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Background: The coronavirus pandemic had a major impact in Italy. The Italian health system’s re-organization to face the emergency may have led to significant consequences especially in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in nine Gruppo Italiano RIcerca Cancro Gastrico (GIRCG) centers. Methods: All patients assessed for gastric adenocarcinoma at nine GIRCG centers between January 2019 and November 2020 were included. Patients were grouped according to the date of “patient 1’s” diagnosis in Italy: preCOVID versus COVID. Clinico-pathological and outcome differences between the two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients were included in the analysis (205 in the COVID group). The cT4 weighted ratios were higher in 2020 from April to September, with the greatest differences in May, August and September. The cM+ weighted ratio was significantly higher in July 2020. The mean number of gastrectomies had the greatest reduction in March and May 2020 compared with 2019. The median times from diagnosis to chemotherapy, to complete diagnostic work-up or to operation were longer in 2019. The median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 17 days longer in the preCOVID group. Conclusions: A greater number of advanced or metastatic cases were diagnosed after the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially after the “full lockdown” periods. During the pandemic, once gastric cancer patients were referred to one of the centers, a shorter time to complete the diagnostic work-up or to address them to the best treatment option was required.

Background The present study provides a snapshot of Italian patients with peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer treated by surgery in Italian centers belonging to the Italian Research Group on Gastric Cancer. Prognostic factors affecting survival in such cohort of patients were evaluated with the final aim to identify patients who may benefit from radical intent surgery. Methods It is a multicentric retrospective study based on a prospectively collected database including demographics, clinical, surgical, pathological, and follow-up data of patients with gastric cancer and synchronous macroscopic peritoneal metastases. Patients were surgically treated from January 2005 to January 2017. We focused on patients with macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with upfront surgery in order to provide homogeneous evidences. Results Our results show that patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis cannot be considered all lost. Strictly selected cases (R0/R1 and P1 patients) could benefit from an aggressive surgical approach performing an extended lymphadenectomy and HIPEC treatment. Conclusion The main result of the study is that GC patients with limited peritoneal involvement can have a survival benefit from a surgery with “radical oncological intent”, that means extended lymphadenectomy and R0 resection. The retrospective nature of this study is an important bias, and for this reason, we have started a prospective multicentric study including Italian stage IV patients that hopefully will give us more answers.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human carcinogens, based on sufficient evidence for melanoma and limited evidence for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer. Few data are available for liver cancer, although PCBs cause it in rats and determined liver damage in poisoned people. We investigated the association between PCB serum levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a case–control study in a PCB-polluted area in North Italy. We enrolled prospectively 102 HCC incident cases and 102 age and gender-matched hospital controls. Serum concentrations of 33 PCB congeners were determined by a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry. Of 102 HCC cases, 62 who had lost 1.5 or 2 were found, although the 95% CIs included the null value for almost all of them. This preliminary study suggests that PCBs might play a role in HCC development.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human carcinogens, based on sufficient evidence for melanoma and limited evidence for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer. Few data are available for liver cancer, although PCBs cause it in rats and determined liver damage in poisoned people. We investigated the association between PCB serum levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a case-control study in a PCB-polluted area in North Italy.Methods: We enrolled prospectively 102 HCC incident cases and 102 age- and gender-matched hospital controls. Serum concentrations of 33 PCB congeners were determined by a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry.Results: Of the 102 HCC cases, 62 who had lost < 3 kg of body weight in past 3 years were included in the analysis (67.7% males, mean age 68 years). 69% of them (8% of controls) had one or more risk factors for HCC: past alcohol intake ≥60 g/day and/or HBV or HCV infection. The odds ratio (OR) for HCC for 3rd compared to 1st tertile of PCB distribution was 1.76 (95% confidence interval 0.62-5.03) for total PCB, adjusting for socio-demographic variables and risk factors for HCC by logistic regression. No differences were found restricting the analysis to HCC cases and controls with or without the main risk factors for HCC. For most PCB congeners, ORs > 1.5 or 2 were found, although the 95% CIs included the null value for almost all of them. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that PCBs might play a role in HCC development.Electronic word count for abstract: 252 words.

