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Purpose: Outcomes of patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy after complete smoking cessation are unknown. We evaluated the outcomes of patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer who underwent combined preoperative chemoradiotherapy after complete smoking cessation and total mesorectal excision with selective lateral lymph node dissection. Predictive factors associated with response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy were investigated. Methods: In this retrospective study at a tertiary medical center, 160 patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection during January 2014–December 2019 were enrolled; data of 28 with stage II or III rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery were analyzed. Before chemoradiotherapy, a Smokerlyzer was used to measure expiratory carbon monoxide and monitor smoking cessation. Pathologic response rate and oncological outcomes were analyzed. Results: No major post-surgical complications occurred. Pathologic complete response was achieved in 8/28 patients (28.6%). Three-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 81.4% and 92.4%, respectively. No patient developed local recurrence in lateral pelvic lymph nodes. Survival did not differ significantly between patients with and without pathologic complete response. In univariate and multivariate analyses, pretreatment hemoglobin (>13.0) [hazard ratio: 7.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.090–45.20); p=0.0408] and clinically negative N stage before treatment [hazard ratio: 18.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.63–218.0); p=0.0187] were significantly associated with pathologic complete response. Conclusion: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy with complete smoking cessation followed by total mesorectal excision with selective lateral lymph node dissection was safely performed and resulted in high pathologic complete response rates and favorable survival outcomes.

Successful resection of intra-abdominal tumors using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging has not been reported. Here, we report a rare case of an intra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis successfully resected using this technique after intersphincteric resection (ISR) for rectal cancer. One year after ISR for rectal cancer in a 47-year-old man, computed tomography showed a 50-mm intra-abdominal tumor near the left common iliac vein. Surgical resection was performed. The tumor was located in the mesentery of the remnant rectum after ISR. ICG fluorescence imaging confirmed the blood supply to the mesentery of the distal remnant rectum after tumor excision. The anal canal was successfully preserved without creating a permanent colostomy. The tumor was safely resected with resection margins, diagnosed as desmoid-type fibromatosis. No tumor recurrence was observed 6 months post-resection. This was the first case report to demonstrate the utility of this technique for an intra-abdominal tumor resection.

Objective The objective of this study was to develop novel prediction models for liver metastasis-free survival (LMFS) and overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients following surgically curative resections. We developed novel prediction models for LMFS and OS in CRC patients following surgically curative resections. Using clinicopathologic factors, such models were constructed with concordance indices of 0.811 and 0.776 for LMFS and OS, respectively. Methods Seven hundred seventy-six CRC patients presenting to the Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases between January 2004 and December 2010 were retrospectively studied. The exclusion criteria were patients with preoperative treatment, synchronous distant metastasis, noncurative resection, and incomplete postoperative follow-up. Results Based on the analysis of clinicopathologic factors, the following factors had significant correlation with LMFS: preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (pre-CEA), tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion. Using these variables, a novel prediction model was constructed by the Cox regression model with a concordance index (c-index) of 0.811 for LMFS. The following factors had a significant correlation with OS: age, pre-CEA, preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9, tumor location, pathologically defined tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and venous invasion. Using these variables, a prediction model was constructed with a c-index of 0.776 for OS. These models were validated by external datasets in an independent patient group. Conclusions We demonstrated the utility of a novel personalized prognostic model for liver metastasis, integrating tumor node metastasis factors, pre-CEA, and histologic lymphovascular invasion to predict the prognosis. Such models can help clinicians in treating CRC patients postoperatively.

Aim The impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on surgical outcomes for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of SVR on long‐term surgical outcomes after hepatectomy. Methods This multicenter study included 504 patients who underwent curative resection for HCV‐related HCC. Patients with a history of HCC treatment, HBV infection, poor liver function, and tumor with major vascular invasion were excluded. Long‐term surgical outcomes (overall survival [OS] and recurrence‐free survival [RFS]) among patients who achieved SVR before hepatectomy (Pre‐SVR group: 58 patients), after hepatectomy (Post‐SVR group: 54 patients), and without SVR (Non‐SVR group: 186 patients) were compared after adjusting for 13 confounding factors. Using the surgically resected specimens, comparison of the pathological changes in liver fibrosis between the first and second hepatectomy were analyzed. Results Patients with SVR were younger, had better liver function, and less liver fibrosis compared to patients without SVR. Propensity score‐matched OS and RFS were significantly better in Pre‐SVR group than Non‐SVR group (P = .029 and P = .009, respectively). Inverse probability‐weighted OS and RFS were also significantly better in the Post‐SVR group (P = .001 and P = .021, respectively) than in the Non‐SVR group. Histopathological evaluation revealed that only the patients with SVR had regression of liver fibrosis (P, Although the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) is essential for improving survival in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, its importance on surgical outcomes for HCV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. In this multicenter study, we demonstrated the importance of achieving SVR before or after hepatectomy for improving long‐term surgical outcomes. These results can encourage patients with HCV‐related HCC to undergo antiviral therapy regardless of the timing.

