Background
The role of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains undetermined. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NAC ...in patients with resectable CRLM, especially in high-risk subgroups for recurrence, with special reference to synchronicity and the CRLM grade in the Japanese classification system.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of a multi-institutional cohort who was diagnosed with resectable CRLM was performed. CRLM was classified into three grades (A, B, and C) according to the combination of H stage (H1: ≤ 4 lesions and ≤ 5 cm, H2: ≥ 5 lesions or > 5 cm, H3: ≥ 5 lesions and > 5 cm), nodal status of the primary tumor (pN0/1: ≤ 3 metastases, pN2: ≥ 4 metastases), and the presence of resectable extrahepatic metastases.
Results
Among 222 patients with resectable CRLM, 97 (43.7%) had synchronous CRLM. The surgical failure-free survival (SF-FS) of patients with synchronous CRLM (without NAC) was significantly worse than that of patients with metachronous CRLM (
P
= 0.0264). The SF-FS of patients with Grade B/C was also significantly worse than that of Grade A (
P
= 0.0058). Among the 53 patients with synchronous and Grade B/C CRLM, 31 were assigned to NAC, and all of them underwent liver surgery. In this high-risk subgroup, the SF-FS and OS in the NAC group were significantly better than those in the upfront surgery group (
P
< 0.0001 and
P
= 0.0004, respectively).
Conclusions
Patients with synchronous and Grade B/C CRLM could be good candidates for indication of NAC.
Summary Background Phase I/II clinical trials of S-1 plus cisplatin for advanced gastric cancer have yielded good responses and the treatment was well tolerated. In this S-1 Plus cisplatin versus S-1 ...In RCT In the Treatment for Stomach cancer (SPIRITS) trial, we aimed to verify that overall survival was better in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 plus cisplatin than with S-1 alone. Methods In this phase III trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled betweeen March 26, 2002, and Nov 30, 2004, at 38 centres in Japan, and randomly assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin or S-1 alone. In patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin, S-1 (40–60 mg depending on patient's body surface area) was given orally, twice daily for 3 consecutive weeks, and 60 mg/m2 cisplatin was given intravenously on day 8, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 5-week cycle. Those assigned to S-1 alone received the same dose of S-1 twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 6-week cycle. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, proportions of responders, and safety. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00150670. Findings 305 patients were enrolled; seven patients were ineligible or withdrew consent, therefore, 148 patients were assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin and 150 patients were assigned to S-1 alone. Median overall survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin (13·0 months IQR 7·6–21·9) than in those assigned to S-1 alone (11·0 months 5·6–19·8; hazard ratio for death, 0·77; 95% CI 0·61–0·98; p=0·04). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in those assigned to S-1 alone (median progression-free survival 6·0 months 3·3–12·9 vs 4·0 months 2·1–6·8; p<0·0001). Additionally, of 87 patients assigned S-1 plus cisplatin who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 46 patients had partial responses, ie, a total of 54% (range 43–65). Of 106 patients assigned S-1 alone who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 32 had partial responses, ie, a total of 31% (23–41). We recorded more grade 3 or 4 adverse events including leucopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, nausea, and anorexia, in the group assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in the group assigned to S-1 alone. There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. Interpretation S-1 plus cisplatin holds promise of becoming a standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer.
Abstract
Background
This study aimed to determine which running pattern of the left gastric vein (LGV) is most frequently ligated in subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD) and how ...LGV ligation affects delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after SSPPD.
Methods
We retrospectively analysed 105 patients who underwent SSPPD between January 2016 and September 2021. We classified the running pattern of LGV as follows: type 1 runs dorsal to the common hepatic artery (CHA) or splenic artery (SpA) to join the portal vein (PV), type 2 runs dorsal to the CHA or SpA and joins the splenic vein, type 3 runs ventral to the CHA or SpA and joins the PV, and type 4 runs ventral to the CHA or SpA and joins the SpV. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify differences between patients with and without DGE after SSPPD.
