Impact of the perioperative assessment of deglutition on postoperative respiratory complications in elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between perioperative deglutition screening and postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs) in elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: We analyzed data from 86 patients with gastric cancer (aged ≥ 70 years) who underwent gastrectomy between October, 2016 and November, 2018. Videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations (VFSEs) were performed before and after surgery. We examined the association of these results with postoperative respiratory complications, as well as the relationships between demographic, operative, and swallowing function assessment data. RESULTS: PRCs were identified in 16 patients. The results of pre- and postoperative VFSE showed abnormalities in 28 and 32 patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that abnormalities in the postoperative VFSEs were strongly associated with the development of PRCs (P = 0.002). The findings of this analysis suggests that ventilatory impairment, a Charlson comorbidity index score ≥ 3, and an open surgical approach are independent risk factors for PRCs. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of perioperative assessment of swallowing function using VFSE for predicting PRCs in elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Convergent genomic diversity and novel BCAA metabolism in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Driver alterations may represent novel candidates for driver gene-guided therapy; however, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with multiple genomic aberrations makes them intractable. Therefore, the pathogenesis and metabolic changes of ICC need to be understood to develop new treatment strategies. We aimed to unravel the evolution of ICC and identify ICC-specific metabolic characteristics to investigate the metabolic pathway associated with ICC development using multiregional sampling to encompass the intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. METHODS: We performed the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analysis of 39-77 ICC tumour samples and eleven normal samples. Further, we analysed their cell proliferation and viability. RESULTS: We demonstrated that intra-tumoral heterogeneity of ICCs with distinct driver genes per case exhibited neutral evolution, regardless of their tumour stage. Upregulation of BCAT1 and BCAT2 indicated the involvement of 'Val Leu Ile degradation pathway'. ICCs exhibit the accumulation of ubiquitous metabolites, such as branched-chain amino acids including valine, leucine, and isoleucine, to negatively affect cancer prognosis. We revealed that this metabolic pathway was almost ubiquitously altered in all cases with genomic diversity and might play important roles in tumour progression and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a novel ICC onco-metabolic pathway that could enable the development of new therapeutic interventions.

[A Case of Hepatic Encephalopathy Caused by Portal Vein Thrombosis after Surgery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma].

A female in her 70s underwent right hepatectomy with resection of caudate lobe and extrahepatic bile duct for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(T2aN0M0, Stage Ⅱ: Biliary Cancer Treatment Regulations, 7th edition). On the 4th postoperative day, the patient had impaired consciousness, which worsened to almost coma on the 5th postoperative day. On the same day, a blood test showed high ammonia level, thus the state was thought to be hepatic encephalopathy. Contrast -enhanced CT on the same day showed thrombus from the main trunk of the portal vein to the remnant left branch, narrowing of the lumen of the vessel. Simultaneously, enlarged portosystemic shunt in the pelvic floor due to portal hypertension induced by the thrombosis. Plasmapheresis was performed, and anticoagulation with sodium heparin and antithrombin Ⅲ were started. Then, the portal vein thrombus was reduced, and encephalopathy was improved. She was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 48. She was treated with edoxaban as an outpatient, and anticoagulation therapy was terminated after a CT scan 6 months after surgery, which confirmed no recurrence of thrombus. She is now alive without recurrence of thrombus or tumor for about 2 years after the surgery.

[A Case of Rectal Cancer with Enlarged Lateral Lymph Nodes Treated with Total Neoadjuvant Therapy and Robotic Surgery].

A 70s woman with advanced rectal cancer(AV 3 cm, type 2)was diagnosed as cT3N2M1a, Stage Ⅳ(UICC, TNM 8th) and underwent total neoadjuvant therapy(TNT)consisted of preoperative 5 Gy×5 short course RT followed by 5 courses of CAPOX plus BEV and CAPOX. Post-treatment endoscopy revealed nearCR, MRI failed to identify the primary tumor, and the mesenteric and lateral lymph node enlargement had disappeared. The patient underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection, bilateral lymph node dissection, and temporary ileal colostomy. Postoperative pathological findings were ypT0N0M0, Stage 0, and the efficacy evaluation was TRG 0(AJCC)with no residual tumor including lateral lymph nodes. The patient was discharged on the 16th day without any postoperative complications and is currently alive 6 months postoperatively without recurrence.

[A Case of Conversion Surgery after Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Unresectable Rectal Cancer].

We report a case of locally advanced rectal cancer that could not be curatively resected, in which the patient underwent conversion surgery after chemotherapy. The patient is a 70-year-old woman. She came to our hospital with a chief complaint of lower abdominal pain, and a close examination revealed rectal cancer with invasion of the external iliac artery and pelvic wall. She was treated with mFOLFOX6 plus cetuximab for locally advanced rectal cancer that was not amenable to surgical resection. After 11 courses of chemotherapy, significant shrinkage of the tumor was observed, and robot assisted laparoscopic high-anterior resection was performed. The patient didn't relapse at 12 months after surgery without adjuvant chemotherapy.

