The real-world data of immune-checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy for unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer: a multi-institutional cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The real-world efficacy, feasibility, and prognostic factors of immune-checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy for unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer are not fully established. METHODS: This multi-institutional retrospective cohort study evaluated 71 consecutive patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy for esophageal cancer between March 2021 and December 2022. We assessed tumor response, safety, and long-term survival. RESULTS: In patients with measurable lesions, the response rate was 58%, and the disease control rate for all enrolled patients was 80%. Five patients (7.0%) underwent successful conversion surgery. Grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events occurred in 13% of patients, and one patient (1.4%) died due to cholangitis. Median progression-free survival was 9.7 (95% confidence interval: 6.5-not reached). C-reactive protein levels and performance status were identified as significant predictors of progression-free survival through Cox proportional hazards analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Immune-checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy for esophageal cancer demonstrated comparable tumor response, safety, and long-term survival to previous randomized clinical trials. Patients with good performance status and low C-reactive protein levels may be suitable candidates for this treatment.

Is Prophylactic Splenectomy Necessary for Proximal Advanced Gastric Cancer Invading the Greater Curvature with Clinically Negative Splenic Hilar Lymph Node Metastasis? A Multi-Institutional Cohort Study (YCOG2003).

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic splenectomy for hilar lymph node (#10) dissection has shown no survival benefit for patients with proximal advanced gastric cancer that does not invade the greater curvature. However, the survival benefit of prophylactic splenectomy for proximal advanced gastric cancer invading the greater curvature side, particularly for clinically negative #10 lymph node metastasis (#10[-]) cases remains controversial. METHODS: This multi-institutional retrospective study enrolled 146 consecutive patients with proximal advanced gastric cancers invading the greater curvature side with clinical #10(-) who underwent R0 total gastrectomy. For 33 of these patients, splenectomy was performed, and the remaining 113 underwent spleen-preservation gastrectomy. Short- and long-term results were compared between the splenectomy and spleen-preservation groups, with the incidence of #10 metastasis in the splenectomy group and recurrence in the spleen-preservation group compared. RESULTS: In the splenectomy group, longer operative time, greater blood loss, more frequent postoperative abdominal infection, and longer hospital stay were observed than in the spleen-preservation group. The two groups exhibited no differences in median relapse-free survival time (31.1 vs 59.8 months; P = 0.684) or median overall survival time (64.9 vs 65.1 months; P = 0.765). The pathologic #10 lymph node metastasis rate was 3% in the splenectomy group, and the #10 lymph node recurrence rate was 2.7% in the spleen-preservation group. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic splenectomy showed more frequent postoperative morbidities and a longer hospital stay than spleen preservation, without any long-term survival benefits.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer in Older Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of surgery in older patients with gastric cancer are controversial. This single-institution retrospective study in Japan aimed to evaluate the impact of gastrectomy in older patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: A series of 234 patients aged ≥80 years with histologically confirmed gastric cancer had indications for surgical treatment at the Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, between April 2002 and December 2018. Patients who were lost to follow-up (n = 27), had tumors not eligible for surgery (n = 14), and could not achieve R0 resection (n = 7) were excluded from this retrospective study. The remaining 186 patients were included. Patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and long-term survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative complications with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II was observed in 61 patients (32.8%). The 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were 84.2% and 63.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that geriatric nutritional risk index (<98) (odds ratio, 1.97; p = 0.047), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (>2.36) (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.67; p = 0.043), and total gastrectomy (TG) (odds ratio, 1.97; p = 0.042) significantly predicted postoperative complications. Moreover, TG (hazard ratio, 1.91; p = 0.036) was an independent prognostic factor of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Poor immunonutritional status and TG led to worse short-term outcomes. Moreover, TG was an independent prognostic factor of OS in older patients with gastric cancer. It is necessary to provide effective perioperative care, including nutritional support, to clarify whether short-term outcomes would be improved.

