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Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is a good alternative to laparoscopic gastrectomy, as it improves treatment outcomes and reduces the burden of technical difficulties; however, prolonged operative time may be a disadvantage. This study aimed to identify measures to shorten the operative time during the initial introduction of RG at an institution.We assessed 33 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction and divided them into three groups: laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), robotic distal gastrectomy in the early phase (RDG-E), and in the late phase (RDG-L). Operative time, six technical steps, and junk time, including the roll-in/roll-out, docking/undocking, and instrument exchange times, were compared among the groups.The median (range) overall operative times of LDG, RDG-E, and RDG-L were 248 (179-323), 304 (249-383), and 263 (220-367) min, respectively, but no significant differences were observed. For each surgical step of RG, RDG-L in suprapancreatic lymph node dissection was significantly shorter than that in RDG-E. The median (range) junk times of LDG, RDG-E, and RDG-L were 16.7 (12.7-26.4), 48.3 (38.6-67.7), and 42.0 (35.4-49.2) min, respectively. Junk time was significantly longer in RDG-L than in LDG (p = 0.003), but not significant between RDG-E and RDG-L. The learning curve effect of overall, console, and junk times were achieved in four cases of RDG.Junk time is a major factor in prolonging RDG operative time. However, to reduce the time after initial introduction, measures to promote robot-specific standardization and more effective use of robotic instruments are essential.

The present study examined the changes in and risk factors for body composition (BC) during the first postoperative month when dynamic biological reactions occur.We retrospectively assessed 202 patients who underwent gastrectomy. The BC was assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis and evaluated within 1 month preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for BC change.The mean reduction rate in BC at 1 month postoperatively was - 6.0, - 10.5, - 5.6, - 1.1, - 10.1, and + 1.2% for body weight, body fat, skeletal muscle, bone mineral, extracellular water/total body water, and the whole-body phase angle, respectively. A multiple regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for weight loss were complications, operative time, and type of gastrectomy (P = 0.004, 0.011, 0.015, respectively), and those for skeletal muscle loss were complications and gastrectomy type (P = 0.002, 0.010, respectively). A segmental lean mass analysis revealed that the lower limbs were markedly reduced at 1 week postoperatively (- 8.0%), and these independent risk factors were the female sex and Stage II/III disease (P = 0.008, 0.036, respectively).Detailed analyses of BC might help elucidate the mechanisms underlying postoperative physical changes, which might be useful for perioperative management.

[Background]?Robotic surgery for rectal cancer is used worldwide, with an increasing incidence of robotic surgeons. Therefore, the most appropriate educational system for next-generation robotic surgeons should be urgently established. [Methods]?We analyzed 39 patients who underwent robotic rectal surgery performed by a next-generation surgeon with limited experienced in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. The dual console system was used in the initial 15 cases, and we assessed short-term outcomes and the learning curve on operative time using the cumulative sum method. [Results]?The patients were divided into two groups: 15 cases in the early phase, and 24 cases in the late phase. The operative time and surgeon console time were significantly shorter in the late phase than the early phase (P?< 0.001). Postoperative complications were more frequently observed in the early phase (P?= 0.049); however, the estimated blood loss and length of hospital stay were not significantly different. In the initial 15 cases that using the dual console, the average operative time changing to the expert surgeon was 82 minutes in the first 5 cases, 19 minutes on average in the next 5 cases, and no change occurred in the last 5 cases. The learning curve peaked after 14 cases, plateaued from case number 15 to 23, and decreased in a linear fashion until the final case. [Conclusion]?Education of a next generation surgeon using a dual console system for robotic rectal cancer surgery was performed safely.

The association between the preoperative absolute neutrophil count (NC), lymphocyte count (LC), and monocyte count (MC) in the peripheral blood and the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients has not been investigated widely. We enrolled 445 patients who underwent surgery for GC between January, 2005 and April, 2013 to analyze the correlations among NC, LC, and MC and their prognoses. Based on cut-off values calculated by ROC analysis, patients were sub grouped as having: NC ≥ 4477 (NCHigh), NC

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status is strongly associated with prognosis in cancer patients. Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a nutritional marker based on serum albumin, cholesterol, and total lymphocyte count. We investigated the prognostic significance of a combination of the tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CONUT score (T-CONUT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: A total of 522 patients who underwent surgery for CRC at our hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Patients were divided into groups based on the results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis as follows: CONUT(high) (CONUT score ≥ 3) and CONUT(low) (CONUT score < 3), and CEA(low) (< 5 ng/mL) and CEA(high) (≥ 5 ng/mL). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients in the CONUT(low) and CONUT(high) groups were 76.0% and 53.9%, respectively (P < 0.0001), and in the CEA(low) and CEA(high) groups were 80.7% and 47.6%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Regarding T-CONUT, the 5-year OS rates of patients with CEA(low)/CONUT(low), CEA(low)/CONUT(high), CEA(high)/CONUT(low), and CEA(high)/CONUT(high) were 84.7%, 69%, 55.3%, and 36.1%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified T-CONUT score as an independent prognostic indicator in CRC patients. CONCLUSION: T-CONUT may be a useful tool for predicting prognosis in CRC patients.

