Distribution and Clinicopathological Features of Mott Cells (Plasma Cells Containing Russell Bodies) in Gastric Cancer: Presence of Mott Cells Is Associated with Favorable Prognosis.

Gastric cancer (GC) is still one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. We previously reported the relationship between histological heterogeneity of tumor cells and molecular features in GC. The tumor microenvironment also has a crucial role in GC progression and therapeutic resistance. In this study, we focused on the tumor microenvironment, especially inflammatory cells in GC. Using GC tissue slides, we investigated the distribution and clinicopathological significance of inflammatory cell counts including eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between Mott cells (plasma cells containing Russell bodies) and clinicopathological features. In neoplastic gastric mucosa, a high number of plasma cells was associated with low T-grade, early stage, and good prognosis. We then focused on Mott cells and found that their presence in neoplastic gastric mucosa was associated with lower T and N grades, early stage, and Helicobacter pylori infection and was inversely associated with CD44 and EGFR expression. Additionally, the presence of Mott cells was associated with good prognosis in advanced GC and was an independent favorable prognostic predictor. The presence of Mott cells in GC might be one useful prognostic predictor, and Mott cells might have an important role in the carcinogenesis of H. pylori infection.

Serum diamine oxidase activity derived from response to chemotherapy affects adverse events and serum amino acid levels.

PURPOSE: The relationship between activity of the small intestinal villi and the effectiveness of chemotherapy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate how serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity affects antitumor effects, adverse events, and amino acid absorption. METHODS: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study that enrolled 50 patients with esophageal cancer (EC) receiving docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil therapy. We determined the cut-off value of serum DAO activity contributing to a response to chemotherapy using a generalized additive model. Additionally, we compared adverse events, inflammatory markers, blood amino acid levels, and quality of life between the high and low DAO activity groups during chemotherapy. RESULTS: The cut-off value of serum DAO activity at the first visit that contributed to a chemotherapy response was 6.5 units/L. Leukopenia and neutropenia of grade ≥ 3 were significantly higher in the DAO low (< 6.5 units/L) group (p = 0.044, 0.017, respectively). Interleukin-6 was significantly lower in the DAO high (≥ 6.5 units/L) group at the first visit and at 4 weeks after the end of chemotherapy (p = 0.039, 0.011, respectively). Glutamine was higher in the DAO high group at all measurement points during chemotherapy. Fatigue was significantly lower in the DAO high group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum DAO activity may be a predictor of the response to chemotherapy in patients with EC. The absorption capacity of amino acids was maintained in the group with high DAO activity, which may have contributed to the anti-inflammatory effect and provided a background for reducing adverse events.

Left thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position for a bronchogenic cyst localized to the lower thoracic esophagus: A case report.

A 60-year-old woman with an abnormality discovered during a chest X-ray was referred to the authors' hospital for diagnosis and treatment. Upon enhanced computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging, a tumor on the left side of the lower thoracic esophagus was detected. We diagnosed mediastinum cyst. One year after the first visit, a CT examination confirmed an increase in lesion size. Therefore, surgery was performed using a left thoracoscopic approach in the prone position. Before surgery, 3D models were used for simulation. Excision was performed without leakage of the contents. The histopathological diagnosis was a bronchogenic cyst. The left thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position is an uncommon approach but is useful for resecting tumors in the left side of the lower mediastinum. The authors were well-prepared and able to perform safe and reliable surgery.

[Effect of Biweekly-DCF Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Skeletal Muscle Mass of Esophageal Cancer Patients].

INTRODUCTION: Several studies reported that skeletal muscle mass affects the clinical response and quality of life of cancer patients during chemotherapy. Here we examined the adverse events and effects of anticancer drugs on the skeletal muscle mass of patients with esophageal cancer who received biweekly docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil(DCF)neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our department. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 105 patients with esophageal cancer who received biweekly-DCF neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 2009-2019. The cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on computed tomography was assessed to calculate the psoas muscle index(PMI). Patients were divided into the high PMI group(high-group)and low PMI group(low-group)by cut-off value(male: 6.36 cm2/m2; female: 3.92 cm2/m2). Hematological toxicity, non-hematological toxicity, and therapeutic effect were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: Male in the high-group had significantly less ≥Grade 3 hematological toxicity than those in the low-group. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that PMI(odds ratio: 1, p<0.05)was significantly related to decreased hematological toxicity. CONCLUSION: In preoperative chemotherapy for esophageal cancer, the incidence of hematological toxicity was significantly higher in patients with low skeletal muscle mass. Thus, skeletal muscle mass may be a marker for determining optimal anticancer drug dosage.

