Chronic expanding hematoma of the liver: a case report and review of the literature.

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) is defined as a hematoma that grows slowly over a month or longer. CEH with a primary hepatic origin is extremely rare. An 85-year-old man presented with general malaise and low-grade fever. His medical history included hypertension and postoperative appendicitis, and he was taking oral aspirin. Computed tomography showed a 7-cm mass in liver S7 with calcification at the margin. On contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, the inside of the mass showed heterogeneous hyperintensity on T1-weighted images, mainly low intensity on T2-weighted images, and mild hyperintensity in some areas. Under the preoperative diagnosis of suspected CEH, hemorrhagic cyst, or hepatocellular carcinoma, S7 partial liver resection and cholecystectomy were performed. Histopathological findings showed that the mass was continuous with the liver and protruded extrahepatically, and was covered with a hard fibrous capsule. The capsule contained hematomas ranging from obsolete to relatively fresh, with no neoplastic lesions. He was diagnosed with CEH in the liver. This subcapsular hepatic hematoma was pathologically shown to be a CEH. Complete surgical resection was effective in treating this CEH in the liver.

Phase II Study of Intraperitoneal Administration of Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 and Cisplatin for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is promising for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Although a phase III study failed to show a statistically significant superiority of intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with S-1 and intravenous paclitaxel, the sensitivity analysis suggested clinical efficacy. Thus, attempts to combine intraperitoneal paclitaxel with other systemic therapies with higher efficacy have been warranted. We sought to explore the efficacy of intraperitoneal paclitaxel with S-1 and cisplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis were enrolled in the phase II trial. In addition to the established S-1 and cisplatin regimen every 5 weeks, intraperitoneal paclitaxel was administered on days 1, 8, and 22 at a dose of 20 mg/m2. The primary endpoint was overall survival rate at 1 year after treatment initiation. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and toxicity. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled and fully evaluated for efficacy and toxicity. The 1-year overall survival rate was 73.6% (95% confidence interval 59.5-83.4%), and the primary endpoint was met. The median survival time was 19.4 months (95% confidence interval, 16.1-24.6 months). The 1-year progression-free survival rate was 49.6% (95% confidence interval, 34.6-62.9%). The incidences of grade 3/4 hematological and non-hematological toxicities were 43% and 47%, respectively. The frequent grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (25%), anemia (30%), diarrhea (13%), and anorexia (17%). Intraperitoneal catheter and implanted port-related complications were observed in four patients. There was one treatment-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with S-1 and cisplatin is well tolerated and active in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis.

Cachexia index as a prognostic predictor after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Aim: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the preoperative cachexia index (CXI) and long-term outcomes in patients who have undergone radical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: In total, 144 patients who underwent pancreatic resection for treatment of PDAC were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between the CXI and the patients' long-term outcomes after PDAC resection was investigated. The CXI was calculated based on the preoperative skeletal muscle index, serum albumin level, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. After propensity-score matching, we compared clinicopathological features and outcomes. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-3.23; P = 0.0118), R1 resection (HR, 57.20; 95% CI, 9.39-348.30; P < 0.0001), and a low CXI (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.27-3.46; P = 0.0038) were independent and significant predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) after PDAC resection. Moreover, a low CXI (HR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.71-5.75; P = 0.0002) was an independent and significant predictor of overall survival (OS) after PDAC resection. After propensity-score matching, the low CXI group had a significantly worse prognosis than the high CXI group for both DFS and OS. Conclusion: The CXI can be a useful prognostic factor for DFS and OS after pancreatic resection for treatment of PDAC.