It was speculated that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) invasion would influence cancer progression, such as lymph node (LN) metastasis, and the efficacy of LN dissection (LND). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the LN metastatic pattern of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, including the invasion category and prognosis after surgical resection, in order to explore effective LND. We analyzed a prospectively collected cohort for ICC with a previously reported invasion category: hilar type, showing invasion to the main or first branch of Glisson; peripheral type, showing no invasion to less than the third branch; and intermediate type, for all others. Data from a total of 180 patients who underwent surgical resection were analyzed (LN dissection in 142 (79%)). In single ICC, hilar type had a higher LN metastatic rate than the others (hilar; 23/45 (51%), intermediate; 7/25 (28%), peripheral; 1/34 (3%)). Although the survival with LN metastasis (LN+) was worse, single and hilar/intermediate ICC LN+ had a better survival than peripheral type LN+ (3-year OS: hilar/intermediate 30–37%, peripheral 0%). The most frequent LN metastatic region was the hepatico-duodenal ligament for all invasion categories, and the LN metastatic region was not related to the survival. In peripheral ICC, LND did not affect the survival. By contrast, hilar/intermediate ICC LN+ had a better survival than did peripheral ICC LN+, and the 3-year OS was ≥ 20%. LN metastasis depended on the ICC invasion category in addition to the tumor number, which affected patients’ survival and the need for LND. In hilar-type disease, LN dissection may contribute to the survival.

Background Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a premalignant cystic neoplasm of the pancreas and is frequently detected in imaging investigations. A proportion of the patients with IPMN develop malignancies including high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma. To predict the presence of malignancies in IPMN, constant imaging follow-up is usually required. Pancreatic steatosis (PS) has been recently identified as a facilitating factor for pancreatic cancer, and can be predicted through computed tomography (CT). We hypothesized that the CT-number of the pancreatic parenchyma could be a new reliable imaging biomarker for IPMN patients. Methods Eighty-six patients undergoing pancreatectomy for IPMN were investigated. Using preoperative CT, the pancreatic index (PI) was calculated by dividing the CT-number of the pancreas by that of the spleen. Results Malignancies were pathologically detected in 63 cases (73.3%). Patients were divided into two cohorts according to the presence of malignancies and were compared for various factors including the PI scores. The comparison of the two cohorts detected significant differences in two parameters (CA19-9 and PI score), and the PI score was the most sensitive biomarker to predict the presence of malignancies in patients showing high-risk stigmata of IPMN. Conclusions Pancreatic CT-number is an additional reliable imaging biomarker in distinguishing patients with IPMN having malignancies when investigating the patients showing high-risk stigmata.

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is poor. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tri-modality therapy, including preoperative stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgery, followed by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in HCC patients with PVTT. In this report, we investigated the pathology of the irradiated PVTT specimen in resected cases and SBRT-related acute toxicity. A total of 8 HCC patients with PVTT received preoperative SBRT targeting the PVTT at a dose of 48 Gy in 4 fractions at our institute from 2012 to 2016. Of the eight patients, six underwent surgery, while the remaining two did not because of disease progression. At the pathological examination, all patients’ irradiated PVTT specimens showed necrotic tissue, and three of six patients showed complete pathological response. Two patients showed 30% necrosis with high degeneration and one patient, with 30% necrosis without degeneration, was the only recurrent case found during the follow-up period (median: 22.5, range: 5.9–49.6 months). No SBRT-related acute toxicity worse than grade 2 was observed from SBRT to surgery. In conclusion, the preoperative SBRT for HCC was pathologically effective and the acute toxicities were tolerable.

