[Ascending Colon Cancer with Radical Resection after Stent Reimplantation Due to Colonic Stent Obstruction for Palliation-A Case Report].

Since the insurance coverage of colorectal stents for bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer in 2012, the use of colorectal stenting for palliation has rapidly spread. We report a case of ascending colon cancer in which a colorectal stent was placed for palliation, but the stent was reimplanted due to obstruction, followed by radical resection. The patient was a 92- year-old woman who was brought to the emergency room at the age of 90 years with repeated vomiting and abdominal pain, and was diagnosed as colorectal cancer ileus caused by ascending colon cancer, and a colorectal stent was inserted. She received palliative care and had been asymptomatic for 1 year and 3 months, but due to in-stent stenosis, she had bowel obstruction and sent to emergency room, and another stent was installed. The patient had a good course, but 4 months after the second stenting, she was concerned about restenosis and referred to the department of surgery, then performed a radical resection. The indication for colorectal stents for palliative purposes should be considered on a case-by- case basis, including ADL, stage of the disease, and prognosis.

Phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1 for clinical stage III gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

Background: Although perioperative treatment has been the standard of care for resectable gastric cancer in the West, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is still the standard in Japan. We conducted the first phase 2 trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (DOS) chemotherapy for cStage III gastric or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma in Japan. Methods: Eligibility criteria included cStage III adenocarcinoma of the stomach or EGJ. Patients received docetaxel (40 mg/m2, day 1), oxaliplatin (100 mg/m2, day 1), or S-1 (80 mg/m2, days 1-14) during a 3-week cycle. After two or three cycles of DOS, patients underwent surgical resection. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Between June 2015 and March 2019, 50 patients were enrolled from four institutions. Of 48 eligible patients (37 gastric and 11 EGJ adenocarcinoma), 42 (88%) completed two or three DOS cycles. Grade 3-4 neutropenia and diarrhea occurred in 69% and 19% of patients, respectively, but there were no treatment-related deaths. R0 resection was achieved in 44 (92%) patients, and the pathological response rate (≥ grade 1b) was 63% (30/48). The 3-year PFS, overall survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 54.2%, 68.7%, and 75.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant DOS chemotherapy had a sufficient antitumor effect and tolerable safety profile in patients with gastric or EGJ adenocarcinoma. The survival benefit of a neoadjuvant strategy using our DOS regimen should be validated in phase 3 trials.

Suspected Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Induced by Lenalidomide for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Deletion of Chromosome 5q: A Case Report.

Lenalidomide (LEN), one of the key drugs in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with 5q deletion, as well as multiple myeloma (MM), has various immunomodulatory effects and has been associated with autoimmune diseases, including immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 78-year-old man presented with pancytopenia and was diagnosed with MDS with 5q deletion and other chromosomal abnormalities. Two cycles of LEN therapy (one cycle: 10 mg/day for 21 days) resulted in a transient improvement in anemia, followed by MDS progression with severe thrombocytopenia (4 × 109/L) refractory to platelet transfusions. As other non-immune and alloimmune causes of transfusion-refractory thrombocytopenia were excluded, and the level of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G was extremely high compared with the level before treatment with LEN, the diagnosis of ITP was highly suspected. Despite treatment with prednisolone (PSL), eltrombopag, and repeated platelet transfusions, his platelet count did not increase, and he died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Several cases of ITP induced by LEN used to treat MM had been reported, but the platelet count recovered after administration of PSL in these previous cases. However, we should be mindful of using LEN for patients with MDS because its treatment may become extremely difficult if ITP develops.

Successful multimodal therapy for the metastasis of ascending colon after curative resection of esophageal cancer: a case report with long-term survival.

