[Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Successfully Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Regimen Change to Modified FOLFIRINOX-A Case Report].

A 72-year-old woman presented with obstructive jaundice. Computed tomography revealed a 12-mm low-density mass in the head of the pancreas. She was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. She received gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel as preoperative chemotherapy. After 2 courses, hepatoduodenal lymph node metastasis appeared and was accompanied by increased tumor marker levels. The regimen was changed to modified FOLFIRINOX. After 5 courses, the lymph node metastasis was reduced in size and the tumor marker levels were decreased, so subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered postoperatively. The patient was alive and well without recurrence 2 years and 9 months after the surgery, but died of sepsis. Nevertheless, this case highlights that when preoperative chemotherapy for resectable pancreatic cancer appears to be ineffective, a change in regimen may be useful.

[Locally Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Successfully Treated with Trastuzumab Emtansine].

Although the prognosis of HER2-positive breast cancer(BC)has been improving than before, that of locally advanced cases is not satisfactory. A 41-year-old female presented with a huge breast lump and massive lymphadenopathy, which was diagnosed as HER2-positive, unresectable, locally advanced BC. The first treatment, consisting of docetaxel, trastuzumab and pertuzumab, had only a limited and temporary effect, with subsequent mass regrowth. After initiation of the second treatment, trastuzumab emtansine(TDM1), the mass gradually shrank, and mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy were performed successfully. Histologically, several tiny invasive foci were observed in the mammary gland. No lymph node metastases were observed. The patient subsequently underwent radiation therapy and a 1-year course of TDM1 treatment. The patient has been in remission for 5 years. HER2-positive, locally advanced BC can be successfully treated with multimodal therapy, including anti-HER2 therapy, timely surgery and radiation therapy.

[A Case of Pancreatic Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma That Survived Seven Years after Resection and Chemotherapy].

We present the case of a 47-year-old man who underwent a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. Histopathological diagnosis revealed that the majority of the cancer was an invasive micropapillary carcinoma(IMPC). Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy using S-1 was continued for 4 years, at the end of which, multiple lymph node metastases were identified. Therefore, gemcitabine plus S-1 therapy was initiated. The treatment reduced the lymph node in size and resulted in the maintenance of a partial response for a year and a half. However, increased lymph node metastases recurred, and multiple lung metastases were noted. The patient died 7 years and 2 months after the resection of the primary lesion. Although pancreatic IMPC has a poor prognosis, long-term survival may be achieved by resection of the primary region, the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy and management of recurrent lesions by chemotherapy.

[Total Pancreatectomy for Remnant Pancreatic Cancer with Positive Washing Cytology after Conversion to Negative Cytology Following Gemcitabine plus Nab-Paclitaxel Therapy-A Case Report].

A 53-year-old woman underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy(SSPPD)for resectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperatively, she received hepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU and S-1 chemotherapy. Two years after SSPPD, abdominal computed tomography showed a 2-cm mass in the remnant pancreas, which was diagnosed as recurrence of cancer by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Staging laparoscopy was performed and peritoneal washing cytology(CY)was positive. She then received gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy for 8 months. After that, staging laparoscopy was performed again and negative CY was confirmed. A total remnant pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. She received chemotherapy after pancreatectomy and is now alive and well without recurrence 2 years and 1 month after the second surgery. Although positive CY is a poor prognostic factor, surgery combined with perioperative chemotherapy may contribute to prolonged survival for some patients who have recurrence in the remnant pancreas with positive CY.

[Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Mesentery Diagnosed Via Laparoscopic Biopsy-A Case Report].

Breast cancer can metastasize to organs all over the body, but isolated mesenteric metastases are rare. A 72-year-old female, with a history of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast treated with breast-conserving therapy and axillary lymphadenectomy 7 years previously and 5 years of endocrine therapy, presented with asymptomatic elevated serum carcino- embryonic antigen. Computed tomography(CT)revealed no obvious distant metastasis, but showed increased adipose tissue density around the pancreas suggestive of acute pancreatitis. During follow-up, in addition to the abnormality around the pancreas, mild thickening of the mesentery was observed on CT. Definitive diagnosis of mesenteric metastasis of invasive lobular carcinoma was confirmed via laparoscopic biopsy. It was supposed that the breast cancer had first metastasized to the retroperitoneum via the hematogenous route, and had then directly infiltrated the mesentery. Laparoscopic biopsy is effective for diagnosis of intra-peritoneal metastases.

