Combination chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin for gastric cancer that recurs after adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1: multi-institutional retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether S-1 plus cisplatin is effective for patients with recurrent gastric cancer after adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin in patients whose gastric cancer recurred after adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy. RESULTS: In the 52 patients evaluated, the median duration of adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy was 8.1 months, and the median recurrence-free interval (RFI) since the last administration of adjuvant S-1 was 6.4 months. Among the 36 patients with measurable lesions, 7 achieved a complete or partial response, and 13 were evaluated as having stable disease, for an overall response rate of 19.4% and a disease control rate of 55.6%. For all patients, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.8 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 12.2 months. Compared with patients with an RFI of <6 months (n = 25), patients with an RFI of ≥6 months (n = 27) had a significantly higher response rate (5.0 vs. 37.5%, respectively), longer PFS (2.3 vs. 6.2 months, respectively), and longer overall survival (7.3 vs. 16.6 months, respectively). According to a multivariate Cox model including performance status (PS) and reason for discontinuation of adjuvant S-1, an RFI of 6 months was still significantly associated with PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: S-1 plus cisplatin is effective for patients with gastric cancer that recurs after adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy, especially for those with an RFI of ≥6 months.

Number of lymph node metastases is better predictor of prognosis than level of lymph node metastasis in patients with node-positive colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for colon cancer patients. Survival is also related to the number and level of positive lymph nodes (PLNs). Definitions of degree of PLNs for colon cancer differ greatly between the number and level of PLNs. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study is to compare number and level of PLNs to see which is a better predictor of prognosis for node-positive colon cancer. One hundred eighteen patients underwent histologically curative resection for node-positive colon cancer. We calculated the cumulative 5-year survival rates and examined prognostic factors for multivariate analysis based on the number and level of PLNs and additional factors. The number of PLNs was classified as either one to three PLNs or more than four PLNs, and level of PLNs was classified as either Level I (pericolic lymph node metastasis) or Level II (lymph node metastasis along the major named vessel supplying the tumor, and that around the origin of a main artery). RESULTS: Cumulative 5-year survival rates were statistically different between the 1 to 3 PLNs group and the more than 4 PLNs group, but not significantly different between Level I group and Level II group. Multivariate analysis showed that number, not level, of PLNs was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: In node-positive colon cancer, number of PLNs predicted prognosis better than level of PLNs.

Laparoscopic two-stage surgery for goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix: report of a case and review of the Japanese literature.

Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix is a rare clinical entity exhibiting features of both carcinoid and adenocarcinoma. Here, we present the first report of laparoscopic 2-stage surgery for goblet cell carcinoid with a review of the Japanese literature. A 49-year-old man underwent laparoscopic appendectomy under the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. A pathologic diagnosis of goblet cell carcinoid, accompanied by the aggressive proliferation, with acute appendicitis was made. Subsequent laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed, and it was verified that there were neither residual tumor nor lymph node metastases. The postoperative course was uneventful. Because goblet cell carcinoid may be difficult to clinically distinguish from acute appendicitis, pathologic examination is essential. Depending upon the grade of tumor proliferation, additional resection should be considered, and our experience with this case suggests that laparoscopic 2-stage surgery is feasible for the adequate treatment of goblet cell carcinoid without complications.

Positive response to oral chemoendocrine combination therapy using 5"-deoxy-5-fluorouridine for locally advanced breast cancer with carcinomatous pleurisy: report of a case.

A 60-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with an ulcerating and bleeding tumor in her right breast. On physical examination, the tumor was found mainly in the D area of the right breast, and was associated with ulceration and thoracic rigidity. Chest X-ray showed a pleural effusion in her right chest and a computed tomography scan after thoracentesis showed multiple bilateral pleural nodules. Thus, a diagnosis of unresectable advanced breast cancer (T4cN2M1b, PLE) was made. She was given oral 5"-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5"-DFUR) with medroxyprogesterone acetate, followed by tamoxifen, without any severe adverse reactions, and was subsequently followed up as an outpatient. Her tumor gradually decreased in size, the thoracic rigidity disappeared, and the pleural dissemination and effusion resolved. Thereafter, a radical mastectomy was performed and histologically, the tumor was Grade 1a. She had no signs of recurrence or metastasis 14 months postoperatively. Therefore, oral chemoendocrine combination therapy with 5"-DFUR resulted in a favorable quality of life, there were no severe adverse reactions, and the patient was able to be managed as an outpatient.