Background/Aim: This work explored the prognostic role of curative versus non-curative surgery, the prognostic value of the various localizations of metastatic disease, and the possibility of identifying patients to be submitted to aggressive therapies. Patients and Methods: Retrospective chart review of stage IV patients operated on in our institutions. Results: Two hundred and eighty-two patients were considered, 73.4% had a single metastatic presentation. In 117 cases, a curative (R0) resection of primary and metastases was possible, 75 received a R1 resection and 90 a palliative R2 gastrectomy. Surgery was integrated with chemotherapy in multiple forms: conversion therapy, HIPEC, neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment. Median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 10.9 months, with 14 months for the R0 subgroup. There was no correlation between metastasis site and survival. At multivariate analysis, several variables associated with the lymphatic sphere showed prognostic value, as well as tumor histology and the curativity of the surgical procedure, with a worse prognosis associated with a low number of resected nodes, D1 lymphectomy, pN3, non-intestinal histology, and R+ surgery. Considering the subgroup of R0 patients, the variables pT, pN and D displayed an independent prognostic role with a cumulative effect, showing that patients with no more than 1 risk factor can reach a median survival of 33 months. Conclusions: Our data show that the possibility of effective care also exists for Western patients with stage IV gastric cancer.

Background: The aim of this study is to report the experience with conversion surgery from six Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Cancro Gastrico (GIRCG) centers, focusing our analysis on factors affecting survival and the risk of recurrence. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was performed in patients who had undergone conversion gastrectomy between 2005 and 2017. Data were extracted from a GIRCG database including all metastatic gastric cancer patients submitted to surgery. Only stage IV unresectable tumors/metastases which became resectable after chemotherapy were included in this analysis. Results: Forty-five resected M1 patients were included in the analysis. Reasons for being deemed unresectable at diagnosis were peritoneal involvement (PCI > 6) (n = 38, 84.4%), distant metastatic nodes (n = 3, 6.6%) and extensive liver involvement (n = 4, 8.8%). Median follow-up was 25months (IQR 9-50). Median overall survival from surgery was 15months and 1-, 3- and 5-year survivals were 57.2, 36.1 and 24%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 12months with 1- and 3-year survival of 46.4 and 33.9%, respectively. At cox regression analysis the only independent prognostic factor for OS was the presence of more than one type of metastasis (HR 4.41, 95% CI 1.72–11.3, p = 0.002). A positive microscopic resection margin was the only risk factor for recurrence (HR 5.72, 95% CI 1.04–31.4, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Unresectable stage IV GC patients could benefit from radical surgery after chemotherapy and achieve long survivals. The main prognostic factor for these patients was the presence of more than one type of extra-gastric metastatic involvement.

403 Background: Surgical approach to gastric cancer with hepatic metastases is becoming more and more accepted but few information exist concerning the surgical management of gastric cancer with extra-hepatic metastases. With this retrospective study we evaluated if the prognosis is influenced by different metastatic sites and we looked for the presence of prognostic factors. Methods: We analysed 282 patients with gastric cancer and synchronous metastases treated at our Institutions from 2010 to January 2017. We investigated survival performances after surgery according to the site of metastases: peritoneal, haematogenous, hepatic, distant lymph nodes and more than one site. Furthermore, we investigated how survival was influenced by patient-, gastric cancer-, metastases- and treatment-related prognostic factors. Results: Median overall survival was 10.9 months. We found no survival differences according to the site of metastases: median survival was 11.2, 11.6, 9.8, 21.4, 7.0 months for peritoneal, hepatic, lymph-nodal, haematogenous and more than1 site of metastases, respectively (p = 0.797). In all subgroups we observed an interesting number of long-term survivors (peritoneal 14.3% ≥36 months, 7.6% ≥60 months; hepatic 13.0% ≥36 months, 2.2% ≥60 months; lymph nodes 12.5% ≥36 months, 3.1% ≥60 months; > 1 site 18.7% ≥36 months, 1.6% ≥60 months). At multivariate analysis the factors that influenced survival were: number of resected lymph-nodes (p = 0.013), extension of lymphadenectomy (p < 0.001), pN (p = 0.003), curativity (p = 0.032) and histology (p = 0.028). Conclusions: We showed that no differences in overall survival according to site of metastases exist and we suggest that patients in whom a curative resection is possible, should be treated by resection of both gastric cancer and metastases.

