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Purpose: To investigate the effect of prior chemotherapy on self-expanding metal stent (SEMS)-related complications in patients with locally advanced primary esophageal cancer. Materials and methods: Data from patients with locally advanced primary esophageal cancer who received SEMS placement with or without prior chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped according to prior palliative therapy: group A (n = 41) had received SEMS only, and group B (n = 64) had received palliative chemotherapy prior to SEMS placement. Patients' age, stricture length, tumor location, and dysphagia score prior to SEMS placement were evaluated. The overall patient cohort had a median follow-up period of 129 days (range 11–463). Outcomes after SEMS placement, including technical and clinical success rates, the occurrence of complications, and overall survival, were compared. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding patients' age, stricture length, tumor location, and dysphagia score prior to SEMS placement. SEMS placement was technically successful in all patients, with no procedure-related complications reported. Clinical success was achieved in 95.1% of patients in group A and 96.8% of patients in group B. The duration of stent patency was significantly shorter in group B [162 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) 126.6–198.4 vs. group A (339 days; 95% CI 258.8–419.3], p = 0.001. No significant differences were seen between the two groups regarding dysphagia score improvement [group A (3.15 ± 0.57 to 1.17 ± 0.83; p < 0.001) and group B (3.17 ± 0.80 to 1.14 ± 0.79; p < 0.001); p = 0.66], complications [group A (10/41), and group B (24/64); p = 0.094], or overall survival [the median and mean overall survival periods were 105 (95% CI 30–180) and 132 days (95% CI 97–167), respectively, in group A, and 126 (95% CI 88–164) and 156 days (95% CI 132–180), respectively, in group B; p = 0.592]. Conclusion: Prior chemotherapy did not increase the risk of complications following SEMS placement in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. SEMS patency was significantly longer in patients who did not receive chemotherapy prior to SEMS placement. Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case Series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the efficacy and safety of using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adjacent to the second hepatic hilus. Methods: Between February 2011 and June 2013, 17 patients with HCC underwent combination therapy of TACE and RFA under DSA and CT guidance at our institution. The 17 patients had a total of 23 hepatic tumors, 17 of which were adjacent to the second hepatic hilus. Results: TACE combined with RFA was performed successfully in all 17 patients with no mortalities or major morbidities. During the 1-month follow-up, tumors of 15 patients (88.2%) were completely ablated after one therapy session and 2 patients had detectable tumor residue. During the follow-up time period (range 6–52 months), local tumor progression developed in 1 patient (1/17, 5.9%) and both local tumor progression and new tumors appeared in 1 patient (1/17, 5.9%). Also, new tumors developed in the untreated portions of the liver in 8 patients (8/17, 47.1%). No distant metastasis was found. Of the 17 patients, 6 (35.3%) died due to tumor progression (3/17, 17.6%), liver failure (2/17, 11.8%), or massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract (1/17, 5.9%). The overall survival rates were 94.1% (16/17), 82.4% (14/17), and 61.8% (11/17) at 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively, and the median survival time was 25 months (95% CI 18–27). Conclusion: Treatment using combination of TACE and RFA is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for treating HCC with tumor(s) adjacent to the second hepatic hilus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of partially covered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement with surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJ) in patients with gastroduodenal obstruction caused by pancreatic cancer. Methods: The medical records of 107 patients with gastroduodenal obstruction caused by pancreatic cancer who underwent fluoroscopic partially covered SEMS placement ( n = 75) or surgical GJ ( n = 32) at our institution were reviewed. Results: The technical (100% vs. 100%; P > 0.999) and clinical (98.7% vs. 96.9%; P = 0.511) success rates were similar between the SEMS and GJ group. The mean gastric outlet obstruction scoring system score was higher in the SEMS group at 1 week after treatment (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4; P < 0.001) but was similar between the two groups at 1 month (2.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.8 ± 0.5; P = 0.242). The median hospital stay was shorter in the SEMS group than in the GJ group (7 vs. 14 days; P < 0.001). The overall complication (22.7% vs. 28.1%; P = 0.547) and reintervention (21.3% vs. 25.0%; P = 0.677) rates were similar between the two groups. The median patency (99 vs. 138 days; P = 0.102) and survival (106 vs. 140 days; P = 0.245) were also similar between the two groups. Conclusion: The outcomes of partially covered SEMS placement seem to be more favorable than surgical GJ in patients with gastroduodenal obstruction caused by pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article "Radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to the second hepatic hilus" published in February 7, 2022.