Background: The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) among the older adults is increasing. Therefore, determining postoperative age-associated prognostic factors is clinically important. This present study retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of the estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (E-PASS) of such patients with GC. Methods: We enrolled 136 patients aged ≥75 years with a histopathological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent gastrectomy. Results: Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate survival, and AUC values were compared to assess the discriminatory ability of carcinoembryonic antigen, the perioperative risk score, the surgical stress score, and the comprehensive risk score (CRS) of E-PASS. The AUC value of CRS was of the highest AUC value as a function of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival. The 5-year OS rates of CRSHigh and CRSLow groups were 50.6 and 76.9% (p = 0.0007) respectively. The 5-year DSS rates of the CRSHigh and CRSLow groups were 78.8 and 95.2% (p = 0.028) respectively. Further, the 5-year survival rates unrelated to cancer of the CRSHigh and CRSLow groups were 64.2 and 80.9% (p = 0.0096) respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that CRS was an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusions: E-PASS was a useful prognostic indicator for older GC patients.

Background The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade assesses the severity of liver dysfunction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Herein we investigated the prognostic significance of the combination of the ALBI grade with serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) concentration, the most frequently used tumor marker in pancreatic cancer (PC) in resected patients with PC. Materials and methods Included patients (n=100) had a histopathological diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and underwent pancreatectomy. Serum concentrations of albumin, bilirubin, and CA19-9 were measured within 5 days before surgery. Patients were divided into groups with high and low CA19-9 (cut-off ≥35 U/ml) and ALBI grade (2 and 3 vs. 1). Results The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of the ALBIHigh and ALBILow groups were 21.6% and 35.3%, respectively (p=0.015). The 5-year OS rates of the CA19-9High and CA19-9Low groups were 22.2% and 41.5%, respectively (p=0.017). Patients were divided into groups A (ALBIHigh and CA19-9High), B (ALBIHigh and CA19-9Low or ALBILow and CA19-9High), and C (ALBILow and CA19-9Low). The 5-year OS rates of groups A, B, and C were 13.8%, 31.0%, and 43.3%, respectively (p=0.0006). Multivariate analysis revealed that the ALBI grade combined with the CA19-9 concentration, served as an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusion The combination of ALBI grade and CA19-9 concentration predicted the prognosis of patients with PC.

Background Programmed death-1 (PD1) is an immunoinhibitory receptor, and PD1 overexpression on T-cells is involved in immune evasion in cancer. This study investigated the prognostic significance of PD1 expression on T-cells in gastric cancer. Materials and methods PD1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry. Results Based on cutoff values from receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients were sub-grouped according to PD1 positivity as having high or low PD1+CD4+ T-cell (cutoff ≥34.2%) and PD1+CD8+ T-cell (cutoff ≥28.7%) frequencies. Five-year overall survival rates differed significantly between the groups with low and high frequency of PD1+CD4+ T-cells (75.1% vs. 27.2%, respectively; p=0.0008). The 5-year overall survival rates were 78.3% and 37.2%, respectively, for the corresponding PD1+CD8+ T-cell subgroups (p=0.0004). Multivariate analysis revealed that the frequency of PD1+CD8+ T-cells was an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusion The frequency of PD1+CD8+ T-cells may predict the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

To determine whether the tongue menthol test, which measures the cold sensation detection threshold (CDT) of the tongue, used before and after oxaliplatin administration is an objective evaluation method for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OPN).The tongue menthol test was administered to patients both before and after undergoing chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer. The tongue menthol test was conducted by applying a menthol solution (a selective agonist of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 [TRPM8]) to the tongue and measuring the CDT.The mean CDT before the first dose of oxaliplatin was 0.34% (0.005%-1%;By performing a menthol test in oxaliplatin-treated patients, it may be possible to objectively predict the exacerbation of peripheral neuropathy at an early stage.