Results
Type 1 LGV running pattern was observed in 47 cases (44.8%), type 2 in 23 (21.9%), type 3 in 12 (11.4%), and type 4 in 23 (21.9%). The ligation rate was significantly higher in type 3 (75.0%) LGVs (
p
< 0.0001). Preoperative obstructive jaundice (
p
= 0.0306), LGV ligation (
p
< 0.0001), grade B or C pancreatic fistula (
p
= 0.0116), and sepsis (
p
= 0.0123) were risk factors for DGE in the univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that LGV ligation was an independent risk factor for DGE (odds ratio: 13.60, 95% confidence interval: 3.80–48.68,
p
< 0.0001).
Conclusion
Type 3 LGVs are often ligated because they impede lymph node dissection; however, LGV preservation may reduce the occurrence of DGE after SSPPD.
Background
Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is characterized by an intraluminal, growing papillary tumor covered by neoplastic biliary epithelial cells with a fine fibrovascular ...core. IPNB was introduced as a precancerous and early neoplastic lesion in the 2010 World Health Organization classification of tumors of the digestive system. IPNB eventually invades the bile duct wall and progresses to invasive cholangiocarcinoma. IPNB resembles intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN), particularly the main pancreatic duct type.
IPNB cases, possibly corresponding to branch-type IPMN, have been recently reported, and these cases involved the peribiliary glands significantly and showed gross cystic dilatation. Small branch-type intrahepatic IPNB often mimics simple liver cysts, making the diagnosis of IPNB difficult. Some literature recommended surgical resection for treatment. Laparoscopic resection is a good treatment option for small tumor. We herein present the case of branch-type IPNB that was treated with laparoscopic anatomical liver resection 5 years after being detected.
Case presentation
A 64-year-old woman was undergoing follow-up for primary aldosteronism. In 2012, follow-up computed tomography (CT) incidentally revealed a 7-mm cystic lesion in segment 8 of the liver. From 2012 to 2017, the cystic lesion kept increasing in size, reaching 17 mm. In 2017, CT also revealed a 13-mm mural nodule in the cyst wall. Therefore, the patient was referred to our department for possible malignancy.
We suspected a branch-type IPNB; however, the mass was small and diagnosis could not be made without performing biopsy. Accordingly, surgical resection was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Because branch-type IPNB might show horizontal spread through the intrahepatic bile duct, we believed that anatomical resection of the liver was appropriate considering the malignant potential of the lesion. Therefore, laparoscopic anatomical resection of segment 8 of the liver was performed. The resected tumor measured 17 mm and was histologically diagnosed as a high-grade IPNB.
Conclusion
Branch-type IPNBs are rare but can potentially lead to malignant tumors. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, with laparoscopic anatomical resection being a good treatment option for this small tumor.
Background
Acute mediastinitis is a rare disease that rapidly progresses with a high mortality rate. Its most common cause is direct injury of the mediastinum, including iatrogenic causes such as ...cardiac surgery or upper endoscopy. Enzymatic mediastinitis is a rare complication of a pancreatic fistula caused by the inflammatory digestion of the parietal peritoneum spreading to the mediastinum. Here, we present two cases of enzymatic mediastinitis caused by total gastrectomy with splenectomy. One of them was successfully treated and cured after early diagnosis and transabdominal drainage.
Case presentation
Case 1 was that of a 60-year-old man (body mass index BMI 27) with a medical history of diabetes and hypertension who was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer in the upper body of the stomach. A total gastrectomy with splenectomy was performed. The patient experienced acute respiratory failure 24 h after surgery. Pulmonary embolism was suspected, so a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed; however, no relevant causes were found. Although he was immediately intubated and treated with catecholamine, he died in the intensive care unit (ICU) 40 h after surgery. Post-mortem findings revealed retroperitonitis caused by a pancreatic fistula spreading towards the mediastinum, causing severe mediastinitis; a review of the CT scan revealed pneumomediastinum. We concluded that the cause of death was enzymatic mediastinitis due to post-gastrectomy pancreatic fistula. Case 2 involved a 61-year-old man (BMI 25) with a medical history of appendicitis who was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer at the gastric angle between the lesser curvature and the pylorus, spreading to the upper body of the stomach. A total gastrectomy with splenectomy was also performed. The patient had a high fever 3 days after the surgery, and a CT scan revealed pneumomediastinum, indicating mediastinitis. As the inflammation was below the bronchial bifurcation, we chose a transabdominal approach for drainage. The patient was successfully treated and discharged.