A woman in her 50s underwent sigmoid colectomy and D3 lymph node dissection for sigmoid cancer(pT3, N0, M0, Stage Ⅱ: Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma 9th). She received adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine. Seven months after surgery, contrast-enhanced computed tomography( CECT) scan revealed a small mass in the segment 2 (S2) of the liver with dilation of peripheral intrahepatic bile duct, and the size of this mass and the bile duct dilatation were gradually increased. FDG positron emission tomography(FDG-PET)/CT showed abnormal FDG uptakes in the lesion of S2, and EOB-MRI detected other small lesions in the S6 and S7. Considering the results of image examinations, multiple lesions intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was firstly assumed. However, immunohistochemistry of the tumor obtained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed cytokeratin 7-negative. Based on preoperative diagnosis of liver metastasis from colon cancer rather than intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, we performed left lobectomy, partial hepatectomy of S6 and S7 and cholecystectomy. In the resected specimen, the tumor was macroscopically located in the intrahepatic bile ducts. Microscopically, there existed atypical epithelial cells with glandular duct-like structure, and the lesions was histopathologically diagnosed as metastasis from colon cancer. She was discharged on the 10th postoperative day, and she is alive without recurrence one year after surgery.

A male in his twentieth was referred to our hospital for jaundice. Computed tomography(CT)showed dilation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and showed a lesion at the ampulla of Vater, which caused obstructive jaundice. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a tumor of protruded-predominant type with raised margins at the ampulla of Vater, and biopsy from the lesion indicated malignancy. With no apparent distant metastasis, radical resection was assumed to be possible, thus we performed subtotal stomach preserved pancreatoduodenectomy. Before the operation, endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage(ERBD)was unsuccessful because of the existence of the tumor, so percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage(PTCD)was conducted. After the operation, although pancreatic fistula(ISGPF Grade B)occurred, it improved with conservative treatment, and he discharged at 30 postoperative days. Histopathological examination revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma among the tumor at the ampulla of Vater, which was infiltrating into the pancreas. Final diagnosis was pT3, pN0, M0, pStage ⅡA. Now he is alive without recurrence for 3 and a half years.

A man in his 60s underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)for ampullary cancer(pT3, N1, M0, pStage ⅡB). One year after the operation, lymph node recurrence was observed, and gemcitabine/cisplatin regimen was introduced. Once the disease was controlled, but the tolerability of chemotherapy deteriorated due to severe anorexia and general fatigue around the 6th course of the regimen, thus we stopped the chemotherapy. The performance status was remarkably dropped and the oral intake was notably decreased, and subsequently he got hospitalized. Blood examination on admission showed signs of liver failure(Alb 1.9 g/dL, T-Bil 2.0 mg/dL, PT 36.2%, NH3 159μg/dL). CT scan revealed marked deterioration of fatty liver and newly recognized retention of ascites. We diagnosed this clinical state as liver dysfunction caused by aggravation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)due to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after PD. Immediately pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy(pancrelipase)was performed, and liver function gradually improved. He was discharged 17 days after admission. One month after discharge, CT scan showed that the fatty liver was markedly improved and the ascites disappeared. Around the same time, the chemotherapy was able to be resumed with the improvement of general condition.

A woman in her 30s visited our hospital complaining primarily of melena. Colonoscopy revealed the presence of a type 1 tumor in 2 cm from anal verge. Contrast-enhanced CT showed an unresectable massive liver metastasis in the left lobe of the liver and another metastasis in the right lobe. The patient received front-line chemotherapy with Leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan(FOLFOXIRI)plus bevacizumab(BEV). A year later, a marked reduction of liver metastases and primary lesions was confirmed by CT scan imaging. A multidisciplinary team recommended resection of the liver metastases followed by laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for primary lesions. However, after 1 year, a recurrence was diagnosed in the liver; hence, FOLFOXIRI plus BEV was reintroduced for volume reduction. The patient underwent a repeat hepatectomy since enough volume reduction was confirmed. One year later, she experienced a re-relapse of the metastasis in the liver. Currently, she is still undergoing chemotherapy following 7 years since the first visit. Long-term survival can be expected following surgical treatment during chemotherapy.

A man in his 50s underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis(cT4aN1M1a, cStage Ⅳa), followed by partial liver resection(S4, S6). One and a half years after the initial surgery, CEA and CA19-9 increased, and contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed a hypovascular lesion with dilation of the distal pancreatic duct in the pancreatic body. Adenocarcinoma was detected by brushing cytology of the lesion and pancreatic juice cytology by ERCP. From the results of various examinations, the lesion was diagnosed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We performed distal pancreatectomy, and initially the histopathological diagnosis was pancreatic body cancer(pT3N1aM0, pStage ⅡB). In a follow-up CT after surgery, a suspected metastatic lymph node was pointed out in the mediastinum, but it was difficult to distinguish between metastasis from colorectal cancer and one from pancreatic cancer. Immunostaining of the tumor tissue and comparative study of the excised specimens of colon and pancreas was performed in order to assume the primary lesion of the lymph node. As a result, both tissues were CK7(-)/CK20(+), and the lesion at first considered to be primary pancreatic cancer was originally the pancreatic metastasis from colon cancer. Bone metastases were also found on FDG-PET/CT around the same time, and then systemic chemotherapy for colorectal cancer was introduced. Four and a half years have passed since the first surgery, and he is still alive and undergoing treatment.

