Search

A 54-year-old male presented to the clinic, complaining of dull lower abdominal pain that started a day ago. There was a tenderness on right lower quadrant on palpation and abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed that dilated appendix with a diameter of 12 mm. The patient was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and laparoscopic appendectomy was performed on the same day. The tip of the appendix was swollen and looked purple, gangrenous appendicitis findings were identified. However, histopathology detected GCA on resected appendix with positive surgical margin and additional tumor resection was indicated. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection with D3 lymph nodes dissection was performed 24 days after the first surgery. Resected specimen showed that the stump of the appendix was palpable as a mass in the orifice of the appendix and histopathology revealed the remnant of the appendiceal GCA. No lymph nodes tumor metastasis was identified. Chromogranin A and synaptophysin were positive and Ki-67 was approximately 50%. According to the guideline of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer, oral 5-fluorouracil therapy was performed for half a year after the second surgery and the patient remains still healthy without recurrence 1 year after the surgery. Here, we experienced a rare case of GCA of the appendix that was detected incidentally after appendectomy for acute appendicitis.

A 79-year-old man with unresectable advanced gastric cancer due to invasion to the pancreas and positive lavage cytology( T4b, N+, M1, CY1, cStage ⅣB; Japanese classification of gastric carcinoma, 15th edition)received standard chemotherapy, including 6 courses of S-1 plus cisplatin as first-line therapy and 2 courses of paclitaxel plus ramucirumab followed by 6 courses of paclitaxel monotherapy as second-line therapy. The primary lesion became PD with these treatments. Subsequently, nivolumab monotherapy was introduced as third-line therapy. After 9 courses, the primary tumor shrunk, and lavage cytology turned to negative on diagnostic laparoscopy. We judged that the tumor was resectable, and the patient underwent radical total gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy as conversion surgery. The pathological stage was ypT3(SS), N0, M0, CY0, and the therapeutic effect was Grade 1b. R0 resection was accomplished. He has been alive without recurrence for 18 months after resection without adjuvant chemotherapy.

A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital after a liver tumor was discovered during an abdominal ultrasonography. Thirty-one years ago, she underwent a total hysterectomy for uterine myoma and was diagnosed with a leiomyoma. Twenty years ago, she underwent a bilateral oophorectomy for an ovarian tumor and was diagnosed with a luteinized theca cell tumor accompanied by sclerosing peritonitis. A CT scan and MRI revealed a 65-mm tumor in the S6-7 of the liver. There was no sign of any lesions other than in the liver, and TACE was performed for suspected hepatocellular carcinoma. However, a favorable treatment outcome was unable to be obtained and a posthepatic segmental resection was performed. Histopathological morphology suggested a similarity to endometrial stromal cells and, considering the history of myoma of the uterus and ovarian tumor, immunohistological staining was carried out. The myoma of the uterus and the ovarian and liver tumors were all CD10(+), α⊖SMA(-), MIB-1 index 3%. The uterine myoma, which was initially operated on, was rediagnosed as a low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. After 11 years, ovarian metastasis was observed, and after 31 years liver metastasis occurred. Examples of resection of liver metastasis of endometrial stromal sarcoma are extremely rare and, we will include a review of the literature in this report.

We report a case of appendicitis with an abscess that was treated with single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection with D2 lymphadenectomy because of intraoperative suspicion of appendiceal cancer. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of right lower abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with appendicitis with an abscess. Although single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy was planned, appendiceal cancer was suspected from intraoperative findings. Therefore, we performed single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection with D2 lymphadenectomy. The pathological result was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in the appendix. Because of the high risk of fStage II appendiceal cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. Neither recurrence nor metastasis have been detected 7 months after surgery.

A 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)of the stomach, gradually increasing from 5 years prior. The tumor was suspected to invade the pancreatic body tail and spleen, as observed with computed tomography. Because the patient refused to undergo resection, we administered imatinib mesylate for 6 years. Since early rectal cancer was revealed, the patient was referred for resection and underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection and partial gastrectomy. Histopathologically, the tumor was replaced by tissues with myxomatous changes, and no viable tumor cells were detected. This was a rare case of GIST, resected after long-term chemotherapy by imatinib mesylate, and pathological complete response was achieved.

