2021
A machine‐learning modified CART algorithm informs Merkel cell carcinoma prognosis
Cheraghlou S, Sadda P, Agogo GO, Girardi M. A machine‐learning modified CART algorithm informs Merkel cell carcinoma prognosis. Australasian Journal Of Dermatology 2021, 62: 323-330. PMID: 34028790, DOI: 10.1111/ajd.13624.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNational Cancer DatabaseMerkel cell carcinomaPositive lymph node countLymph node countPositive nodesDistant metastasisValidation cohortRare neuroendocrine skin cancerRetrospective cohort studyEnd Results registryLymph node biopsyLymph node metastasisThree-year survivalNeuroendocrine skin cancerNovel prognostic factorHigh mortality rateNode countAJCC groupsMCC stagingSEER cohortCohort studyMCC patientsNode biopsyPrognostic factorsNode metastasis
2020
Primary Treatment Selection for Clinically Node-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Jacobs D, Olino K, Park HS, Clune J, Cheraghlou S, Girardi M, Burtness B, Kluger H, Judson BL. Primary Treatment Selection for Clinically Node-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Otolaryngology 2020, 164: 1214-1221. PMID: 33079010, DOI: 10.1177/0194599820967001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNode-negative Merkel cell carcinomaLymph node evaluationImproved overall survivalPrimary tumor excisionMerkel cell carcinomaCase volumeOverall survivalSurgical managementCell carcinomaTumor excisionTreatment selectionNode evaluationCox proportional hazards regressionGuideline-recommended carePrimary treatment selectionNational Cancer DatabaseNode-negative diseasePercentage of patientsRetrospective cohort analysisInitial surgical managementKaplan-Meier analysisWide local excisionProportional hazards regressionRates of receiptInitial management
2019
The impact of facility characteristics on Merkel cell carcinoma outcomes: A retrospective cohort study
Cheraghlou S, Agogo GO, Girardi M. The impact of facility characteristics on Merkel cell carcinoma outcomes: A retrospective cohort study. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology 2019, 89: 70-80. PMID: 31473294, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMerkel cell carcinomaPropensity score-matched cohortDisease-specific survivalPatient survivalCase volumeRare neuroendocrine skin cancerTreatment of MCCVolume facilitiesFacility characteristicsLocal recurrence dataNational Cancer DatabaseRetrospective cohort studyRetrospective cohort analysisHigh-volume centersNeuroendocrine skin cancerAcademic affiliationFacility-level characteristicsMCC outcomesCohort studyExperienced centersRare malignancyNonacademic facilitiesCell carcinomaCancer DatabaseCohort analysisEvaluation of Lymph Node Ratio Association With Long-term Patient Survival After Surgery for Node-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Cheraghlou S, Agogo GO, Girardi M. Evaluation of Lymph Node Ratio Association With Long-term Patient Survival After Surgery for Node-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatology 2019, 155: 803-811. PMID: 30825411, PMCID: PMC6583886, DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.0267.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNational Cancer DatabaseMerkel cell carcinomaPositive lymph nodesDisease-specific survivalLymph nodesSEER registryEligible casesPatient survivalPatient counselingCell carcinomaPrognostic indicatorPopulation-based US cohortLong-term patient survivalAJCC N stagingCancer-accredited facilitiesAdjuvant radiation therapyRetrospective cohort studyAdjuvant chemoradiation therapyEnd Results registryTreatment planningHigh mortality rateSEER data setLNR statusTraditional TNMAdjuvant therapy