Solitary colonic metastasis from esophageal cancer is rare. The prognosis of patients with distant metastases from esophageal cancer is extremely poor. A case of long-term survival with colonic metastasis from esophageal cancer treated by multimodal therapy is reported. A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and then underwent subtotal esophagectomy. Approximately 1 year after esophagectomy, an asymptomatic, solitary colonic mass was detected on the follow-up computed tomography for esophageal cancer. Preoperative colonoscopy showed a 5-cm type 3 tumor at the ascending colon, and histological findings of the biopsy specimen indicated possible metastasis from primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The patient underwent laparoscopic ileocolic resection with D3 lymph noddle dissection. Histologically, the colonic tumor was confirmed to be a metastasis from the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, only eight cases with resected solitary colonic metastasis, including the present case, have been reported, and the present patient achieved greater than 3-year survival after esophagectomy. Resection of an asymptomatic solitary organ metastasis from primary esophageal cancer appears to be a good therapeutic option, even following esophagectomy.

[A Case of Two-Stage Operation for Esophageal Cancer with Sarcoidosis].

A 69-year-old man with dysphagia was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. He had undergone pancreatic tail and partial transverse colon resection for pancreatic cancer, and right hilar lymph node biopsy and partial lower lobe resection for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)scan showed no change over time in lymph node enlargement in the mediastinum, so metastasis of esophageal cancer was considered to be negative. Therefore, the diagnosis of advanced esophageal cancer, Mt, type 2, T2N0M0, cStage Ⅱ, was made, and surgery was performed after 2 courses of DCF therapy. Because of the adhesions in the thoracic cavity and possible problems with elevation of the gastric tube and blood flow due to resection of the pancreatic tail, it was decided to perform two-stage operation. Although imaging studies over time, as in the present case, can help in the diagnosis, it is difficult to distinguish whether enlarged lymph nodes are reactive changes or metastases. In this study, we experienced a case of thoracic esophageal cancer complicated by sarcoidosis with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

[A Case of Refractory Lymphorrhea after Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy].

An 84-year-old man with gastric cancer, cT2N0M0, cStage Ⅰ underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, D1+dissection, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction. We started enteral nutrition on the second postoperative day, but milky drainage appeared from the drain on the fifth postoperative day. The triglyceride in the ascites was markedly elevated, and it was diagnosed as a lymphorrhea. Neither conservative treatment nor lymphangiography were successful. We decided to perform surgical intervention because the lymphorrhea did not improve for about 1 month after gastrectomy. At laparotomy, we detected the lymphatic ducts using enteral nutrition of fat formulas during surgery and successfully closed the lymphatic ducts by suturing and ligation on the 38th postoperative day. Prolonged lymphorrhea causes extreme deterioration of the patient's general condition. Prolonged total parenteral nutrition also increases the risk of infection. It is important to perform surgical treatment for intractable lymphorrhea that does not improve with conservative treatment without hesitation.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival without Recurrence following Resection of Hepatic and Pulmonary Metastases of Gastric Cancer].

A 78-year-female underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The final diagnosis was moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, T4a, N2, M0, Stage ⅢB. Four years later, S6 hepatic metastasis and S9 pulmonary metastasis were detected. After 10 courses of S-1 plus oxaliplatin therapy, she received partial hepatectomy(S6). One year after hepatectomy, she underwent partial pulmonary resection for lung metastasis in the left lung(S9). Histopathological findings revealed the lung tumor was a pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer with a small primary lung adenocarcinoma. There has been no recurrence for 30 months since the last operation.

[A Case of Solitary Desmoid Tumor after Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colon Cancer Resection].

A 71-year-old man with pathological Stage Ⅰ(pT1bN0M0)underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colon cancer resection. After 18 months postoperatively, follow-up computed tomography(CT)showed a 30 mm enhanced soft tissue tumor near the anastomotic site. Considering the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and positron emission tomography(PET)results, we diagnosed sigmoid colon cancer with local recurrence. Laparoscopic radical resection of the colon and intestine, including the tumor, was performed. Pathologically, the tumor comprised spindle-shaped cells with collagen fibers and was diagnosed as a desmoid tumor by immunostaining(ß-catenin+, c-kit-, CD34-, α-SMA-, and DOG-1-). We report a case of intra-abdominal desmoid tumor near the anastomotic site after laparoscopic sigmoid colon cancer resection.

