[A Case of HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric Cancer with Liver Metastasis Treated by Laparoscopic Surgery after Chemotherapy and Achieved Pathological Complete Response].

A 77-year-old man presented to our hospital with diarrhea and weight loss. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed advanced Type 3 gastric cancer measuring 40 mm in the lower greater curvature of the stomach. Biopsy from a gastric tumor revealed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma overexpressing HER2. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)showed multiple liver metastases in S3 and S5. We diagnosed HER2-positive gastric cancer with liver metastasis. Systemic chemotherapy was administrated, with a total of 13 courses of combination therapy with S-1, oxaliplatin and trastuzumab. After chemotherapy, the primary tumor was significantly reduced and liver metastases were almost undetectable. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and partial hepatectomy were performed as conversion surgery. The patient was discharged on the 9th day without any postoperative complications. Postoperative pathological findings showed no residual tumor in either gastric and hepatic specimens, and the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy was diagnosed as pathological complete response. We report a case of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases that achieved a pathologically complete response to chemotherapy followed by conversion surgery. Laparoscopic surgery would be one of an effective option for conversion surgery.

[Indications and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Endoscopic Cooperative Surgery(LECS)for Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor].

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery(LECS)for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)has become a popular surgery with both curability and functional preservation. In this study, we examined the outcomes of 14 patients who underwent classical LECS or CLEAN-NET in our hospital. Until March 2022, classical LECS was performed in patients with intraluminal growth tumors or tumors close to the gastroesophageal junction. After April 2022, classical LECS was performed in patients with intraluminal growth tumors without ulceration, and CLEAN-NET was performed in patients with ulceration or intramural growth tumors. There were 10 males and 4 females with a median age of 80.5 years. Intraluminal growth tumor were 8 patients, close to the gastroesophageal junction tumor were 3, and intramural growth tumor were 4, respectively. Five of these patients had tumors with ulceration. Classical LECS was performed in 10 patients and CLEAN-NET in 4 patients, and the median operative time was 165.5 minutes. All patients underwent R0 resection, and no postoperative complications or recurrences were observed. LECS was performed safely, and it is important to select the surgical procedure according to the tumor site and growth type.

[A Case of Local Recurrence of Esophageal Cancer after Chemoradiation Therapy Successfully Treated with Nivolumab].

We report a case of a patient with locally recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiation therapy(CRT)who responded to nivolumab. The patient was an 86-year-old man with advanced esophageal cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD)revealed a type 2 lesion in the middle thoracic esophagus, and biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). Contrast- enhanced CT showed invasion of the left main bronchi. The patient was diagnosed as Stage Ⅳa advanced esophageal cancer, and was treated with 5-FU plus cisplatin chemotherapy, and 60 Gy of radiation therapy. The tumor disappeared by CT and EGD, and the patient was followed up for observation. The patient experienced a feeling of tightness again, and EGD revealed an ulcerative lesion in the middle thoracic esophagus, and a biopsy detected SCC. Because of the early recurrence after CRT, the patient was judged to be resistant to 5-FU plus cisplatin chemotherapy, and 8 courses of nivolumab were administered as second-line treatment. Follow-up EGD confirmed disappearance of ulcerative lesions, and no tumors have been observed to date.

Risk factors of post-operative pneumonia in elderly patients with gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pneumonia is a major complication after general elective surgery in elderly patients and is often caused by aspiration associated with oesophageal reflux. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of post-operative pneumonia after gastrectomy in elderly patients with gastric cancer with two potential risk factors of ageing and oesophageal reflux. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the data of 251 patients ≥75 years old who underwent gastrectomy between January 2014 and December 2018 in our institution. The reconstruction methods were Billroth-I or Roux-Y after distal gastrectomy, jejunal interposition or double tract after proximal gastrectomy and Roux-Y after total gastrectomy. The severity of pneumonia was evaluated by the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Post-operative pneumonia was identified in 15 patients (5.9%) and was significantly associated with an age ≥80 years old, poor performance status, history of smoking and cardia-non-preserving gastrectomy (total gastrectomy and proximal gastrectomy) in univariate analyses. Multivariate analyses showed that a poor performance status and cardia-non-preserving gastrectomy were independent risk factors for post-operative pneumonia. The patients who suffered post-operative pneumonia required a longer hospital stay than those without post-operative pneumonia (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We identified a poor performance status and cardia-non-preserving gastrectomy, which are likely to lead to oesophageal reflux, as risk factors for post-operative pneumonia in elderly patients with gastric cancer. These results warrant further prospective studies to evaluate their utility for reducing the rate of post-operative pneumonia in elderly patients through cardia-preserving gastrectomy or anti-reflux reconstruction.