A 82-year-old man presented with diarrhea and fatigue. He had no past medical or surgical history except chronic renal failure. Locally advanced rectal cancer with invasion to left ureter was detected in computed tomography. Colonoscopy revealed a circular lesion 12 cm from the anal verge. Biopsy showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. There was no sign of distal metastasis and we decided to conduct radical surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower anterior resection with partial resection of left ureter, and diverting ileostomy were carried out. Besides, urinary tract reconstruction of ureterocystoneostomy using Lich-Gregoir technique was conducted by urologists also with robot assistance. The pathological stage of the disease was pT4b(left ureter)N1bM0, pStage Ⅲc. The resection margin was secured and radical surgery was achieved. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 22nd without postoperative complication. He is alive without recurrence at 6 months after the operation.

Patient undergoing R0 resection have the good survival advantage following surgery for recurrent rectal cancer. Robotic surgery for anastomotic local recurrence of rectal cancer has never been reported before. An 80-year-old woman who had undergone high anterior resection for rectal cancer 1 years previously got colonoscopy. It revealed a 10 mm sized, elevated lesion on the anastomotic site, and a biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma(tub1). Computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed no signs of distant metastasis, and we decided to conduct radical surgery with robot-assisted laparoscope. Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower anterior resection with resection of left hypogastric nerve was carried out. Histological assessment showed that R0 resection was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8th without postoperative complication. She is alive without recurrence at 1 year after the last operation.

The case was a 61-year-old woman. She was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)at the age of 38 and started hemodialysis at the age of 42. She was diagnosed with rectal cancer(RS)at the age of 61. Laparoscopic high anterior resection and D3 lymphadenectomy were carried out. Although the intra-abdominal space was limited by the huge renal cysts, laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed by arranging the port closer to the midline, taking the patient's position sufficiently, and using some useful tips. Laparoscopic surgery for the patient with ADPKD was considered a useful approach.

We reported a case of rectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases treated with resection of the primary lesion followed by systemic chemotherapy with curative resection. A woman in her 40s was diagnosed with rectal RS carcinoma and unresectable liver metastasis, mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab therapy was initiated after laparoscopic high anterior resection of the rectal lesion. After 5 courses of chemotherapy, significant shrinkage of the liver metastatic lesion and increase of the remnant liver volume were observed. Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization( PTPE) was performed with the aim of further preserving remnant liver volume. Since the hepatic reserve was sufficient, the treatment strategy was to perform radical hepatectomy. Extended right hepatic lobectomy, S4 partial resection, and cholecystectomy were performed. The patient didn't relapse at 11 months after hepatectomy.

In Japan, the standard treatment for squamous cell anal cancer(SCAC)has not been established. Herein, we report a case of SCAC that completely responded to chemoradiotherapy(CRT).A woman in her 80s presented with anal pain and bleeding. Computed tomography revealed bilateral inguinal adenopathy and a tumor in the anal canal. Histopathological examination of endoscopic biopsies showed adenocarcinoma. Thus, she was diagnosed with anal canal adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastases:cT3, cN1a(No. 292), cM0, cStage Ⅲc(Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma, 9th edition). Owing to her advanced age and refusal of a stoma, CRT(S-1, mitomycin C, and radiotherapy)was administered with the expectation that salvage surgery in the form of rectal amputation would eventually be necessary. The tumor noticeably shrank after CRT. The patient is alive to this date,14 months after the final round of CRT.

A woman in her 60s realized heart palpitations and was pointed out anemia. CT revealed a tumor measuring 7 cm, with internal necrosis, originating from the gallbladder and invading the liver, and diagnosed as gallbladder cancer. There existed no distant metastasis and we performed cholecystectomy with partial resection of segment 4a+5 of the liver and lymph node resection. Histopathological examination revealed highly atypical cells with large nuclei and polynuclear cells and poor cell junctions in the specimen, and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as an undifferentiated carcinoma. Metastases were not detected in dissected lymph nodes, and this case was diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinoma of gallbladder, T3a, N0, M0, Stage ⅢA(JSHBPS 6th). She was discharged at 13 days after the operation with no apparent postoperative complications. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with administration of TS-1 was conducted for half a year. Now over 5 years have passed since the operation, and she is alive without recurrence.

