ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3859-0814
Current Organisations
Herlev Hospital
,
IT University of Copenhagen
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1080/02656730802406145
Abstract: Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) is an effective method in the treatment of recurrent melanomas and soft tissue sarcomas. To avoid systemic toxicity, leakage from the limb perfusate into the systemic circulation is real-time monitored by administration of a radioactive agent to the limb circuit. This has made HILP safe for the patient. However, the radiation exposure to the surgical staff has never been measured and could be a limiting factor for the use of HILP. The purpose of the present study was to measure and evaluate the radiation exposure to the surgical staff performing HILP with (99m)Technetium labeled red blood cells. Thirteen patients had HILP performed in 11 lower limbs and two upper limbs at our inpatient clinic between October 2006 and February 2007. The surgeon and nurse had thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) chips attached to the finger pulp and to the ring area of the left fourth finger, as well as an electronic dosimeter attached to the anterior lining of the trousers. The anesthesiologist and perfusion technologist also carried electronic dosimeters. The surgeon had the highest radioactive exposure with an average dose per procedure to the finger pulp of 16.2 microSv, to the ring area of 8.5 microSv, and to the abdominal wall of 4.2 +/- 0.6 microSv. HILP with (99m)technetium-labeled red blood cells does not constitute a safety risk to the operating team with respect to radioactive exposure. Routine dose monitoring of the staff or special precautions for fertile women are not necessary.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-06-2014
DOI: 10.1111/CPF.12164
Abstract: The aim is to describe the importance of leakage monitoring in hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (ILP). It is generally recommended that leakage should not exceed 10% because of risk of systemic toxicity. Data retrieved by retrospective analysis of 131 perfusions performed in 115 consecutive patients (77 women and 38 men median age 66 years) with recurrent and/or clinically apparent, cutaneous or subcutaneous melanoma metastases in an extremity. Radionuclide monitoring was performed with continuous, precordial count rate determinations of an intravascular (99m) Tc-labelled tracer infused into the isolated limb circulation. One hundred and sixteen of 131 procedures were completed. In 13%, a leakage of ≥10% was detected in 6% (n = 8), the cytotoxic drug was never infused because of constant leakage in 7% (n = 9), leakage ≥10% was measured during the perfusion resulting in two perfusions being terminated before 30 min, 5 perfusions were considered completed though with early termination (after 30 min, before 60 min), and 2 fully completed. No patients had systemic toxicity requiring treatment, whereas considerable or serious local toxicity were observed in 14%. Three of the patients with leakage ≥10% were successfully treated in a repeated procedure. Leakage monitoring using a threshold of 10% during ILP saves the patients from systemic toxicity, however, at the expense of early termination or cancellation of ILP treatment in a few patients and repeated ILP procedures in some.
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Date: 08-2006
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2000
Abstract: One problem in cholesteatoma surgery is recurrence of cholesteatoma, which is reported to vary from 5% to 71%. This great variability can be explained by issues such as the type of cholesteatoma, surgical technique, follow‐up rate, length of the postoperative observation period, and statistical method applied. The aim of this study was to illustrate the impact of applying different statistical methods to the same material. Thirty‐three children underwent single‐stage surgery for attic cholesteatoma during a 15‐year period. Thirty patients (94%) attended a re‐evaluation. During the observation period of 15 years, recurrence of cholesteatoma occurred in 10 ears. The cumulative total recurrence rate varied from 30% to 67%, depending on the statistical method applied. In conclusion, the choice of statistical method should depend on the number of patients, follow‐up rates, length of the postoperative observation period and presence of censored data.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 09-08-2023
DOI: 10.2196/48357
Abstract: Skin cancer diagnostics is challenging, and mastery requires extended periods of dedicated practice. The aim of the study was to determine if self-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics with clinical and dermoscopic images of skin lesions using a large-scale interactive image repository (LIIR) with patient cases improves primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) diagnostic skills and confidence. A total of 115 PCPs were randomized (allocation ratio 3:1) to receive or not receive self-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics using an LIIR with patient cases through a quiz-based smartphone app during an 8-day period. The participants’ ability to diagnose skin cancer was evaluated using a 12-item multiple-choice questionnaire prior to and 8 days after the educational intervention period. Their thoughts on the use of dermoscopy were assessed using