Short-term results of a phase II study of preoperative docetaxel/cisplatin/S-1 therapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: A multi-institutional phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 therapy in marginally resectable advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients with macroscopic type 4, large macroscopic type 3 and bulky lymph node metastasis received two cycles of preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 therapy (docetaxel 40 mg/m2 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 on day 1, and S-1 80 mg/m2 for 14 days, every 4 weeks). The primary endpoint was the pathological response rate, with an expected value of 65%. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled in this study. The pathological response rate was 54.8%, and it was higher than the threshold value but lower than the expected rate. The R0 resection rate was 93.5%. The frequencies of grade 3-4 toxicities during docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 therapy were 41.9% for neutropenia, 6.5% for febrile neutropenia and 32.3% for nausea/vomiting. Grade 2 and 3 surgical morbidities occurred in 23.3 and 6.7% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 therapy was feasible in terms of chemotherapy-related toxicities and surgical morbidity, but the effect did not achieve the expected value. The association between the pathological response rate and survival will be evaluated in the final analysis of this clinical trial.

[Successful Surgical Resection of Expansive-Growth Acinar Cell Carcinoma-A Case Report].

Here, we report a case of successful surgical resection of expansive-growth acinar cell carcinoma. A 59-year-old man was referred to a local hospital with abdominal distention. CT revealed a large abdominal tumor. Subsequently, he was referred to our hospital. Physical examination showed a large tumor on his left upper abdomen without tenderness. CT revealed an enhanced 18 cm-sized expansive-growth tumor on the left flank, suggesting a primary pancreatic tumor. EUS-FNA yielded a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Imaging findings were not typical for pancreatic ductal carcinoma. We performed distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, transverse colon resection, and proximal gastrectomy. Pathological findings revealed a tumor, measuring 19.5×16.5×15.5 cm, originating from the pancreatic body, positive for trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase, consistent with a diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma, pT3, N0, M0. Four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 were provided, and the patient is currently alive without recurrence for 10 months.

[The Strategy for the Treatment of Perforated Gastric Cancer].

Perforated gastric cancer reported to be relatively rare and to have a poor prognosis. This study examined 9 patients with perforated gastric cancer. Two-thirds of the patients were male and the median age was 69 years. The timing of the diagnosis of gastric cancer was preoperative clinical findings in 4 cases, intraoperative surgical findings in 3 cases, and postoperative examination in 2 cases. The depths of tumor invasion were T3 in 3 cases, T4a in 4 cases, and T4b in 2 cases and 5 patients were Stage Ⅳ. Four patients underwent palliative gastrectomy and only 1 patient underwent curative(R0)gastrectomy. Four patients underwent repair surgery, 2 of which underwent omental patch repair during the initial surgery. One of patients with omental patch repair received 2-stage curative gastrectomy; the other patient received chemotherapy after recovering from acute peritonitis. The median overall survival was 17.9 months and the prognosis was favorable in cases with curative resection or chemotherapy. For patients with perforated gastric cancer, if curative resection cannot be expected, the initial surgery should be directed toward the treatment of peritonitis and radical oncological surgery or systemic chemotherapy should be planned following patient recovery.

[Clinical Outcomes of Palliative Radiation Therapy for Gastric Cancer Bleeding].

Only a few studies have been conducted regarding the palliative radiation therapy(RT)for gastric cancer(GC)bleeding. Data of 9 patients with gastric cancer requiring blood transfusions due to gastric bleeding who were treated with RT were reviewed. All patients were men with a median age of 83(range, 70-91)years. The clinical stage was ⅡB in 2 patients, Ⅲin 1, ⅣA in 1, and ⅣB in 5. Performing gastrectomy was difficult in 4 patients with distant metastasis or tumor invasion to adjacent organ, 3 with poor performance status, and 2 with advanced age. The median hemoglobin levels before RT was 6.0 (range, 3.3-7.7)g/dL, and all patients received blood transfusions before RT. Seven patients received 30 Gy RT and 2 patients received 50 Gy. Two patients received concurrent chemotherapy. A total of 2 hematological and 4 non-hematological treatment-related adverse events occurred. All patients improved conservatively. Hemorrhage occurred in 8 patients, except for 1. Of the 8 patients who responded to RT, 1 had rebleeding on day 81. The median rebleeding-free survival time from the beginning of RT was 125(range, 21-421)days. Palliative radiation therapy was useful for bleeding control in nonresectable gastric cancer.