Feasibility of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy in obese patients with gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes in obese patients with gastric cancer undergoing totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) to clarify its feasibility in this population. METHODS: We examined 136 consecutive patients who underwent TLTG for gastric cancer (GC) between 2013 and 2018. A total of 45 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 were defined as the obese group (obese and overweight patients by the WHO classification), and 91 patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 were defined as the non-obese group. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared, and the correlation between obesity and postoperative complications was examined in patients who underwent TLTG. RESULTS: Although the operation time (min) was significantly longer in the obese group than in the non-obese group (329 vs 307, p = 0.002), there were no significant differences in the total volume of blood loss (mL) (118 vs 60, p = 0.059) or the rate of conversion to laparotomy between the two groups (2 vs 2, p = 0.466). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (16% vs 19%, p = 0.653). In the multivariate analysis, obesity was not identified as a risk factor for postoperative complications among patients who underwent TLTG. The rate of overall survival was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.512). CONCLUSION: TLTG is feasible for obese Japanese patients with GC. To validate the results of the present study, it is necessary to conduct a prospective study of a large population of patients with GC.

Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Few studies have reported the impact of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on the objective response of patients with locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We evaluated the factors predicting therapeutic effectiveness and the short- and long-term outcomes in patients with T4b ESCC treated with CRT. METHODS: We included 155 patients with T4b ESCC who underwent CRT at the Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University, between January 2000 and December 2018. Responders were defined as patients who demonstrated a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). Multivariate analysis for objective response was performed using a logistic regression model, and prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among the 155 patients included, 20 and 84 patients demonstrated a CR and PR, respectively, resulting in a response rate of 67.1%. The median overall survival (OS) was 15.2 months, and the 3-year survival rate was 32.1%. High Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) and advanced N-category independently predicted the objective response to CRT. GPS and objective response were independent prognostic factors for OS. There was no significant difference in the long-term survival of responders who received subsequent chemotherapy or salvage surgery. CONCLUSIONS: High GPS and advanced N-category predicted a poor objective response to CRT in patients with T4b ESCC. Therefore, chemotherapeutic regimens with a higher efficacy are required. The indications for salvage surgery for responders should be carefully considered, with care taken to avoid complications. To confirm this, prospective randomized controlled studies are necessary.

Feasibility of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in elderly patients: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Surgery in elderly patients with esophageal cancer is challenging due to high mortality and limited survival. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of curative esophagectomy in elderly patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: This study included 77 and 112 patients with esophageal cancer aged ≥ 70 and 40-64 years, respectively, who underwent R0 esophagectomy between January 1998 and December 2016. Patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and long-term survival were compared. RESULTS: The proportions of comorbid diseases (85.7% vs. 57.1%; P < 0.001), the American Society of Anesthesiologists score (1/2/3; 2.6%/94.8%/2.6% vs. 42.9%/57.1%/0%; P < 0.001), the preoperative systemic inflammation score (SIS) (0/1/2; 20.8%/48.1%/31.2% vs. 38.4%/38.4%/23.2%; P = 0.036), and postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III) (33.8% vs. 20.5%; P = 0.041) were significantly higher in the elderly group than those in the non-elderly group. However, long-term overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival were not significantly different between the groups. On multivariate analysis, SIS (hazard ratio, 3.06; P = 0.037) and severe postoperative complications (hazard ratio, 2.01; P = 0.039) were significantly correlated with OS in the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: As SIS and severe postoperative complications lead to poor prognosis after R0 esophagectomy in elderly patients, selecting appropriate patients for esophagectomy and preventing severe postoperative complications is essential.

High postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and low preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio predict poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients receiving gastrectomy with positive lavage cytology: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes in gastric cancer patients with positive lavage cytology (CY1) are generally poor. This multi-institutional retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) in CY1 gastric cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 121 CY1 gastric cancer patients without other non-curative factors, who underwent macroscopically curative resection, were enrolled in this study. The cutoff values of preoperative NLR (pre-NLR), postoperative NLR (post-NLR), preoperative LMR (pre-LMR), and postoperative LMR (post-LMR) were defined by the Contal and O'Quigley method as 2.3, 3.0, 2.5, and 3.2, respectively. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the independent prognostic factors among NLR, LMR, and other clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the overall survival (OS) between the two groups: high post-NLR groups vs. low post-NLR group (median survival time, months) (10.9 vs. 22.8, P = 0.006) and high pre-LMR group vs. low pre-LMR group (21.3 vs. 11.0, P = 0.001). The LMR value elevated significantly after gastrectomy (P = 0.020), although not in the NLR value (P = 0.733). On multivariate analysis, high post-NLR (hazard ratio = 1.506; 95% confidence interval = 1.047-2.167; P = 0.027), low pre-LMR (1.773; 1.135-2.769, 0.012), and no postoperative chemotherapy (1.558; 1.053-2.305, 0.027) were found to be independent prognostic factors for adverse OS. CONCLUSIONS: Because a combination of high post-NLR and low pre-LMR may be an adverse prognostic marker in resectable CY1 gastric cancer patients, it is necessary to conduct a prospective trial to confirm a useful perioperative chemotherapeutic regimen for these patients.