a study-specific questionnaire. A learning curve was calculated through the analysis of data from the mobile app. On average, participants in the intervention group spent 2 hours 26 minutes quizzing digital patient cases and 41 minutes reading the educational material. They had an average preintervention multiple choice questionnaire score of 52.0% of correct answers, which increased to 66.4% on the postintervention test a statistically significant improvement of 14.3 percentage points (P .001 95% CI 9.8-18.9) with intention-to-treat analysis. Analysis of participants who received the intervention as per protocol (500 patient cases in 8 days) showed an average increase of 16.7 percentage points (P .001 95% CI 11.3-22.0) from 53.9% to 70.5%. Their overall ability to correctly recognize malignant lesions in the LIIR patient cases improved over the intervention period by 6.6 percentage points from 67.1% (95% CI 65.2-69.3) to 73.7% (95% CI 72.5-75.0) and their ability to set the correct diagnosis improved by 10.5 percentage points from 42.5% (95% CI 40.2%-44.8%) to 53.0% (95% CI 51.3-54.9). The diagnostic confidence of participants in the intervention group increased on a scale from 1 to 4 by 32.9% from 1.6 to 2.1 (P .001). Participants in the control group did not increase their postintervention score or their diagnostic confidence during the same period. Self-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics through the use of a digital LIIR with patient cases delivered by a quiz-based mobile app improves the diagnostic accuracy of PCPs. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05661370 t2/show/NCT05661370
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-02-2020
Abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with a poor prognosis and an apparent increase in incidence. Due to its rarity, evidence-based guidelines are limited, and there is a lack of awareness among clinicians. This review constitutes the consensus management recommendations developed by the Danish MCC expert group and is based on a systematic literature search. Patients with localized disease are recommended surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy to the primary site however, this may be omitted in patients with MCC with low risk features. Patients with regional lymph node involvement are recommended complete lymph node removal and adjuvant radiotherapy in case of extracapsular disease. Metastatic disease was traditionally treated with chemotherapy, however, recent clinical trials with immune therapy have been promising. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) rogrammed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) axis should therefore be strongly considered as first-line treatment for fit patients. A 5-year follow-up period is recommended involving clinical exam every 3 months for 2 years and every 6 months for the following 3 years and PET-CT one to two times a year or if clinically indicated. These national recommendations are intended to offer uniform patient treatment and hopefully improve prognosis.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 21-04-2023
Abstract: kin cancer diagnostics is challenging, and mastery requires extended periods of dedicated practice. he aim of the study was to determine if self-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics with clinical and dermoscopic images of skin lesions using a large-scale interactive image repository (LIIR) with patient cases improves primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) diagnostic skills and confidence. total of 115 PCPs were randomized (allocation ratio 3:1) to receive or not receive self-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics using an LIIR with patient cases through a quiz-based smartphone app during an 8-day period. The participants’ ability to diagnose skin cancer was evaluated using a 12-item multiple-choice questionnaire prior to and 8 days after the educational intervention period. Their thoughts on the use of dermoscopy were assessed using a study-specific questionnaire. A learning curve was calculated through the analysis of data from the mobile app. n average, participants in the intervention group spent 2 hours 26 minutes quizzing digital patient cases and 41 minutes reading the educational material. They had an average preintervention multiple choice questionnaire score of 52.0% of correct answers, which increased to 66.4% on the postintervention test a statistically significant improvement of 14.3 percentage points ( i P /i & .001 95% CI 9.8-18.9) with intention-to-treat analysis. Analysis of participants who received the intervention as per protocol (500 patient cases in 8 days) showed an average increase of 16.7 percentage points ( i P /i & .001 95% CI 11.3-22.0) from 53.9% to 70.5%. Their overall ability to correctly recognize malignant lesions in the LIIR patient cases improved over the intervention period by 6.6 percentage points from 67.1% (95% CI 65.2-69.3) to 73.7% (95% CI 72.5-75.0) and their ability to set the correct diagnosis improved by 10.5 percentage points from 42.5% (95% CI 40.2%-44.8%) to 53.0% (95% CI 51.3-54.9). The diagnostic confidence of participants in the intervention group increased on a scale from 1 to 4 by 32.9% from 1.6 to 2.1 ( i P /i & .001). Participants in the control group did not increase their postintervention score or their diagnostic confidence during the same period. elf-paced pattern recognition training in skin cancer diagnostics through the use of a digital LIIR with patient cases delivered by a quiz-based mobile app improves the diagnostic accuracy of PCPs. linicalTrials.gov NCT05661370 t2/show/NCT05661370