[A Case of Conversion Surgery after Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Disseminations].

BACKGROUND: Advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination is difficult to treat, although prognosis has improved with chemotherapy and the introduction of molecular targeted drugs. CASE: A 65-year-old male was diagnosed as type 3 advanced gastric cancer on the posterior wall of antrum by esophagogastroduodenoscopy for anemia screening. When the patient underwent radical surgery, multiple disseminated nodules(P1c)were detected. After chemotherapy(SOX, PTX plus RAM)was administered, the tumor shrank, and staging laparoscopy was performed. Since disseminated nodules have disappeared, distal gastrectomy(R0)was performed as conversion surgery. As postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, S-1 was administered for about 1 year and 6 months. During repair of incisional hernia at 1 year postoperatively, the patient was confirmed to have no disseminated recurrence. The patient is currently alive with no sign of recurrence for 4 years.

A giant esophageal liposarcoma radically resected by the cervical approach: a case report.

Primary esophageal liposarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy, whereas liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas, which develop mainly in the soft tissues of the extremities and retroperitoneum. A rare case of giant esophageal liposarcoma that originated from the cervical esophagus that was successfully excised by a cervical approach is reported. A 72-year-old woman presented with difficulty swallowing for 6 months. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a pedunculated esophageal submucosal tumor arising just below the pyriform fossa in the esophagus. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a giant, heterogeneous, intraluminal esophageal tumor from the cervical esophagus to the upper thoracic esophagus for approximately 17 cm. Based on the imaging findings, an esophageal liposarcoma was suspected. Since the symptom of dysphagia was gradually worsening, surgical treatment was planned. The giant esophageal tumor was successful resected through a cervical approach without either thoracotomy or laparotomy. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on day 15 after surgery. The histopathological and immunohistological findings showed well-differentiated esophageal liposarcoma, 15 × 7 × 5 cm in size. A cervical approach is an appropriate option for a tumor that developed at the cervical esophagus as a minimally invasive surgical technique.

[A Case of Surgical Resection for Solitary Lymph Node Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

A 77-year-old man has undergone 5 times of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and 5 times of radiofrequency ablation(RFA)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)since 2015. In February 2019, serum tumor marker levels extremely increased and CT scan showed a 40 mm mass in hepatoduodenal ligament. Imaging study revealed that intrahepatic lesions of HCC were well controlled and the mass was diagnosed as solitary lymph node metastasis of HCC. We performed surgical resection of the lymph node. The patient discharged 8 days after the surgery. Histopathologicaly, the tumor was diagnosed as lymph node metastasis of HCC. The patient remains free from recurrence 14 months after surgery.

Single-incision laparoscopic repair for a Morgagni hernia: A case report.

A Morgagni hernia is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Here, a case of a Morgagni hernia repaired by SILS is presented. A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with nausea and vomiting. On CT, the transverse colon and antrum of the stomach were prolapsed into the right thoracic cavity. The herniated stomach was repositioned by emergency endoscopy, and SILS repair was performed electively. Laparoscopy showed the hernial orifice, which was 75 × 50 mm in diameter, on the right side and behind the sternum. Although the transverse colon had herniated through the defect into the right diaphragm, it was easily reduced into the abdominal cavity. Composite mesh was sutured to cover the hernial orifice. No perioperative complications or hernia recurrence have been observed in the 8 months since the surgery.

Systematic review of single-port vs. multi-port surgery for rectal cancer.

The aim of the current systematic review was to compare the short-term clinical and oncological outcomes of single-port surgery (SPS) to multi-port surgery (MPS) for rectal cancer in MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Library from January 2010 to December 2018. A total of 5 clinical controlled studies composed one randomized pilot study and four non-randomized studies with a total of 461 patients were analyzed after a systematic review. A total of 125 patients (27.1%) underwent SPS and 336 patients (72.9%) underwent MPS for rectal cancer. The rate of conversion to open surgery was lower in the SPS group compared with the MPS group (0.8 vs. 5.4%, respectively). A total of 16.8% of patients in the SPS group required an additional port to complete the operation. The morbidity rate was lower in the SPS group compared with the MPS group (28.0 vs. 39.0%, respectively). The other short-term clinical outcomes were similar in both groups. The R0 resection rate was 99.0% in the SPS group and 98.7% in the MPS group. The oncological clearance was satisfactory and similar in both groups. The current study concluded that SPS can be performed safely and provide satisfactory oncological outcomes in patients with rectal cancer. However, further studies are required to determine the role of SPS in the long-term clinical and oncological outcomes.

