Fabrizio Vassallo

Fabrizio Vassallo

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

30Years (1997-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 August 2023 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GOGiuseppina Orlando
Giuseppina Orlando
GGGiuseppa Graceffa
Giuseppa Graceffa
SMSergio Mazzola
Sergio Mazzola
FVFabrizio Vassallo
Fabrizio Vassallo
MPMaria Pia Proclamà
Maria Pia Proclamà
GSGregorio Scerrino
Gregorio Scerrino
Background and Objectives: Bethesda III (BIII) thyroid nodules have an expected malignancy rate of 5–15%. Our purpose was to assess which US criteria are most associated with cancer risk, and the value of critical ultrasound (US) reassessment. Methods: From 2018 to 2022, 298 BIII nodules were enrolled for thyroidectomy (79 malignancies). We evaluated ultrasonographic data: hechogenicity, intralesional vascularization, spiculated margins, micro-calcifications, “taller than wide” shape, extra-thyroidal growth, size increase, as well as their association with histology. We also evaluated if the ultrasound reassessment modified the strategy. Results: Spiculated margins and microcalcification were significantly correlated with malignancy risk. Spiculated margins showed a specificity of 0.95 IC95% (0.93–0.98); sensitivity 0.70 IC95% (0.59–0.80). Microcalcifications showed a sensitivity of 0.87 CI95% (0.80–0.94); specificity 0.75 CI95% (0.72–0.83). The presence of these signs readdressed the strategy in 76/79 cases Then, the indication for surgery was appropriate in 75% of cases. Conclusions: Microcalcifications and spiculated margins should be routinely sought during a final ultrasound reassessment in BIII nodules. These signs allowed for a modification of the strategy in favor of surgery in 96% of the cases that were not otherwise referred to surgery. The importance of integrating ultrasound and cytology in the evaluation of BIII thyroid nodules is confirmed. Reassessment with ultrasound of BIII nodules allowed for a redirection of the surgical choice.

1 January 2000 in Experimental Hematology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MCMaria Teresa Corsetti
Maria Teresa Corsetti
ELEnrica Lerma
Enrica Lerma
ADAnna Dejana
Anna Dejana
MCMarina Cavaliere
Marina Cavaliere
OFOsvaldo Figari
Osvaldo Figari
ACAngelo Michele Carella
Angelo Michele Carella

19 April 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Salvatore SorrentiSalvatore Sorrenti
Salvatore Sorrenti
GSGregorio Scerrino
Gregorio Scerrino
ELEleonora Lori
Eleonora Lori
FVFabrizio Vassallo
Fabrizio Vassallo
SStefania Saverino
Stefania Saverino
GGGiuseppa Graceffa
Giuseppa Graceffa
Background: Inflammation within tumor microenvironments has been correlated to numerous malignancies. This study aims to explore its significance in thyroid cancer (TC). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 157 thyroid carcinomas and 40 benign cases involved initial univariate analysis. The value of neutrophils/value of lymphocytes (NLR), value of platelets/value of lymphocytes (PLR), value of lymphocytes/value of monocytes (LMR), and value of platelets × value of neutrophils/value of lymphocytes (SII) indexes were related to TC characteristics and number and location of involved lymph nodes using χ2 or Fischer’s exact tests for categorical variables and Student’s t-tests for continuous ones. A 1:1 propensity score matching balanced malignant and benign TC groups based on age, sex, and tumor size was used. Post-matching, a multivariate logistic model integrated sex, age, Central lymph node metastases (CLNM), and SII index. Statistically significant immune index values underwent ROC curve analysis for determining cut-offs. Among the 157 malignant TC, median test and density plots were performed. Results: The SII index emerged as a predictor of malignancy in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p-value = 0.0202). The ROC curve indicated a cut-off SII value of 465.71, (specificity = 58% [95% CI: 0.43–0.73]; sensitivity = 80% [95% CI: 0.68–0.93]). Median SII index values for tumor sizes of 1 and >1 were 522.8 and 654.8, respectively (p-value = 0.016). When central lymph nodes metastases(CLNMs) was considered (CLNM = 0 vs. CLNM > 0), median SII values were 530.7 and 1121.7, respectively (p-value = 0.011). Conclusions: The SII index appears to be a valuable tool in the presence of TC, showing correlations with malignancy, tumor size, and CLNMs.

1 January 1997 in Leukemia & Lymphoma
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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GSG. Santini
G. Santini
ACA. M. Congiu
A. M. Congiu
SNS. Nati
S. Nati
LCL. Canepa
L. Canepa
MSM. Spriano
M. Spriano
MTM. Truini
M. Truini
Thirty-five aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) with marrow involvement received high-dose cyclophosphamide (7 g/m2) and G-CSF in order to collect peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). Fourteen patients were in partial remission, 16 patients were in relapse (“sensitive”, 12; “resistant”, 4) and 5 patients were in refractory to conventional treatment. A good yield of PBPC was obtained in 30 patients, while a low number of CD34+ cells and of CFU-GM was seen in two cases. Two patients entered progression and one patient died. Thirty patients underwent PBPC autografting. Twenty-nine out of 35 (83%) patients entered complete remission (CR). Two patients died in CR of infection following marrow aplasia 3 and 6 months after autografting. At 3 years the probability of survival and disease-free survival (DFS) are of 62% and 51% respectively.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GGGiuseppa Graceffa
Giuseppa Graceffa
ALAntonella Lopes
Antonella Lopes
GOGiuseppina Orlando
Giuseppina Orlando
SMSergio Mazzola
Sergio Mazzola
FVFabrizio Vassallo
Fabrizio Vassallo
GSGregorio Scerrino
Gregorio Scerrino
Background: Transient hypoparathyroidism (TH) is the main post-thyroidectomy complication, significantly impacting surgical outcomes, hospitalization length, and perceived perceived quality of life understood as mental and physical well-being. This study aims to identify possible associated risk factors. Methods: We analyzed 238 thyroidectomies (2020–2022), excluding instances of partial surgery, primary hyperparathyroidism, neck irradiation history, and renal failure. The variables considered were as follows: demographics, histology, autoimmunity, thyroid function, pre- and postoperative Vitamin D levels (where available), type of surgery, number of incidentally removed parathyroid glands (IRP), and surgeons’ experience (>1000 thyroidectomies, <500, in training). Univariate analysis applied: χ2, Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables, and Student’s t-test for continuous variables. Subsequently, logistic multivariate analysis with stepwise selection was performed. Results: Univariate analysis did not yield statistically significant results for the considered variables. The ‘No Complications’ group displayed a mean age of 55 years, whereas the TH group showed a mean age of 51 (p-value = 0.055). We considered this result to be marginally significant. Subsequently, we constructed a multivariate logistic model. This model (AIC = 245.02) indicated that the absence of incidental parathyroidectomy was associated with the age class >55 years, presenting an odds ratio (OR) of 9.015 (p-value < 0.05). Simultaneously, the age class >55 years exhibited protective effects against TH, demonstrating an OR of 0.085 (p-value < 0.01). Similarly, the absence of incidental parathyroidectomy was found to be protective against TH, with an OR of 0.208 (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: Multivariate analysis highlighted that having “No IRP” was protective against TH, while younger age was a risk factor. Surgeon experience does not seem to correlate with IRP or outcomes, assuming there is adequate tutoring and a case volume close to 500 to ensure good results. The effect of reimplantation has not been evident in transient hypoparathyroidism.