Real-World Therapeutic Outcomes of S-1 Adjuvant Chemotherapy for pStage II/III Gastric Cancer in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: The predictive factors for discontinuation of S-1 administration and prognostic factors in elderly patients with pStage II/III gastric cancer receiving S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy remain unclear. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2016, 80 elderly gastric cancer patients (≥70 years) undergoing curative D2 gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. Predictive factors for completion of S-1 administration over 1 year, adverse events due to S-1 administration, and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (35%) completed 8 courses of S-1. The median relative dose intensity was 82.1% (IQR 31.1-100%). The incidence rates of hematological and nonhematological adverse events were acceptable. Distal gastrectomy was an independent predictive factor for completion of S-1 administration (odds ratio [OR] 0.364; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.141-0.939; p = 0.037). Higher postoperative neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (N/L) ratio and more advanced stage adversely influenced OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher postoperative N/L ratio and more advanced stage adversely affected RFS. CONCLUSION: To complete adjuvant S-1 administration to elderly patients with pStage II/III gastric cancer, total gastrectomy should be avoided if possible. A new regimen for elderly gastric cancer patients with higher postoperative N/L ratios and more advanced stage should be established.

[Nutritional Status after Laparoscopic-Assisted Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy].

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG group)or laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG group)between January 2010 and December 2019 were reviewed and their postoperative nutritional status and long-term outcomes retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 83 patients(LAPPG group, n=23; LADG group, n=60)were included. Weight loss rates 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively in the LAPPG and LADG groups were 5.7% and 7.1%, 6.6% and 9.6%, 5.8% and 10.1%, and 5.2% and 8.7%, respectively. The LADG group exhibited a significantly higher weight loss than the LAPPG group at 6, 12, and 24 months (p=0.007, 0.002, and 0.022, respectively). No recurrence was observed in either group within 5 years of surgery. The 5- year overall survival rate of patients with pathological Stage Ⅰ cancer( LAPPG group, n=23, LADG group, n=51) was higher in the LAPPG group than in the LADG group(100% vs 82.9%, p=0.027). There were 6 cases of death from other diseases in the LADG group(pneumonia, n=2, other cancer, n=2, postoperative bleeding, n=1, and heart failure, n=1)but none in the LAPPG group. CONCLUSION: The weight loss after LAPPG was significantly lower than that after LADG. Furthermore, the former showed a good prognosis without death from other diseases, such as pneumonia.

Curative-Intent Surgery for Stage IV Advanced Gastric Cancer: Who Can Undergo Surgery and What Are the Prognostic Factors for Long-Term Survival?

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the predictive factors for performing curative-intent surgery and prognostic factors for long-term survival of patients undergoing surgery for stage IV gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2017, 271 patients with stage IV gastric cancer with distant metastasis who underwent systemic chemotherapy were enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictive factors for curative-intent surgery. Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied for patients who were subsequently treated with curative-intent surgery to identify prognostic factors for long-term survival. RESULTS: Curative-intent surgery was performed in 48 patients (17.7%). Median survival time was significantly longer in the surgery group than in the nonsurgery group (53 vs. 11 months, p < 0.0001). R0 resection was performed in 35 patients (72.9%). The three-year overall survival (OS) rates of the R0, R1, and R2 surgery groups were 75.4%, 33.3%, and 25.0%, respectively (p = 0.0002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that lymphogenous distant metastasis alone (odds ratio = 3.276, p = 0.004), positive lavage cytology alone (6.394, 0.014), doublet or triplet chemotherapy (4.064, 0.034), and high Glasgow prognostic score (0.276, 0.001) were independent predictive factors for performing curative-intent surgery. Among patients undergoing surgery, the Cox proportional hazards regression model for OS showed that R0 surgery was an independent prognostic factor for favorable OS (hazard ratio 0.188, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lymphogenous distant metastasis alone, P0CY1 alone, good immunonutritional status, and doublet/triplet chemotherapy are candidates for performing effective curative-intent surgery. R0 surgery is crucial for improving long-term survival after surgery.