Liver metastasis composed of pure squamous cell carcinoma component from pancreatic pure ductal adenocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastasis of pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has not been previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old man underwent a computed tomography scan 3 years after surgery for pancreatic head cancer, and the scan revealed a mass lesion in the right lobe of the liver. A liver tumor biopsy was performed, and SCC was diagnosed. Whole sections of the pancreatic head cancer were re-evaluated, but no areas of SCC-like differentiation were identified. Although the pathology differed between the pancreas and liver, metastasis of adenosquamous carcinoma was considered. Three courses of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel were administered to treat the liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer, but no response was attained. Therefore, primary SCC of the liver was considered and hepatic resection was performed. The tumor had invaded the diaphragm, and S5/6 partial hepatic resection with right diaphragm resection was performed. Pathological examination showed pure SCC of the liver, which differed from the pancreatic cancer. KRAS mutations were evaluated in the pancreatic and liver tumor specimens, and Q61R mutation was identified in both specimens. This pure SCC of the liver was diagnosed as metastasis from pancreatic cancer not by histology but by genetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of pure SCC liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer without a squamous cell component in the primary tumor. Evaluation of KRAS mutations in both specimens was useful for diagnosis.

Symptoms Contributing to the Diagnosis of Small Bowel Tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel tumors (SBTs) are difficult to diagnose because of limited opportunities and technical difficulties in evaluating the small bowel. Asymptomatic conditions or nonspecific symptoms make SBT diagnosis more challenging. In Asia, SBTs are reported to be more frequently malignant lymphoma (ML), adenocarcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). In this study, we examined 66 patients diagnosed with SBTs and determined their clinical characteristics. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2013 to July 2020 at Kurume University Hospital. The modalities used to detect SBTs were computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography. Endoscopy was also performed in some cases to confirm SBT diagnosis. The study included 66 patients. The medical data collected included presenting symptoms, tumor location, underlying condition, diagnostic modalities, pathologic diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: ML and adenocarcinoma were the most common tumors (22.7%), followed by GIST (21.2%) and metastatic SBT (18.2%). Symptoms that led to SBT detection were abdominal pain (44.5%), asymptomatic conditions (28.8%), hematochezia (12.1%), and anemia (10.6%). CT was the most used modality to detect SBTs. Nineteen patients were asymptomatic, and SBTs were incidentally detected in them. GISTs and benign tumors were more often asymptomatic than other malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Abdominal pain was the main symptom for SBTs in particular adenocarcinoma, ML, and metastatic SBT. In addition, GIST, which was highly prevalent in Asia, had fewer symptoms. An understanding of these characteristics may be helpful in the clinical practice of SBTs.

A new scoring system with simple preoperative parameters as predictors of early recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often recurs early after radical resection, and such early recurrence (ER) is associated with a poor prognosis. Predicting ER is useful for determining the optimal treatment. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three patients who underwent pancreatectomy for PDAC were divided into an ER group (n = 54) and non-ER group (n = 99). Clinicopathological factors were compared between the groups, and the predictors of ER and prognosis after PDAC resection were examined. RESULTS: The ER group had a higher platelet count, higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), higher preoperative CA19-9 concentration, higher SPan-1 concentration, larger tumor diameter, and more lymph node metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified cut-off values for PLR, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), SPan-1, and tumor diameter. In the multivariate analysis, a high PLR, high CA19-9, and tumor diameter of >3.1 cm were independent predictors of ER after resection (all p < 0.05). When the parameter exceeded the cut-off level, 1 point was given, and the total score of the three factors was defined as the ER prediction score. Next, our new ER prediction model using PLR, CA19-9 and tumor diameter (Logit(p) = 1.6 + 1.2 × high PLR + 0.7 × high CA19-9 + 0.5 × tumor diameter > 3.1cm) distinguished ER with an area under the curve of 0.763, a sensitivity of 85.2%, and a specificity of 55.6%. CONCLUSIONS: ER after resection of PDAC can be predicted by calculation of a score using the preoperative serum CA19-9 concentration, PLR, and tumor diameter.