We report a case of a highly advanced urothelial carcinoma accompanied by duodenal stenosis with pancreaticoduodenectomy. A6 6-year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Acute pancreatitis and hydronephrosis were diagnosed with urgent hospitalization, but jaundice appeared, and stenosis of the duodenum was also found. Thus, we suspected groove pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, and performed pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was observed in the retroperitoneal dissection surface in the intraoperative rapid tissue and right hemicolectomy, right nephrectomy, and right ureteral resection were added to the diagnosis. The final diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma. GEM plus CBDCAtherapy was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. However, obstructive jaundice, acute cholangitis, and acute pancreatitis developed due to occlusion of the intestine due to local recurrence 4 months after surgery. We attempted to reduce yellowing by PTCD; perforation of the small intestine also occurred and a drainage tube was placed in the abdominal cavity. Although a lull condition was obtained, intestinal obstruction due to cancer peritonitis worsened and the patient died 8 months after the operation. In this case, there was no hematuria before surgery and cytology results of urine were negative, so a diagnosis of urinary tract cancer was difficult. There was no report of duodenal stenosis due to urothelial carcinoma.

The recurrence ofgastric cancer has a poor prognosis in spite ofsystemic chemotherapy. We report three cases oflocal control ofdisease after the recurrence owing to intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT). The first case was a 66-yearsold man. He was received distal gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Abdominal lymph node metastases appeared 1 year and 7 months after the surgery. IMRT was performed and he keeps CR for 1 year and 8 months. The second case was a 72-years-old man. He received proximal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. Abdominal lymph node metastasis appeared 1 year and 9 months after the surgery. IMRT was performed and he keeps CR for 1 year. The third case was a 71-years-old woman. She received distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Abdominal lymph node metastasis appeared 2 years after the surgery. IMRT was performed and she keeps CR for 10 months. We experienced longtime CR after IMRT against abdominal lymph node metastasis. IMRT could be one ofthe strategies ofthe comprehensive treatment for the recurrence of gastric cancer.

We report a case of cecal cancer with peritoneal dissemination. A 72-year-old man with cecal cancer(pT4N2M0H0P3, pStage IV )underwent ileocecal resection in 2010. The patient received 106 courses of chemotherapy(FOLFIRI plus Cmab) for peritoneal dissemination after surgery. However, follow-up CT performed 50 months after primary resection detected liver metastasis, which was resected in 2015. The patient received 19 courses of chemotherapy(FOLFIRI plus Cmab)after hepatectomy. The peritoneal dissemination with the diaphragm, retroperitoneal and right inguinal region, were growing 20 months after the 2nd operation. Surgical resection of the peritoneal dissemination was performed in 2016. The patient is alive 81 months after the 1st operation.

a-fetoprotein(AFP)-producing gastric cancer is relatively rare and tends to show a poor prognosis because of hepatic and lymph node metastasis. We experienced a case of AFP-producing gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastasis wherein the patient survived for 5 years without recurrence after undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. A 39-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of tarry stool. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 40mm type 2 tumor in the greater curvature of the lower gastric body, and abdominal CT indicated a 50mm liver metastasis at the S2 segment. The AFP serum level had risen to 71,000 ng/mL. We performed distal gastrectomy and hepatic left lateral segmentectomy. The primary gastric tumor and the hepatic metastasis were both positive for AFP by immunohistochemistry. After conducting 3 courses of S-1/CDDP(SP)therapy as adjuvant chemotherapy, the serum level of AFP had decreased to normal levels. Be- cause the level had risen to 116 ng/mL after a change to S-1 oral administration alone, we decided to re-start SP therapy and carried out 16 courses through the third postoperative year. The patient is still alive without recurrence 5 years after surgery.

A 40-year-old man presented to our department with chief complaints of nausea and abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with small intestine ileus. After hospitalization, he underwent intestinal tract decompression using an ileus tube. A small bowel tumor was suspected as the cause of the intestinal obstruction. We then performed laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis and resection. In the intraoperative findings, stenosis near the small intestine tumor could be confirmed. The patient therefore underwent laparoscopic resection of a segment of the small intestine. Following rapid intraoperative pathological examination, the tumor was identified as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with metastasis of the intermediate mesenteric lymph nodes. We then performed dissection of the main lymph nodes using small laparotomy incisions. Adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX(130mg/m2 L-OHP on day 1 and 2,000 mg/m2 capecitabine on days 1-14)was administered for 6 months. Currently the patient is in relapse-free survival.

