Tumor size ≥50 mm as an Independent Prognostic Factor for Patients with Stage II or III Gastric Cancer After Postoperative S-1 Monotherapy: Analysis of a Multi-institution Dataset.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the changes in prognostic factors after adjuvant S-1 monotherapy has become widespread as a standard of care for patients with gastric cancer (GC) in East Asia. The present study compared prognostic factors of patients with stage II/III GC treated with or without S-1 adjuvant to formulate appropriate risk stratification strategies. METHODS: We designed a large multicenter dataset and retrospectively analyzed 847 patients with GC stage II or III, who underwent curative gastrectomy between 2010 and 2014. Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors were compared between the two patient groups: surgery-alone (n = 266) and S-1 adjuvant (n = 581). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pathological tumor depths, nodal status, and disease stages between groups. Recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the S-1 adjuvant group. For the surgery-alone group, independent prognostic factors were (in order of hazard ratio): (1) invasive growth, (2) high preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, (3) total gastrectomy. For the S-1 adjuvant group, macroscopic tumor size (≥50 mm) was identified as another independent prognostic factor next only to pN2/3. There was overlap between the survival curves of patients with tumor size ≥50 mm in both groups. After receiving adjuvant S-1 monotherapy, ≥50 mm patients had significantly higher prevalence of peritoneal and lymph node metastasis as initial recurrences compared with <50 mm patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant S-1 monotherapy may alter listing of adverse prognostic factors of stage II and III patients. Macroscopic tumor size ≥50 mm may serve as an important determinant for risk stratification to identify patients who require more intensive treatment.

A case of local recurrence of T1 rectal cancer 10 years after transanal excision.

We report a case of a patient with T1 rectal cancer, which recurred locally after 10 years from the primary operation. A 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Transanal excision (TAE) was performed in December 2006. The pathological findings revealed stage I rectal cancer [tub2>muc, pSM (2,510 µm), ly0, v0, pHM0, pVM0]. Because she did not opt for additional treatment, she received follow-up examination. After approximately 10 years from the primary operation, she presented to her physician, complaining of melena, and she was referred to our hospital again in November 2016. She was diagnosed with recurrent rectal cancer. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection was performed in December 2016. Pathological findings revealed stage IIIB rectal cancer (tub2>muc, pA, pN1). The reported postoperative local recurrence rate for T1 rectal cancer after TAE is high, but local recurrence after years from the primary operation is rare. In high-risk cases, local recurrence may be observed even after 10 years from the primary operation. Long-term and close postoperative follow-up is important to detect local recurrence early.

A case of metachronous left ovarian metastasis 8 years after surgery for cecal cancer and right ovarian metastasis: Report of a case.

Metachronous ovarian metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma is mostly identified within 3 years. Here we present a case of a 64-year-old woman with cecal cancer who underwent right oophorectomy for ovarian metastasis. Imaging was performed because of abdominal bloating; it detected a swollen right ovary with ascites. On laparotomy, a right ovarian tumor and cecal cancer were identified. After right oophorectomy, a diagnosis of unilateral ovarian metastasis from colon cancer was made. One month later, right hemicolectomy was performed. Eight years after initial surgery, the patient presented with vaginal bleeding. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a pelvic mass approximately 10 cm in diameter, but no mass was evident on a CT image taken 6 months before. The patient was diagnosed with left ovarian metastasis from colon cancer. A third laparotomy revealed a left ovarian tumor, but there was no evidence of other metastases or peritoneal dissemination. Left oophorectomy was performed. Oophorectomy is considered to be associated with a survival benefit in ovarian metastasis without other extensive metastasis. However, ovarian metastasis is often bilateral. Although complete resection was achieved in the present case, the findings support performing prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy if metastasis is identified in a unilateral ovary.

Histopathologic risk stratification of stage IIB colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To stratify stage IIB (pT4a PN0) colorectal cancer in terms of histopathologic findings. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 80 patients who underwent surgery for stage IIB colorectal cancer. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were evaluated and correlated with the presence or absence of "Tumor Necrosis", "Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction", and "Perineural Invasion". RESULTS: Patients with "Tumor Necrosis" had significantly lower DFS rates (p < 0.0001), those with "Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction" had significantly higher DFS rates (p = 0.037), and those with "Perineural Invasion" had significantly lower DFS rates (p < 0.0001). Patients with "Tumor Necrosis" had significantly lower OS rates (p = 0.016), those with "Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction" had significantly higher OS rates (p = 0.022), and those with "Perineural Invasion" had significantly lower OS rates (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Since stage IIB colorectal cancers accompanied by the pathological findings of "Tumor Necrosis" and "Perineural Invasion", but with the absence of "Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction" carried a poor prognosis, the efficacy of adjuvant chemoradiation must be considered for these patients.