Oncological Impact of the Level of Inferior Mesenteric Artery Ligation in Low Rectal Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of the level of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation in patients with advanced low rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All enrolled patients (n=350) underwent curative resection of rectal cancer with D3 lymph node dissection, with either IMA (high-tie) or superior rectal artery (SRA) (low-tie) ligation. RESULTS: There were 27 and 65 patients in the high-tie and low-tie groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the postoperative complication rate. Postoperative anastomotic leakage developed in five patients in the low-tie group and none in the high-tie group. The overall recurrence rates were 37.0% (n=10) and 40.0% (n=26) in the high-tie and low-tie groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.748). Local recurrences and lymph node metastases developed in five and no patients in the high-tie group and in 13 and one patient in the low-tie group, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, pathological T4 and pathological N2 and N3 were independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), whereas left colic artery (LCA) preservation was not significant. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in oncological outcomes was observed in advanced low rectal cancer surgery with respect to the level of the IMA ligation. Thus, the less complicated high-tie procedure should be adopted as a standard procedure.

Survival in Older Japanese Adults With Advanced Cancer Before and After Implementation of a Geriatric Oncology Service.

PURPOSE: Research studies have demonstrated that comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) improves outcomes in older adults with cancer treated with chemotherapy. We compared survival outcomes on older adults with advanced cancer before and after the initiation of a geriatric oncology service (GOS) in a single Japanese cancer center. METHODS: This was a comparative study of two groups of consecutive patients 70 years and older with advanced cancer who were referred to medical oncology for first-line chemotherapy before (controls; n = 151, September 2015-August 2018) and after (GOS; n = 191, September 2018-March 2021) implementation of the GOS. When the treating physician requested a consultation from the GOS, a geriatrician and an oncologist performed CGA and provided recommendations for cancer treatment and geriatric interventions. Time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The median age for all patients was 75 (range, 70-95) years, and 85% had GI cancers. In the GOS group, 82 patients received the CGA before a treatment decision and oncologic treatment plans were changed in 49 patients (60%). The overall implementation rate of the CGA-based geriatric interventions was 45%. Two hundred and eighty-two patients received chemotherapy (controls; n = 128 and GOS; n = 154), and 60 patients were treated with best supportive care only (controls; n = 23 and GOS; n = 37). Among patients receiving chemotherapy, TTF event rates for the GOS group compared with the control group were 5.7% versus 14% at 30 days (P = .02) and 13% versus 29% at 60 days (P = .001). The GOS group had longer OS than the control group with a hazard ratio of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.44 to 0.93; P = .02). CONCLUSION: In this study, older adults with advanced cancer managed after the implementation of a GOS had improved survival outcomes compared with a historical control of patients.

Enhanced Clinical Utility of Molecular Budding Signature as a Recurrence Risk Determinant in Stage II and III Colon Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: A molecular budding signature (MBS), which consists of seven tumor budding-related genes, was recently presented as a prominent prognostic indicator in colon cancer (CC) using microarray data acquired from frozen specimens. This study aimed to confirm the predictive power of MBS for recurrence risk based on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials. METHODS: This research utilized the same microarray data from a prior multicenter study using FFPE whole tissue sections, which retrospectively reviewed 232 stage II CC patients without adjuvant chemotherapy and 302 stage III CC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients underwent upfront curative surgery without neoadjuvant therapy between 2009 and 2012. An MBS score was calculated using the mean of log2 [each signal] of seven genes (MSLN, SLC4A11, WNT11, SCEL, RUNX2, MGAT3, and FOXC1) as described before. RESULTS: The MBS-low group exhibited a better relapse-free survival (RFS) than the MBS-high group in stage II (P = 0.0077) and in stage III CC patients (P = 0.0003). Multivariate analyses revealed that the MBS score was an independent prognostic factor in both stage II (P = 0.0257) and stage III patients (P = 0.0022). Especially among T4, N2, or both (high-risk) stage III patients, the MBS-low group demonstrated markedly better RFS compared with the MBS-high group (P = 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the predictive power of the MBS for recurrence risk by employing FFPE materials in stage II/III CC patients.