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJCA.2019.08.025
Abstract: High plasma levels of YKL-40 might be associated with mortality in patients with melanoma, and it is unknown if YKL-40 is causally related to mortality. We studied two cohorts: 2618 patients with melanoma from hospital clinics and 1413 general population patients with melanoma, totalling 4031 patients followed up for mortality end-points for up to 20 years. All were genotyped for CHI3L1 rs4950928, highly predictive of lifelong plasma YKL-40, and plasma YKL-40 levels were measured in 2165 patients. We tested the hypotheses that measured and genetically predicted high plasma YKL-40 are associated with increased mortality in patients with melanoma. For the hospital melanoma cohort, age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for death in in iduals with measured plasma YKL-40 in the 96-100th percentile versus 1-95th percentile and per 10-percentile increase were 1.52 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.16) and 1.07 (1.02-1.11), respectively, most pronounced for patients with localised melanomas. Each C-allele of the CHI3L1 rs4950928 genotype was associated with plasma YKL-40 level increases of 32% in the hospital melanoma cohort (p = 6 × 10 Measured, but not genetically predicted, increasing plasma YKL-40 was associated with increased mortality in patients with melanoma. Plasma YKL-40 is a marker but less likely to be a cause of increased mortality in patients with melanoma.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-07-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S00259-015-3135-1
Abstract: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an essential staging tool in patients with clinically localized melanoma. The harvesting of a sentinel lymph node entails a sequence of procedures with participation of specialists in nuclear medicine, radiology, surgery and pathology. The aim of this document is to provide guidelines for nuclear medicine physicians performing lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in patients with melanoma. These practice guidelines were written and have been approved by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) to promote high-quality lymphoscintigraphy. The final result has been discussed by distinguished experts from the EANM Oncology Committee, national nuclear medicine societies, the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) and the European Association for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) melanoma group. The document has been endorsed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). The present practice guidelines will help nuclear medicine practitioners play their essential role in providing high-quality lymphatic mapping for the care of melanoma patients.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2008
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-10-2007
DOI: 10.1007/S00259-007-0532-0
Abstract: High-energy gamma probes have recently become commercially available, developed for (18)F-FDG probe-guided surgery. The radiation received by the staff in the operating room might limit the use of it, but has never been determined. We therefore wanted to measure the absorbed staff doses at operations where patients had received a preoperative injection of (18)F-FDG. Thirty-four patients with different cancers (breast cancer, melanoma, gastrointestinal cancers, respectively) were operated. At every operation the surgeon was monitored with a TLD tablet on his finger of the operating hand and a TLD tablet on the abdomen. The surgeon and anaesthesiologist were also monitored using electronic dosimeters placed in the trousers lining at 25 operations. The dose rate to the surgeon's abdominal wall varied between 7.5-13.2 microSv/h, depending on tumour location. The doses to the anaesthesiologists and the finger doses to the surgeon were much lower. About 350-400 MBq, i.e. ca. eight times higher activities than those used in the present study are supposed to be necessary for guiding surgery. It can be calculated from the body doses measured that a surgeon can perform between 150-260 h of surgery without exceeding permissible limits for professional workers. The radiation load to the operating staff will generally be so small that it does not present any limitation for FDG-guided surgery. However, it is recommended to monitor the surgical staff considering that the surgeon may be exposed to other radiation sources, and since the staff often includes women of child-bearing age.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-08-2018
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 18-05-2020
DOI: 10.1159/000507917
Abstract: Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare intraepidermal neoplastic disease. There is a well-known relationship between EMPD and underlying malignancy. However, only a few cases of EMPD and cutaneous melanoma have been reported previously. In this case report we present 2 cases of such double cancers: one as a collision tumor, the other at separate sites. We discuss the pathogenesis, treatment, and importance of a thorough clinical and radiological examination and review the literature.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 28-04-2011