Background Colorectal anastomosis using the double stapling technique (DST) has become a standard procedure. However, DST is difficult to perform in patients with anal stenosis because a circular stapler cannot be inserted into the rectum through the anus. Thus, an alternative procedure is required for colorectal anastomosis. Case presentation A 78-year-old woman presented with bloody stool. Colonoscopy and computed tomography revealed advanced low rectal cancer without lymph node or distant metastasis. We initially planned to perform low anterior resection using a double stapling technique or transanal hand-sewn anastomosis, but this would have been too difficult due to anal stenosis and fibrosis caused by a Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy performed 20 years earlier. The patient had never experienced defecation problems and declined a stoma. Therefore, we inserted an anvil into the rectal stump and fixed it robotically with a purse-string suture followed by insertion of the shaft of the circular stapler from the sigmoidal side. In this way, side-to-end anastomosis was accomplished laparoscopically. The distance from the anus to the anastomosis was 5 cm. The patient was discharged with no anastomotic leakage. Robotic assistance proved extremely useful for low anterior resection with side-to-end anastomosis. Conclusion Performing side-to-end anastomosis with robotic assistance was extremely useful in this patient with rectal cancer and anal stenosis.

【Background】 Therapeutic value of lymph node dissection along the superior mesenteric vein (14v) and the posterior surface of the pancreatic head (13) remains unclear in gastric cancer patients. 【Methods】 We reviewed 355 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the lower third of the stomach who had undergone gastrectomy at our hospital. 【Results】 The frequency of lymph node (LN) metastasis was 10.2% and 7.4% in stations 13 and 14v, respectively. The frequency of station 13 metastasis was 26.8% for T3/T4 tumors with group 2 LNs metastasis and 1.4% for all other tumors. The frequency of station 14v metastasis was 22.2% for T3/T4 tumors with group 2 LNs metastasis and 1.8% for all other tumors. The therapeutic values for dissecting LN stations 13 and 14v were 1.9 and 0.9, respectively, similar to the therapeutic value for group 2 LN dissection. 【Conclusion】 Because metastasis to stations 13 and 14v occurs frequently in patients with T3/T4 gastric cancer located in the lower third of the stomach who also have metastasis to group 2 LNs, stations 13 and 14v should be dissected in these patients.

Background: Although preoperative lymphopenia is reportedly a prognostic factor in cancer patients, the association between postoperative lymphopenia and patient prognosis has not been widely studied. Methods: We enrolled 379 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) to analyze correlations among pre- and postoperative lymphocyte counts (LCs) and prognosis in patients with CRC. Results: Pre- and postoperative LCs were significantly correlated (r = 0.615, p < 0.0001). Based on results of receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients were subgrouped as preoperative LC ≥1,280 (pre-LCHigh, n = 234), preoperative LC < 1,280 (pre-LCLow, n = 145); and as postoperative LC ≥680 (post-LCHigh, n = 246), and postoperative LC < 680 (post-LCLow, n = 133). Five-year disease-specific survival rates significantly differed between pre-LCHigh (88.6%) and pre-LCLow (72.5%) groups (p < 0.0001); and also between the post-LCHigh (88.5%) and post-LCLow (71.1%) groups (p < 0.0001). Five-year disease-specific survival rates of patients who were both pre-LCLow and post-LCLow was significantly lower than those for patients who were either pre-LCHigh or post-LCHigh or pre-LCHigh/post-LCHigh (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis indicated that the combination of pre- and postoperative LC was an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusions: The combination of pre- and postoperative LC is a predictive factor for prognosis in CRC patients.

Background/aim Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a novel diagnostic technique that can provide real-time imaging of tissues at the cellular level. In this study, pCLE was applied to liver tumors and its diagnostic value was evaluated. Patients and methods Ten patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver tumors were evaluated with pCLE from February to May 2017. Immediately after liver resection, pCLE evaluation was performed in the operating room as an ex vivo study. The newly-adopted "fluorescein-dripping method" was used for the observation. Results First, the optimal fluorescein exposure time for the surface of liver was defined in the fluorescein-dripping method. Next, the distinctive findings in the cancerous region were investigated. The characteristic appearance of irregular arrangements of concentrated cells under fluorescein dripping was observed in six of seven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors. Conclusion In all HCC specimens, discrimination of the cancerous region from normal liver was possible with pCLE.