A 74-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with a chief complaint of appetite loss, and already diagnosed dehydration and heart failure. After hospitalization, the signs of heart failure were improved with liquid supplementation and electrolyte revision. At admission, computed tomography incidentally detected a rectal tumor. She underwent colonography, which revealed a huge villous tumor in the rectum. Based on the result of the initial biopsy, it was classified as a group 4 tumor, but additional biopsy of specimens obtained from 6 places led to a diagnosis of group 5 tumor. Then, we performed laparoscopic super-low anterior resection and made an ileal stoma. The electrolyte imbalance was improved and did not recur after the operation. In this case, the electrolyte imbalance caused by the huge villous tumor was electrolyte depletion syndrome (EDS).

Introduction: The hemi-double stapling method (HDS) is typically used for extracorporeal Billroth-I anastomosis. We used HDS for reduced-port surgery. Laparoscopic HDS is used for intracorporeal Billroth-I anastomosis after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. We performed reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer., Methods: Reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was performed using the multi-trocar method with 5mm and 3mm ports. Laparoscopic HDS was performed using an umbilical incision and a left upper abdominal incision. A total of 17 patients underwent reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. A D1+or D1 lymph node dissection was performed, and laparoscopic HDS was used for reconstruction., Results: The patients had no short-term complications., Conclusions: Laparoscopic HDS and reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy are safe and feasible procedures.

A 60-year-old man had visited our hospital a few times due to vomiting since July 2008. In January 2009, because he was no longer able to eat, he was hospitalized to receive close examination. Single balloon enteroscopy revealed jejunal adenocarcinoma. After examination of the whole body, as there was no distant metastasis, jejunum partial resection was performed in February 2009. One dissemination nodule was recognized on the serosa near the main tumor. We obtained the final pathological diagnosis as Stage IV. From April 2009, adjuvant chemotherapy with combination of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and Leucovorin (mFOLFOX6) was performed 8 times. In April 2009, a small metastatic lesion appeared in the upper lobe of the right lung. We started administering combination of irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and Leucovorin (FOLFIRI) from January 2010, but stopped because of side effects after the second cycle. Administration of capecitabine was started in March 2010. The metastatic lesion had diminished for a time but was found to be enlarged in March 2011. Thus, a partial right lung resection was performed in April 2012. After lung resection, systemic chemotherapy was not performed. The patient remains alive without a recurrence 3 years after lung resection and over 5 years after detection of the small intestinal adenocarcinoma.

Duplication cysts of the esophagogastric junction are an extremely rare disease entity. Computed tomography showed a cystic lesion in the wall of the esophagogastric junction ofa 75-year-old man. The cystic tumor gradually increased in size from 40 mm to 60 mm in diameter within 6 months. On the basis of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and positron emission tomography, it was described as a cystic pathological alteration enclosing a solid lesion. The pre-operative diagnosis was a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the stomach cardia, and we performed proximal gastrectomy under laparotomy. Histological findings showed gastric mucosa in the internal mucosa of the cyst and an adenocarcinoma inside the cyst. We diagnosed the cystic tumor as a duplication cyst of the esophagogastric junction with adenocarcinoma. It is important to carefully choose the procedure to be used for resection of cystic tumors adjacent to the alimentary canal.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has the advantage of being less invasive and delivering better cosmetic appearance. Although single-incision laparoscopic surgery produces excellent cosmetic results, it is considered very difficult to perform. We performed reduced port surgery (single-incision plus one or 2 ports) on 42 patients in our institute. The operation time, number of dissected lymph nodes, morbidity rates, and length of hospital stay after the operation were not inferior to those in conventional laparoscopic surgery. The estimated blood loss in reduced port surgery was less than in conventional laparoscopic surgery. In conclusion, the procedure of reduced port surgery should be further standardized to make it safer and more feasible, and to provide a favorable cosmetic result for selected patients.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal distension. Computed tomography revealed an abscess in the anterior abdominal wall and invasion of the large intestine. Biopsy of the large intestine revealed adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the antigen expression profile of the tumor was positive for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 903 (34βE12), and cytokeratin 20. We diagnosed the tumor as urachal cancer and performed surgery. Examination of the resected specimen showed that the tumor was located in the transverse colon. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as having transverse colon cancer with urachal abscess.

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed as having type 3 advanced gastric cancer in the gastric antrum and multiple liver metastases( S2, S3, S4, and S7)( cT3[ SS] N0M0H1, Stage IV). The patient received combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin( CDDP). S-1( 80 mg/body/day) was administered orally for 3 weeks followed by 2 drug-free weeks as a course, and CDDP (60 mg/m2) was administered by intravenous infusion on day 8. The gastric tumor reduced in size and the liver metastases improved after 5 courses of treatment. Distal gastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, and partial liver resection( 4 sites) were performed. S-1 alone was continued as adjuvant chemotherapy; no recurrence was detected in 2 years and 2 months after surgery. Although there is insufficient evidence to support the benefit of surgical resection in patients with advanced gastric cancer with liver metastases, chemotherapy combined with surgical resection would improve the survival time without deterioration of quality of life of these patients. This case suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy is effective against advanced gastric cancer even with multiple liver metastases.