[A Case of Surgical Resection of Anaplastic Carcinoma of the Pancreas(Pleomorphic Cell Type)with Poor Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy].

A 62-year-old man was incidentally found to have a pancreatic tumor by CT. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by EUS-FNAB. Gemcitabine(GEM)plus nab-paclitaxel(PTX)was started as neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)for resectable pancreatic cancer. However, after the end of the second course, the tumor grew rapidly and invaded the stomach, so NAC was discontinued, and surgery was performed. The pathological diagnosis was anaplastic ductal carcinoma of the pleomorphic cell type, and the histological response was Grade 1a. Multiple liver metastases appeared during adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1, so GEM plus nab-PTX and modified FOLFIRINOX were administered, but the therapeutic response was poor, the patient died 9 months after surgery. Anaplastic carcinoma has a poor response to chemotherapy and may be included with cancers showing treatment resistance to NAC, as seen in our case. It is necessary to pay attention to anaplastic carcinoma during the course of NAC for pancreatic cancer.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival of a Patient with Liver Metastasis of Colon Cancer and Suspected Inferior Vena Cava Invasion].

A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and synchronous liver metastasis. Because an obstruction of the sigmoid colon was identified, the patient underwent sigmoidectomy. Computed tomography(CT)findings suggested possible vena cava and hepatic vein invasion. Therefore, the decision was made to offer systemic chemotherapy. The patient underwent 6 courses of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6). After 4 courses of chemotherapy, CT scans showed a significant reduction of the liver metastasis (reduction rate of 5 0%; a partial response) and demonstrated improved exclusion of the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein. After 6 courses of chemotherapy, we performed right trisegmentectomy of the liver and resection of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm. Postoperative pathological findings revealed negative margins, and no invasion of the inferior vena cava. The pathological response grade of the tumor after chemotherapy was determined to be Grade 2. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed because of the patient 's poor performance status. The patient was alive with no recurrence 8 years after resection of the liver metastasis.

The prevalence of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk in patients with a history of breast or ovarian cancer in Japanese subjects.

AIM: Women at high risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer require specific management strategies for cancer prevention and early detection. The authors sought to determine the prevalence of family histories suggestive of a hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome in patients with a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer in Japanese women. METHODS: Family history (first- and second-degree relatives) data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire for women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer in six major cancer treating hospitals in Niigata prefecture, Japan. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 1463 women: 626 women with a history of breast cancer, 289 women with a history of ovarian cancer and 548 women without a history of any cancer as controls. Women with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer had OR of breast cancer of 2.3 (95% confidential interval [CI] 1.5-3.7) and ovarian cancer of 2.2 (95% CI 1.3-3.8). The risk was higher when the proband was younger or when two or more relatives were affected. Among women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, 7.5% met the criteria for a 10% risk of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation according to the Myriad model. CONCLUSION: Obtaining a detailed breast and ovarian cancer family history and the application of the Myriad model is useful for identifying women at an elevated genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The estimation for the prevalence of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome has significant implications for a patient's management, as well as for the capacity for risk assessment and testing.

A rare case of invasive ductal carcinoma with hyperprolactinemia.

We report here a rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma composed of a mass protruding from the tip of the nipple in a 43-year-old woman with hyperprolactinemia. She had been amenorrheic for 15 years following an incomplete pituitary adenomectomy for prolactinoma. She presented with a mass on the left nipple that had been growing for 6 months. Morphologically, the mass resembled adenoma of the nipple. Another mass was located in the subareolar region. She underwent mastectomy after invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed. Histopathologically, the tumor of the nipple was invasive ductal carcinoma, which had extended intraductally from another invasive ductal carcinoma in the subareolar region, and had infiltrated the epidermis of the nipple (Paget's disease). MR mammography successfully detected the relationship between the tumors. Postoperatively, the plasma prolactin level was abnormally high, while the plasma estradiol level was quite low, although macro-pituitary adenoma was not detected by MRI. The patient was treated with bromocriptine mesilate, in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, and the plasma prolactin level has since normalized.