[Short-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Total Gastrectomy Using the Endoscopic Purse-String Suture Instrument ENDO-PSI].

Laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy(LATG)has several complications early during the introduction of the procedure, so a careful approach is necessary. In this study, we evaluated short-term outcomes after LATG at our hospital. From 2014 to 2017, 21 patients underwent LATG using ENDO-PSI. A 6-cm midline incision was made at the epigastrium, and the abdominal esophagus was transected using ENDO-PSI. The anvil head was fixed with extracorporeal ligation, and an end loop was added to the proximal side of the first suture. Reconstruction was performed with the Roux-en-Y method. The jejunojejunal anastomosis was performed extracorporeally, and esophagojejunostomy was performed using a circular stapler through the small incision. There were 15 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 74 years. The mean operation time was 296 min, and volume of blood loss was 75 mL. The median fasting period was 3(3-10)days, and the postoperative hospitalization period was 12(8-28)days. The postoperative complications were Grade Ⅱ in 4 patients and Grade Ⅲ in 1 patient. The complication due to esophagojejunostomy was anastomotic leakage in 1 patient, while no anastomotic stenosis was found. LATG using ENDO-PSI can be safely performed.

[Short-Term Comparison between Trans-Anal Ileus Tube and Self-Expandable Metallic Stent for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer].

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of using trans-anal ileus tube and self-expandable metallic stent(SEMS) for obstructive colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2018, 14 patients received trans-anal ileus tube placement (group I)and 34 received SEMS insertion as bridge to surgery(BTS)and underwent primary resection. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%in both groups, and the clinical success rate was 85.7%(12/14 cases)in group I and 91.2%(31/34 cases)in group S. In group S, the CROSS score significantly improved, the rates of stoma construction and postoperative complications were significantly lower, and the period until oral intake and hospital discharge was significantly short. CONCLUSION: SEMS insertion is more effective than trans-anal ileus tube placement in terms of short-term outcome.

[Clinical Assessment of 33 Patients with Perforated Colorectal Cancer Who Underwent Surgery].

The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors of severe postoperative complications and prognostic factors in patients who underwent emergent surgery for colorectal cancer perforation. ASA-PSB3 and Mannheim Prognostic Index(MPI)B27 were selected as the independent risk factors for postoperative severe complications on multivariate analysis. Moreover, severe postoperative complications and non-curative surgery were selected as the independent factors of poor prognosis.

[Appropriate Range of Lymph Node Dissection in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer].

In elderly patients, surgical procesure is decided considering the general condition and surgical invasion. The aim of this study was to clarify the appropriate rage of lymph node dissection for elderly colorectal cancer patients. One hundred forty one colorectal cancer patients aged 75 years or more, who underwent R0 colorectal resection with D2 or D3 lymph node dissection in clinical T3/T4 or clinical N+, were enrolled in this study. The patients whose tumor located in the rectum below the peritoneal reflection(Rb)were excluded. Five-year overall survival(OS)rate and disease specific survival(DSS)rate were 79.1% and 89.4%, respectively. More than 2 preoperative co-morbidities and macroscopic type 3-5 were independent prognostic factors in OS, whereas the rage of lymph node dissection was not risk factor. When comparing the outcomes of D2 and D3 dissections by age, D3 dissection was better tendency in DSS in patients aged under 80, however, D2 dissection was better tendency in patients aged 80 or more. In elderly colorectal cancer patients, there was no difference in prognosis between D2 and D3 dissection, and especially in patients aged 80 years or more, D2 might be sufficient if R0 resection was possible.