[A Case of Unresectable Gallbladder Cancer with Relatively Good Prognosis Treated with Upfront Surgery Followed by Systemic Chemotherapy].

A female patient in her 60s was diagnosed with advanced gallbladder cancer invading the hilar plate. Exploratory laparoscopic examination showed limited peritoneal dissemination. Despite endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, it was difficult to treat infectious cholangitis. To initiate chemotherapy, it was imperative to control the infection; hence, we chose to perform extended right hepatectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection, lymph node dissection, and cholangiojejunostomy. We have been able to continue systemic chemotherapy for more than 2 years after surgery, and the patient did not experience infectious cholangitis. She has survived for almost 2 years and 8 months post-diagnosis.

[pCR Achievement in Two Cases Treated with XELOXIRI as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer].

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is designed to prevent disease recurrence, particularly distant recurrence, and to improve overall patient survival. We present 2 cases where pathological complete response(pCR)was obtained after administering XELOXIRI as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Case 1: The patient was a 63-year-old man diagnosed with rectal cancer(Ra, cT4aN1M0, cStage Ⅲa)and treated with 6 courses of XELOXIRI as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After systemic chemotherapy, he underwent laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection and showed a pCR. Case 2: The patient was a 56-year-old man diagnosed with rectal cancer(Rb, cT3N3M0, cStage Ⅲb)and treated with 6 couses of XELOXIRI as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After systemic chemotherapy, he underwent low anterior resection and showed a pCR. CONCLUSION: We present 2 cases treated with XELOXIRI as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer where pCRwas achieved.

[Clinical Outcome of Radiation Therapy for Solitary Lymph Node Metastasis of Gastric Cancer].

We report the clinical course of 6 gastric cancer patients who received radiation therapy at our hospital for solitary lymph node metastasis. The site of the metastatic lymph node was the clavicle, para-aorta, para-portal vein, common hepatic artery, and diaphragm in 1, 1, 2, 1, and 1 case, respectively. Median irradiation dose was 50[range, 45-50.4]Gy, and combination chemotherapy was administered in 4 cases. The clinical outcome was complete response and partial response in 3 cases each, with no adverse events associated with radiation therapy. The median progression-free survival was 11.3 months. In summary, local treatment by radiation therapy is one of the treatment options for patients with solitary lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.

[A Case of Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination and Liver Metastasis That Responded to Comprehensive Treatment by Perioperative Chemotherapy and Cytoreductive Surgery].

A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital to determine the cause of fecal occult blood. Colonoscopy revealed a type Ⅱtumor located in the ascending colon. Histopathologic analysis of the tumor biopsy specimen revealed moderately differen- tiated, tubular adenocarcinoma with KRAS exon 2(G12V)mutation. FDG-PET/CT revealed high trace accumulation in the S4 of the liver and in multiple sites spread across the abdominal cavity(cT4aN1M1c2[H1, P3], cStage Ⅳc). Chemotherapy using S-1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX)with bevacizumab(Bmab)was administered. After 8 courses of SOX with Bmab, the volume of the ascending colon cancer and liver metastasis reduced, and peritoneal disseminations disappeared. We, therefore, considered that curability B resection was suitable, and performed right hemicolectomy, total omentectomy, and resection of the rectovesical peritoneum. Histopathological examination of surgical specimens revealed extensive fibrosis from the submucosa to subserosal tissue with some tubular adenocarcinoma cells(histological effect: Grade 2). For maintenance therapy, trifluri- dine/tipiracil plus Bmab was administered after cytoreduction. The patient is in remission for 26 months without recurrence. Perioperative chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery are useful for the treatment of colon cancer with diffuse peritoneal dissemination.