DOI: 10.1155/2011/828151
Abstract: Aim . To develop a method and obtain proof-of-principle for immunolymphoscintigraphy for identification of metastatic sentinel nodes. Methods . We selected one of four tumour-specific antibodies against human breast cancer and investigated (1), in immune-deficient (nude) mice with xenograft human breast cancer expressing the antigen if specific binding of the intratumorally injected, radioactively labelled, monoclonal antibody could be scintigraphically visualized, and (2) transportation to and retention in regional lymph nodes of the radioactively labelled antibody after subcutaneous injection in healthy rabbits. Results and Conclusion . Our paper suggests the theoretical possibility of a model of dual isotope immuno-lymphoscintigraphy for noninvasive, preoperative, malignant sentinel node imaging.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-08-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S00259-011-1880-3
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare early dynamic imaging combined with delayed static imaging and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT with delayed, planar, static imaging alone for sentinel node (SN) identification in melanoma patients. Three hundred and seven consecutive melanoma patients referred for SN biopsy (SNB) were examined using combined imaging. Secondary interpretation of only the delayed static images was subsequently performed. In 220 patients (72%), complete surgical and pathological information relating to the SNB was available. The number of SNs identified and number of patients with positive SNs were compared between the two interpretations of the imaging studies and, when available, related to pathology data. A slightly higher number of SNs (mean 0.12 atient) was identified when interpreting only delayed static images compared to combined imaging. In a direct patient-to-patient comparison, the number of SN(s) identified on the combined vs static images only showed moderate agreement (kappa value 0.56). In 38 patients (17%), positive SNs were identified by the combined procedure compared to 35 (16%) by static imaging only. Thus by static imaging only, tumour-positive SNs were not identified in 3 of 38 patients (8%). For SN identification in melanoma patients, dynamic imaging combined with delayed static imaging and SPECT/CT is superior to delayed static imaging only because the latter is more likely to fail to identify SNs containing metastases.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2004
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2004
DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200412000-00013
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sentinel node biopsy (SNB) technique for melanoma using both radiocolloid and blue dye in 241 clinically N0 patients with melanomas >1.0 mm, or thinner lesions exhibiting regression/ulceration. We showed that an increase in injected radioactivity increased both the number of visualized nodes at lymphoscintigraphy and the number of SNs removed surgically. At least one SN was removed in 98% (236) of patients, and all nodes were identified with the probe. Seventy-four per cent of the 194 patients injected with blue dye had stained SNs. In 46% (144) of the lymph node basins, there was a discrepancy between the nodes visualized at lymphoscintigraphy and the nodes removed at surgery. There were 38 unusually located nodes. Only eight of these were removed surgically none contained metastases. SN metastases were detected in 22% (53) of patients. There were nine haematoxylin and eosin (HE)-negatives, all of which were found by immunohistochemistry. The false negative rate for the SNB procedure was 4% (2/55). The complication rate was 6% after SNB and 29% after complete node dissection. In conclusion, SN status is a strong prognostic factor in melanoma patients, and SNB has made the approach to radical lymphadenectomy more rational.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-01-2009
DOI: 10.1007/S00259-008-1036-2
Abstract: We compared the outcome of a 1-day and a 2-day sentinel node (SN) biopsy procedure, evaluated in terms of lymphoscintigraphic, surgical and pathological findings. We studied 476 patients with melanoma from two melanoma centres using static scintigraphy and blue dye. A proportional odds model was used for statistical analysis. The number of SNs visualized at scintigraphy increased significantly with time from injection to scintigraphy and activity left in the patient at scintigraphy, and depended on the melanoma location. The number of SNs removed at surgery increased with the number of SNs visualized at scintigraphy and time from injection to surgery. The frequency of nodal metastasis increased with increasing thickness and Clark level of the melanoma, and was highest for two SNs visualized at scintigraphy. This study showed that early vs. late imaging and surgery do make a difference on the outcome of the SN procedure and confirmed the importance of the scintigraphic visualization of all true SNs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJSO.2021.06.011