Risk Factors for the Loss of Lean Body Mass After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lean body mass loss after surgery, which decreases the compliance of adjuvant chemotherapy, is frequently observed in gastric cancer patients who undergo gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, the risk factors for loss of lean body mass remain unclear. METHODS: The current study retrospectively examined the patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between June 2010 and March 2014 at Kanagawa Cancer Center. All the patients received perioperative care for enhanced recovery after surgery. The percentage of lean body mass loss was calculated by the percentile of lean body mass 1 month after surgery to preoperative lean body mass. Severe lean body mass loss was defined as a lean body mass loss greater than 5 %. Risk factors for severe lean body mass loss were determined by both uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: This study examined 485 patients. The median loss of lean body mass was 4.7 %. A lean body mass loss of 5 % or more occurred for 225 patients (46.4 %). Both uni- and multivariate logistic analyses demonstrated that the significant independent risk factors for severe lean body mass loss were surgical complications with infection or fasting (odds ratio [OR] 3.576; p = 0.001), total gastrectomy (OR 2.522; p = 0.0001), and gender (OR 1.928; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional intervention or control of surgical invasion should be tested in future clinical trials for gastric cancer patients with these risk factors to maintain lean body mass after gastrectomy.

Body composition analysis within 1 month after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: A significant body weight loss (BWL) is observed during 1 month after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, it remains unclear which body component mainly accounts for the weight loss. METHODS: Two-hundred forty-four patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between May 2010 and October 2013 were examined. Body weight and composition were evaluated by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer within 1 week before surgery (first measurement), at 1 week after surgery (second measurement), and at 1 month after surgery (third measurement). The changes in the early period were defined as the differences until the second measurement, and those in the late period were defined as the differences from the second to the third measurement. RESULTS: Total BWL within 1 month was -3.4 kg, and the rate of body weight at 1 month to the preoperative body weight was 94.1 %. BWL was significantly greater in the early period than in the late period (-2.1 kg vs -1.2 kg, p < 0.001). In the early period, loss of lean body mass was significantly greater than loss of fat mass (-1.5 kg vs -0.6 kg, p < 0.001). The same trend was observed when the subset of patients who had surgical morbidities was excluded. CONCLUSION: BWL during the first week after surgery was significantly greater than that during the subsequent 3 weeks. Furthermore, loss of lean body mass accounted for a significant part of the BWL during the first week.

[A Case of Solitary Adrenal Metastasis from Rectal Cancer Treated by Adrenalectomy after Preoperative Chemotherapy].

Adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer occurs in the presence of multiple synchronous metastases at other sites. We report a case of heterochronous solitary adrenal metastasis from rectal cancer. A 55-year-old man underwent anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection for rectal cancer. The pathological stage of the tumor was III b, and adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 was administered for 6 months. Eighteen months after surgery, abdominal computed tomography(CT) revealed right solitary adrenal metastasis. His tumor marker levels were considerably elevated; therefore, he received preoperative chemotherapy with FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab(BV). After preoperative chemotherapy, his tumor marker levels decreased, and CT and FDG-PET/CT did not uncover any other metastatic lesions. The patient was diagnosed with solitary adrenal metastasis, and right adrenalectomy was performed. Histological examination confirmed the tumor to be adrenal metastasis from rectal cancer, and the histopathological Grade was 2. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6, and he is alive 7 months after adrenalectomy without evidence of recurrence. Adrenalectomy is recommended for solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer. Additionally, adrenalectomy after preoperative chemotherapy is an effective strategy for patients with solitary adrenal metastasis and high tumor marker levels.

Loss of Lean Body Mass as an Independent Risk Factor for Continuation of S-1 Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Compliance with S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy is not satisfactory, and the aim of the present study was to clarify risk factors for the continuation of S-1 after gastrectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study selected patients who underwent curative D2 surgery for gastric cancer, were diagnosed with stage II/III disease, had a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min, and received adjuvant S-1 at our institution between June 2010 and March 2014. The time to S-1 treatment failure (TTF) was calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were selected for the present study. When the TTF curves stratified by each clinical factor were compared using the log-rank test, lean body-mass loss (LBL) of 5 % was regarded as a critical cutoff point. Univariate Cox's proportional hazard analyses demonstrated that LBL was a significant independent risk factor for continuation. The 6-month continuation rate was 91.7 % in patients with an LBL < 5 %, and 66.3 % for patients with an LBL > 5 % (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that LBL might be an important risk factor for a decrease in compliance to adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in patients with stage II/III gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy. A multicenter, double-blinded, prospective cohort study is necessary to confirm whether LBL would affect adjuvant S-1 continuation.

