Association between skin flap necrosis and sarcopenia in patients who underwent total mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is associated with postoperative complications in patients undergoing digestive surgery. In this study, we investigated the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on postoperative complications in breast cancer patients who underwent total mastectomy. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer who underwent total mastectomy were included in the analysis. The relationship between the presence of sarcopenia and postoperative complications (e.g., skin flap necrosis and seroma) and between the incidence of these complications as well as preoperative and surgical factors was investigated. Moreover, the effects of sarcopenia on recurrence-free survival and overall survival were evaluated. The psoas muscle index calculated using values measured on preoperative computed tomography images was used to diagnose sarcopenia. RESULTS: In total, 43 (49%) of 88 patients presented with sarcopenia. The number of patients with a Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index score <91 was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (p = 0.011). Seroma was observed in 32 (36.4%) patients, and no significant difference was observed between the patients with and without sarcopenia (16 [35.6%] in the non-sarcopenia group vs 16 [37.2%] in the sarcopenia group). By contrast, skin flap necrosis was observed in 20 (22.7%) patients, and the number of patients with this complication was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (15 [34.9%] vs 5 [11.1%]). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is a risk factor for skin flap necrosis and may be an important factor for preoperative evaluation in patients who will undergo total mastectomy.

[A Case Report on the Effectiveness of Olaparib in a Patient with Recurrent Breast Cancer with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection].

A 43 -year-old woman presented to the hospital with a right breast tumor. She had been treated for human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection for 5 years. After being diagnosed with right breast cancer, she underwent total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, which indicated T2N1M0 triple-negative breast cancer. She received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide( AC)followed by docetaxel(AC-T)as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. However, 14 months after the adjuvant chemotherapy finished, distant metastasis occurred in the brain, lung, and mediastinum lymph nodes. Treatment for relapse was initiated, with whole brain radiotherapy followed by paclitaxel plus bevacizumab combination therapy(PB); however, new metastatic lesions were found in the bone, liver, and mediastinum lymph node after 2 courses of PB. Given the risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, a BRCAgene test was performed when the patient received radiotherapy for left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis caused by mediastinal lymph nodes; this showed a result positive for a deleterious mutation in BRCA1. Thus, treatment with olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitor, was started. Metastatic lesions, including barky growth, in the liver metastasis were well controlled, as confirmed by CT imaging 4 months after the start of olaparib.

[A Case of Axillary Accessory Breast Cancer Treated via Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap Reconstruction].

A 46-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of left axillary mass enlargement, which she had been aware of for 8 years. Palpation revealed that the mass was 15mm in size. Redness and gathering of the skin were also observed. Mammographic imaging of the left axilla revealed an irregular mass with skin infiltration. Breast ultrasonography revealed a low echo mass in the left axilla, which was continuous from the skin. Core needle biopsy was used to diagnose the tumor as an invasive ductal carcinoma. No other lesions were observed in the breast, and primary lesions were not found in any other organs. The patient was diagnosed with axillary accessory breast cancer and underwent local extensive resection and axillary lymph node dissection. Because the skin defect was widespread, we performed axillary reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to prevent upper limb contracture. At present, she can move her upper limbs and lymphedema has not been observed. In cases of axillary accessory breast cancer with skin infiltration, reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap can be a useful procedure.

[Review of the Efficacy of Endoscopic Stenting for Malignant Colorectal Obstruction at Tokyo Metropolitan Ohtsuka Hospital].

BACKGROUND: The use of self-expandable metallic stent(SEMS)was first authorized by insurance and became available nationwide in Japan in 2012. Insertion of SEMS for colorectal obstruction due to colorectal cancer is useful as a bridge to surgery(BTS)approach and releases stenosis as palliative care. AIM: To assess the outcomes of SEMS placement for colorectal obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients were treated with SEMS between April 2014 and March 2017. We reviewed their medical records to assess the usefulness of SEMS placement and the clinical course. RESULTS: SEMS insertion was effective in 93% of the 14 patients. In 10 patients with BTS, the median interval between SEMS insertion and operation was 16 days, and no severe complications were noted in them. In 4 patients with palliative care, all patients were released from colorectal stenosis. CONCLUSION: SEMS placement played a satisfactory role in improvement of patient QOL by paying scrupulous attention to a colonic stent retained.