Introduction. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common in chronic kidney disease. Parathyroidectomy is indicated in refractory hyperparathyroidism when medical treatments and so the parathyroid hormone levels cannot be lowered to acceptable values without causing significant hyperphosphatemia or hypercalcemia. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with subcutaneous forearm autotransplantation with total parathyroidectomy with intramuscular forearm autotransplantation. Materials and Methods. A single-center retrospective cohort study of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation from January 2002 to February 2013 was performed. According to the surgical technique, patients were divided into an intramuscular group (Group 1) and a subcutaneous group (Group 2). 38 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled; 23 patients were subjected to total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid tissue replanting in the subcutaneous forearm of the upper nondominant limb, while 15 patients were subjected to replanting in the intramuscular seat. Results. A total of 38 patients (56 ± 13 years) were enrolled. In both groups, the preoperative iPTH value was markedly high, 1750 ± 619 pg/ml in the intramuscular autotransplantation group and 1527 ± 451 pg/ml in the subcutaneous autotransplantation group (p=0.079). Transient hypoparathyroidism was shown in 7 patients, and 1 patient showed persistent hypoparathyroidism (p=0.387). 2 patients showed persistent hyperparathyroidism (p=0.816), and in 2 others was found recurrent hyperparathyroidism (p=0.816); 3 of them underwent autograftectomy. The anterior compartment of the forearm nondominant limb was sacrificed in 1 case of intramuscular autotransplantation with functional arm deficit. Conclusions. The efficacy and safety of parathyroid tissue autotransplantation in the subcutaneous forearm of the upper nondominant limb is confirmed with a good rate of tissue engraftment and with a comparable number of postsurgical transient and persistent hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism incidence in both techniques. Furthermore, this technique preserves arm functionality in the case of autograftectomy. Consequently, it is our opinion that total parathyroidectomy with subcutaneous forearm autotransplantation is currently the best choice.

none 21 no The evaluation of the morphological characteristics of small resistance arteries in humans is challenging. The gold standard method is generally considered to be the measurement by wire or pressure micromyography of the media-to-lumen ratio of subcutaneous small vessels obtained by local biopsies. However, noninvasive techniques for the evaluation of retinal arterioles were recently proposed; in particular, two approaches, scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) and adaptive optics, seem to provide useful information; both of them provide an estimation of the wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of retinal arterioles. Moreover, a noninvasive measurement of basal and total capillary density may be obtained by videomicroscopy/capillaroscopy. No direct comparison of these three noninvasive techniques in the same population was previously performed; in particular, adaptive optics was never validated against micromyography. none De Ciuceis, Carolina; Agabiti Rosei, Claudia; Caletti, Stefano; Trapletti, Valentina; Coschignano, Maria A; Tiberio, Guido A M; Duse, Sarah; Docchio, Franco; Pasinetti, Simone; Zambonardi, Federica; Semeraro, Francesco; Porteri, Enzo; Solaini, Leonardo; Sansoni, Giovanna; Pileri, Paola; Rossini, Claudia; Mittempergher, Francesco; Portolani, Nazario; Ministrini, Silvia; Agabiti-Rosei, Enrico; Rizzoni, Damiano De Ciuceis, Carolina; Agabiti Rosei, Claudia; Caletti, Stefano; Trapletti, Valentina; Coschignano, Maria A; Tiberio, Guido A M; Duse, Sarah; Docchio, Franco; Pasinetti, Simone; Zambonardi, Federica; Semeraro, Francesco; Porteri, Enzo; Solaini, Leonardo; Sansoni, Giovanna; Pileri, Paola; Rossini, Claudia; Mittempergher, Francesco; Portolani, Nazario; Ministrini, Silvia; Agabiti-Rosei, Enrico; Rizzoni, Damiano

The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical factors influencing the prognosis of patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer and their clinical role. We conducted a retrospective multicentre review. We evaluated how survival from surgery was influenced by patient-related, tumour-related and treatment-related prognostic factors. We analysed data on 144 patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer, in the synchronous and metachronous setting. In 117 cases, an R0 resection was achieved, while in 27 an R + hepatic resection was performed. Chemotherapy was administered to 55 patients. Surgical mortality was 2.1% and morbidity 21.5%. One-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates after surgery were 49.9, 19.4 and 11.6%, respectively, with a median OS of 12.0 months. T4 gastric cancer, H3 hepatic involvement, non-curative resection, recurrence after surgery, and abstention from chemotherapy were associated with a worse prognosis. Factor T and H displayed a clear (p