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Nutritional Assessment in Elderly Patients who Underwent Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Stage I-III Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Surgery for elderly patients with gastric cancer is becoming more common. However, the risk factors of the laparoscopic surgery for these patients are unknown, and thus it is difficult to determine appropriate treatments for such patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the risk factors for the treatment outcomes after laparoscopic gastrectomy in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer between January 2014 and December 2017 were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and short- and long-term prognoses were analyzed in 47 patients aged 75 years or older (elderly group) and in 175 patients who were under 75 years old (non-elderly group). RESULTS: The presence of comorbidities was more common in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group (91.5% vs. 61.7%, p<0.0001). The rate of postoperative complications in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the non-elderly group (42.6% vs. 22.9%, p=0.01). The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group (66.9% vs. 92.2%; p<0.0001). In the elderly group, 5-year overall survival in patients with a low preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was significantly worse than that in patients with a high preoperative PNI (25.0% vs. 80.9%; p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the PNI value was independently associated with overall survival in elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy (p<0.05). In particular, the rate of non-cancer deaths after surgery in elderly patients was significantly higher than that in non-elderly patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: PNI value is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in elderly patients who have undergone laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer; therefore, in elderly patients with low preoperative PNI, attention should be paid not only to recurrence of cancer, but also to the deterioration of general condition caused by malnutrition.

Comprehensive registry of esophageal cancer in Japan, 2015.

BACKGROUND: The registration committee for esophageal cancer in the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) has collected the patients' characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients who underwent any treatment during 2015 in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed patients' data who had visited the participating hospitals in 2015. We collected the data using the National Clinical Database with a web-based data collection system. We used the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 10th edition by JES and the TNM classification by the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) for cancer staging. RESULTS: A total of 9368 cases were registered from 355 institutions in Japan. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma accounted for 86.7% and 7.4%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of patients treated by endoscopic resection, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, radiotherapy alone, and esophagectomy were 87.2%, 33.5%, 24.2%, and 59.9%, respectively. Esophagectomy was performed in 5172 cases. Minimally invasive approaches were selected for 60.6%, and 54.4% underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The operative mortality (within 30 days after surgery) was 0.79% and the hospital mortality was 2.3%. The survival curves showed an excellent discriminatory ability both in the clinical and pathologic stages by the JES system. The survival of pStage IV was better than IIIC in the UICC system because pStage IV included the patients with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (M1 LYM). CONCLUSION: We hope this report improves all aspects of diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer in Japan.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment: Valuation and patient preferences in older Japanese adults with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for the management of older adults with cancer. We evaluated the effect of CGA conducted by a geriatric oncology service (GOS) on the management of older adults with cancer. We also queried patients about their perceptions of the value of this process. METHODS: This was a prospective quality assessment study of 498 consecutive older adults with cancer who were referred to the GOS from May 2020 through December 2021. Treating physicians requested a consultation and the GOS conducted a CGA and assessed patient preferences. The GOS provided recommendations on cancer treatment and geriatric interventions. Patient perspectives on the consultation were evaluated using collaboRATE and modified Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions (PACIC) subscales. RESULTS: A 10-item frailty index based on a CGA (FI-CGA-10) [Oncologist, 26, e1751 (2021)] in the 498 patients showed that 19% of patients were fit, 40% pre-frail, and 41% frail. Prior to CGA the intent of the proposed cancer treatment was curative in 56% (n = 280), life-extending in 40% (n = 201), and palliative in 3.4% (n = 17). After a CGA consultation, a cancer treatment decision was changed in 45% of patients. The intent of treatment after the CGA consultation was curative in 45%, life-extending in 34%, and palliative in 21%. At least one referral to relevant disciplines was recommended for 88% of patients and was implemented in 43%. As part of the GOS consultation educational support was provided to 97% of patients. Based on the collaboRATE and PACIC tools, patients perceived the GOS consultation positively and helpful for facilitating shared decision-making and patient-centered care. CONCLUSION: Our institutional experience demonstrated the valuable effect of the CGA consultation on oncologic decision-making and geriatric interventions in a patient-centered manner.