A 69-year-old man with a history of distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer consulted our department concerning a possible diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer. After detailed examination, he was diagnosed with type 3 advanced sigmoid colon cancer with colonic stenosis and large type 3 gastric cancer in the residual stomach with gross infiltration of the adjacent organs. The patient first underwent sigmoidectomy and then received a regimen of neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy with S-1, cisplatin( CDDP), and Lentinan( LNT)( S-1 80 mg/m2, CDDP 60 mg/m2, and LNT 2 mg/body twice weekly for 2 weeks) for gastric cancer( cT4b[ SI, liver, pancreas], N2M0H0, Stage IIIC). After 2 courses of treatment, the gastric tumor had reduced in size but had penetrated the transverse colon. We performed total resection of the gastric remnant, D2 lymph node dissection, and en bloc resection of the transverse colon, partial liver, pancreas body and tail, partial diaphragm, and pericardium. S-1/CDDP (a total of 11 courses) followed by single-agent S-1 therapy was continued as adjuvant chemotherapy. With a follow-up time of 3 years and 10 months, no recurrence was noted following total resection of the gastric remnant.

A 77-year-old man complained chiefly of chest pain and heartburn. He had type 3 gastric cancer on the posterior wall of vestibular part. Distal partial gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were performed. The pathological findings were as follows: partially poor tub2, pT2 (SS), ly2, v0, pN1, H0, P0, CY0, M0, pStage II,and Cur A. S-1 was administered orally as an adjuvant therapy. Carbohydrate antigen(CA) 19-9 levels were elevated 16 months after the operation. Computed tomography revealed a small amount of ascitic fluid with no other significant findings. Endoscopy revealed an erythrogenic protruding lesion 20 cm from the anal verge. In the biopsy, the lesion was classified as Group V, indicating metastasis of gastric cancer. It was judged that the S-1 therapy had led to the recurrence of peritoneal dissemination. Weekly paclitaxel (PTX; 3-week administration followed by 1-week withdrawal) was used together with doxifluridine(5'-DFUR; daily oral administration). CA19-9 levels decreased gradually, becoming normal in 3 months. Most of the ascitic fluid disappeared in 4 months. In the endoscopy performed after 9 months, the lesion was classified as Group I, revealing a histological complete response (CR). No serious side effects were observed, although epilation occurred as an adverse event. Currently, 21 months after the start of treatment, the CR has persisted. These results suggest that despite a few side effects, concomitant therapy with weekly PTX and 5'-DFUR can be continued as ambulatory care, and it may be effective in patients treated previously with S-1 who exhibit recurrence of peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

A 50-year-old man visited a physician due to continued right hypochondrium pain for a period of about two months. He was diagnosed with cholecystitis and was referred to our hospital. On arrival, he presented with mild tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed small gallstones and a thickened gallbladder wall. At the same time, a low-density area expanding from the gallbladder bed was revealed. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed a smooth stricture of the common hepatic duct. We suspected chronic cholecystitis and inflammatory change in the liver because of cholecystitis. However, malignant diseases could not be excluded, and conservative treatment with antibiotics was therefore performed. On post-hospitalization day 26, cholecystectomy was performed. Rapid diagnosis of a surgical wedged biopsy specimen of the liver showed infiltration of the hepatic sinusoids by atypical lymphocytes. Malignant lymphoma was highly suspected. After further examination, we obtained the diagnosis of primary hepatic CD5+diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cyclophosphamide+doxorubicin+vincristine+prednisolone(CHOP) with rituximab therapy was performed. Complete remission was achieved after 8 courses of therapy. However, tumor recurrence in the floor of the mouth occurred one year after the operation. Salvage chemotherapy is now being performed.

Imatinib is a standard treatment for unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We described the case of a 66- year-old woman with bulky GIST of which a diameter was 25 cm. Therefore, we decided the tumor was unresectable. After 2-year administration of imatinib, the diameter of tumor was reduced to 6 cm. After 3-year administration of imatinib, the diameter of tumor was increased to 8 cm. The patient did not have any distant metastasis. He underwent a resection of the tumor. The historical examination showed that c-kit and CD34 were positive. The number of mitosis was 12/50 HPF. Conversion chemotherapy for bulky GIST may contribute to a curative resection.