The risk factors for recurrence in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for recurrence after surgery in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer.We retrospectively reviewed 311 patients with primary pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer who underwent radical resection without neoadjuvant therapy at our institute between January 2014 and December 2019.Of 311 patients, 32 patients(10.3%)developed recurrences after surgery at a median follow-up of 32.9(0.23-74.2)months. The 3-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival(RFS)rate was 88.4% and 87.6%, respectively. A multivariate analysis for RFS showed that only pT4 (HR: 4.06, 95%CI: 1.60-10.29, p=0.003) was an independent risk factor.This study revealed that pT4 was an independent risk factor for recurrence after surgery in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer.

Background and Aim There are no previous reports describing the prognostic significance of the residual intraductal carcinoma component (carcinoma in situ [CIS]) following preoperative treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of a minimal residual CIS in cases with complete absence of an invasive component after preoperative treatment for PDAC. Methods Eighty‐one of 594 PDAC patients with preoperative treatment and subsequent surgery in our institute showed remarkable remission in the invasive component, which included 48 patients with the minimal residual invasive component (Min‐inv group) and 33 with absence of an invasive component (No‐inv group). We assessed the survival of these patients in association with the presence or absence of an invasive component and intraductal CIS. Results Five‐year overall survival in the No‐inv group patients was significantly better than that of the Min‐inv group patients (82%/66%, P = .041). Among the 33 patients in the No‐inv group, residual CIS was observed in 16 patients (CIS‐positive group), and the remaining 17 patients had no residual CIS (CIS‐negative group). There was no significant difference in survival between patients in the CIS‐positive and CIS‐negative groups (92%/78%, P = .31). Conclusions Residual CIS in the absence of an invasive component after preoperative treatment does not yield a prognostic impact after receiving perioperative treatment for PDAC. It might be reasonable to define pathological complete response (pCR) from the prognostic standpoint as follows: pCR is the complete absence of an invasive carcinoma component regardless of residual CIS., We investigated the survival outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients showing complete absence of an invasive component in relation to those with minimal residual carcinoma in situ (CIS) after preoperative therapy; complete regression of the invasive component, regardless of the presence or absence of residual CIS, was a significant indicator for preferable prognosis.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery is a promising treatment strategy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Severe toxicity associated with the treatment may reduce the dose intensity of chemotherapy, resulting in the effect of chemotherapy being attenuated. Recently, skeletal muscle mass has been reported to be associated with the treatment outcomes of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether pretreatment skeletal muscle mass is a predictor of adverse events as well as the relationship between changes in skeletal muscle mass and adverse events during NAC. Methods: This study included 41 advanced gastric cancer patients who were treated with NAC followed by surgery. Body composition was assessed before and after NAC. The relationship between the pre-NAC body composition and adverse events was investigated as well as the relationship between changes in body composition and adverse events. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that low pre-NAC skeletal muscle mass was the only factor significantly associated with severe diarrhea (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in body weight before and after NAC, but skeletal muscle mass was significantly reduced after NAC (–5.93 ± 7.69%, p < 0.01). Furthermore, patients who experienced severe diarrhea showed significantly greater relative skeletal muscle decrease than those who did not (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Pre-NAC low skeletal muscle mass was a useful predictor of severe diarrhea. Prevention of severe adverse events may contribute to maintaining the skeletal muscle mass.

Objective To evaluate each arm independently and compare adjuvant gemcitabine (GEM) and S-1 chemotherapy after major hepatectomy (hemihepatectomy or trisectionectomy) for biliary tract cancer (BTC). Background Standardized adjuvant therapy is not performed after major hepatectomy for BTC, and we determined the recommended dose in the former study (KHBO1003). Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized phase II study. The primary measure was 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS); the secondary measures were other RFS, overall survival (OS), and others. The following 6-month adjuvant chemotherapy was administered within 12 weeks of R0/1: GEM (1000 mg/m) every 2 weeks; or S-1 (80 mg/m/d) for 28 days every 6 weeks. Thirty-five patients were assigned to each arm (alpha error, 10%; beta error, 20%). Results No patients were excluded for the per-protocol analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in the patient characteristics of the 2 arms. The 1-year RFS and 1-year OS rates of the GEM arm were 51.4% and 80.0%, respectively, whereas those of the S-1 group were 62.9% and 97.1%. The comparison of the 2 arms revealed that 2-year RFS rate, 1 and 2-year OS rates, and OS curve of the S-1 arm were superior to GEM. With regard to OS, the hazard ratio of the S-1 group was 0.477 (90% confidence interval 0.245-0.927). Conclusion The comparison of the survival of the 2 groups revealed that adjuvant S-1 therapy may be superior to adjuvant GEM therapy after major hepatectomy for BTC.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease, and multimodal strategies, such as surgery plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)/adjuvant chemotherapy, have been attempted to improve survival in patients with localized PDAC. To date, there is one prospective study providing evidence for the superiority of a neoadjuvant strategy over upfront surgery for localized PDAC. However, which NAC regimen is optimal remains unclear.Methods: A randomized, exploratory trial was performed to examine the clinical benefits of two chemotherapy regimens, gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GA), as NAC for patients with planned PDAC resection. Patients were enrolled after the diagnosis of resectable or borderline resectable PDAC. They were randomly assigned to either NAC regimen. Adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection was highly recommended for 6 months in both arms. The primary endpoint was tumor progression-free survival time, and secondary endpoints included the rate of curative resection, the completion rate of protocol therapy, the recurrence type, the overall survival time and safety. The target sample size was set as at least 100.Discussion: This study is the first randomized phase II study comparing GS combination therapy with GA combination therapy as NAC for localized pancreatic cancer.Trial registration: This trial began in April 2016 and was registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000021484).