Persistent epigenetic alterations in transcription factors after a sustained virological response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background and Aim: The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) persists in a condition of sustained virologic response (SVR) after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication. Comprehensive molecular analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that epigenetic abnormalities present after an SVR play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Methods: Whole-genome methylome and RNA sequencing were performed on HCV, SVR, and healthy liver tissue. Integrated analysis of the sequencing data focused on expression changes in transcription factors and their target genes, commonly found in HCV and SVR. Identified expression changes were validated in demethylated cultured HCC cell lines and an independent validation cohort. Results: The coincidence rates of the differentially methylated regions between the HCV and SVR groups were 91% in the hypomethylated and 71% in the hypermethylated regions in tumorous tissues, and 37% in the hypomethylated and 36% in the hypermethylated regions in non-tumorous tissues. These results indicate that many epigenomic abnormalities persist even after an SVR was achieved. Integrated analysis identified 61 transcription factors and 379 other genes that had methylation abnormalities and gene expression changes in both groups. Validation cohort specified gene expression changes for 14 genes, and gene ontology pathway analysis revealed apoptotic signaling and inflammatory response were associated with these genes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that DNA methylation abnormalities, retained after HCV eradication, affect the expression of transcription factors and their target genes. These findings suggest that DNA methylation in SVR patients may be functionally important in carcinogenesis, and could serve as biomarkers to predict HCC occurrence.

Simple systemic index associated with oxaliplatin-induced liver damage can be a novel biomarker to predict prognosis after resection of colorectal liver metastasis.

Aim: Oxaliplatin, an anticancer drug for advanced colorectal cancer, causes liver sinusoidal damage, sometimes with portal hypertension. We conducted a retrospective comparative study of the relationship of liver sinusoidal disorders and liver function with the prognosis in patients who underwent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). Methods: In total, 158 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM were included in the study, and the effect of chemotherapy-associated liver damage on the prognosis was examined. Results: Preoperative oxaliplatin was used in 75 of 158 patients; of these 75 patients, 26 had intraoperative blue liver (BL). In a comparison of the BL group (n = 26) and non-BL group (n = 132), patients in the BL group had a significantly lower serum albumin concentration and a significantly higher indocyanine green test result, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and FIB-4 score. Operative morbidities were not significantly different between the two groups. The overall survival rate after hepatectomy was significantly worse in the BL group than in the non-BL group. In the univariate analysis, the serum albumin concentration, indocyanine green test, a high tumor burden score (TBS), and the APRI were statistically significant poor prognostic factors. In the multivariate analysis, the APRI and a high TBS were independent poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: The APRI and TBS in patients with CRLM are prognostic predictors after hepatectomy for metastatic liver cancer. This study indicated that liver damage in patients treated with preoperative oxaliplatin has an effect on the prognosis.

Utility of Diagnostic Colonoscopy in Pediatric Intestinal Disease.