Inflammation is closely related to cancer development and progression. This retrospective study investigated the prognostic value of the combination of pre- and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The subjects of this study were 406 patients who underwent surgery for CRC. Based on receiver-operating characteristic analysis, patients were divided into the following groups: those with a preoperative CRP of ≥ 0.5 mg/dL (pre-CRPHigh), those with a preoperative CRP of

【Background】 The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) among older adults is increasing. Therefore, determining postoperative age-associated prognostic factors is clinically important. This study retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of serum albumin level in older GC patients. 【Methods】 We enrolled 135 patients aged ? 75 years, who underwent gastrectomies with histopathological diagnoses of gastric adenocarcinoma. 【Results】 Preoperative albumin (pre-Alb) levels in patients with advanced GC and stage III/IV GC were significantly lower than those in patients with early GC (P = 0.0032) and stage I/II GC (P = 0.006), respectively. Postoperative albumin (post-Alb) levels (measured 1 month after surgery) in male patients and in patients with advanced GC were significantly lower than those in female patients (P = 0.024) and those with early GC (P = 0.044), respectively. Post-Alb levels of patients who died of other diseases were significantly lower than those who were still living (P = 0.0004). Prognosis of patients with high post-Alb levels (? 4g/dL) was significantly better than that of patients with low post-Alb levels (< 4g/dL; P = 0.045); and in multivariate analysis, post-Alb level was an independent prognostic indicator. 【Conclusion】 Post-Alb level is a useful predictive factor for the prognosis of older GC patients. Postoperative nutritional support might help improve the prognosis of older GC patients.

Thrombocytosis develops in association with malignant tumors and may reflect the inflammation status in cancer patients. This study retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of two platelet-based inflammatory indicators, the platelet × C-reactive protein multiplier value (P-CRP), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in gastric cancer patients. The 453 enrolled patients had a histopathological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma and underwent curative surgery. P-CRP correlated significantly with age, tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and disease stage. A high PLR correlated significantly with tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic involvement, venous involvement, and disease stage. In the ROC analysis, the optimal cutoff value of P-CRP and PLR was 3.689 and 173.3, respectively. Five-year survival rates were 62.9 and 82.1% in patients with P-CRPHigh (≥3.689) and P-CRPLow (

Carcinosarcoma is a malignant tumor composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal malignant tumor components. A 78-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of hematemesis and tarry stool. An emergency gastrointestinal endoscopic examination revealed active bleeding from an ulcerative lesion on the posterior wall of the gastric body; endoscopic hemostasis was successfully performed. A gastrointestinal endoscopy performed two months later showed a polypoid lesion at the same place where the ulcer had been. The biopsy specimen was histologically diagnosed as well to moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection under a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. A 28 × 15 mm polypoid tumor was resected from the gastric body, and was found on microscopic examination to consist of both carcinoma and sarcoma components, showing atypical spindle cells, which were positive for α-smooth muscular actin, calponin, and h-caldesmon, but negative for CD34, CD117 (c-kit), desmin, and dog 1. These findings led to a diagnosis of gastric carcinosarcoma. The tumor was confined to the mucous membrane. Lymph node metastasis was found in one node and contained only the carcinoma component. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient lived without recurrence for 2 years. Carcinosarcoma of the stomach is a rare tumor with high malignant potential and poor prognosis. Careful follow up is required for early detection of any recurrence.

The standard procedure for remnant gastric cancer after esophago-proximal gastrectomy is total resection of the remnant stomach considering blood supply. However, sometimes surgery may be too invasive due to severe adhesion in the thoracic and mediastinal cavity. The blood supply to the remnant stomach depends on the right gastroepiploic artery and the right gastric artery. Therefore, preservation of the proximal region of the remnant stomach is thought to be anatomically impossible. We report a case of remnant gastric cancer that developed more than 12 years after lower thoracic esophagectomy plus proximal gastrectomy for Siewert Type I squamous cell carcinoma. We used intra-operative indocyanine green (ICG) venous-injection to evaluate blood flow and distal gastrectomy of the remnant stomach was performed by preserving the proximal stomach in the thoracic cavity through an abdominal approach. There were no complications of the remnant stomach or the anastomosis to the jejunum after surgery. In this case, we focused on the blood supply by collateral circulation through the anastomotic line from the remnant esophagus. After confirming blood supply with intra-operative evaluation using ICG fluorescence, less-invasive distal gastrectomy was successfully performed. As the intra-operative ICG-based evaluation for blood supply is a simple and safe method, it might be useful for determining the resection margin of various organs and be effective for the introduction of less invasive surgery. Here, we report a case and a review of the literature.