Conclusion
Acute mediastinitis caused by gastrectomy is rare. The acknowledgment of abdominal surgery as a cause of mediastinitis is important. In treating mediastinitis caused by abdominal surgery, transabdominal drainage may be a minimally invasive yet effective method if the inflammation is mainly located below the bifurcation of the trachea.
Background
Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a subtype of biliary tumor. The 5-year survival rate of patients with IPNB who underwent curative resection is 81%. However, IPNB ...is known to often recur in other parts of the bile duct. Nevertheless, its mechanism remains poorly understood. Herein, we report the case of a patient with recurrent IPNB, which was considered to be attributed to intraductal dissemination in the common bile duct at 12 months after curative resection. We also made a review of the existing literature.
Case presentation
A 69-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the evaluation and dilation of an intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) mass. Computed tomography (CT) findings confirmed a mass in the left hepatic duct. Left trisectionectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection with biliary reconstruction, and regional lymph node dissection were performed. Intraoperative examination of the resection margin at the common bile duct and posterior segmental branch of the hepatic duct was negative for the presence of malignant cells. Histologically, the tumor showed intraductal papillary growth of the mucinous epithelium and was diagnosed as non-invasive IPNB. It had a papillary structure with atypical epithelial cells lined up along the neoplastic fibrovascular stalks. Immunohistochemically, this was as a gastric-type lesion. At 12 postoperative months, CT revealed a 1.5-cm mass in the lower remnant common bile duct. We performed subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. The tumor exhibited papillary growth and was microscopically and immunohistochemically similar to the first tumor. At approximately 16 months after the patient’s second discharge, CT showed an abdominal mass at the superior mesenteric plexus, which was diagnosed as recurrent IPNB. Chemotherapy is ongoing, and the patient is still alive. In this case, as described in many previous reports, IPNB recurred below the primary lesion in the bile duct.
Conclusion
Based on our review of previous reports on IPNB recurrence, intraductal dissemination was considered one of the mechanisms underlying recurrence after multicentric development. Considering the high frequency and oncological conversion of recurrence in IPNB, regular follow-up examination is essential to achieve better prognosis in patients with recurrent IPNB.
Background
Gastric cancer rarely metastasizes to the gallbladder. Furthermore, there has never been a case report of simultaneous gallbladder metastasis from residual gastric cancer. Here, we report ...a case of synchronous gallbladder metastasis originating from a residual gastric cancer.
Case presentation
A 67-year-old man underwent a follow-up upper endoscopy 18 months after a partial gastrectomy for gastric cancer; an ulcerative lesion was found in the remnant stomach at the gastrojejunal anastomosis. A biopsy revealed gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). A full-body examination revealed no abnormalities other than gallstones in the gallbladder. With a diagnosis of residual gastric cancer (cT2N0M0 cStage I), the patient underwent open total gastrectomy and cholecystectomy. Macroscopic findings of the resected specimen revealed thickening of the gallbladder wall; however, no obvious neoplastic lesions were found on the mucosal surface of the gallbladder. The pathological findings showed that the SRCC had invaded the submucosa of the gastrojejunostomy site with a high degree of lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastases. SRCCs were also found in the lymphatic vessels of the gallbladder wall. These findings suggested the possibility of gallbladder metastasis through lymphatic vessels. The patient and his family members refused postoperative chemotherapy. Ten months after the operation, the patient experienced respiratory failure due to lymphangitis carcinomatosa and died.
Conclusions
At present, it is difficult to determine whether resection of the gallbladder contributes to an improved prognosis of gastric cancer patients. However, reports in such cases demonstrate that gallbladder metastasis could be a poor predictor of prognosis for gastric cancer.