Incorporation of virtual reality in the clinical training of medical students studying esophageal and mediastinal anatomy and surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effectiveness of incorporating virtual reality (VR) in lectures on esophageal and mediastinal anatomy and surgical procedures for medical students at Gifu University during clinical training. METHODS: We divided medical students participating in clinical training, randomly, into two groups of 30 students each: those who received a lecture using 3D images (3D group) and those who received a lecture using VR images (VR group). Four days after the lecture, the students completed a written test to allow us to evaluate their comprehension, and a questionnaire on their opinion of the lectures. RESULTS: Based on the results of the written test, the VR group achieved better understanding of computed tomography (CT) images (p = 0.0001) and better interpretation of surgical images (p = 0.0163). However, there was no difference in the scores for spatial recognition and general problems. The questionnaire revealed that the VR group became more interested in mediastinal anatomy (p = 0.0165) and surgery (p = 0.0135). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that VR enhances the learning process. The lecture incorporating the VR experience was more effective than the traditional lecture for promoting an understanding of CT images and interpretation of surgical images; thus, it enhances the learning experience for medical students studying surgery.

Relapsing polychondritis occurring after esophageal cancer surgery: a case report with a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Relapsing polychondritis is a relatively rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. In this case the treatment for esophageal cancer may have triggered relapsing polychondritis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old man complained of dysphagia and weight loss. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed type 2 advanced esophageal cancer. A subtotal esophagectomy and three-region lymph node dissection were performed after chemotherapy. One month later, the patient developed respiratory distress accompanied by wheezing, dizziness, and hearing loss. The symptoms improved within a few days. The frequency of respiratory distress increased and the patient visited our department. Pharyngeal endoscopy revealed narrowing of the glottic space and a subglottic tumor. No malignant findings were found histopathologically on the biopsy specimens, but infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed. We diagnosed relapsing polychondritis based on the histopathological findings of the pharyngeal cartilage, in addition to the osteolytic changes of the cricoid cartilage on CT. The symptoms were relieved after the administration of oral steroids. Despite tapering of the steroids, no recurrence of relapsing polychondritis occurred. There was no evidence of esophageal cancer recurrence. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment for relapsing polychondritis are necessary because this condition is often associated with airway lesions. Esophageal cancer treatment may trigger relapsing polychondritis.

Three-step operation for esophago-left bronchial fistula with respiratory failure after esophagectomy: a case report with literature review.

BACKGROUND: The development of esophago-bronchial fistula after esophagectomy and reconstruction using a posterior mediastinal gastric tube remains a rare complication associated with a high rate of mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent a thoracoscopic esophagectomy with two-field lymph node dissection and reconstruction via a gastric tube through the posterior mediastinal route. Postoperatively, the patient developed extensive pyothorax in the right lung due to port site bleeding and hematoma infection. Four months after surgery, he developed an esophago-left bronchial fistula due to ischemia of the cervical esophagus and severe reflux esophagitis at the site of the anastomosis. Because of respiratory failure due to the esophago-bronchial fistula and the history of extensive right pyothorax, right thoracotomy and left one-lung ventilation were thought to be impossible, so we decided to perform the surgery in three-step systematically. First, we inserted a decompression catheter and feeding tube into the gastric tube as a gastrostomy and expected neovascularization to develop from the wall of the gastric tube through the anastomosis after this procedure. Second, 14 months after esophagectomy, we constructed an esophagostomy after confirming blood flow in the distal side of the cervical esophagus via gastric tube using intraoperative indocyanine green-guided blood flow evaluation. In the final step, we closed the esophagostomy and performed a cervical esophago-jejunal anastomosis to restore esophageal continuity using a pedicle jejunum in a Roux-en-Y anastomosis via a subcutaneous route. CONCLUSION: This three-step operation can be an effective procedure for patients with esophago-left bronchial fistula after esophagectomy, especially those with respiratory failure and difficulty in undergoing right thoracotomy with left one-lung ventilation.