The aim of this study was to introduce an oral rehydration therapy with OS-1 for advanced and recurrent gastrointestinal cancer patients to reduce a hospital stay as well as having a good QOL. We targeted 10 advanced cancer patients. In this study, We recommended the OS-1 drinking amount to be 500 mL to 1, 000 mL whenever the following symptoms were observed:(1) the patient's meal consumption was decreased in half, (2) the volume of urine was decreased, and (3) the frequency of urine was decreased. Nine out of 10 patients were able to drink OS-1 in the range of 500 mL to 1, 000 mL. Most of the patients were taking the chemotherapy along with OS-1 therapy. We confirmed two distinct cases: The patients with OS- 1 short-term drinker at the time of appetite fall because of chemotherapy. Another case was the patients with OS-1 longterm drinkers due to the end of life stage which decreased in meal frequency. ORT with OS-1 may contribute to improve QOL of the terminal patient with chemotherapy.

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of upper abdominal discomfort and body weight loss. Abdominal CT showed multiple liver tumors with early enhancement and delayed washout. There were no abnormal findings in other organs. IVR-CT showed hypervascular masses, but it is not a typical tumor staining of HCC. To obtain the diagnosis, we performed laparoscopic partial liver resection in the left lateral segment. Histological examination suggested a primary hepatic carcinoid a tumor. But primary hepatic carcinoid tumor is comparatively rare, so we underwent further examinations. Two months later after the liver resection, the tumor of pancreatic tail was detected by CT and MRI. We could obtain the diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumor by EUS-FNA. We conducted a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and partial colonic resection. She had no symptom related to neuroendocrinology. The final diagnosis was non-functional endocrine carcinoma of pancreas. After that, we added extended right hepatic lobectomy with radiofrequency ablation in left lobe. The woman remains alive without a recurrence after the surgery.

Many gastrointestinal stromal tumors( GISTs) were treated according to the guidelines in Japan. In this paper, our procedure of the local resection, minimal invasive surgery, the jejunal graft patching and an attractive new method of treating duodenal GISTs was reported. A 50-year-old woman with duodenal submucosal tumor was referred to our hospital. The gastrointestinal endoscopic examination, the computed-tomographic images, and the magnetic resonance images showed a 3.5 cm hyper vascular tumor at the posterior superior aspect of the pancreatic head. PET-CT images revealed accumulations only in the duodenal tumor. The endoscopic ultra-sonographic images and biopsy revealed that the tumor was positive for c-kit, as a periampullary GIST of the duodenum presumed pancreatic invasion. The authors showed a" conventional and safe" local resection and duodenoplastic surgical technique for duodenal GISTs, although some reports declared the efficacy of the Roux-en Y duodeno-jejunostomy in Japan.

We report a case of ovarian metastasis after complete response of colon cancer. A 55-year-old woman underwent a sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with hepatic metastasis and para-aorta lymph node metastasis. After the operation, the patient was given chemotherapy with bevacizumab+mFOLFOX6. Nine months after the operation, the patient was judged to have achieved complete response. Thirteen months after the operation, right ovarian tumor was found and bilateral oophrectomy, hysterectomy and omentectomy were performed. Histopathologically the ovarian tumor was metastasized from colonic cancer. After the second operation, the patient was given chemotherapy with bevacizumab+FOLFIRI. At present, the patient remains disease-free for 6 months after the ovarian operation.

Skeletal muscle metastasis of carcinoma is comparatively rare. We report a case of metastasis to the quadriceps femoris muscle after the operation for rectal carcinoma. A 70-year-old man underwent rectal amputation in May 2007 due to rectal carcinoma. In May 2008, he noticed a painful tumor in the right femoral region. We obtained the diagnosis of recurrent rectal carcinoma by open biopsy. Simultaneously, lung metastasis was revealed by a close examination. Metastatic tumor resection was performed before chemotherapy, because it was important to preserve his performance status. From June 2008, chemotherapy was started. A year after the second operation, lung metastatic lesions were gradually progressed. At present, new skeletal muscle metastasis is not found. He is receiving chemotherapy in outpatient care. The resection of skeletal muscle metastasis made a contribution to his quality of life.