Aggressive resection of frequent peritoneal recurrences in colorectal cancer contributes to long-term survival.

We report a long-term survivor of colorectal cancer who underwent aggressive, frequent resection for peritoneal recurrences. A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with descending colon cancer. Resection of the descending colon along with lymph node dissection was performed in September 2006. The pathological findings revealed Stage IIA colorectal cancer. The following peritoneal recurrences were removed: two in July 2007, two in the omental fat and two in the pouch of Douglas in June 2008 resected by low anterior resection of the rectum, one in the uterus and right ovarian recurrence resected via bilateral adnexectomy and Hartmann's procedure in May 2011, and one in the ascending colon by partial resection of the colon wall in December 2011. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (uracil and tegafur/leucovorin, fluorouracil/levofolinate/oxaliplatin/bevacizumab, 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/bevacizumab, irinotecan/bevacizumab, and irinotecan/panitumumab) was administered. The patient did not desire postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy after the fourth operation. The long-term survival was 6 years and 7 months.

Detection of circulating tumor cells in drainage venous blood from colorectal cancer patients using a new filtration and cytology-based automated platform.

Numerous technologies exist to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs), although reports on cytological detection of CTCs remain limited. We recently developed a cytology-based CTC detection device using glass slides and light microscopy. In this study, we automated this previously manual device to improve its efficiency and cost effectiveness for clinical applications. We conducted a pilot study using this device to compare CTCs in peripheral blood (PB) and draining venous blood (DVB) from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The cytology-based automated CTC detection platform consisted of a disposable filtration device with a three-dimensional (3D) metal filter and multichannel automated CTC enrichment device. This platform allowed rapid and gentle filtration of CTCs and their efficient transfer from the filter to glass slides for subsequent Papanicolaou (Pap) and immunocytochemical (ICC) staining. Cytological diagnosis of CTCs was performed by observing permanent glass slide specimens by light microscopy. The current pilot clinical study enrolled CRC patients (n = 26) with stage I-IV tumors, who underwent surgery. PB was collected before surgery, and DVB was obtained from the mesenteric vein immediately after resection. Based on the CTC morphology obtained from PB and DVB samples, we proposed the following cytological criteria for the diagnosis of CTCs: pan-cytokeratin-positive, atypical cells with malignant morphological features identified by Pap staining. The numbers of CTCs defined by these criteria were significantly higher in DVB than PB from CRC patients (p<0.01), and the number of CTCs in DVB was increased significantly with stage progression (p<0.05). These results suggest that DVB may be another potential source of CTCs other than PB for liquid biopsies including downstream analysis. This automated cytology-based CTC detection device therefore provides a unique and powerful tool to investigate the significance of CTCs in CRC patients in a clinical setting.

A long-term survival case of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule caused by colon cancer and treated with a multidisciplinary approach.

Umbilical metastasis from intra-abdominal or pelvic malignancy, which is called Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN), is rare, and it has a poor prognosis. Its most common primary sites are the stomach and ovaries. SMJN caused by colon cancer is uncommon. A 42-year-old woman visited local clinics with complaints of an umbilical mass. After a detailed examination, she was diagnosed with peritoneal and umbilical metastasis caused by colon cancer. A radical surgery was performed after 12 months of chemotherapy. 6 months later, local recurrence and ovarian metastasis were suspected. Further radical surgery was performed, and 14 months after that (50 months after starting treatment), no recurrences have been observed. We experienced a long-term survival case of SMJN caused by colon cancer and treated with a multidisciplinary approach.

Combined resection of re-recurrent lateral lymph nodes and external iliac vein:Case Report and Literature.

Herein, we describe the operative procedure for combined resection of re-recurrent lateral lymph nodes and the external iliac vein. There is no consensus on the clinical implications of resection of locally re-recurrent colorectal tumors, as the operative procedure is extremely difficult. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who underwent abdominoperineal resection. About one year later, we excised a recurrent lymph node in the left lateral obturator area through an extraperitoneal approach. About 18 months later, lymph node re-recurrence in the left external iliac area was observed. Re-recurrent lymph nodes directly invade the left external iliac vein. We removed the re-recurrent lymph node with combined, radical segmental resection of the left external iliac vein, left obturator artery and vein, and left obturator nerve. J. Med. Invest. 65:136-138, February, 2018.

Peritoneal cecal cancer metastasis to a mesh-plug prosthesis:A case report.