A man in his 50s was admitted to our hospital due to hematemesis.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an 8 cm type 2 gastric tumor.The tumor was histologically diagnosed as a neuroendocrine carcinoma.CT showed that the tumor had directly infiltrated the liver but there was no distant metastasis.We performed open distal gastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, partial hepatectomy, and cholecystectomy.Four months after the surgery, metastases of the right adrenal gland and dorsal part of the inferior vena cava were found.Although a significant tumor reduction was obtained by 12 courses of chemotherapy with CDDP plus CPT-11, this effective treatment was discontinued for the patient's convenience.Fifteen months after the surgery, metastasis of the right adrenal gland and dorsal part of inferior vena cava demonstrated re-growth without any further metastasis.After 4 courses of the same regimen, a partial response was obtained for the recurrences.As a salvage surgery, we performed open right adrenal gland and the lymph nodes of dorsal of IVC resection.The patient is alive without recurrence 1 year after the salvage surgery.

There are few reports of using oxaliplatin(L-OHP)for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.We report a case of long-term disease control after administration of L-OHP for esophagogastric junction squamous cell carcinoma(EG).A woman in her 40s was diagnosed with EG(cT3, cN2, cM0, cStage Ⅲ).She received thoracoscopic, laparoscopic-assisted, subtotal esophagectomy with 3-field dissection after 3 courses of preoperative chemotherapy with DCF(docetaxel hydrate, cisplatin, 5- fluorouracil).Reconstruction was achieved using a retrosternally shifted gastric tube and transesophageal gastro-tubing. Pathological examination showed EG(ypT3, ypN2, ypM0, ypStage Ⅲ)(chemotherapy evaluation: Grade 1a).After 12 months, para-aortic lymph node recurrence(#112aoP, #16a2lat)was observed on a follow-up CT examination.First, we administered 5 courses of chemotherapy with SOX(S-1 100mg/m2 day 1-14 and L-OHP 100 mg/m2 day 1).Recurrent lymph nodes shrunk slightly, and there were no new lesions.Subsequently, there was no other adverse event except for Grade 1 chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.Second, we administered 3 courses of chemotherapy with FOLFOX(5-FU 400mg/m2, L-OHP 85mg/m2, Leucovorin 200 mg/m2 day 1, 5-FU 1,600mg/m2/46 hr)in combination with radiotherapy(total 60 Gy/ 30 Fr).Recurrent lymph nodes shrunk slightly, and there were no new lesions.Subsequently, there was no other adverse event except for Grade 1 chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.No new recurrence was observed 19 months after the first recur- rence.The patient continues to receive weekly nab-PTX(85mg/m2).A regimen that includes L-OHP is useful in the treatment of advanced or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

A 78-year-old man who underwent esophagectomy for middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(pT1bN0M0, pStage Ⅰ)was diagnosed with lymph node recurrence 12 months after the initial surgery. He received chemoradiotherapy(5- fluorouracil plus cisplatin); however, the treatment was terminated at the middle of the treatment course because of progressive disease. He received chemotherapy(docetaxel plus 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin)as a second-line treatment, which was also canceled due to serious adverse events. Partial response was achieved after the second therapy; therefore, surgical excision was performed. Thirteen months after the second surgery, he was diagnosed with second local recurrence with invasion to the trachea. Another course of chemotherapy(docetaxel[2-weekly]plus 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin)was administered, which also achieved a partial response. Thus, surgical excision with partial tracheal resection and mediastinal tracheostomy was performed. He has been alive without recurrence for 6 months after the final operation. In case of postoperative solitary lymph node recurrence of esophageal cancer, long-term survival can be expected with multidisciplinary treatment.