[A Case of Endocrine Cell Carcinoma of the Transverse Colon with Very Poor Prognosis, Onset with Bowel Obstruction].

We report a case of endocrine cell carcinoma of the colon with very poor prognosis, onset with bowel obstruction and multiple liver metastases. The patient was a 77-year-old man who underwent left hemicolectomy after a colon stent treatment for bowel obstruction due to cancer of the transverse colon with unresectable multiple liver metastases. Chemotherapy was not initiated because of his poor health. He died of primary cancer 52 days after the surgery. Endocrine cell carcinoma of the large intestine has a poor prognosis due to an early onset of liver and lymph node metastases, as well as peritoneal dissemination. A large-scale clinical study is needed to establish an effective adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Surgical Treatment for Extremely Elderly Patients over 90 Years of Age with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer - A Report of Four Cases].

We report 4 cases ofStage IV colorectal cancer patients over 90 years ofage who received surgical treatment. All of 4 cases were right-sided advanced colon cancer(1 case had also recto-sigmoid advanced cancer)and were received emergency operation. Two cases received resection ofprimary tumors and anastomosis, the other 2 cases received only ileostomy or colostomy. Three cases were able to be discharged from hospital successfully, but unfortunately, we lost one case because of cerebrovascular complication after surgery. We could provide palliative care facilities or home care services for survived three cases after spending certain time with their families peacefully. We treated them successfully with a collaborative medical team including experienced staffs for oral care, skin care, rehabilitation, mental care and social workers and others. Regarding to surgical treatment ofStage IV colorectal cancer patient, especially for extremely elderly patients over 90 years of age, we should consider not only perioperative treatment but also post- discharge comprehensive and palliative care.

[A Case of Solitary Metastatic Diaphragmatic Tumor from Resected Rectal Cancer].

A 54-year-old woman underwent high anterior resection with D3 lymphadenectomy for rectal cancer at another hospital. She was diagnosed with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of rectal cancer, pT3, N1, H0, P0, M0, fStage III a. She did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Eighteen months after surgery, abdominal CT at our hospital showed a 19mm-sized mass in S7 of the liver. EOB-MRI also showed a mass in the same location. The mass was a ring contrast-enhanced lesion on dynamic phase, had a low signal pattern on liver cell phase, and had high signal pattern on diffusion-weighted imaging. As such, it was diagnosed as liver metastasis of rectal cancer, and surgery was performed. During surgery, the tumor was found to be located between the liver and diaphragm. Thus, we performed partial resection of the liver diaphragm. Histopathologically, the tumor was the same well-differentiated adenocarcinoma as the primary tumor. In addition, the tumor existed only in the diaphragm and was pumping out the liver. Therefore, we diagnosed the tumor as a diaphragm metastasis of rectal cancer. On literature review, only 8 reports of colorectal metastatic tumors involving the diaphragm were found.

[A Case of Ileocecal Intussusception Due to Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma].

A 67-year-old female with abdominal pain and vomiting was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated small bowel in the left upper abdomen. She was diagnosed with ileocecal intussusception based on abdominal contrastenhanced computed tomography. Computed tomography showed a "pseudo kidney sign" in the right flank region. We also observed an enhanced mass lesion in the presenting portion ofthe intussusception. Laparotomy was performed to treat the invagination. We tried to reduce the invagination, without success. Ileocecal resection was performed. Pathological findings revealed that poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the ileum end portion had induced the invagination. Intussusception in adults should be treated with the knowledge that about 80% ofsuch cases have an organic lesion in the presenting portion.