The safety of omitting prophylactic abdominal drainage after laparoscopic liver resection: Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive cases.

INTRODUCTION: Whether prophylactic abdominal drainage after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is necessary remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of omitting prophylactic abdominal drainage after LLR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients who underwent LLR at Osaka Rosai Hospital from April 2011 to November 2018 was performed. During this period, prophylactic abdominal drainage was routinely omitted during LLR without biliary anastomosis. The primary endpoint was the frequency of additional abdominal drainage. The secondary endpoint was the rate of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients (96%) underwent partial resection or lateral segmentectomy, and 89 patients (89%) were Child-Pugh grade A. The median operative time was 102 (range, 31-274) minutes. The median blood loss was minimal (range, 0-280 ml), and blood transfusion was performed for one patient (1%). One case (1%) was converted to open surgery. Additional abdominal drainage was required for one patient (1%) with an intraabdominal abscess. Postoperative complications were seen in 5 patients (5%). High-grade complications (≥grade III according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) were seen in two patients (2%). There were no cases of reoperation or perioperative death. The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 (range, 4-65) days. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic abdominal drainage could be safely omitted for selected patients and operative procedures.

Suppression of Malignant Potentials of A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line by Downregulation of the ß4-Galactosyltransferase 1 Gene Expression.

Our previous study demonstrated that downregulation of transcription factor Specificity protein (Sp) 1 suppresses the malignant potentials of A549 human lung cancer cell line with the reduced ß4-galactosylation of highly branched N-glycans on cell surface glycoproteins. The reduced ß4-galactosylation was brought about by the decreased expression of the ß4-galactosyltransferase 1 (ß4GalT1) gene. Herein, we examined whether the reduced ß4-galactosylation by decreasing the ß4GalT1 gene expression suppresses the malignant potentials of A549 cells. In the ß4GalT1-downregulated cells, the ß4-galactosylation of highly branched N-glycans was reduced in several glycoproteins such as lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 and E-cadherin. The anchorage-independent growth and migratory ability of the ß4GalT1-downregulated cells decreased when compared with the control cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) decreased in the ß4GalT1-downregulated cells. These results indicate that downregulation of the ß4GalT1 gene decreases the ß4-galactosylation of highly branched N-glycans and the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, and suppresses the malignant potentials of A549 cells.

A case of esophagojejunal varices rupture after proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The varices after proximal or total gastrectomy are uncommon because the supplying vessels are all divided. Emergent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the cornerstone of first-line management for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal varices. However, there is no widely accepted standard strategy for esophagojejunal varices. We report a patient with esophagojejunal varices rupture 3 months after proximal gastrectomy treated with percutaneous transhepatic obliteration. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old man who had undergone proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction for esophagogastric junctional cancer 3 months before was admitted to the hospital due to gastrointestinal perforation. We performed emergency surgery and abdominal symptoms and inflammatory response improved postoperative. However, on POD3, he had eruptive bleeding at the just anal side of esophagojejunal anastomosis. Endoscopic clipping was unsuccessful because the mucosa was fragile and easily lacerated. Contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed the dilatation of the jejunal vein flowing into the ascending jejunal limb. Therefore, he was diagnosed as esophagojejunal varices rupture and percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO) was tried for hemostasis. The portal and superior mesenteric veins were catheterized with the percutaneous transhepatic approach. Contrast agent injection into the jejunal branch demonstrated retrograde flow to the azygos vein through esophagojejunal varices. The microcatheter was inserted into the variceal blood supply branch and 10 mL of 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol was injected. After obliteration therapy, the superior mesenteric venogram showed complete occlusion of the variceal supply branch. The patient was discharged from the hospital without any complications after 14 days. CONCLUSION: PTO can be effective for gastroesophageal varices rupture with a dilated jejunal vein of the ascending limb, few supplying vessels, and little ascites.