The ratio of C-reactive protein to albumin (CRP/Alb) is a biochemical marker of systemic inflammatory response and has been associated with poor survival in cancer. This study retrospectively investigated the relationship between the CRP/Alb ratio and prognosis in gastric cancer patients. This study enrolled 453 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative surgery. A statistically significant weak correlation was observed between CRP/Alb ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (r = 0.19; P

Sternal and rib fractures are well-known complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We experienced a rare case of traumatic gastric perforation associated with CPR that required emergency laparotomy. In this case, we examined whether surgery is essential for gastric perforation associated with CPR. A 67-year-old man experienced cardiopulmonary arrest in the workplace, and bystander CPR was performed by his colleagues. He was then transported by ambulance to our hospital. A large amount of free air was found in the peritoneal cavity on computed tomography at presentation, and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract was suspected. During emergency laparotomy, a 2-cm serosal-muscular layer tear was found in the gastric lesser curvature. The damaged stomach wall was repaired, the abdominal cavity was lavaged, and surgery was completed by placing a drainage tube. The patient's postoperative course was good and he was discharged on the 26th postoperative day. Emergency laparotomy has been performed frequently for traumatic gastric perforation associated with CPR. However, emergency laparotomy may be avoided by conservative treatment in some cases. Traumatic gastric perforation associated with CPR is a serious complication; however, the life prognosis of cardiopulmonary arrest patients depends on the original disease and the success of CPR. Traumatic gastric perforation associated with CPR is rarely fatal, and bystanders should not hesitate to initiate CPR.

The number of patients undergoing robotic surgery for rectal cancer has rapidly increased in Japan, since the government approved the procedure for national insurance coverage in April 2018. Robotic surgery has the potential to overcome some limitations of laparoscopic surgery, especially in the narrow pelvis, providing a three-dimensional view, articulated instruments, and a stable camera platform. Although meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate the superiority of robotic surgery over laparoscopic surgery with respect to the short-term clinical outcomes, the published findings suggest that robotic surgery may be potentially beneficial for patients who are obese, male, or patients undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. The safety and feasibility of robotic surgery for lateral lymph node dissection, the standard procedure for locally advanced lower rectal cancer in Japan, have been demonstrated in some retrospective studies. However, additional prospective, randomized trials are required to determine the actual benefits of robotic surgery to ameliorate the urogenital and oncological outcomes. The cost of this approach is a long-standing principal concern. A literature search showed that the cost of robotic surgery for rectal cancer was 1.3-2.5 times higher per patient than that for the laparoscopic approach. We herein describe our surgical technique using a da Vinci Surgical System (S/Si/Xi) with 10 years of experience in performing robotic surgery. We also review current evidence regarding short-term clinical and long-term oncological outcomes, lateral lymph node dissection, and the cost of the procedure.

Background Hunter syndrome is an X-linked disorder caused by a deficit of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase and is associated with many disorders. Patients with Hunter syndrome often develop inguinal hernias in early childhood and undergo Potts’ method, laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC), or laparoscopic direct suture. Case presentation An 18-year-old male visited our hospital for evaluation of a palpable mass in the right groin hernia. Computed tomography revealed a right indirect inguinal hernia. He had a history of repeated admission to our hospital and pediatric treatments for pneumonia, heart failure, and convulsions after birth. Because he has stopped growing and a wide hernia orifice was present with no apparent hernia on the left side, we performed TAPP repair. During surgery, we noted softness of the abdominal wall, similar to children’s abdominal wall, and laparoscopy revealed well-developed veins around the spermatic cord and testicular artery. The softness of the abdominal wall made insertion of the trocars difficult and well-developed veins needed our special care to avoid hemorrhage. After surgery, the patient developed a convulsion due to Hunter syndrome and subsequent aspiration pneumonia; however, he recovered with medical treatments administered in cooperation with specialists and was discharged on postoperative day 9. Conclusion This is the first reported patient with Hunter syndrome whose inguinal hernia was treated by TAPP repair. TAPP repair might be a useful procedure even for adolescent patients with Hunter syndrome, although adequate care is needed for symptoms due to Hunter syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIM Nutritional status is strongly associated with cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify the most useful combination of nutrition-related serum markers for predicting prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 523 patients who underwent proctocolectomies for CRC at our hospital were enrolled in this study. Serum concentrations of albumin, cholinesterase and total cholesterol, and total peripheral lymphocyte count (TLC) were used as nutrition-related markers. RESULTS In multivariate analysis of nutrition-related markers, serum albumin and cholinesterase levels were found to be independent prognostic indicators. Cut-off values from receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to sort patients as ChEHigh or ChELow (serum cholinesterase level ≥ or

Primary umbilical endometriosis is a rare disorder and is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue within the umbilicus. A patient with painful mass in the umbilicus during menstrual period is studied in this paper. The possibility of subcutaneous endometriosis should be considered when an umbilical mass is detected despite the absence of previous surgery. In this case, urachal cancer, urachal remnant, umbilical endometriosis, and its malignant transformation were among the diseases considered in the differential diagnosis. Complete excision and histology are necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis and optimal treatment for umbilical subcutaneous endometriosis.