Impact of infectious complications on gastric cancer recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infectious complications increase disease recurrence in colorectal cancer patients. We herein investigated the impact of infectious complications on gastric cancer recurrence after curative surgery. METHODS: In total, 502 patients who underwent R0 resection for gastric cancer were reviewed. Patients were classified into those with infectious complications (IC group) and those without infectious complications (NO group). The risk factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified. RESULTS: Infectious complications, which occurred in 52 patients (10.4%), included pneumonia, ileus with a systemic inflammatory reaction, anastomotic leakage, and intraperitoneal abscess. The overall 5-year RFS rate was 83% in the NO group and 58% in the IC group (p = 0.000). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, ASA score, stage, and infectious complications were significant predictors of RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious complications were a risk factor for gastric cancer recurrence. To avoid causing infectious complications, the surgical procedure, surgical strategy, and perioperative care should be carefully planned.

[Experience of the Pharmacotherapy against Appendix and Sigmoid Colon Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma with the Peritoneal Dissemination].

We report 2 cases of signet ring cell carcinoma of the appendix and colon. Case 1: A 61-year-old man was admitted for lower abdominal pain. Colonoscopy revealed an elevated lesion in the orifice of the appendix. Signet ring cell carcinoma was diagnosed on biopsy. The surgical findings showed multiple peritoneal dissemination nodules, while the primary tumor was unresectable owing to extensive invasion into the retroperitoneum. The histopathological findings were signet ring cell carcinoma, T4b (retroperitoneum), NX, P3, Stage Ⅳ. Although the patient received 14 courses of treatment with S-1 as postoperative chemotherapy, he died of his illness at 32 postoperative months. Case 2: A 76-year-old man was admitted for abdominal pain. Perforation of the lower gastrointestinal tract was diagnosed on abdominal CT, and an emergency operation was performed. The surgical findings demonstrated a large number of peritoneal dissemination nodules, cecal invasion of a sigmoid tumor, and perforation of the ascending colon. The primary tumor was thought to be unresectable, and the perforated segment was resected. The histopathological findings were signet ring cell carcinoma, T4b (cecum), NX, P3, Stage Ⅳ. Although 11 courses of treatment using FOLFIRI+Bev were administered as postoperative chemotherapy, the patient died of his illness at 26 postoperative months.

[The Outcomes of Laparoscopy-Assisted Surgery in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma].

AIM: To evaluate short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) in elderly patients with colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 289 colorectal cancer patients underwent LAC between 2008 and 2013. They were divided into an elderly group (<80 years of age, group E), and a younger group (<80 years of age, group Y). The treatment results, including the surgery-related factors, the perioperative course, and the pre- and postoperative complications, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 49 patients in group E, and 240 patients in group Y. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups considering the operative time, blood loss, rate of transfusion, post-operative hospital stay, rate of conversion to open surgery, or rate of complications, except for the number of patients with an ASA classification of greater than Grade 2 and the degree of lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: LAC in elderly patients was found to be relatively safe because it was associated with a reduction in damage to the abdominal wall, and with an early recovery from surgery. These results suggest that the indications of LAC could be expanded for elderly patients.

[Clinicopathological Features and Outcomes of Treatment for HER2 Positive Gastric Cancer].

In March 2011, trastuzumab was approved for treating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in Japan. Therefore, all patients with AGC should be evaluated for HER2 status. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological features and current status of treatment in HER2 positive gastric cancer. One hundred 6 gastric cancer patients were examined for HER2 expression in our hospital between March 2011 and August 2014. Sixteen patients (15.1%) were HER2 positive. There was no correlation between HER2 status and age, sex, and location of tumor; however, HER2 positivity was significantly more frequent in patients with intestinal type tumors and had a tendency towards being more frequent in patients with macroscopic types 0, 1 or 2. Trastuzumab was administered to 10 patients with HER2 positive AGC. The total number of doses of trastuzumab was 1 to 44 (median 7.5), and the therapeutic effect of trastuzumab combination chemotherapy was 1 patient with a complete response and 4 with a partial response. Adverse events due to trastuzumab were not observed. The incidence of HER2 over-expression was 15.1%, and trastuzumab combination chemotherapy was relatively safe and effective.