Altered fractionation schedules are based on two different concepts of radiobiology. One concept is that the radiation repair capability of cells in late responding tissues is higher than that of cells in acute responding tissues which include tumor tissues. Hyperfractionation utilizes this concept. The other concept is that accelerated repopulation of tumor cells occurs in a later period of radiation therapy. In order to overcome repopulation of tumor cells, accelerated hyperfractionation is proposed. These two concepts are independent and some fractionation methods include both concepts. Clinical results of altered fractionation schedules of radiation therapy could be predicted with a biological model (the linear quadratic model theory)for fractionated radiation. When this biological model is applied to tumors in which the tumor cell repopulation during radiotherapy period is negligible, the correction for tumor proliferation is required. Since the calculation of the biological effect dose with this model uses several assumptions, we should consider the biological effect dose as a crude approximation. Especially, in case of concomitant chemotherapy and altered fractionation, it is difficult to predict its results with a simple radiobiology model. The randomized trial is required to examine the significance of chemoradiotherapy using altered fractionation.

In the treatment of head and neck cancer, radiotherapy has usually been given priority over surgery to preserve the organ involved in the cancer. Although many randomized trials have been reported in this field, there are few studies that can be useful to select the treatment methods for head and neck cancer. The treatment methods presented in the randomized trials performed in America and Europe are not always practiced in Japan. The fact is that the facilities in each hospital and the capability of doctors in surgery and radiation oncology influences the decision of the treatment policy. It is desirable for radiation oncologists in Japan to provide evidence good enough to convince surgeons and patients and to establish standard treatments for head and neck cancers suitable for this country.

The results of treatment of gastric cancer with docetaxel have scarcely been reported. Combination chemotherapy of docetaxel and doxifluridine was administered to five patients with recurrent or unresectable gastric cancer in the authors' department, and the overall response rate was 40%. Among them, we report here a case of multiple skin metastases successfully treated with this chemotherapy. A 71-year-old man had already undergone total gastrectomy with splenectomy about one year previously because of advanced gastric cancer: type 3, tub2, se, n1, INF gamma, ly3(+), v1(+), stage IIIa. He was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy of low-dose FP (CDDP/5-FU) for two weeks, and thereafter 5-FU (200 mg/day orally) was administered. Skin metastases appeared on the right upper eyelid and the left femoral region, though no recurrent findings were detected by CT, US, and the like one year after operation. The combination chemotherapy of docetaxel and doxifluridine was administered because multiple skin tumors rapidly appeared on the back and the right upper eyelid region. These tumors disappeared after 3 weeks and he has had no recurrence more than one year after chemotherapy.

The subjects were 41 cases with implantable reservoir systems for unresectable hepatic tumors. We evaluated the difference in drug distribution between intra-hepatic arterial continuous infusion and rapid infusion using hepatic perfusion scintigraphy by 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin via reservoirs. The 41 cases were divided into 2 groups (A and B) according to the imaging of the perfusion scintigraphy. There were 17 cases in group A with equal distribution and 24 cases in group B with a different distribution between the continuous infusion and the rapid infusion. The 24 cases in group B were subdivided into groups according to the distribution of 99mTc-MAA in and around liver. In some cases the distribution pattern after rapid infusion improved more than with continuous infusion. These results suggested that the infusion method must be selected for every case.

The subjects were 20 cases with implantable reservoir systems for unresectable hepatic tumors. We evaluated the correlation between a complication of the gastro-duodenum after intra-hepatic arterial chemotherapy and a gastro-duodenal distribution of anti-cancer drugs using the hepatic perfusion scintigram by 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin via reservoirs. The 20 cases were divided into 3 groups (A, B, C) according to the level of gastro-duodenal accumulation of 99mTc-MAA. In group A with the strongest accumulation in the gastro-duodenum, we frequently found a gastro-duodenal ulcer after intra-hepatic arterial chemotherapy. There was a significant difference between group A and group C, the latter without a gastro-duodenal accumulation. These results suggested that the hepatic perfusion scintigram via reservoir was a useful examination to expect and prevent the complication of gastro-duodenum on intra-hepatic arterial infusion (especially continuous infusion) chemotherapy.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy and chemoembolization using implantable drug delivery system were performed in sixty-one cases of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The following results were obtained. (1) The follow-up period was 253 days, and the administrations numbered 13.9 times on average. (2) Response rate was 31.1%. (3) AFP decreased in 80% cases, and PIVKA-II in 83.3% cases. (4) Tumor thrombus in the portal vein disappeared in 4 of 40 cases(10%). (5) Free-CDDP continued for 60 minutes after injection of cisplatin-phosphatidyl-choline-Lipiodol (CPL), and the response rate was 47%. (6) The survival rates were 56% in one year, 25% in two years, and 20% for three years. These results were significantly higher than those of one shot therapy. It is suggested that good therapeutic effects can be obtained by the implantable drug delivery system, and CPL was a useful anticancer agent for the therapy.