Programmed death-1 (PD1) is an immunoinhibitory receptor, and PD1 overexpression on T-cells is involved in immune evasion in cancer. This study investigated the prognostic significance of PD1 expression on T-cells in gastric cancer.PD1 expression on CD4Based on cutoff values from receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients were sub-grouped according to PD1 positivity as having high or low PD1The frequency of PD1

Objectives It is widely accepted that postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) accompanied by bacterial infection results in a worse outcome than POPF alone. However, few studies evaluating predictive indicators of POPF have focused on bacterial infection. Methods A consecutive 100 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our institute for periampullary disease were enrolled. POPF was assessed according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula consensus guidelines; grades B and C were defined as clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF). The patients’ characteristics, perioperative surgical factors, and laboratory data including the results of culture and smear testing performed using drainage fluid on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3 were analyzed. Results The overall incidence of CR-POPF was 25%. Univariate analyses revealed that the factors associated with CR-POPF were male sex, soft pancreas, MPD diameter, higher serum C-reactive protein concentration and white blood cell count on POD 3, higher amylase concentration in drainage fluid, and culture and/or smear positivity of drainage fluid. Multivariate analysis newly revealed that the smear positivity of drainage fluid on POD 3 was the independent risk factors for CR-POPF (p = 0.027). Conclusions Smear positivity of drainage fluid on POD 3 after pancreaticoduodenectomy may be a new predictor of CR-POPF.

BACKGROUND/AIM We retrospectively investigated the relationship between prognosis and combined neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We enrolled 66 patients whose pancreatic cancer recurred. RESULTS Based on ROC analysis results, the patients were divided into NLRHigh (NLR ≥1.69) or NLRLow (NLR

Inflammation, together with immune and nutritional status, are associated with the progression of various cancer types. We evaluated the prognostic significance of the postoperative ratio (post-CLR) of the maximum C-reactive protein value (post-CRPMax) to the minimum peripheral lymphocyte count (post-LCMin) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). The subjects of this retrospective study were 227 patients who underwent curative surgery for histopathologically diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates differed significantly between the post-CLRHigh (≥ 152.6) group and the post-CLRLow (

The standard procedure for remnant gastric cancer after esophago-proximal gastrectomy is total resection of the remnant stomach considering blood supply. However, sometimes surgery may be too invasive due to severe adhesion in the thoracic and mediastinal cavity. The blood supply to the remnant stomach depends on the right gastroepiploic artery and the right gastric artery. Therefore, preservation of the proximal region of the remnant stomach is thought to be anatomically impossible. We report a case of remnant gastric cancer that developed more than 12 years after lower thoracic esophagectomy plus proximal gastrectomy for Siewert Type I squamous cell carcinoma. We used intra-operative indocyanine green (ICG) venous-injection to evaluate blood flow and distal gastrectomy of the remnant stomach was performed by preserving the proximal stomach in the thoracic cavity through an abdominal approach. There were no complications of the remnant stomach or the anastomosis to the jejunum after surgery. In this case, we focused on the blood supply by collateral circulation through the anastomotic line from the remnant esophagus. After confirming blood supply with intra-operative evaluation using ICG fluorescence, less-invasive distal gastrectomy was successfully performed. As the intra-operative ICG-based evaluation for blood supply is a simple and safe method, it might be useful for determining the resection margin of various organs and be effective for the introduction of less invasive surgery. Here, we report a case and a review of the literature.

