The response of colorectal adenocarcinoma liver metastases to perioperative chemotherapy can be assessed histologically in partial hepatectomy specimens. Necrosis in this scenario may represent a lack of treatment effect or a therapeutic response to chemotherapy. This study sought to validate the histologic classification of necrosis into 2 types: usual necrosis (UN) representing an absence of treatment effect, and infarct-like necrosis (ILN) representing a therapeutic response to chemotherapy. Tumor regression grade (TRG) is a previously described prognosticating method that estimates tumor replacement by fibrosis. We incorporated ILN into a modified TRG (mTRG) and compared its performance as a prognostic factor against TRG. A retrospective clinical and histologic review was undertaken of all partial hepatectomies performed for colorectal liver metastases at our center between 2004 and 2010. Clinicopathologic features were compared between the 2 types of necrosis, including survival stratified by TRG and mTRG. A total of 109 cases were reviewed, with 46 patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy. ILN was identified in 12 cases, and all of these cases were associated with perioperative chemotherapy. ILN was significantly associated with perioperative treatment with bevacizumab. In patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy, those with ILN had superior disease-free survival compared with those with UN (P=0.047). mTRG1 to 2 scores were associated with significantly better survival compared with mTRG3 to 5 scores. In contrast, use of TRG did not demonstrate a significant difference in disease-free and overall survival. ILN represents a form of treatment effect and should be distinguished from UN. A modified grading system that incorporates ILN may enhance the prognostic utility of TRG.

A rare case of carcinoma cuniculatum of the penis in a 55-year-old AbstractCarcinoma cuniculatum of the penis is an extremely rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma characterized by an endophytic deeply branching and burrowing growth pattern. One documented case series demonstrated afflicted patients ranging in age from 73-83 years with the tumour located on the glans penis, coronal sulcus or foreskin. We report a case of a 55-year-old with disease located on the ventral aspect of the shaft of the penis. The tumour was invasive into the deep dermal connective tissue, comparatively superficial to all previous documented cases. He subsequently underwent a partial penectomy. The case is discussed with a brief review of the literature.

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303 Background: Where possible, the optimal treatment for CRC liver metastases is metastectomy. Perioperative chemotherapy may be associated with improved outcomes in this setting. The government of Ontario approved public funding of bevacizumab (Bev) for metastatic CRC in July 2008. For first-line treatment, funding of Bev has been limited to use in combination with FOLFIRI, an irinotecan-containing regimen. However, the best evidence in support of perioperative chemotherapy for CRC liver metastases involves the use of oxaliplatin, not irinotecan. We sought to analyze changes in prescribing patterns, histologic findings, and clinical outcomes since the funding approval for Bev in Ontario. Methods: A single centre, retrospective review was performed of all patients receiving metastectomy for CRLM between 2004 and 2010, and archival hematoxylin-eosin slides were reviewed. Results: A total of 121 patients underwent metastectomy for CRLM during the study period. Of these, 54 were treated with perioperative chemotherapy, 37 before and 16 after funding approval of Bev. A marked increase was seen in Bev and irinotecan-containing regimens since funding approval (p < 0.01). Pathologic examination of the surgical specimens did not reveal any increase in steatosis or steatohepatitis. However, there was a trend towards more R0 resections (p = 0.3) in the post-bev era. A significant reduction in the occurrence of post-operative hepatic dysfunction was observed in the post-Bev era (p = 0.04). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were similar. Conclusions: Public funding of Bev-FOLFIRI for metastatic CRC has led to an increased and yet incomplete utilization of this regimen for CRLM. Pathologic and clinical data do not suggest harm and may show early signs of benefit. Further research is needed to determine the optimal utilization of bev in the setting of CRLM. [Table: see text]