Sixty-three patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated with cisplatin-phosphatidyl-choline-Lipiodol (CPL) suspension. Partial response (PR) and minor response (MR) were obtained in 3 of 14 cases (21.4%) by one shot therapy, and in 13 of 43 cases (30.2%) by TAE therapy. AFP decreased in 11 of 15 patients (73.3%) by one shot therapy, and in 32 of 33 patients (97%) by TAE therapy. PIVKA II also decreased. The one-year survival rate was 74% in TAE therapy, and 52% in one shot therapy. The two-year survival rate was 53% in TAE therapy, and 28% in one shot therapy. Nausea, vomiting and fever were noted in most cases as adverse effects, but they were slight. The concentration of free-CDDP in the peripheral venous blood was lower and continued longer than that of CDDP on the market. These results suggest that CPL was useful as an anticancer agent for arterial chemotherapy or TAE therapy for unresectable HCC.

Chemotherapy and chemoembolization using implantable infusion pump were performed in fifteen cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and one case of cholangioma. The following results were obtained; (1) Complete response (CR) was obtained in two cases (12.5%) and partial response (PR) in three cases (18.8%) with HCC. (2) Tumor thrombus in the portal vein disappeared in two of four cases with HCC. (3) The followup period ranged from 54 to 768 days and administration from one to 33 times. These results suggest that good therapeutic effects and quality of life can be obtained by implantable drug delivery system.

A case of unresectable advanced gastric cancer (portion A, Min, S3 infiltrating into pancreas, N3, por., Borrmann III-type, hen's egg size) was treated with cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (CDDP) at a dosage of 30 mg/day for five days every month following surgery. After three courses of administration, examinations revealed that the tumor had disappeared and an evaluation of complete response was made. Four months later, a second-look operation was performed. It was found that the cancer was less than thumbsize and was able to be resected radically. No significant side effects were observed during CDDP therapy.

Unlabelled: The effect of intraperitoneal (ip) OK-432 administration and its mechanism were investigated with experimental tumor of rats., Animals: 4 week-old female SD rats (Slc/SD, closed colony). Tumor: An ascitic tumor, produced by intraperitoneal inoculation of strain cells. These have been established from MRMT-1, which originally was induced by 3-methyl cholanthrene administration. Experimental study: On day 4 or 6 of ip inoculation of 1 x 10(6) tumor cells, 50 KE/kg of OK-432 was administered intraperitoneally and cells were daily examined microscopically. Morphological changes around tumor cells were investigated with Papanicolaou-stained preparations. Following results were obtained: A marked increase in neutrophils was noted in ascitis at 24 hours after ip administration of OK-432; macrophages and lymphocytes appearing later than neutrophils. A subsequent decrease in neutrophils was accompanied by gradual increase in tumor cells. When OK-432 was administered intraperitoneally on day 4 of ip inoculation of tumor cells, aggregation of neutrophils around tumor cells was observed on day 6, and rosette formations around tumor cells with 76 to 10 neutrophils were noted on days 7 and 8. Subsequently tumor cells forming centers of rosettes were found to be destroyed and disappeared. On days 10 to 12, regrowth of tumor cells within incomplete rosette formation was found in ascites. The above reactions were not remarkable, when OK-432 was administered intraperitoneally on day 6 of ip inoculation of tumor cells, and were never observed in untreated cases. These results indicated that cytotoxic effects of ip administration of OK-432 were displayed mainly by rosette formation with neutrophilic cells.

Twenty cases of metastatic bone tumors were treated with Elcatonin together with irradiation, achieving pain relief in 47.3% of cases, improved bone scintigrams in 16.7% of cases and radiographic improvement of invaded bone in 7.7% of cases. It has reported that calcitonin is effective for pain relief in 50% of cases but for the radiographic improvement of bone lesions in only 0-10%. The life quality of patients with bone metastases is controversial since treatment techniques for advanced oncological patients has progressed remarkably. The pain relief obtained with calcitonin contributes significantly to improving the quality of life for such patients when administered in combination with conventional treatment modes.