Tumor Volume Index as a Prognostic Factor in Patients after Curative Esophageal Cancer Resection.

BACKGROUND: The tumor, node, metastasis classification system for staging esophageal cancer does not include tumor volume although it may be an important prognostic factor. We evaluated the prognostic value of tumor volume in esophageal cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in patients with histologically confirmed primary esophageal cancer who underwent curative esophagectomy at our facility between April 1992 and December 2013. The Tumor Depth Parameter (TDP) was defined as mucosa = 1, submucosa = 2, muscularis propria = 3, adventitia = 4, and invasion into adjacent organs = 5. The pathological Tumor Volume Index (TVI) was defined as the major axis × the minor axis × TDP. The appropriate tumor diameter and TVI cutoff values were determined by the Youden index obtained from the receiver operating characteristic curve. Prognostic factors for overall survival were evaluated by univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: We enrolled 302 patients. In the univariate analysis, patient age and sex, thoracoscopic surgery, tumor depth of invasion and diameter, lymph node metastasis, and the TVI were significantly associated with overall survival. In our multivariate analysis, patient age and sex, thoracoscopic surgery, lymph node metastasis, and the TVI were independently associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The pathological TVI was an independent prognostic factor in patients with esophageal carcinoma and could be included in the staging system of esophageal cancer.

Surgical Outcomes of Reduced-Port Laparoscopic Gastrectomy Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Propensity-Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The technical feasibility and oncologic efficacy of reduced-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (RPG) for gastric cancer remain unclear. METHODS: A series of 767 patients with gastric cancer who underwent R0 laparoscopic gastrectomy were retrospectively matched for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiology score, body mass index, surgeon, lymph node dissection, and pathologic stages by propensity scoring. Finally, data from 274 patients (74 conventional laparoscopic distal gastrectomy [CLDG] cases, 74 reduced-port distal gastrectomy [RPDG] cases, 63 conventional laparoscopic total gastrectomy [CLTG] cases, and 63, reduced-port total gastrectomy [RPTG] cases) were selected for analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the conventional group, the reduced-port group had significantly longer operation times (RPDG 265 min vs CLDG 239 min; p = 0.001 and RPTG 305 min vs CLTG 285 min; p = 0.012) and reduced blood loss (RPDG 48 ml vs CLDG 68 ml; p = 0.001 and RPTG 75 ml vs CLTG 110 ml; p = 0.026). The number of dissected lymph nodes was significantly higher in the CLDG group than in the RPDG group (38 vs 31; p = 0.002). Cosmetic satisfaction showed significant superiority in the reduced-port group compared with the conventional group. No significant difference was observed in overall survival (OS) (5-year OS: RPDG 100% vs CLDG 96.7%; p = 0.207 and RPTG 91.6% vs CLTG 91.8%; p = 0.615) or relapse-free survival (RFS) (5-year RFS: RPTG 92.3% vs CLTG 92.1%; p = 0.587). CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that RPG for gastric cancer by an experienced surgeon is a feasible and safe technique. The RPG procedure can be presented to patients as one of the effective treatment options.

Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage of Esophagojejunostomy after Laparoscopy-Assisted Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The study aimed to clarify the risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) for gastric cancer. METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 131 patients with preoperatively diagnosed early gastric cancer who underwent LATG by a single surgeon between June 2006 and February 2014 at the Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage (esophagojejunostomy) after LATG were retrospectively evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage of the esophagojejunostomy was observed in 13 (9.9%) of 131 patients. Univariate analysis of risk factors for anastomotic leakage revealed that the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a risk factor for anastomotic leakage (<55, 11 of 63 vs. ≥55, 2 of 55; p = 0.039). Multivariate analysis revealed that PNI is an independent risk factor for anastomotic leakage (OR 0.208; 95% CI 0.044-0.981; p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer patients with a low PNI have a higher risk for anastomotic leakage after LATG. The results of this study must be confirmed by a study with a large cohort of patients receiving LATG reconstructed using the same method by experienced surgeons in multiple institutions.