Background: In the development of hypertensive microvascular remodeling, a relevant role may be played by changes in extracellular matrix proteins. Aim of this study was the to evaluate some extracellular matrix components within the tunica media of subcutaneous small arteries in 9 normotensive subjects and 12 essential hypertensive patients, submitted to a biopsy of subcutaneous fat from the gluteal or the anterior abdominal region. Patients and Methods: Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on an isometric myograph, and the tunica media to internal lumen ratio was measured. In addition, fibronectin, laminin, transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) and emilin-1 contents within the tunica media were evaluated by immunofluorescence and relative immunomorphometrical analysis (immunopositivity % of area). The total collagen content and collagen subtypes within the tunica media were evaluated using both Sirius red staining (under polarized light) and immunofluorescence assay. Results: Normotensive controls had less total and type III collagen in respect with hypertensive patients. Fibronectin and TGF-β1 tunica media content was significantly greater in essential hypertensive patients, compared with normotensive controls, while laminin and emilin-1 tunica media content was lesser in essential hypertensive patients, compared with normotensive controls. A significant correlation was observed between fibronectin tunica media content and media to lumen ratio. Conclusions: Our results indicate that, in small resistance arteries of patients with essential hypertension, a relevant fibrosis may be detected; fibronectin and TGF-β1 tunica media content is increased, while laminin and emilin-1 content is decreased; these changes might be involved in the development of small resistance artery remodeling in humans.

Objective It has been previously demonstrated that T lymphocytes may be involved in the development of hypertension and microvascular remodeling, and that circulating T effector lymphocytes may be increased in hypertension. In particular, Th1 and Th 17 lymphocytes may contribute to the progression of hypertension and microvascular damage while T-regulatory (Treg) lymphocytes seem to be protective in this regard. However, no data is available about patients with severe obesity, in which pronounced microvascular alterations were observed. Design and methods We have investigated 32 severely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, as well as 24 normotensive lean subjects and 12 hypertensive lean subjects undergoing an elective surgical intervention. A peripheral blood sample was obtained before surgery for assessment of CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations. Lymphocyte phenotype was evaluated by flow cytometry in order to assess T-effector and Treg lymphocytes. Results A marked reduction of several Treg subpopulations was observed in obese patients compared with controls, together with an increased in CD4+ effector memory T-effector cells. Conclusion In severely obese patients, Treg lymphocytes are clearly reduced and CD4+ effector memory cells are increased. It may be hypothesized that they might contribute to the development of marked microvascular alterations previously observed in these patients.

Purpose To analyze the population submitted to gastric cancer surgery in our Institution in order to find those characteristics which could help in the identification of the elderly high-risk patient. Methods In a cohort of 263 patients (>65 y) we selectively investigated the risk factors for medical and surgical complications and postoperative mortality, focusing on the variable "age". All the significant variables were used to find predictors of complications with Clavien-Dindo>2. Results Age>75 (AUC 0.61; 95% 0.55–0.67, p = 0.003) and ASA score >2 (AUC 0.60; 95% CI 0.54–0.67, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with an increased risk of medical complications. Operative time >330 min (OR 1.00; 95% CI 1.00–1.01; p = 0.0001- AUC 0.62, 95% CI 0.56–0.68, p = 0.01) was the only significant predictor of surgical complications. In-hospital mortality (6/263 patients) was significantly associated with preoperative albumin ≤2.95 g/dl (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.04–0.93, p = 0.041 – AUC 0.74 95% CI 0.68–0.80; p = 0.003) and additional procedures (OR 7.05; 1.23–40.32, p = 0.03). Stepwise multivariate analysis showed that albumin ≤2.95 g/dl (OR 3.43; 95% CI 1.06–11.13 p = 0.033), ASA>2 (OR 9.51; 95% CI 1.23–72.97; p = 0.042) and additional resections (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.36–8.45; p = 0.045) were independent risk factors for complications Clavien Dindo >2. Conclusions Our work demonstrated that, in our institution, 75 years of age could identify the elderly in gastric surgery as those patients were at higher risk of medical complications. ASA >2, preoperative serum albumin ≤2.95 g/dl and the need of additional procedures could increase the risk of severe postoperative adverse events.

To investigate clinical factors influencing the prognosis of patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer and their clinical role.Retrospective multi-center chart review. We evaluated how survival from surgery was influenced by patient-related, gastric cancer-related, metastasis-related and treatment-related candidate prognostic factors.One hundred and five patients submitted to hepatectomy for metastases from gastric cancer, in the synchronous and metachronous setting of the disease. In 89 cases a R0 resection was achieved, while in 16 a R+ hepatic resection was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 29 patients. Surgical mortality was 1% and morbidity 13.3%. Median disease-free survival was 10 months, median overall survival was 14.6 months. Overall 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 58.2%, 20.3%, and 13.1%, respectively. Survival was influenced independently by the factor T of the gastric primary (p 0.001), by the curativity of surgical procedure (p = 0.001), by the timing of hepatic involvement (p 0.001) and by adjuvant chemotherapy (p 0.001). T4 gastric cancer, R+ resection, synchronous metastases, and abstention from adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with a worse prognosis; T4 gastric cancer and R+ resections displayed a cumulative effect (p 0.001).Our data show that R0 resection must be pursued whenever possible. Furthermore, in the synchronous setting, the coexistence of T4 gastric primaries and R+ resections suggests prudence and probably abstention from hepatectomy. Finally, a multimodal treatment associating surgery and chemotherapy offers the best survival results.