[A Case of Single Hole Ileal Resection for Ascendiry Colon Cancer with Ureterocutaneous Fistula in the Right Lower Abdomen].

The patient is a 70s woman. She underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer 6 years ago and had a ureterocutaneous fistula in the right lower abdomen. After colonoscopy for positive fecal occult blood, a type 1 elevated lesion was found in the ascending colon, which was diagnosed as a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Surgery was performed with a single hole. The approach from the right lower abdomen, where the ureterocutaneous fistula and ureter are located, was avoided, and the approach from the hepatic flexure of the transverse colon was used first. After the right colon was mobilized, the large mesh adhesions around the ureter were carefully dissected, and the right ureter was identified and preserved, extending from the lateral ascending colon to the abdominal wall. The ileal artery was dissected at the root and after dissection of the D3 lymph node, the intestine was dissected and anastomosed extracorporeally. The operative time was 246 minutes with small amount of blood loss. The patient was discharged on the 6th postoperative day without any postoperative complications. The pathology result was pT3N0M0, pStage Ⅱa, and radical resection had been performed. The patient is currently undergoing recurrence-free follow-up.

[A Case of Pathological Complete Response for MSI-High Locally Advanced Unresectable Transverse Colon Cancer Treated with Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab Combination Therapy].

74-year-old woman was diagnosed with locally advanced unresectable transverse colon cancer. She started CAPOX therapy as first-line therapy after ileostomy. After second course, MSI-high was detected, so nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination therapy was started as second-line therapy. After 4 courses of combination therapy, she was judged to be in partial response and surgery was performed. Histopathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen showed complete response, and she is still alive without recurrence 15 months after surgery.

[A Case of Metastatic Liver Tumor from Colon Cancer with Preoperative Diagnosis Obtained by Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cytologic Specimen].

CASE: A woman in her 50s underwent sigmoid colectomy and D3 lymph node dissection for sigmoid cancer(pT3, N0, M0, Stage Ⅱ: Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma 9th). She received adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine. Seven months after surgery, contrast-enhanced computed tomography( CECT) scan revealed a small mass in the segment 2 (S2) of the liver with dilation of peripheral intrahepatic bile duct, and the size of this mass and the bile duct dilatation were gradually increased. FDG positron emission tomography(FDG-PET)/CT showed abnormal FDG uptakes in the lesion of S2, and EOB-MRI detected other small lesions in the S6 and S7. Considering the results of image examinations, multiple lesions intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was firstly assumed. However, immunohistochemistry of the tumor obtained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed cytokeratin 7-negative. Based on preoperative diagnosis of liver metastasis from colon cancer rather than intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, we performed left lobectomy, partial hepatectomy of S6 and S7 and cholecystectomy. In the resected specimen, the tumor was macroscopically located in the intrahepatic bile ducts. Microscopically, there existed atypical epithelial cells with glandular duct-like structure, and the lesions was histopathologically diagnosed as metastasis from colon cancer. She was discharged on the 10th postoperative day, and she is alive without recurrence one year after surgery.

[Investigation of the Short-Term Outcome of Perioperative Heparinization in Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer].

In aging society, the number of colorectal cancer patients who take antithrombotic drugs is increasing. However, there are not established guidelines for perioperative management for antithrombotic drugs in laparoscopic surgery. Here, we investigated the clinical outcomes of antithrombotic drugs withdrawal and perioperative heparinization in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer patients taking antithrombotic drugs. From January 2015 to December 2017 in our center, patients who took antithrombotic drugs and underwent laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer were reviewed retrospectively. The association between postoperative complications and heparinizations was analyzed. Among 79 patients taking antithrombotic drugs, heparinization was performed in 40 patients(50.6%). The total length of hospital stay in heparinization group was 21 days and significantly longer than 13 days in the non-heparinization group. There were no significant differences in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications between the 2 groups. The antithrombotic drugs withdrawal and perioperative heparinization were suggested to be safe and feasible in laparoscopic surgery for patients with colorectal cancer.

[A Case of Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater in a Young Male].

A male in his twentieth was referred to our hospital for jaundice. Computed tomography(CT)showed dilation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and showed a lesion at the ampulla of Vater, which caused obstructive jaundice. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a tumor of protruded-predominant type with raised margins at the ampulla of Vater, and biopsy from the lesion indicated malignancy. With no apparent distant metastasis, radical resection was assumed to be possible, thus we performed subtotal stomach preserved pancreatoduodenectomy. Before the operation, endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage(ERBD)was unsuccessful because of the existence of the tumor, so percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage(PTCD)was conducted. After the operation, although pancreatic fistula(ISGPF Grade B)occurred, it improved with conservative treatment, and he discharged at 30 postoperative days. Histopathological examination revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma among the tumor at the ampulla of Vater, which was infiltrating into the pancreas. Final diagnosis was pT3, pN0, M0, pStage ⅡA. Now he is alive without recurrence for 3 and a half years.