We report the case of a 77-year-old man who presented to our hospital with cecal cancer, lung metastasis, and liver metastasis in January 2013. After four courses of modified infusional intravenous fluorouracil and levofolinate with oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX 6) + bevacizumab, there was no new metastatic lesion and lung metastasis reduction was observed. Ileocecal resection was performed in May, left lower lung lobectomy in August, and extended right posterior segmentectomy + S8 partial liver resection was performed in December. The tumor marker declined initially;thereafter, it gradually increased. Computed tomography (CT) performed in April 2014 revealed right inguinal mass around the mesh-plug prosthesis. A positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) also revealed a high 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake at the same site. Right inguinal tumor resection was performed in July. Cancer tissues were confirmed by performing intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis, and R0 resection could be achieved. Previous studies have reported malignant tumor metastases to the mesh-plug prosthesis, and this was believed to one of the sites that cancer cells can easily engraft. In particular, in patients with a history of advanced malignant tumors, if mass formation around the artifact insertion site is observed, the possibility of peritoneal metastasis should be considered. J. Med. Invest. 65:142-146, February, 2018.

Coincident Port-site and Functional End-to-end Anastomotic Recurrences after Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer: A case report and literature review.

Herein, we report coincident recurrences at the port site and functional end-to-end anastomosis after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer of the ascending colon. The patient was an 83-year-old man who had undergone the aforementioned procedure (Stage IIA) in the referral hospital. At the 10-month follow-up, computed tomography showed two tumours around 3 cm in diameter: one on the right-flank abdominal wall - the surgical port-site - and the other at the functional end-to-end anastomosis. Likewise, a positron emission tomography scan was positive for two tumours. Endoscopic examination showed an ulcerated tumour with a clear margin, and a biopsy confirmed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with coincident recurrences at the port site and functional end-to-end anastomosis after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer of the ascending colon. We re-operated in March 2016. The tumours at the functional end-to-end anastomosisand functional end-to-end anastomosiswere resected. After 7 months, no recurrence was detected. J. Med. Invest. 64: 177-180, February, 2017.

Recovery from Choriocarcinoma Syndrome Associated with a Metastatic Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor Hemorrhage.

A germ cell tumor is the most common form of malignancy in early male life, and can be classified as either seminomatous or nonseminomatous. Choriocarcinoma, comprised of nonseminomatous germ cells, is the most aggressive type of germ cell tumor and characteristically metastasizes to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and less frequently to the lungs, liver, bone or brain [Shibuya et al., 2009;48: 551-554]. A 56-year-old man was admitted to another hospital complaining of abdominal distension. Symptoms included anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient was diagnosed with an extragonadal germ cell tumor and referred to our hospital to receive chemotherapy. The day after admission, the patient's abdominal distension gradually worsened. An emergency operation revealed venous hemorrhage from the surface of a metastatic extragonadal germ cell tumor between the ligament of Treitz and the inferior mesenteric vein in a horizontal position. Hemostatic treatment was performed with 4-0 proline thread attached to a medicated cotton sponge, rather than using a simple proline thread, and the closure area was manually compressed. Chemotherapy was initiated on postoperative day 10. A metastatic extragonadal germ cell tumor that causes massive hemorrhage and gastrointestinal hemorrhage is very rare, and represents a life-threatening emergency. If the patient's condition carries a substantial risk of bleeding to death, it may be worthwhile to attempt abdominal operations.

Adequate Margins to Prevent Local Re-recurrence of Rectal Cancer: Viewpoint of Pathological Findings.

BACKGROUND: A sufficient surgical margin is critical for preventing re-recurrence and achieving R0 status after resection of a local recurrence of rectal cancer (LRRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Re-recurrence-free survival was analyzed in 110 cases of LRRC according to histological type of primary lesion. The circumferential resection margin (CRM) was classified as 'R1' (x=0 µm), 'R0 shortness' (0 µm 2,000 µm during resection of LRRC is more likely to prevent re-recurrence. Cases with poorly differentiated carcinoma from the primary lesion to the recurrent lesion tend to have poor prognoses.

A delayed-onset rectourethral fistula after intersphincteric resection for very low rectal cancer: a case report and literature review.

Rectourethral fistula is one of the complications that can occur after prostatectomy in the urologic discipline. However, a delayed-onset rectourethral fistula after intersphincteric resection (ISR) for low rectal cancer is extremely rare. Here, we report one such case in a 57-year-old man. After ISR for low rectal cancer with a diverting stoma (DS), the DS was closed. After approximately 1 year, frequent pneumaturia and right orchitis were observed. Results of contrast enemas and abdominal computed tomography examinations revealed a rectourethral fistula from an anastomosis to the urethra. The colonoscopic appearance revealed a pinhole fistula on the anastomotic line, with thick pus. We performed a transverse colostomy, and the pneumaturia and right orchitis were no longer observed. Two months later, colonoscopy, contrast enemas, and cystoscopy revealed no rectourethral fistula. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first report of a delayed-onset rectourethral fistula after ISR.