The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Pathological Positive Lymph Nodes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Esophagectomy: a Single Institute Retrospective Analysis.

The need for adjuvant therapy after radical resection for patients with stage II-III thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not been determined. Since recurrence can occur after radical resection and since the prognosis is still poor, it is necessary to consider additional treatment strategies, including adjuvant chemotherapy. We retrospectively investigated the significance of adjuvant therapy after NAC followed by radical resection for TESCC. Between 2008 and 2018, 115 patients with clinical stage II-III underwent radical subtotal esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy. Among them, 62 were analyzed, excluding patients with T4 tumors and patients who had undergone R plus resection or who were receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy. We compared patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy with those who only received observation; we examined overall survival (OS) and recurrence rates. Twenty-nine patients (46.7%) had lymph node metastasis, 12 of whom received adjuvant chemotherapy (41.3%). The recurrence rates for patients with and without lymph node metastasis were 55.1 % and 15.1%, respectively (p = 0.0022). Among patients with lymph node metastasis, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate (p = 0.9270) or OS (p = 0.5416) based on the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, in 15 patients with two or more positive lymph nodes, adjuvant chemotherapy increased OS (p = 0.0404). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in clinical stage II-III TESCC patients with two or more pathological positive lymph nodes after NAC followed by radical surgery. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-021-01419-0.

Successful treatment of cervical and upper thoracic esophageal adenocarcinoma using induction chemotherapy followed by surgery: a case report.

Cervical esophageal adenocarcinoma has a low incidence rate and its treatment involves various strategies. We report a patient with locally advanced cervical to upper esophageal adenocarcinoma who was able to undergo induction chemotherapy and radical surgery. A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma between the cervical and upper thoracic esophagus. The primary lesion had infiltrated into the tracheal membrane and had metastasized into the cervical lymph nodes. The initial diagnosis was T4bN1M1 stage IVB. The lower edge of the tumor was close to the tracheal bifurcation, making it difficult to create a longitudinal tracheal foramen during surgery. Therefore, when biweekly-DCF therapy was performed as induction chemotherapy, the tumor shrank sufficiently and its infiltration into the tracheal membrane decreased subsequently. We performed total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection and reconstruction using free jejunal grafts and subtotal stomach via a posterior mediastinum route and a permanent tracheal foramen as a radical surgery. The pathological diagnosis was T2/MP, N1, and the effect of chemotherapy was grade 2. Cervical esophageal adenocarcinoma was rare, but technically reliable and safe oncologic surgery was possible after induction chemotherapy.

Total laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglioneuromas are rare benign tumors originating from neural crests and typically affect young adults. The most frequent locations are the posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum and adrenal gland. In general, retroperitoneal ganglioneuromas are discovered incidentally or by mass effect. In the literature, the number of retroperitoneal masses reported is quite limited. We report a case of laparoscopic excision of a retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was a 40-year-old woman who visited a nearby clinic with anorexia and vomiting. She was referred to our hospital after the detection of an abdominal mass. Enhanced computed tomography(CT) showed a lobule mass of 107 × 42 mm in size, with internal inhomogeneity and mild delayed enhancement on the retroperitoneal side of the left abdominal lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed a mass with low intensity and partial high intensity on T2 weighted Image (T2WI). In addition, positron emission tomography CT(PET-CT) detected slight fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation (standardized uptake value(SUV) max: 3.01) in the same lesion. Based on these findings, we suspected a retroperitoneal tumor. Laparoscopic excision was performed via 5 ports. The extracted tissue was a well-defined mass of 110 × 70 mm. The tumor in our case exceeded 10 cm. The pathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma, with no obvious malignancy. DISCUSSION: It was suggested that adaptation of laparoscopic surgery should be considered based on the observation of organ invasion or vessel invasion and adhesion around the tumor, rather than based on the diameter of the tumor. CONCLUSION: This approach is less invasive than conventional laparotomy methods and achieves good cosmetic outcomes. Thus, totally laparoscopic procedures should be considered more often for the treatment of retroperitoneal tumors.

Chylothorax after esophagectomy treated with inguinal intranodal lymphangiography and transvenous retrograde thoracic duct embolization.