Case 1: A man in his 70s was referred to our hospital for further examination of a liver tumor(S3, 3 cm)detected by ultrasonography. Multimodal image examination showed a cystic lesion with solid papillary components located in the S4 accompanied by dilatation of the surrounding intrahepatic bile duct. Although biliary cytology did not indicate confirmed malignancy, the lesion was thought to be an intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct(IPNB)with malignant potential, and a left lobectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a papillary tumor in the intrahepatic bile duct which consisted of atypical epithelial cells of pancreatobiliary type, and the lesion was diagnosed as an IPNB with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. Case 2: A woman in her 70s was referred to our hospital because of a liver tumor(S4, 8 cm)detected by ultrasonography. Multimodal image examination showed a cystic lesion localized to the liver(S3, 8 cm), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)showed continuity of the cyst and the intrahepatic bile duct. The biliary cytology was positive, and the lesion was thought to be a malignant IPNB. After preoperative drainage of the cystic lesion, a left lobectomy was conducted. Histopathological examination showed that the papillary tumor localized to the bile duct and atypical epithelium cells of pancreatobiliary type were infiltrating into the surrounding matrix. We diagnosed this tumor as an IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma.

A woman in her 40s was hospitalizedfor jaundice. Six years before, she hadbeen diagnosedwith synchronous esophageal andgastric cancers andhadund ergone subtotal esophagectomy andtotal gastrectomy, accompaniedby reconstruction with the pedicled jejunum. Multimodal imaging revealed a tumor at the pancreatic head, probably pancreatic cancer, which induced severe stenosis of the intrapancreatic bile duct. Scraping cytology findings of the lesion via the percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage(PTCD)route strengthenedthe suspicion. In the image, although no obvious invasion of the major vessels or apparent distant metastases were detected, an abnormal shadow was found continuously lining the main tumor andpara -aortic region, which was a contraindication for curative resection. Therefore, we performed neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1. After 3 courses, the lesion size reduced notably, and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was pancreatic cancer(ph, ypT3, ypN1a, ypM0, ypStage ⅡB). Except for pancreatic fistulas(Clavien-Dindo Ⅲa), the postoperative clinical course was uneventful, andshe was dischargedon postoperative day 27. To date, the patient is alive without recurrence and is undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1.

Preoperative chemoradiation therapy is a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer. Peritoneal recurrence is a major recurrence pattern after surgery for pancreatic cancer following preoperative chemoradiation therapy, even in patients with negative peritoneal lavage fluid cytology. Previous reports have indicated that the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is useful for evaluating subclinical tumor cell dissemination in peritoneal lavage fluid.Patients with resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer treated with preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy and subsequent surgery were enrolled in this study. In all patients, a conventional cytologic examination of peritoneal lavage fluid from laparotomy confirmed the negative peritoneal cytology status. Carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA was detected in the peritoneal lavage fluid at laparotomy using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Recurrence patterns and survival were evaluated in association with the carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA status in the peritoneal lavage fluid.The peritoneal lavage fluid from 57 of the 237 patients (24%) was carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(+). The carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(+) patients had a significantly higher incidence of peritoneal recurrence than the carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(-) patients (36% vs. 15%, P.001). The 5-year survival rates of the carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(+) and carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(-) patients were 31% and 51%, respectively (P = .037). A multivariable analysis for survival revealed that borderline resectability, positive nodal status, and positive carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA status were independent variables for impaired survival.Carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA(+) status was associated with a significantly increased incidence of peritoneal recurrence in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation therapy, resulting in impaired survival.

Background Several studies have reported that modified Collard anastomosis is useful for cervical anastomosis after esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. However, no large‐scale study has confirmed the efficacy of the modified Collard anastomosis. Methods Between 2008 and 2016, 398 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and cervical anastomosis were enrolled in this study. Patients with a short remnant cervical esophagus were excluded. We investigated the utility of the modified Collard anastomosis by comparing the results of postoperative complications using a propensity score‐matched analysis between the hand‐sewn method (HS) and the modified Collard anastomosis (MC) for esophagogastric anastomosis of the neck after esophagectomy in thoracic esophageal cancer patients. Results Of the 398 patients, 127 were included in the MC group and 127 were included in the HS group after propensity score matching. Clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Frequency of anastomotic leakage tended to be lower in the MC group than in the HS group (3% vs. 7%, P = 0.127). Frequency of anastomotic stenosis was significantly lower in the MC group than in the HS group (13% vs. 59%, P