The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience with surgically treated isolated adrenal metastases in order to find those factors which can significantly affect survival. This method includes a retrospective single-center chart review. We evaluated how overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were influenced by demographic, tumor, and procedure-related variables. Thirty-seven adrenalectomies were performed in 34 patients. Procedures included 25 laparoscopic and 12 open adrenalectomies. Median follow-up was 49 months. Median overall survival was 63 months. Patients submitted to laparoscopic approach had a median survival of 57 months while it was 65 months for those who underwent open procedure (p = 0.67). DFS was 30 months, and these were 35 and 25 months after laparoscopic approach and open approach, respectively (p = 0.59). The concurrent resection of the adrenal metastasis with the primary tumor was the only factor influencing DFS (HR 6.8 95 % CI 1.2-37.3, p = 0.02). Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (n = 15) had a median survival of 63 months and DFS of 35 months. Our experience confirms that adrenalectomy, regardless of the surgical approach, can offer durable disease-free and overall survival outcomes for surgical candidates with isolated adrenal metastases.

Management of patients with synchronous hepatic metastases as the sole metastatic site at diagnosis of gastric cancer is debated. We studied a cohort of patients admitted to surgical units, investigating prognostic factors of clinical relevance and the results of various therapeutic strategies. Retrospective multicentre chart review. We evaluated how survival from surgery was influenced by patient-related, gastric cancer-related, metastasis-related and treatment-related candidate prognostic factors. Forty-four patients received palliative surgery without resection, 98 palliative gastrectomy (in 16 cases associated with R+ hepatectomy), whereas 53 patients received both curative gastrectomy and hepatic resection(s) (R0). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 44 patients. Therapeutic approach was selected on the basis of extension of disease, patient’s general conditions and surgeon’s attitude. Surgical mortality was 4.6 % and morbidity was 17.4 %. Survival was independently influenced by the factor T of the gastric primary (p = 0.036) and by the degree of hepatic involvement (p = 0.010). T > 2 and H3 liver involvement were associated with worse prognosis with cumulative effect (p = 0.002). Therapeutic approach to the metastases (p = 0.009) and adjuvant chemotherapy (p

e15148 Background: The treatment of these patients is controversial and influenced by personal, often passive, attitude. Knowledge of variables affecting outcome may promote clinical pragmatism.We surveyed the clinical approach to the subset of patients presenting with synchronous hepatic metastases as sole metastatic site at diagnosis of gastric cancer, focusing on the results achieved by different treatments and investigated the prognostic factors of major clinical relevance. Methods: Retrospective multi-centre chart review evaluating 210 patients admitted in surgical units. We studied how survival from surgery or diagnosis was influenced by different patient-related, gastric cancer-related, metastases-related and treatment-related candidate prognostic factors. Results: Seventeen patients received supportive care, 44 minor palliative surgery, 98 palliative gastrectomy in 16 cases associated to R+ hepatectomy, while 51 patients received both curative gastrectomy and hepatic resection/s (R0). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 41 patients. Therapeutic approach was selected on the basis of stage of disease, patients’ general conditions and surgeon’s attitude toward the disease, without any pre-set common criteria, in absence of institutional protocols or guidelines. Surgical mortality was 4.6%, surgical morbidity 17.6%. Survival was independently influenced by the degree of hepatic involvement (p= 0.036) but therapeutic approach to the metastases was the principal prognostic variable (p

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a family of neoplasms that come from neuroendocrine cells and express neural markers, such as synaptophysin or chromogranin A. The current classifications of these tumours are presented by the WHO 2000 classification, based on histological parameters, and the WHO 2010 classification, based on the proliferative index, that divides the NETs into a neuroendocrine tumour of a low grade, neuroendocrine tumour of a intermediate grade and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of a high grade. We are reporting a very rare case of a G1 low-grade neuroendocrine tumour (NET) of the ileum with a peritoneal carcinomatosis. This case is challenging because the tumour expresses low proliferative index as G1 tumours, but it has an aggressive clinical behaviour such as node metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis. The peritoneal carcinomatosis is not actually considered by the current classifications of NETs, so it is difficult to predict the prognosis of this patient.