Clinical outcomes of non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection with negative resected margins for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There has been little information about the long-term outcomes of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) treated by non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with negative resected margins (R0 resection). We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of non-curative ESD with R0 resection between patients who underwent additional gastrectomy and those who did not. METHODS: Among EGC patients treated by ESD from 2002 to 2010, 66 patients were treated by non-curative ESD with R0 resection. Patients received either additional gastrectomy (group A, n = 45) or were followed up without gastrectomy (group B, n = 21). The clinicopathologic findings and the subsequent clinical course were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients in group A were younger than those in group B (68.0 vs 71.0 years, P = .006). The follow-up period was longer in group A than in group B (7.8 vs 5.9 years, P = .011). The percentage of patients who died of any cause was not statistically lower in group A than in group B (13.3% vs 33.3%, P = .06). Although the overall survival rate was higher in group A than in group B (93.3% vs 76.2%, P = .028), disease-specific survival rates did not differ between the 2 groups (97.8% vs 100%, P = .495). A Cox proportional hazards model showed that gastrectomy was not an independent factor associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Careful follow-up may be an alternative strategy to gastrectomy for a subgroup of patients treated by non-curative ESD with R0 resection.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: a multicenter collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: The indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) have been expanded. However, the long-term outcomes of ESD remain unclear. We retrospectively investigated the long-term outcomes of ESD in patients with EGC. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with EGC who underwent ESD at 11 institutions between January 2003 and December 2010. A total of 6456 patients (7979 lesions) who met the absolute indications for ESD and 4202 patients (5781 lesions) who met the expanded indications for ESD were studied. Clinicopathological features, clinical course, and outcomes were studied in 67 patients in whom local recurrence or metastatic recurrence was diagnosed as of March 31, 2014. The median follow-up period was 56 months. RESULTS: Local recurrence was diagnosed in 14 patients (0.22%) who met the absolute indications and 53 patients (1.26%) who met the expanded indications. The rate of local recurrence was significantly higher in patients with expanded-indication lesions (p < 0.05). As additional treatment for recurrence, most patients received endoscopic treatment. Metastatic recurrence did not develop in any patient with absolute-indication lesions, but was diagnosed in 6 patients (0.14%) with expanded-indication lesions (p < 0.05). The histological type was undifferentiated mixed type in half the patients. Three patients died of primary gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: ESD for expanded-indication lesions of EGC is considered an effective therapy associated with an extremely low rate of metastatic recurrence on long-term follow-up. However, fully informed consent concerning the risk of metastatic recurrence should be obtained before ESD, and close postoperative follow-up is essential.

A Comparative Study of Intravenous Injection Form and Oral Jelly Form of Alendronate Sodium Hydrate for Bone Mineral Disorder after Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Osteoporosis is found to have high prevalence after gastrectomy and therefore, it is important to prevent this condition by means of effective medication, such as alendronate sodium hydrate. METHODS: A total number of 48 gastric cancer patients diagnosed with osteoporosis after R0 gastrectomy was registered in this study between December 2013 and August 2014. Twenty-three patients received intravenous (i.v.) alendronate sodium hydrate and 25 patients received the drug in an oral jelly form. Serological and urinary examinations related to bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) were performed periodically and the results obtained from the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: BMD increased, serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b, and the urine level of urine N-terminal telopeptide decreased with time in both groups. However, the serum Ca level did not change. Two-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in these factors between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: It is essential to prevent both forms of osteoporosis by using alendronate sodium hydrate after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial in many patients following long duration should be conducted to clarify the benefits of i.v. alendronate sodium hydrate.

Is Routine Prophylactic Cholecystectomy Necessary During Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer?