[A Case of Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Gallbladder with Five Year Recurrence-Free Survival after Radical Resection].

A woman in her 60s realized heart palpitations and was pointed out anemia. CT revealed a tumor measuring 7 cm, with internal necrosis, originating from the gallbladder and invading the liver, and diagnosed as gallbladder cancer. There existed no distant metastasis and we performed cholecystectomy with partial resection of segment 4a+5 of the liver and lymph node resection. Histopathological examination revealed highly atypical cells with large nuclei and polynuclear cells and poor cell junctions in the specimen, and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as an undifferentiated carcinoma. Metastases were not detected in dissected lymph nodes, and this case was diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinoma of gallbladder, T3a, N0, M0, Stage ⅢA(JSHBPS 6th). She was discharged at 13 days after the operation with no apparent postoperative complications. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with administration of TS-1 was conducted for half a year. Now over 5 years have passed since the operation, and she is alive without recurrence.

[A Case of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease after Pancreatoduodenectomy Which Reduced Tolerability of Chemotherapy for Postoperative Recurrence].

A man in his 60s underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)for ampullary cancer(pT3, N1, M0, pStage ⅡB). One year after the operation, lymph node recurrence was observed, and gemcitabine/cisplatin regimen was introduced. Once the disease was controlled, but the tolerability of chemotherapy deteriorated due to severe anorexia and general fatigue around the 6th course of the regimen, thus we stopped the chemotherapy. The performance status was remarkably dropped and the oral intake was notably decreased, and subsequently he got hospitalized. Blood examination on admission showed signs of liver failure(Alb 1.9 g/dL, T-Bil 2.0 mg/dL, PT 36.2%, NH3 159µg/dL). CT scan revealed marked deterioration of fatty liver and newly recognized retention of ascites. We diagnosed this clinical state as liver dysfunction caused by aggravation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)due to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after PD. Immediately pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy(pancrelipase)was performed, and liver function gradually improved. He was discharged 17 days after admission. One month after discharge, CT scan showed that the fatty liver was markedly improved and the ascites disappeared. Around the same time, the chemotherapy was able to be resumed with the improvement of general condition.

[Risk Factors for Recurrence in Patients with Pathological Stage â ¡ Colorectal Cancer].

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for recurrence in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for recurrence after surgery in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 311 patients with primary pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer who underwent radical resection without neoadjuvant therapy at our institute between January 2014 and December 2019. RESULTS: Of 311 patients, 32 patients(10.3%)developed recurrences after surgery at a median follow-up of 32.9(0.23-74.2)months. The 3-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival(RFS)rate was 88.4% and 87.6%, respectively. A multivariate analysis for RFS showed that only pT4 (HR: 4.06, 95%CI: 1.60-10.29, p=0.003) was an independent risk factor. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that pT4 was an independent risk factor for recurrence after surgery in patients with pStage Ⅱ colorectal cancer.

[A Case of Squamous Cell Cancer of the Anus Treated with Chemoradiotherapy].

BACKGROUND: In Japan, the standard treatment for squamous cell anal cancer(SCAC)has not been established. Herein, we report a case of SCAC that completely responded to chemoradiotherapy(CRT). CASE: A woman in her 80s presented with anal pain and bleeding. Computed tomography revealed bilateral inguinal adenopathy and a tumor in the anal canal. Histopathological examination of endoscopic biopsies showed adenocarcinoma. Thus, she was diagnosed with anal canal adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastases:cT3, cN1a(No. 292), cM0, cStage Ⅲc(Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma, 9th edition). Owing to her advanced age and refusal of a stoma, CRT(S-1, mitomycin C, and radiotherapy)was administered with the expectation that salvage surgery in the form of rectal amputation would eventually be necessary. The tumor noticeably shrank after CRT. The patient is alive to this date,14 months after the final round of CRT.

[Robotic Surgery Can Complete Radical Surgery and Urinary Tract Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with Ureteral Invasion-A Case Report].

A 82-year-old man presented with diarrhea and fatigue. He had no past medical or surgical history except chronic renal failure. Locally advanced rectal cancer with invasion to left ureter was detected in computed tomography. Colonoscopy revealed a circular lesion 12 cm from the anal verge. Biopsy showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. There was no sign of distal metastasis and we decided to conduct radical surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower anterior resection with partial resection of left ureter, and diverting ileostomy were carried out. Besides, urinary tract reconstruction of ureterocystoneostomy using Lich-Gregoir technique was conducted by urologists also with robot assistance. The pathological stage of the disease was pT4b(left ureter)N1bM0, pStage Ⅲc. The resection margin was secured and radical surgery was achieved. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 22nd without postoperative complication. He is alive without recurrence at 6 months after the operation.