Aim The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of a perioperative bacteriological culture in predicting the pathogenic bacteria responsible for postoperative pneumonia after esophagectomy. Methods This study included 293 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction. We compared the pathological bacteria that were detected in bacteriological cultures of sputum, mouthwash and gastric fluid on the second postoperative day with the pathogenic bacteria responsible for postoperative pneumonia. Results Postoperative pneumonia occurred in 26 (8.8%) of the 293 patients. Enterobacter cloacae was detected most frequently in the perioperative bacteriological culture, followed by Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Detection of each pathogenic bacterium in the perioperative bacteriological culture was not associated with the occurrence of pneumonia, excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As the pathogens responsible for postoperative pneumonia, 32 bacteria were detected in 26 patients with postoperative pneumonia. Detection rate of the pathogenic bacteria responsible for postoperative pneumonia in a perioperative bacteriological culture was 43.8% in a sputum culture, 40.6% in a mouthwash culture and 65.6% in a gastric fluid culture. The detection rate of the pathogenic bacteria responsible for pneumonia was up to 78.1% in the combination of sputum and gastric fluid culture. Conclusions Although the perioperative bacteriological culture does not seem to be useful for predicting the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia, it is useful for predicting the pathogenic bacteria responsible for pneumonia in cases of postoperative pneumonia. The perioperative bacteriological culture helps us to select appropriate antibiotics to treat pneumonia after esophagectomy.

We report the case of a 72-year-old man who was initially diagnosed with far advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, associated with bulky lymph node metastasis involving the common hepatic artery and moderate amount of ascites around the liver. After 10 cycles of systemic chemotherapy combining gemcitabine and S-1 with well-tolerated toxicities, a CT scan showed a marked shrinkage of the liver mass and lymph nodes (clinical partial response) with disappearance of ascites, which could permit a radical resection of the tumor. He underwent left lobectomy of the liver with lymph node dissection, and histopathological examination revealed pathologic complete response. Seven years after surgery, he is in a good overall condition.

Among the various types of biliary tract cancer, patients with single, small (5 cm), peripheral intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), or small (2 cm) gallbladder tumors (GBTs) rarely develop lymph node (LN) metastasis. We investigated a laparoscopic approach for hilar LN sampling in such cases.Among the 176 patients with biliary tract cancer who were treated from January 2012 to March 2017, 21 (ICC, n=4; GBT, n=17) met the above indications.All patients were treated by a laparoscopic approach with R0 resection. After determining the pathologic diagnosis, 9 patients with GBT and all 4 patients with ICC underwent laparoscopic LN sampling; the mean numbers of sampled LNs were 2.6 and 7.3, respectively; no patients had metastasis. The mean operating times for GBT and ICC were 223 and 379 minutes, respectively; the mean blood loss was 23 mL and 171 mL. With the exception of 1 patient who developed intrahepatic metastasis of ICC at the opposite liver lobe, all of the patients were recurrence free.A laparoscopic approach could be safely applied under our indications.

The POU5F1 gene, which encodes the POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 (also known as Oct-4), is expressed in embryonic stem cells where it regulates pluripotency and proliferation. Few studies have examined the expression and significance of POU5F1 in cancer tissues. The aim of this study was to clarify its significance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The study included 95 patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2009 to 2011. The correlations between the POU5F1 gene expression and the clinical parameters were assessed in these patients. The serum TP53 expression levels were also examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with a high POU5F1 expression were significantly more likely to have a poor prognosis than those with a low expression. In contrast, patients with a low POU5F1 expression had a better disease-free survival after curative surgical resection than those with a high expression (P = 0.007). Multivariate analyses showed that the POU5F1 expression (P = 0.003) and lymph node metastasis (P

Pancreatic fistula (PF) is a challenging complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). ‘Soft pancreas’ is reported as a risk factor for PF; however, palpation by the surgeon is not an objective method of evaluating pancreatic texture. We conducted this study to investigate whether a texture analyzer called a “Tensipresser” can be used to quantify pancreatic tissue hardness and predict the development of postoperative PF. We assessed pancreatic texture in 85 patients who underwent PD. After surgeons assessed the texture of the pancreas subjectively, the physical properties were measured on the pancreatic margin intraoperatively, by the two-bite method using the “Tensipresser”. The incidence and severity of PF were based on the definitions of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. Symptomatic PF (grade B and C) developed in 16% of the patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on the Tensipresser measurement: those with a soft and fragile pancreas with hardness