Portal vein stenosis, which results in serious clinical conditions such as gastrointestinal variceal bleeding and liver failure, is caused by hepatobiliary pancreatic cancer or major postoperative complications after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. In recent years, portal vein stenting under interventional radiology has been applied as a more useful treatment method for portal vein stenosis than invasive surgery. We herein report the successful use of a vascular stent for portal vein stenosis after pancreatoduodenectomy. A 66-year-old man with distal cholangiocarcinoma underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with resection of the portal vein because of direct invasion to the main portal vein at our hospital. The portal vein was reconstructed without a venous graft. He developed jejunal bleeding near the pancreatojejunostomy on postoperative day (POD) 2. Although embolization of the responsible vessel achieved hemostasis, an intraoperatively inserted drainage tube was needed for a long period of time postoperatively because the embolized afferent jejunum was perforated. He was discharged on POD 39 after removal of the drainage tube. On POD 282, he was readmitted with melena and severe fatigue. Computed tomography revealed an obstruction of the reconstructed portal vein and varices at the hepaticojejunostomy site. We diagnosed variceal bleeding and performed percutaneous transhepatic stenting in the obstructed portal vein. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition on day 15 after stenting. In conclusion, portal vein stenting is a useful and less invasive therapy for portal vein stenosis.

Associations between the preoperative absolute neutrophil count (NC), lymphocyte count (LC), and monocyte count (MC) in the peripheral blood and the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have not been widely studied. We enrolled 361 patients who underwent surgery for CRC between January 2007 and December 2013 to analyze correlations among the LC, MC, and NC and prognosis. Based on cut-off values determined by a receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients were subgrouped as LymphHigh or LymphLow (cut-off: LC = 1460 cells/µL); as MonoHigh or MonoLow (cut-off: MC = 421 cells/µL); and as NeutHigh or NeutLow (cut-off: NC = 3247 cells/µL). Patients were then given lymphocyte–monocyte–neutrophil (LMN) scores by adding the points of their different subgroups (1 point each for LymphLow, MonoHigh and NeutHigh; 0 points for LymphHigh, MonoLow and NeutLow). The 5-year overall survival rates significantly differed by the LMN score (0: 89.7%, 1: 80.6%, 2: 68.8%, and 3: 57.4%; P

Background A few reports have described the effectiveness of resection for recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. However, none have described resection of synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma. We report the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of a slow-growing synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma resected 3.5 years after the initial surgery. Case presentation A 67-year-old Japanese man with a diagnosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma was referred to our hospital. Thickening of the distal bile duct and an air-space pattern in the upper lobe of the left lung were detected by preoperative computed tomography. He underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for the distal cholangiocarcinoma. Follow-up chest computed tomography demonstrated that the air-space pattern in the left lung had gradually enlarged. Thoracoscopic left S6 segmentectomy with lymph node dissection was performed 3.5 years after the initial surgery. Histopathology of the resected specimen revealed a solitary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma with lepidic growth. We diagnosed the patient with a solitary synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions Surgical resection might offer better long-term survival to patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distant cholangiocarcinoma than nonsurgical treatments. Pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma may exhibit a lepidic pattern. Therefore, because of the possibility of synchronous pulmonary metastasis, pulmonary resection should be considered for patients with lepidic lesions who have been diagnosed with distal cholangiocarcinoma.

[Background]Tunneled central venous catheters (CVC), called Broviac/Hickman catheter, are widely used in the long-term treatment of pediatric patients. Recently, the percutaneous approach for CVC insertion has become dominant as a less invasive intervention. In this study, we reviewed the mechanical and delayed complications according to different procedures of CVC insertion and assessed the risk factors for complications in CVC insertions for pediatric patients. [Methods]A total of 159 pediatric patients (85 males and 74 females) were included in this study. Primary reasons for indication of CVC settlement were hemato-oncologic disorders (66 cases, 42%), malignant solid tumors (30, 19%) and other benign diseases (63, 40%). CVC insertion was performed with surgical venous cutdown (CD) in 51 patients (32%), with real-time ultrasound-guided puncture (RTUS) in 57 (36%), and venography-guided puncture (VG) in 49 (31%). [Results]CD was dominantly selected and the frequency of venipuncture increased respective to the increased age of patients. RTUS was dominantly selected for one to four year old patients and VG was dominant in 5 to 15 year old patients. Some types of mechanical complication were observed in 4 of 159 (2.5%) and some delayed types were observed in 66 of 159 cases (42%). No mechanical complications occurred in cases with CD and RTUS; on the other hand, 3 (6%) of 49 insertions with VG were observed. However, we could not show any significant risk factors for the mechanical complications. In the meantime, delayed complications and premature removal were significantly observed in patients under 5 years old. [Conclusion]RTUS is superior to our conventional VG considering less frequent mechanical complications. High frequent delayed complication and premature removal should be considered, especially for patients under 5 years old.