[A Case of Metastasis to the Pancreas from Colorectal Cancer Which Was Difficult to Distinguish from Primary Pancreatic Cancer].

A man in his 50s underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis(cT4aN1M1a, cStage Ⅳa), followed by partial liver resection(S4, S6). One and a half years after the initial surgery, CEA and CA19-9 increased, and contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed a hypovascular lesion with dilation of the distal pancreatic duct in the pancreatic body. Adenocarcinoma was detected by brushing cytology of the lesion and pancreatic juice cytology by ERCP. From the results of various examinations, the lesion was diagnosed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We performed distal pancreatectomy, and initially the histopathological diagnosis was pancreatic body cancer(pT3N1aM0, pStage ⅡB). In a follow-up CT after surgery, a suspected metastatic lymph node was pointed out in the mediastinum, but it was difficult to distinguish between metastasis from colorectal cancer and one from pancreatic cancer. Immunostaining of the tumor tissue and comparative study of the excised specimens of colon and pancreas was performed in order to assume the primary lesion of the lymph node. As a result, both tissues were CK7(-)/CK20(+), and the lesion at first considered to be primary pancreatic cancer was originally the pancreatic metastasis from colon cancer. Bone metastases were also found on FDG-PET/CT around the same time, and then systemic chemotherapy for colorectal cancer was introduced. Four and a half years have passed since the first surgery, and he is still alive and undergoing treatment.

[Robot Assisted Lower Anterior Resection for Anastomotic Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer-A Case Report].

Patient undergoing R0 resection have the good survival advantage following surgery for recurrent rectal cancer. Robotic surgery for anastomotic local recurrence of rectal cancer has never been reported before. An 80-year-old woman who had undergone high anterior resection for rectal cancer 1 years previously got colonoscopy. It revealed a 10 mm sized, elevated lesion on the anastomotic site, and a biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma(tub1). Computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed no signs of distant metastasis, and we decided to conduct radical surgery with robot-assisted laparoscope. Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower anterior resection with resection of left hypogastric nerve was carried out. Histological assessment showed that R0 resection was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8th without postoperative complication. She is alive without recurrence at 1 year after the last operation.

[A Case of Unresectable Liver Metastasis from Rectal Cancer Treated with Conversion Therapy].

We reported a case of rectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases treated with resection of the primary lesion followed by systemic chemotherapy with curative resection. A woman in her 40s was diagnosed with rectal RS carcinoma and unresectable liver metastasis, mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab therapy was initiated after laparoscopic high anterior resection of the rectal lesion. After 5 courses of chemotherapy, significant shrinkage of the liver metastatic lesion and increase of the remnant liver volume were observed. Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization( PTPE) was performed with the aim of further preserving remnant liver volume. Since the hepatic reserve was sufficient, the treatment strategy was to perform radical hepatectomy. Extended right hepatic lobectomy, S4 partial resection, and cholecystectomy were performed. The patient didn't relapse at 11 months after hepatectomy.

[A Case of Laparoscopic High Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease].

The case was a 61-year-old woman. She was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)at the age of 38 and started hemodialysis at the age of 42. She was diagnosed with rectal cancer(RS)at the age of 61. Laparoscopic high anterior resection and D3 lymphadenectomy were carried out. Although the intra-abdominal space was limited by the huge renal cysts, laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed by arranging the port closer to the midline, taking the patient's position sufficiently, and using some useful tips. Laparoscopic surgery for the patient with ADPKD was considered a useful approach.

[A Long-Survival Case of Lower Rectal Cancer with Unresectable Liver Metastases Treated with FOLFOXIRI plus Bevacizumab(BEV)].

A woman in her 30s visited our hospital complaining primarily of melena. Colonoscopy revealed the presence of a type 1 tumor in 2 cm from anal verge. Contrast-enhanced CT showed an unresectable massive liver metastasis in the left lobe of the liver and another metastasis in the right lobe. The patient received front-line chemotherapy with Leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan(FOLFOXIRI)plus bevacizumab(BEV). A year later, a marked reduction of liver metastases and primary lesions was confirmed by CT scan imaging. A multidisciplinary team recommended resection of the liver metastases followed by laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for primary lesions. However, after 1 year, a recurrence was diagnosed in the liver; hence, FOLFOXIRI plus BEV was reintroduced for volume reduction. The patient underwent a repeat hepatectomy since enough volume reduction was confirmed. One year later, she experienced a re-relapse of the metastasis in the liver. Currently, she is still undergoing chemotherapy following 7 years since the first visit. Long-term survival can be expected following surgical treatment during chemotherapy.