A Case of Gastric Cancer with Residual Tumor Only in the Para-Aortic Lymph Nodes after Systemic Chemotherapy followed by Conversion Surgery.

We report the case of a 60-year-old male who was diagnosed with gastric cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy indicated advanced cancer in the posterior wall of the gastric body. Biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated thickening of the gastric wall and enlargement of the regional lymph nodes and of the para-aortic lymph nodes (PAN). The involvement of the PAN extended from the celiac axis to the caudal area of the inferior mesenteric artery [cT3N3aH0P0M1(LYM), stage IV]. Systemic chemotherapy was initiated. After 3 courses of S-1 plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy, the primary lesion and the enlarged lymph nodes revealed marked regression except for a minute residual lesion in the lymph nodes. Upon obtaining informed consent, open distal gastrectomy, D2 lymphadenectomy with PAN dissection, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital 35 days after the operation. Histopathological examination of the resected samples revealed malignant cells only in the PAN, not in the stomach or in the regional lymph nodes [ypT0N0M1(LYM), stage IV]. Currently, the patient is undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and has remained well without any recurrence after 6 months following surgery.

The current status of emergency operations at a high-volume cancer center.

This study aimed to assess the pathogenic causes, clinical conditions, surgical procedures, in-hospital mortality, and operative death associated with emergency operations at a high-volume cancer center. Although many reports have described the contents, operative procedures, and prognosis of elective surgeries in high-volume cancer centers, emergency operations have not been studied in sufficient detail. We retrospectively enrolled 28 consecutive patients who underwent emergency surgery. Cases involving operative complications were excluded. The following surgical procedures were performed during emergency operations: closure in 3 cases (10.7%), diversion in 22 cases (78.6%), ileus treatment in 2 cases (7.1%), and hemostasis in 1 case (3.6%). Closure alone was performed only once for peritonitis. Diversion was performed in 17 cases (77.3%) of peritonitis, 4 cases (18.2%) of stenosis of the gastrointestinal tract, and 1 case (4.5%) of bleeding. There was a significant overall difference (P = 0.001). The frequency of emergency operations was very low at a high-volume cancer center. However, the recent shift in treatment approaches toward nonoperative techniques may enhance the status of emergency surgical procedures. The results presented in this study will help prepare for emergency situations and resolve them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Transumbilical Hidden-Scar High Anterior Resection for Sigmoid Colon Cancer Using GelPOINT® Through an Umbilical Zigzag Skin Incision.

Introduction: Hidden-scar surgery is a new method by which surgeons perform abdominal operations through one incision made in the folds of the patient's umbilicus. However, with a straight incision in the umbilicus, the maximal opening of the fascia is 2 cm. The 2-cm fascial opening is not enough to allow for the triangulation of instruments, the removal of specimens, and the performance of anastomosis, particularly during gastrectomy and colectomy. To overcome this problem, we developed an umbilical zigzag skin incision with a 6-cm opening of the fascia and peritoneum in collaboration with plastic surgeons and used Gelport® to maintain pneumoperitoneum, which resulted in a scarless wound.1 Plastic surgeons modified this technique from umbilicoplasties for umbilical deformities.2,3 We have performed gastrectomies, colectomies, cholecystectomies, and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repairs using this method without any complications and have succeeded in hiding scars in the umbilicus. GelPOINT® is a newly developed device for minimally invasive surgery that provides a flexible, air-tight fulcrum to facilitate the triangulation of standard instrumentation. By offering an increased range of motion and maximum retraction and exposure, the GelPOINT platforms assure maximum versatility and access for a wide range of abdominal procedures. We report herein a video (559 seconds) describing a new method of transumbilical hidden-scar surgery using GelPOINT through an umbilical zigzag skin incision. Materials and Surgical Technique: A 64-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer. The procedure was performed as previously described1; after marking a zigzag skin incision in the umbilical region, the skin was incised along this line. Then, a GelPOINT double-ring wound retractor was inserted through the incision, which enlarged the diameter of the fascial opening to 6 cm. The GelPOINT was latched to the wound retractor ring, and the pneumoperitoneum was then inflated using CO2. One additional port was inserted in the right-lower abdomen for safety. Laparoscopic high anterior resection with lymph node dissection was performed in the standard fashion. The specimen was easily extracted from the abdomen through the umbilical zigzag incision, and the double-staple technique was used for anastomosis without any complications. The wound in the umbilical region was virtually hidden in the bottom of the umbilicus after surgery. Results and Conclusion: We performed an umbilical zigzag skin incision technique using GelPOINT for laparoscopic high anterior resection without any complications. We consider that this zigzag skin incision technique is one way to lessen the technical difficulties of laparoscopic surgery, resulting in a hidden scar in the umbilicus. The authors have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose. Runtime of video: 9 mins 19 secs.