Background A recent study demonstrated that immune-checkpoint molecules are associated with tumoral immune evasion. Materials and methods Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells obtained from gastric cancer tissue was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed to evaluate programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on gastric cancer cells. Results There were statistically significant correlations between PD-L1 expression and age, histology, tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic vessel invasion, venous invasion, and disease stage. The 5-year survival rates of patients with and without PD-L1-positive tumors were 48.9% and 80.7%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. Multivariate analysis indicated that PD-L1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator. The frequency of PD-1-positive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from gastric cancer tissue with PD-L1 expression was significantly more than that from gastric cancer tissue without PD-L1 expression. Conclusion PD-L1 expression was related to a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Furthermore, PD-1 expression on T-cells was up-regulated in patients with tumors with PD-L1 expression.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) resembling submucosal tumor (SMT; CRC/SMT) is very rare. Because its biopsy is challenging, accurate preoperative diagnosis is also very rare. Case presentation A 55-year-old woman with a high serum carcinoembryonic antigen level underwent a computed tomography colonoscopy, which showed extrinsic rectum compression. A coronal magnetic resonance image showed a 4-cm low-intensity tumor between her rectum and sacrum. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) showed a 30-mm low-echoic lesion originating from the rectum. Pathological examination of specimen obtained with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) revealed adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed the tumor to be positive for both CK20 and CDX2 and negative for CK7, indicating that it was a rectal cancer. We performed a laparoscopy-assisted low-anterior resection with dissection of the regional lymph nodes after eight chemotherapy cycles. Macroscopically, tumor was completely covered by normal rectal mucosa, but showed a 2-mm bulge on the mucosa. Histological examination revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, mainly located at the subserosal layer and severely invaded to lymphatic and blood vessels. The mucosal layer was not exposed to the cancer components, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion EUS-FNAB was useful in preoperative accurate diagnosis of this very rare tumor. We also review the literature and discuss CRC/SMT.

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is considered useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC). This retrospective study investigated the relationship between both the pre- and postoperative PNI and the prognosis of GC patients. The subjects of this study were 254 patients who underwent curative surgery for histopathologically diagnosed GC. Patients were divided according to their pre- and postoperative PNI as follows: preoperative PNI of ≥ 52 (pre-PNIHigh), preoperative PNI of

Background/aim Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most malignant types of cancer worldwide. Recent studies suggest that a small subpopulation of cells, so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs), promote the high metastasis and relapse associated with CRC. WNT/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in CSC maintenance. Therefore, its inhibitor may suppress CSCs and improve therapeutic effects on CRC. Materials and methods The effects of a derivative of WNT/β-catenin signaling inhibitor, IC-2, which we recently developed, on the CRC cell line DLD-1, were examined by luciferase reporter assay, WST assay, western blot, and sphere assay. Results The reporter assay showed that IC-2 reduced WNT/β-catenin transcriptional activity in DLD-1 cells. Notably, IC-2 reduced expression levels of CSC marker proteins, as well as sphere formation. In addition, IC-2 increasesd cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in DLD-1 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that the combination treatment of IC-2 and 5-FU can stimulate tumor-suppressive effects on CRC.

Previously, we had performed a clinical study using human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24-binding peptide vaccines containing a combination of novel cancer-testis antigens and anti-angiogenic peptides derived from DEPDC1, URLC10, FOXM1, KIF20A and VEGFR1 for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients who were refractory to chemotherapy. We applied the cocktail vaccine to the combination therapy with S-1 for patients with AGC as a post-operative adjuvant therapy and performed this clinical pilot study.AGC patients who had curative surgery and were classified as pathologically stage III were enrolled. At each 6-week treatment cycle, patients received weekly subcutaneous administration of the cocktail vaccine with 5 continuous injections and one break for the first 4 cycles and with bi-weekly injections for the following 4 cycles. S-1 (80 mg/mFourteen patients were enrolled. Six patients with HLA-A*2402 had received S-1 plus the cocktail vaccine as an adjuvant therapy and the remaining 8 had S-1 monotherapy for eight cycles. Five out of 6 patients subjected to the combination group completed the therapy and one patient discontinued because of Grade 3 injection-site reaction. No adverse events of grade 3 or higher were observed except injection-site reactions shown in 5 out of 6 patients who had vaccine therapy. The mean and median relative dose intensities for S-1 were 75.5% and 88% in the combination group and 67% and 80.5% in S-1.The vaccine therapy combined with S-1 was manageable and safe adjuvant therapy for stage III gastric cancer. Furthermore, the optimal relative dose intensity of S-1 was achieved in combination group, although the injection-site reaction should be considered.