Background
Amoebiasis caused by the protozoan species
Entamoeba histolytica
rarely develops into fulminant amoebic colitis (FAC), but when it does, it shows an aggressive clinical course including ...colonic perforation, necrotizing colitis, and high mortality. Surgical treatment for FAC patients should be carried out urgently. However, even after surgery, the mortality rate can be 40–50%. Although FAC is one of the most unfavorable surgical diseases with a poor prognosis, there are a few reports on the perioperative diagnosis and management of FAC based on autopsy findings. We herein report the surgical case of a 64-year-old man who developed multiple colon necrosis and perforation due to FAC. A detailed autopsy revealed FAC as the cause of death. Additionally, we reviewed the existing literature on FAC patients who underwent surgery and followed their perioperative diagnosis and management.
Case presentation
A 64-year-old man presented with anorexia, diarrhea, and altered consciousness on arrival to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a large mass in the upper right lobe of his lung, and the patient was admitted for close investigation. Bloody diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and hypotension were observed soon after admission. Urgent abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed extensive intestinal ischemia, intestinal pneumatosis, and free intra-abdominal gas. The preoperative diagnosis was bowel necrosis and perforation with intussusception of the small intestinal tumor. Emergency subtotal colectomy and enterectomy were performed soon after the contrast-enhanced computed tomography. He was taken to an intensive care unit after surgery. However, he could not recover from sepsis and died with disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure on the 10th-day post-surgery. A histopathological examination of the resected colon showed transmural necrosis and massive amoebae invasion. He was diagnosed with FAC. An autopsy revealed that he had developed pulmonary large cell carcinoma with small intestinal metastasis. The death was caused by intestinal ischemia, necrosis and the perforation of the residual bowel caused by amoebae invasion.
Conclusions
Since FAC is a lethal disease with a high mortality rate and antibiotic therapies except metronidazole are ineffective, preoperative serological testing and perioperative metronidazole therapy in FAC patients can dramatically improve their survival rates.
Background
Hepatoid carcinoma (HC) is an extra-hepatic neoplasm that shares the morphological and immunohistochemical features of hepatocellular carcinoma. Pancreatic HC exists as either pure or ...combined type. Pure pancreatic HC is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature to date. Because of the rarity of pure pancreatic HC, its clinical features including incidence, behavior, and prognosis remain unclear. We herein report the case of a 56-year-old man who developed pure pancreatic HC treated with surgical resection. We also include a review of the existing literature.
Case presentation
A 56-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital after a pancreatic cyst was identified by abdominal ultrasonography on a comprehensive medical examination. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a cystic mass measuring 13 mm in size in the pancreatic head and a low-density mass measuring 16 mm in size in the pancreatic tail, which was partially enhanced on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a branch duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in the pancreatic head and an early enhanced nodule measuring approximately 10 mm in size in the pancreatic tail. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the hypervascular tumor was performed. The hypervascular tumor was suspected to be a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. Histology was identical to hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for hepatocyte paraffin 1, and a canalicular pattern was confirmed on the polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen staining. The patient was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated pancreatic HC. The patient was followed up without adjuvant chemotherapy, and there was no evidence of recurrence at 6 months post-operatively.
Conclusions
We present a case of moderately differentiated pure pancreatic HC. For the accurate preoperative diagnosis of pure pancreatic HC, biopsy is preferred to cytology or preoperative imaging studies such as CT. The prognosis of pure pancreatic HC depends on its differentiation.
Tacrolimus is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (PGP) encoded by the multidrug resistant (MDR)1 gene (ABCB1). PGP, a multidrug efflux pump, restricts the distribution of tacrolimus in the brain. In this ...study, we investigate the correlation of ABCB1 gene polymorphism with tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity in patients after liver transplantation.
The genotype of 6 patients with neurotoxic events and 11 patients without neurotoxic events was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and 8 mutations were detected. In addition to laboratory findings and patient characteristics, the contribution of mutations in the ABCB1 gene was evaluated with stepwise discriminant function analysis.
High tacrolimus concentration, liver dysfunction, and mutation at position 2677 in exon 21 were demonstrated as positive predictors of tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity.
It is indicated that blood concentrations, liver function, graft weight, and polymorphism in the ABCB1 gene are important factors in tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity.
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