BACKGROUND: Performing routine prophylactic cholecystectomy during gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients has been controversial. The frequency of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and cholangitis after gastrectomy has not been reported for large patient populations, so we carried out this retrospective study to aid the assessment of the necessity for prophylactic cholecystectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 969 patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomies with Billroth I reconstructions (DG) or total gastrectomies with Roux-en-Y reconstructions (TG), preserving the gallbladder, between January 2000 and May 2012. Risk factors for cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and cholangitis after gastrectomy were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up period after gastrectomy was 48 months (range 12-159 months). After gastrectomy, cholelithiasis occurred in 6.1% (59/969) patients and cholecystitis and/or cholangitis occurred in 1.2% (12/969) patients. The method used for gastrectomy was an independent risk factor for both cholelithiasis (TG/DG: OR (95%CI): 1.900 (1.114-3.240), p = 0.018) and cholecystitis and/or cholangitis (TG/DG: OR (95%CI): 8.325 (1.814-38.197), p = 0.006). In patients who developed cholelithiasis, the incidence of cholecystitis and/or cholangitis was 31.3% (10/32) after TG, but only 7.4% after DG. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic cholecystectomy may be unnecessary in distal gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction.

Surgical advantages of reduced-port laparoscopic gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although a few studies have reported the use of reduced-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (RPG) in gastric cancer patients, the feasibility of routinely using this technique remains unclear. It is therefore important to evaluate the surgical advantages of this technique in this patient group. METHODS: Between August 2010 and July 2015, 165 patients underwent RPGs at our hospital, performed by a single surgeon. Of these patients, 88 underwent reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (RPLDG) and 77 underwent reduced-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy (RPLTG). In addition to short-term surgical outcomes after RPG, survival times and the surgical learning curve were also evaluated. RESULTS: Blood losses during lymph node dissection in the RPLDG and RPLTG groups were not significantly different (p = 0.160). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in only two patients. Postoperative morbidities were observed in 14.8 % of the RPLDG group and 14.3 % of the RPLTG group, but there were no deaths. Most patients expressed high cosmetic satisfaction in both groups. In the RPLDG group, operation time during reconstruction decreased over the first 50 cases and then plateaued, as the surgeon's experience of the technique increased. In contrast, in the RPLTG group, operation times dropped with surgical experience for both lymph node dissection, plateauing after 40 cases, and for reconstruction, plateauing after 30 cases. Only three patients died of gastric cancer in the follow-up period and three patients died of other diseases. Five-year overall survival and 5-year disease-specific survival were 95.6 and 98.0 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that reduced-port gastrectomy (RPG) could be an acceptable and satisfactory procedure for treating gastric cancer for an experienced laparoscopic gastric surgeon who has sufficient previous experience of conventional laparoscopic gastrectomies.

Impact of S-1 plus Cisplatin Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Scirrhous Gastric Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to address the therapeutic outcome for scirrhous gastric cancer patients by evaluating the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to gastrectomy. METHODS: Two cycles of a 3-week regimen of fluoropyrimidine S-1 (40 mg/m(2), orally, twice daily), together with cisplatin (60 mg/m(2), intravenously, day 8), were administered to patients, separated by a 2-week rest period. Surgery was performed 3 weeks later in the neoadjuvant group (n = 27). We retrospectively evaluated overall survival and prognostic factors in these patients. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that positive lavage cytology indicated significantly worse prognoses. In the 15 patients who also underwent curative gastrectomies after S-1 plus cisplatin chemotherapy, the pathological response grade was a significant prognostic factor for 5-year survival. Additionally, lymph node metastasis tended to be an adverse prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: After S-1 plus cisplatin neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a grade 2-3 pathological response may predict favorable outcomes in scirrhous gastric cancer patients receiving curative gastrectomy, but further studies are needed to confirm these results.

A systematic review of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) has been performed since 1999. Although surgical outcomes have been reported from Japan, Korea, China, and many Western countries, the effectiveness of this technique has not been conclusively established. This study therefore aimed to review the literature systematically. METHODS: Our search of the research literature identified 150 studies, which were mostly retrospective and from single institutions. RESULTS: There has recently been a remarkable increase in the number of studies from Korea, and the number of patients included in studies has increased since 2009. In most studies, the surgical procedures were longer, blood loss was reduced, and the number of retrieved lymph nodes was the same in the LTG group as in the open total gastrectomy group. The incidence of postoperative complications and that of inflammation during postoperative recovery were the same in these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: During LTG, the method used for esophagojejunostomy is important for surgical reliability and to reduce postoperative complications. There has been rapid development of new techniques from the level of esophagojejunostomy through a small skin incision to the high level of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using various techniques. A nationwide prospective phase II study is urgently needed to establish the value of LTG.