Chylothorax after esophagectomy is a serious complication that is associated with major morbidity due to dehydration and malnutrition. Reoperation with ligation of the thoracic duct is considered for patients with high-output chyle leaks that have failed conservative management. In this report, we present the treatment options for chylothorax after esophagectomy: inguinal intranodal lymphangiography and transvenous retrograde thoracic duct embolization. A 74-year-old man with esophageal cancer had been operated with thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Six days after surgery, he presented with high-output chyle leaks. Conservative treatment did not result in a significant improvement. Inguinal intranodal lymphangiography and transvenous retrograde thoracic duct embolization were performed 13 days after surgery and were technically and clinically successful. Inguinal intranodal lymphangiography and transvenous retrograde thoracic duct embolization are an effective treatment option, especially for patients after esophagectomy with reconstruction performed via the posterior mediastinal route, without the potential for damage the gastric tube and omentum.

Right-sided Zenker's diverticulum resected using intraoperative neuromonitoring.

Right-sided Zenker's diverticulum is a rare pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. The risk of intraoperative injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is high during transcervical diverticulectomy because this nerve presents many variations of extralaryngeal bifurcation before entry into the larynx. We present a case of right-sided Zenker's diverticulum that was safely resected with the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring to prevent right recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. A 55-year-old man complaining of chronic cough and regurgitation of ingested food was diagnosed as having right-sided Zenker's diverticulum and underwent open transcervical diverticulectomy and cricopharyngeal myotomy. The location of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was accurately determined during dissection by intermittent stimulation using a monopolar stimulation probe of an intraoperative neuromonitoring system to avoid injury. The postoperative course was uneventful, and postoperative evaluation showed no vocal cord paralysis. Intraoperative neuromonitoring may be beneficial during transcervical diverticulectomy for right-sided Zenker's diverticulum nearby the right recurrent laryngeal nerve, which can present with many variations of extralaryngeal bifurcation.

Esophageal cancer with right vertebral artery variation observed during thoracoscopic esophagectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Variation of the vertebral artery bifurcation is rare. This branching abnormality can cause unexpected vertebral artery damage and bleeding during thoracoscopic esophagectomy. There are few reports of abnormal branching of the vertebral artery associated with neurosurgery but none related to esophagectomy. We report the case together with the results of the evaluation of vertebral artery bifurcation and length in 50 patients with esophageal cancer in our hospital. CASE PRESENTATION: Thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed on a 70-year-old patient with esophageal cancer. During lymph node dissection around the right reccurent laryngeal nerve, an unusual blood vessel was found running along the right subclavian artery. We determined this blood vessel to be the right vertebral artery branching far more centrally than usual. Because this anatomical abnormality was clarified, we could then recognize that the right reccurent laryngeal nerve coursed around the right vertebral artery and the right subclavian artery and thus was running in a larger arch than usual. CONCLUSION: Long right vertebral artery may appear in the surgical field of the thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Knowledge of such anatomical variation is important to prevent iatrogenic injury of the right vertebral artery and the right reccurent laryngeal nerve.

Successful treatment of superior mesenteric artery thrombosis via preoperative interventional radiology and surgery using indocyanine green fluorescence.

We report a successful case that offered a symbolic therapeutic experience of interventional radiology and surgery collaboration for superior mesenteric artery thrombosis. A 70-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of sudden abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed superior mesenteric artery thrombosis. Interventional radiology was performed, and thrombotic occlusion was observed in the superior mesenteric artery trunk. The abdominal pain disappeared; however, after a while, the thrombus re-formed and the abdominal pain reappeared. Thus, emergency surgery was performed. Before surgery, thrombus aspiration was performed via interventional radiology as much as possible. During surgery, when the blood flow was evaluated using fluorescence with indocyanine green, a region of markedly poor blood flow was detected in the ileum, and the area was excised. The postoperative course was favorable. In this patient, it is possible that preoperative removal of the thrombus via interventional radiology minimized the ischemic area of the intestinal tract, and blood flow evaluation using indocyanine green allowed reliable excision of only the ischemic area. We believe that our case involved a treatment that exploited the advantages of both interventional radiology and surgery using indocyanine green fluorescence.

Mechanism of acquired 5FU resistance and strategy for overcoming 5FU resistance focusing on 5FU metabolism in colon cancer cell lines.