For 3 years beginning in 1984, 14 advanced and recurrent gastric cancer cases with measurable lesions (8 unresected cases, 3 cases of recurrence, 2 cases with non-curative resection, 1 case of no operation) were treated by CDDP therapy alone or in combination with other chemotherapies. CR was obtained in 2 of the 8 non-resected cases, radical gastrectomy being feasible in these 2 cases by second-look operation. Five of the 8 cases showed PD, and in 1 case the effect was rather obscure. One of the 2 non-curative resection cases achieved PR, and the other case was MR. One of the 3 recurrent cases was NC, the remaining cases being PD. The one case given no operation showed PD. Overall effectiveness of CDDP therapy for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer cases was seen in 3 (21.4%) of the 14 cases. All of these 3 cases showing effective CDDP therapy was elevated serum CEA values before the therapy, which was markedly reduced after starting the therapy, the reduction rate being very remarkable.

Since 1976, postoperative long term immunochemotherapy (PLIC) with PSK and 5-FU Dry Syrup (5-FUDS) was performed after tumor resection in gastric and colorectal cancer patients. Successful continuation over one year of the therapy was done in 40 cases at stages III and IV (+V) in the period between January 1976 and April 1979. These cases were analyzed and following results were obtained. Two-and 3-year survival rates were 80% and 65% respectively when the total cases of one year survival was taken as 100%. However, there were recurrent or tumor-bearing patients being treated by PLIC and, if they had died within the respective years, 2-and 3-year survival rates would have been reduced to 67.5% and 32.5%, respectively. These survival rates were roughly similar as those of historical control group, in which no immuno-chemotherapy was done. Characteristic features of non-specific immunological parameters seen in the recurrent or tumor-bearing cases of relatively good clinical course were improvement in T cell percentage, reduction or stop of in IgG-FcR (+) T cell percentage and maintenance of a good nutritional condition.

Experimental studies on modulation of antitumor immunity by administration of levamisole (LMS) were performed using a metastasizing rat's mammary tumor (MRMT-1) which was routinely inoculated subcutaneously at one back side of the Slc-SD rat. Experiment 1: The optimal ip dose of LMS for getting antitumor effects was found to be 2.5 mg/kg/day, administered every other day for 7 times. Administration at doses between 0.5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg tended to cause tumor suppression and the doses over 10 mg/kg tended to cause tumor progression. Experiment 2: Optimal timing of starting LMS administration was found to be on day 2 of tumor inoculation. Starting LMS on day 14 of inoculation caused a tendency of transient tumor progression. Experiment 3: A slight tumor suppression was observed when splenectomy was done on day 14 of inoculation. However, when LMS was, given simultaneously, the tumor suppressive effect of splenectomy was cancelled. Experiment 4: According to immunological parameters with whole lymphocyte of peripheral blood, spleen cells and thymus cells, the mechanism of modulation of antitumor immunity by LMS administration was suggested to be an increase in immunocompetency of peripheral lymphocytes and augmentation of specific cytotoxicity. Immunocompetency of NK cells was found to be reduced. LMS was found to have some effects also on spleen and thymus cell functions.

Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells derived from normal subjects were examined as to the following points: 1) monoclonal analysis of LAK, 2) cytotoxic ability of LAK, 3) effect on LAK cytotoxic ability of the presence in the medium of either serum obtained from gastric cancer patients or nonspecific immunosuppressive factors (ferritin, IAP, AFP), 4) effect, on induction of their cytotoxicity, of the presence in the medium during culture of sera from gastric cancer patients, simulating the conditions of in vivo administration and 5) augmentation of cytotoxic ability of LAK by simultaneous IL2 administration. The following results were obtained. 1) Monoclonal marker analysis of LAK revealed that the ratios of OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT8+ and OKIa1+ lymphocytes were all significantly higher than those in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). 2) Cytotoxic ability of LAK against various tumor cell lines (MKN-28, MKN-45, KATOIII, PC-10 and K562) was found to be higher than that of PBL. 3) Addition to medium of ferritin, IAP or AFP significantly reduced the cytotoxic ability of both PBL and LAK against various tumor cell lines. However, the degree of reduction was significantly milder in the case of LAK than in PBL. 4) The cytotoxicity-suppressing effects of gastric cancer sera (untreated, at stages III and IV) were significantly milder in the case of LAK than in PBL. 5) When gastric cancer serum was added to medium, instead of normal AB serum during induction of LAK, its cytotoxic ability against various tumor cell lines was significantly reduced. Its cytotoxic ability was nevertheless significantly higher than that of PBL. 6) When IL2 was added to medium during cytotoxicity assay, cytotoxic ability of LAK was augmented. When LAK was cultured for 1 hour before assay in fresh medium containing 1,000 U/ml IL2, its cytotoxic ability was further augmented.