endocrine-sensitive disease, indicating no significant advantage for the combination over anastrozole alone. These findings are important because they suggest that anastrozole should remain the standard treatment, highlighting the need for further research into how different tumor types respond to treatment. Who this helps: This helps postmenopausal women with early-stage estrogen receptor-rich breast cancer.

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This study looked at pregnant women diagnosed with melanoma within a year after giving birth, known as pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM). The researchers followed 83 PAM patients and found that their survival rates and chances of the cancer returning were similar to those in 309 women without PAM—both groups had a 5-year survival rate of 97%. This is important because it shows that women with PAM can expect similar treatment outcomes as others with melanoma, emphasizing the need for specialized care for these patients. Who this helps: This helps pregnant women diagnosed with melanoma and their healthcare providers.

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In this research, scientists studied how effective a combination of two cancer treatments—cobimetinib and atezolizumab, with or without vemurafenib—was for patients with high-risk Stage III melanoma before surgery. They found that 86.7% of patients with a specific gene mutation (BRAF-mutated) showed a significant reduction in cancer (less than 50% viable tumor) after treatment, compared to 53.3% in patients without this mutation. These results are important because they indicate that this treatment combination can effectively shrink tumors before surgery, potentially improving surgical outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients with high-risk Stage III melanoma.

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This study examined how melanoma, a type of skin cancer, appears in Black patients compared to White patients. Researchers found that Black patients are typically younger and present with more advanced and aggressive forms of melanoma; for example, 19% of Black patients had Stage III disease when diagnosed, compared to only 6% of White patients. The five-year cancer-specific survival rate for Black males with Stage III melanoma is significantly lower at 42% compared to 71% for Black females, which highlights the need for better detection and treatment strategies aimed at this group. Who this helps: This research benefits Black melanoma patients who may require tailored approaches for earlier diagnosis and effective treatment.

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This study looked at whether an immediate surgical procedure called lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) can reduce the swelling condition known as lymphedema in breast cancer patients who have undergone axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The research included 230 patients, with 131 having ALND with ILR and 99 without it. The results showed that there was no significant difference in lymphedema rates between the two groups; the rates were similar regardless of whether or not ILR was performed. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients who may be concerned about the risk of lymphedema following their surgery.

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This study looked at how to better assess the lymph nodes in patients with inflammatory breast cancer after they’ve received chemotherapy. The researchers proposed a method where doctors clip a node that looks cancerous before treatment and then check its status after chemotherapy. They found that if this clipped node accurately indicates the overall lymph node health, it may allow for less invasive surgery in patients whose cancer has fully responded to treatment. Who this helps: This benefits patients with inflammatory breast cancer by reducing the need for more extensive surgeries.

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This study looked at a specific type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) that has high levels of a protein called HER2. Researchers found that nearly 60% of patients with this HER2-positive IBC experienced a complete response to treatment before surgery, meaning their tumors were no longer detectable. This is important because patients who achieve this response tend to have better long-term survival rates, likely due to the immune system being activated to fight the cancer even after treatment stops. Who this helps: This helps patients with HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer.

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This study looked at whether a specific lymph node, identified with a clip during initial diagnosis, accurately indicates the overall lymph node status in patients with inflammatory breast cancer after they received chemotherapy. They analyzed data from 92 patients and found that if this clipped node was negative for cancer after treatment, only 4% had a missed positive node elsewhere. In contrast, if the clipped node was positive, 87% of patients had additional cancer in other nodes, showing that this clipped node can reliably signal the status of other nodes. Who this helps: This benefits patients with inflammatory breast cancer by improving surgical decision-making and reducing unnecessary surgeries.

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This study focused on new guidelines for using immunotherapy to treat melanoma, a type of skin cancer that doesn’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy. It highlights effective treatment combinations that include immune checkpoint inhibitors and mentions that some patients may achieve long-term remission, with advanced therapies being researched for others. The guidelines aim to improve patient care by offering healthcare professionals clear recommendations on how to choose and manage therapies for diverse melanoma cases. Who this helps: This helps cancer patients and their doctors by providing updated treatment strategies.