BACKGROUND: The roles and methods of diagnostic colonoscopy in pediatric patients were previously demonstrated. With advances in medical equipment and the increasing need for pediatric endoscopic diagnosis, we compared recent results with those previously reported. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients aged ≤15 years, comparing those who underwent their first diagnostic colonoscopy between 1 January 2007 and 28 February 2015 with those who did so between 1 March 2015 and 28 February 2022 at Kurume University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients were included, including 110 in the previous study and 164 in the present study. The main indications were hematochezia in the previous study (63/110, 57.3%) and abdominal pain in the present study (64/164, 39.0%). Ulcerative colitis (74/274, 27.0%) was the most common diagnosis in both studies. The major difference from the previous study was an increase in the number of Crohn's disease and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder cases. Bowel preparation with magnesium citrate was significantly increased across all ages in the present study (142/164, 86.6%). Midazolam + pentazocine was used for sedation in most cases (137/164, 83.5%). An ultrathin upper endoscope was mainly used in patients aged ≤6 years, while ultrathin colonoscopes were applied in patients aged 7-12 years. CONCLUSION: In the present study, appropriate changes were found in the roles and methods of diagnostic colonoscopy in pediatric patients compared to the previous study. The increasing trend of patients presenting with inflammatory bowel disease and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder worldwide indicates the importance of colonoscopy in infants and children.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver occurring in an adolescent: a case report with genomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in children and is rarely diagnosed in adults. CASE PRESENTATION: The case was a female in her late 20s who presented with a huge liver mass found upon the examination of fever. Imaging analysis showed a well-defined mass measuring 9 cm in the largest dimension in the right posterior segment of the liver. The patient underwent right hemi-hepatectomy. Histopathological studies revealed that the circumscribed tumor was composed of a proliferation of atypical epithelioid to spindle-shaped cells with pleomorphic nuclei arranged in haphazard pattern. Histopathological features observed in immunohistochemical analyses confirmed a final diagnosis of UESL. Genome analysis using FoundationOne CDx revealed 11 somatic mutations including TP53 (R196*) and STK11 (F354L). Adjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide and etoposide was performed, and the case has been followed up without recurrence for 1 year after hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: A UESL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large and well-defined solid liver lesions. Although the prognosis of UESL is extremely unfavorable, aggressive surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy and genomic analysis may be helpful for ensuring long-term survival.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric tube cancer after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a nationwide study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of esophageal cancer post-esophagectomy may sometimes develop gastric tube cancer (GTC). However, its clinical characteristics have not been elucidated. We conducted a retrospective nationwide survey of GTCs to clarify them. METHODS: A questionnaire on GTCs was sent by e-mail and mail to 116 institutions certified by the Japan Esophageal Society. A total of 608 GTC cases diagnosed and treated between 2001 and 2015 were registered from 62 institutions. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 71 years, with 88.9% being diagnosed with stage I. Sixty percent of GTC cases were in the anal third of the gastric tube and 79.7% were differentiated adenocarcinomas. The median interval between esophagectomy and GTC diagnosis was 6 years, with approximately 25% of patients being diagnosed more than 10 years later. The 5-year overall survivals (5-OSs) after endoscopic and surgical treatments for GTC were 75.9% and 52.7%, respectively. Patients whose GTC was diagnosed without symptoms or by regular follow-up examination showed better 5-OSs compared to others (69.7% vs. 41.2%, p < 0.0001; and 71.4% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.0001, respectively). The prognosis of GTC cases diagnosed within 2 years of the preceding upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI) was better than that in cases diagnosed longer than 2 years (5-OS: 73.4% vs. 48.8%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This nationwide survey revealed the clinicopathological features of GTCs for the first time. Early detection is important in improving the prognosis of GTC, and it is recommended that UGI endoscopy be continued every 2 years for 10 or more years after esophagectomy.

A Nationwide Survey on Digestive Reconstruction Following Pharyngolaryngectomy With Total Esophagectomy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in Japan.

AIM: Digestive reconstruction after pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy (PLTE) remains challenging, with the optimal method remaining unclear. The current study aimed to clarify the short-term outcomes after PLTE and determine the optimal digestive reconstruction method. METHODS: Based on a nationwide survey of 151 patients who underwent PLTE, outcomes of digestive reconstruction methods are described. RESULTS: Among digestive reconstruction methods, a simple gastric tube was most frequently used (37.1%), followed by gastric tube combined with free graft transfer (FGT) (35.1%), gastric tube with microvascular anastomosis (22.5%), and other procedures (5.3%). Intraoperative evaluation of microcirculation (IOEM) was utilized in 29 patients (19.2%). Among the included patients, 66.9% developed any-grade complications, 41.0% developed severe complications, and 23.8% developed digestive reconstruction-related complications (DRRCs; leakage or necrosis). Reoperation within 30 days for any complications and DRRCs was required in 13.9% and 8.6% of the patients, respectively. Mortality within 90 days was observed in 4.6%. Among the three major methods, gastric tube combined with FGT promoted the least DRRCs in the gastric tube (P = .005), although the overall incidence of DRRCs was comparable. The use of IOEM was significantly associated with a reduction of severe DRRCs (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy is a high-risk surgery significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, the addition of FGT can help prevent gastric tip complications, while IOEM can be an effective method for improving outcomes.