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A 69-year-old woman, who complained of appetite loss, was diagnosed with Type 3 gastric cancer, and a biopsy resulted in the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma(tub2-por), Group 5. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed bulky metastatic lymph nodes around the stomach and the aorta. The diagnosis was cT4a, cN2, cM1(LYM), cStage ⅣB, and SP therapy(a combination of S-1 and cisplatin) was immediately administered. On the completion of 3 courses of SP therapy, both the primary tumor and lymph nodes markedly decreased in size. Based on this finding, D2 total gastrectomy, No. 16 lymph node dissection, splenectomy, and right adrenal tumor resection were performed. Histopathology showed no residual tumor cells in the stomach or lymph nodes. Postoperatively, she received S-1 therapy, which was discontinued on completion of the first course due to its side effects. She survived for over 7 years postoperatively without receiving chemotherapy and showed no recurrence.

Background/aim: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate and compare the short- and long-term outcomes of robot-assisted (RAS) and conventional laparoscopic surgery (LAS) for rectal cancer., Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE for relevant papers published between 2010 and December 2017 by using specific search terms. We analyzed outcomes over short- and long-term periods., Results: We identified 23 papers reporting results that compared RAS for rectal cancer with LAS. Our meta-analysis included 4,348 patients with rectal cancer; 2,068 had undergone RAS, and 2,280 had undergone LAS. In the short- and long-term period, 27 and 7 outcome variables were examined, respectively. RAS for rectal cancer was significantly associated with a greater operative time and a lower conversion rate to open surgery in the short-term, and results in almost similar outcomes in the long-term, compared to LAS., Conclusion: RAS may be an acceptable surgical treatment option compared to LAS for rectal cancer., (Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

A morphological change resembling liver cirrhosis called pseudocirrhosis may be observed following chemotherapy for liver metastasis of breast cancer. Pseudocirrhosis is hypothesized to be caused by retraction of the hepatic capsule along with tumor shrinkage and subsequent scar formation around the metastatic lesion, as a response to the infiltrating tumor or chemotherapy-induced hepatic injury. The progression of cirrhotic changes may result in portal hypertension and esophageal varices. We managed two cases of esophageal variceal rupture during chemotherapy for breast cancer with liver metastasis. Hemostasis was successfully achieved by the endoscopic variceal ligation technique in both cases. We conclude that clinicians should be aware of the risk of pseudocirrhosis during chemotherapy for liver metastasis, and a periodic endoscopic follow-up is recommended along with appropriate management of esophageal varices.

A 47-year-old woman had undergone breast-conserving treatment for right breast cancer (T3, N1, M0, Stage IIIA, human epidermal growth factor receptor[ HER]-2 enriched subtype) after primary systemic chemotherapy with trastuzumab. Pathological examination revealed a quasi-pathological complete response( CR) in the breast tumor and no axillary nodal involvement. The patient then received conventional breast irradiation and adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. However, adjuvant anti- HER2 therapy was discontinued in the 19th week because of a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction( approximately 50%). A left adrenal tumor was detected by abdominal computed tomography (CT) 2 years after surgery. Positron emission tomography( PET) scans showed strong accumulation in the left adrenal gland and in the lymph node near the adrenal tumor. No other obvious lesion was detected on meticulous examination. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed that the tumor was a metastatic adenocarcinoma with overexpression of the HER2 protein but without expression of hormonal receptors. The patient received 12 cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel and trastuzumab, which was followed by trastuzumab monotherapy. However, trastuzumab monotherapy could not be continued because the left ventricular ejection fraction decreased to 50% at 24 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy. The patient has been observed since the cessation of trastuzumab, without the administration of anticancer therapy, and she continues to have a good performance status without relapse. Herein, we report a case of solitary adrenal metastasis from breast cancer, an extremely rare condition, and review the relevant literature.

An 83-year-old man commuting to our hospital with postoperative ascending colon cancer was pointed out an increase of CA19-9. CT scan revealed an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the left lobe. In May 2007, an operation was performed. We recognized a lymph node swelling in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Pathologically, it was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Therefore, the operation did only the cholecystectomy. Gemcitabine was administered once a week for 3 weeks followed by a week rest. It was administered for about 20 months and the evaluation during the period was PR or SD. Afterwards, the tumor had increased gradually. Gemcitabine was changed to S-1. Then, S-1 was changed to gemcitabine again because the enlargement of the tumor and the rise of tumor markers were observed. Consequently, tumor markers decreased. Now, the patient is under an outpatient care maintaining ADL.

We report a case of gastric cancer with ascites treated with chemotherapy. The patient is a 67-year-old male. Combination chemotherapy of S-1 and CDDP was given as the first-line treatment. However, the symptoms did not improve with that regimen, so we decided to change the chemotherapy to paclitaxel as second-line treatment. After 4 cycles, CT scan revealed decreasing ascites and endoscopy a reduction of the primary tumor. The patient has maintained a condition of decreasing ascites with improvement of QOL for 8 months. This regimen is considered effective treatment for unresectable gastric cancer.