Fluorouracil (5FU) is converted to its active metabolite fluoro­deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) through the orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT)­ribonucleotide reductase (RR) pathway and thymidine phosphatase (TP)­thymidine kinase (TK) pathway and inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS), leading to inhibition of thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) synthesis through a de novo pathway. We investigated the mechanism of 5FU resistance and strategies to overcome it by focusing on 5FU metabolism. Colon cancer cell lines SW48 and LS174T and 5FU­resistant cell lines SW48/5FUR and LS174T/5FUR were used. FdUMP amount was measured by western blotting. The FdUMP synthetic pathway was investigated by combining TP inhibitor (tipiracil hydrochloride; TPI) or RR inhibitor (hydroxyurea; HU) with 5FU. Drug cytotoxicity was observed by crystal violet staining assay. FdUMP was synthesized through the OPRT­RR pathway in SW48 cells but was scarcely synthesized through either the OPRT­RR or TP­TK pathway in SW48/5FUR cells. FdUMP amount in SW48/5FUR cells was reduced by 87% vs. SW48 cells. Expression levels of OPRT and TP were lower in SW48/5FUR when compared with these levels in the SW48 cells, indicating decreased synthesis of FdUMP­led 5FU resistance. These results indicated that fluoro­deoxyuridine (FdU) rather than 5FU promotes FdUMP synthesis and overcomes 5FU resistance. Contrastingly, FdUMP was synthesized through the OPRT­RR and TP­TK pathways in LS174T cells but mainly through the TP­TK pathway in LS174T/5FUR cells. FdUMP amount was similar in LS174T/5FUR vs. the LS174T cells. OPRT and RR expression was lower and TK expression was higher in LS174T/5FUR vs. the LS174T cells, indicating that dTMP synthesis increased through the salvage pathway, thus leading to 5FU resistance. LS174T/5FUR cells also showed cross­resistance to FdU and TS inhibitor, suggesting that nucleoside analogs such as trifluoro­thymidine should be used to overcome 5FU resistance in these cells. 5FU metabolism and mechanisms of 5FU resistance are different in each cell line. Both synthesized FdUMP amount and FdUMP sensitivity should be considered in 5FU­resistant cells.

MYC Up-regulation Is a Useful Biomarker for Preoperative Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Combined With Anti-EGFR in Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: At present, there are no biomarkers to predict the effects of molecular targeted drugs in patients with CRC with liver metastasis. Thus, we performed this study to explore potential biomarkers for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained cancer tissue specimens from liver metastasis-bearing CRC patients who received the following preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapies with molecular targeted drugs: i) no therapy (n=3), ii) 5-FU+oxaliplatin+anti-EGFR (n=3), iii) and 5-FU+oxaliplatin+anti-VEGF (n=3). RESULTS: We investigated the RNA expression of 84 genes related to cancer drug resistance using an RT-PCR array. The MYC gene was the only gene that was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissue specimens from anti-EGFR group in comparison to the anti-VEGF group. CONCLUSION: MYC up-regulation in the primary CRC tissues may be a potentially useful biomarker for selecting anti-EGFR combination therapy in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for CRC with liver metastasis.

A case of submucosal abscess of the esophagus mimicking a mediastinal abscess.

We report a case of a submucosal abscess of the esophagus that required differentiation from a mediastinal abscess. A 48-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of fever and sore throat. He did not remember swallowing a foreign body, and his oral cavity showed no signs of inflammation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a low density area with enhancement in the mediastinum, especially around the esophageal wall. We planned to perform surgical drainage with the intention of performing intraoperative endoscopy from the beginning. We performed surgical drainage through a left cervical oblique incision; however, there was no exudate obtained from the mediastinal space. Despite the reported absence of accidental ingestion of a foreign substance, intraoperative endoscopy was performed that revealed a laceration in the esophageal mucosa 24 cm from the incisors. We diagnosed it as a submucosal abscess of the esophagus and prescribed parenteral antibiotics. Submucosal abscess of the esophagus can occur even in the absence of awareness of a foreign body ingestion or oral infection. In case that the abscess was not localized clearly within the outer membrane of the esophagus, the coincidental mediastinal drainage via a cervical incision and intraoperative endoscopy seemed to be useful.