Abstract: The use of routine imaging with 18F-FDG PET-CT (PET-CT) in melanoma surveillance is debated and evidence of its diagnostic value and yield in asymptomatic patients is limited. Denmark introduced nationwide routine surveillance with PET-CT in high-risk patients in 2016. The aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, numbers-needed-to-scan and clinical impact of routine PET-CT in the surveillance of asymptomatic stage IIB-III melanoma patients. Data was retrieved from the population-based Danish Melanoma Database and patient records. All patients diagnosed with stage IIB-III melanoma at two University Hospitals in 2016 and 2017 were included. Patients underwent surveillance with clinical examinations and PET-CT scans at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. In 138 patients, 243 routine PET-CTs were performed within a median follow-up time of 17.7 months. Routine PET-CT detected recurrence at least once in 25 patients (18.1%), including distant recurrence in 19 patients (13.8%). Stage IIB patients had the lowest recurrence rate (11.1%). Numbers-needed-to-scan to detect one distant recurrence was 12.8 patients and median time-to-recurrence was 6.8 months. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 94.7% and negative and positive predictive values were 100% and 74.4%, respectively. False positive findings prompted 22 additional investigations (of which ten invasive) in 17 patients (12.3%). Routine PET-CT has a high sensitivity and specificity when used in high-risk melanoma surveillance. Time-to-recurrence and stage-specific recurrence rates indicate high gain of early routine imaging at six months especially for stage IIC and III patients.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-10-2004
DOI: 10.1007/S00259-004-1681-Z
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse different factors of possible significance for non-visualisation of sentinel nodes (SNs) by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, in order to enable improvement of the success rate of SN visualisation through modification or alteration of some of the factors. Between March 1998 and January 2003 we analysed a series of 442 women with unilateral stage T1 and clinical N0 breast cancer. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed after periareolar or peritumoural injection of 99mTc-albumin nanocolloid, with image acquisition after 2-6 h or 18-24 h. Until January 2001, all patients received around 20 MBq tracer, irrespective of time to operation. From January 2001, patients injected on the day before surgery received at least 100 MBq while patients injected on the day of surgery received around 50 MBq. An SN was visualised in 87% of the patients, and at surgery the SN was detected with the hand-held gamma probe in 42% of the remaining patients. By multiple logistic regression analysis, statistically significant independent variables that increased the risk for non-visualisation were increasing age (p=0.0007), increasing body weight (p=0.0189) and peritumoural injection (p<0.0001). Significant interaction was found for imaging time and injected activity (p=0.0017). This study conclusively shows that the risk of unsuccessful SN imaging increases with age and body weight. Our findings suggest that the scintigraphic success rate may be improved by periareolar (rather than peritumoural) injection. Early and late imaging procedures are equally efficient, but if a late imaging procedure is used, activity (adjusted for physical decay) in the patient on day 2 should be more than 10 MBq.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-2009
DOI: 10.1080/02841850902824934
Abstract: Background: Sentinel node (SN) biopsy has proven to be a useful clinical method based on the combination of radionuclide tracer principles and the dye technique. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been used successfully for detection of SN in animals, but the use of CEUS has not been reported in humans. Purpose: To investigate the possible use of CEUS in detecting SN in patients with malignant melanomas (MM), and to improve the method by using different concentrations of contrast agent and various positions of the extremity. Material and Methods: Ten patients with MM on an extremity and one healthy volunteer were included. One milliliter of a contrast agent (Sonovue Bracco, Milan, Italy) was injected subcutaneously on both sides of the scar from the excised tumor. Contrast-enhanced lymph channels and lymph nodes (LNs) were searched for using low-mechanical-index CEUS and by stimulated acoustic emission. Afterward, lymphoscintigraphy was performed and the patient operated. During surgery, the SNs were located via scintigraphic findings, gamma-probe signals, and blue-dye visualization of lymph channels and LNs. Before the human study, a study of 10 mice was performed to exclude possible tissue damage, as the contrast agent was not registered for subcutaneous administration. Results: In one patient, two contrast-enhanced inguinal LNs were visualized by CEUS, corresponding to two inguinal SNs found by scintigraphic imaging. No contrast-enhanced lymph channels or LNs were visualized in any other patients or in the volunteer. No tissue damage was observed in the 10 mice. Conclusion: This study does not support the use of CEUS for detection of SNs in humans. However, the application of CEUS for the investigation of SNs is still not fully explored in humans, and an alternative setup and/or contrast agent might provide better results.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-03-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-06-2005
Publisher: Medical Journals Sweden AB
Date: 2019
No related grants have been discovered for Annette Hougaard Chakera.