Breast signet-ring cell lobular carcinoma presenting with duodenal obstruction and acute pancreatitis.

We report here an extremely rare case of breast signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) initially manifesting as duodenal metastasis and acute pancreatitis. A 62-year-old female presented with duodenal obstruction and swollen head of the pancreas, and the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was initially made. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed duodenal stenosis with erosive mucosa, with signet-ring cells infiltrating the submucosal layer, suggesting duodenal metastasis of SRCC. Despite absence of a palpable mass in both breasts, computed tomography revealed diffuse enhancement of the left breast in addition to left axillary lymphadenopathy. Histological examination of mammary needle biopsy samples revealed SRCC with a non-invasive lobular carcinoma component. Primary breast SRCC with duodenal metastasis was therefore diagnosed. The patient underwent palliative surgery twice for intestinal obstruction due to peritoneal dissemination. She has remained alive without bowel obstruction for 18 months while being treated with cytotoxic chemotherapies.

Invasive Paget's disease of the male nipple: a case report.

Male mammary Paget's disease (MPD) is extremely rare. Furthermore, MPD with invasion downward into the dermis of the male nipple has been reported rarely. A 56-year-old Japanese man presented with a lump and eczema in the right nipple-areola area. Ultrasonography revealed only a cystic lesion below the right areola. With a diagnosis of MPD with invasion into the dermis associated with ductal carcinoma in situ, mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy were performed. MPD with dermal invasion is extremely rare, and only one male case has been reported in the English literature; therefore, the current case is the second case of male MPD with dermal invasion.

Coexistence of malignant phyllodes tumor and her2-positive locally advanced breast cancer in distinct breasts: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Phyllodes tumor of the breast is a rare biphasic neoplasm, accounting for less than 1% of all breast tumors. Coexistence of phyllodes tumor and breast cancer in distinct breasts is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old Japanese woman presented with bilateral breast lumps. A HER2-positive, unresectable invasive carcinoma in the right breast and fibroadenoma in the left were diagnosed via core needle biopsy. During chemotherapy with anti-HER2 therapy, the breast cancer shrank quickly, while the left breast lump suddenly enlarged. Under a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the breast, left mastectomy was performed. Malignant phyllodes tumor was diagnosed by postoperative histological examination and recurred in multiple areas as early as 2 months after surgery. DISCUSSION: Only 10 cases of coexisting phyllodes tumor and breast cancer in distinct breasts have been reported in the English literature. Phyllodes tumor associated with breast cancer in distinct breasts tends to be malignant. This is the first case of phyllodes tumor rapidly enlarging during anti-HER2 chemotherapy for locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Even during effective treatment of advanced or recurrent breast cancer, attention should also be paid to the contralateral breast for the possible association of a second malignancy such as phyllodes tumor.

Ductal carcinoma in situ with isolated tumor cells in the sentinel lymph node in a 17-year-old adolescent girl.

We report here a quite rare case of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with isolated tumor cells in the sentinel lymph node in a 17-year-old adolescent girl whose mother also had advanced breast cancer. Findings included an elastic mass in the right breast accompanied by serous nipple discharge. DCIS of the breast was diagnosed following core needle biopsy. Although no invasive focus was clearly observed in the mastectomy sample, isolated tumor cells were found in the sentinel lymph node. Although the family refused genetic testing, a hereditary abnormality may have played a role in the carcinogenesis in this case.

Metastatic breast cancer from gastric and ovarian cancer, mimicking inflammatory breast cancer: report of two cases.

Breast metastases from extra-mammary malignancies, especially those mimicking primary inflammatory breast carcinoma, are extremely rare. We report here two cases of inflammatory breast metastases from gastric or ovarian cancer. Both patients, who had prior advanced malignant disease, presented with unilateral breast redness and swelling with peau d'orange sign, resembling primary inflammatory breast cancer or acute mastitis. Breast biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells or clear cell carcinoma in the lymphatic vessels and the parenchyma without an in situ lesion, similar to primary lesions of the stomach or ovary, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 was of value for correct diagnosis. Since breast metastasis is a sign of poor prognosis of the primary malignant disease, the possibility of breast metastasis should be considered in appropriate patients to preclude unnecessary major surgery.