Histological diversity and molecular characteristics in gastric cancer: relation of cancer stem cell-related molecules and receptor tyrosine kinase molecules to mixed histological type and more histological patterns.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancers (GCs) are still one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The histological and molecular features of GC may differ widely from area to area within the same tumor. Intratumoral heterogeneity has been considered a major obstacle to an efficient diagnosis and successful molecular treatment. METHODS: We selected and reevaluated 842 GC cases and analyzed the relationship between numbers or composites of histological patterns within tumors, and clinicopathological parameters in mucosal and invasive areas. In addition, we searched for the GC-associated molecules or molecular subtypes marking histological diversities. RESULTS: GC cases with more histological numbers or mixed types in invasive areas showed significantly higher T grade and staging, whereas those in mucosal areas did not show any significant associations. GCs with histological diversities showed poorer prognosis and characteristically expressed cancer stem cell-related molecules (CD44, CD133 or ALDH1) and receptor tyrosine kinase molecules (HER2, EGFR or c-MET) as well as Helicobacter pylori infection. Expressions of CD44, HER2, c-MET, laminin 5·2 or retained E-cadherin in mucosal areas were predictive of more histological numbers and mixed types in invasive areas. In addition, the chromosomal instability subtype of GC showed significant associations with more histological numbers and mixed histological type, whereas the genomic stability subtype of GC showed a significant relationship with pure type. CONCLUSIONS: We displayed the relationship between histological diversity and molecular features in GC, and we hope that the present data can contribute to the early diagnosis and prevention, and effective treatment of GC.

Cancer Cachexia Reduces the Efficacy of Nivolumab Treatment in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Nivolumab is effective against advanced gastric cancer (AGC) refractory to or in patients intolerant of standard chemotherapy. This study was designed to clarify the impact of cancer cachexia in patients with AGC who received nivolumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited AGC patients who were treated with nivolumab from October 2017 to December 2019. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without cancer cachexia at the start of nivolumab. Cancer cachexia was defined as weight loss >5%; weight loss >2% and body mass index (BMI) <20; or sarcopenia and BMI <20. Primary endpoints were median overall survival (OS) and median time to treatment failure (TTF), while secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: The study enrolled 44 patients. Median OS and TTF were significantly shorter in patients with cancer cachexia than in those without cancer cachexia (OS: 6.6 vs. 2.3 months; HR=2.65; 95%CI=1.28-5.49; p=0.008, TTF: 2.6 vs. 1.9 months; HR=2.17; 95%CI=1.09-4.32, p=0.027). On Cox proportional hazards analysis, cancer cachexia was significantly associated with shorter OS. The incidence of adverse events did not differ between the two groups. Nivolumab was associated with better OS and TTF outcomes in AGC patients without cachexia than in those with cachexia, albeit there was no difference in the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSION: Cancer cachexia may be associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with AGC treated with nivolumab.

An endoscopic dilation method using the rendezvous approach for the treatment of severe anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative anastomotic stenosis is a common complication in colorectal cancer patients (3-30%). Complete anastomotic stenosis is rare; however, when it occurs, almost all cases require surgical treatment. We herein report a case in which endoscopic dilation was effective for treating complete anastomotic stenosis after high anterior resection in a rectal cancer patient. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 67-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic high anterior resection for rectal cancer (RS, T4a, N0, M0, Stage IIB (TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors)) in May 2018. The postoperative course was good and the patient was discharged on the 12th postoperative day. Subsequently adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated with oral uracil and tegafur plus leucovorin (UFT/LV); however, he complained of frequent defecation and melena after completion of the first course of chemotherapy. Thus, colonoscopy was performed, which revealed anastomotic stenosis. Endoscopic dilation was initially attempted, but failed. Thus, low anterior resection was performed with diverting colostomy. Four additional courses of chemotherapy were administered for 1 month after surgery. At 6 months after the second surgery, colonoscopy was performed, and complete anastomotic stenosis was pointed out again. The patient was successfully treated by endoscopic dilation using the rendezvous method. After this treatment, the lumen of the anastomotic site was observed to have narrowed again and endoscopic dilatation to treat anastomotic stenosis was repeated. In addition, he received local injection of steroids in anastomotic stenosis site. The lumen of anastomotic stenosis remained after the local injection of steroids and closure of colostomy was performed 9 months after the second operation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic dilation using the rendezvous method was effective for treating anastomotic stenosis after colorectal surgery.