Early administration of postoperative BCAA-enriched PPN may improve lean body mass loss in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that weight loss or lean body mass (LBM) loss after gastrectomy for gastric cancer is associated with prognosis and nutritional support alone is insufficient to prevent LBM loss. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) play an important role in muscle catabolism, however their clinical effects on suppression of LBM loss in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy remains elusive. In this current study, we investigated the effect of our original PPN regimen including BCAA (designated to BCAA-regimen) on LBM loss. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) at a single institution where patients undergoing gastrectomy were assigned to either receive a five-day early postoperative course of the BCAA-regimen (BCAA group) or conventional nutrition. The primary endpoint was the % reduction in LBM at postoperative day 7. The secondary endpoints included the % reduction in LBM at 1 and 3 months postsurgery. RESULTS: At postoperative day 7, LBM loss in the BCAA group tended to be lower than in the control group (0.16% vs. 1.7%, respectively; P = 0.21), while at 1 month postsurgery, LBM loss in the BCAA group was significantly different to that of the control group (- 0.3% vs. 4.5%, respectively; P = 0.04). At 3 months postgastrectomy, however, LBM loss was similar between the BCAA and the control groups. CONCLUSION: Our RCT clinical trial clarified that early administration of the postoperative BCAA regimen improved LBM loss at 1 month after surgery in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy.

Pancreas-contactless gastrectomy for gastric cancer prevents postoperative inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas-related complications after laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer can be fatal. We developed a gastrectomy procedure with no pancreas contact to prevent such complications and herein report the surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 182 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent LG at Kitasato University Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020. These patients were divided into a pancreas-contact group (C group) and pancreas-contactless group (CL group) for comparison of postoperative complications, and inflammatory parameters such as body temperature (BT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Postoperative complications of CDc grade ≧ IIIa were significantly fewer in the CL group than in the C group [0/76 (0%) vs. 6/106 (5.7%), P = 0.035]. The median drain amylase (drain-AMY) on postoperative day 1 (POD1) was significantly lower in the CL group than in the C group (641 vs. 1162 IU/L, P = 0.02), as was BT at POD1 (37.4 °C vs. 37.7 °C, P = 0.04), the patient group with a BT above 37.5 °C at POD3 [5/76 (6.5%) vs. 18/106 (17%), P = 0.037], and those showing a CRP above 20.0 mg/dL at POD3 [5/76 (6.5%) vs. 20/106 (19%), P = 0.018]. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique to prevent pancreas contact during supra-pancreatic lymph node dissection during LG could minimize the inflammatory response and prevent further postoperative complications. Further large-scale, prospective studies are now required.

Improved anastomotic technique for esophagojejunal anastomosis using circular stapler.

PURPOSE: In total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction with esophagojejunal anastomosis has been widely used in gastrointestinal reconstruction. In the case of anastomotic leakage of RY reconstruction, esophagojejunal anastomosis should be paid attention, and esophageal fragility is considered the reason for the leakage. Here, we introduce an atraumatic and innovative technique for esophagojejunostomy. METHODS: We prospectively performed routine novel esophagojejunal anastomosis using circular stapler device and reviewed the records of 14 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent open total gastrectomy at Kitasato University Hospital from April 2019 to March 2020. By placing about 10 stay sutures around the entire esophageal stump, the esophageal stump can be opened to the maximum diameter. The forceps grasping the tissue was not necessary for these procedures, consequently preventing either tears the esophageal stump tissue or narrowing the esophageal lumen. RESULTS: These 14 cases were far advanced cases of gastric cancer, 6 cases of splenectomy and 3 cases of distal pancreatectomy. No technical problems such as esophageal tear were observed in all cases. Postoperative complications were observed in 6 patients (42.9%), and their contents varied. However, they all improved conservatively. Regarding anastomotic complications, anastomotic leakage of Clavien-Dindo-II was observed in one case, but it improved conservatively. CONCLUSION: Our new atraumatic anastomosis technique could abolish problems such as tear of esophagus wall due to introduce a larger-sized anvil, trauma of esophageal wall by grasping with forceps such as Alice or Babcock. Consequently, the atraumatic and innovative technique might make the esophagojejunostomy safe. This method might prevent anastomotic leakage and other complications effectively.

Prospective study to validate the clinical utility of DNA diagnosis of peritoneal fluid cytology test in gastric cancer.

The clinical efficacy of DNA cytology test (CY) in gastric cancer (GC) has been retrospectively proposed using cancer-specific methylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1). We confirmed the clinical utility of DNA CY in a prospective cohort. Four hundred GC samples were prospectively collected for washing cytology (UMIN000026191), and detection of the DNA methylation of CDO1 was assessed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR in the sediments. Endpoint was defined as the match rate between conventional CY1 and DNA CY1 (diagnostic sensitivity), and the DNA CY0 rate (diagnostic specificity) in pStage IA. DNA CY1 was detected in 45 cases (12.5%), while CY1 was seen in 31 cases (8.6%) of 361 chemotherapy-naïve samples, where the sensitivity and specificity of the DNA CY in the peritoneal solutions were 74.2% and 96.5%, respectively. The DNA CY was positive for 3.5/0/4.9/11.4/58.8% in pStage IA/IB/II/III/IV, respectively (P < .01). In the multivariate analysis, DNA CY1 was independently correlated with pathological tumor depth (pT) (P = .0012), female gender (P = .0099), CY1 (P = .0135), P1 (P = .019), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (P = .036). The combination of DNA CY1 and P factor nearly all covered the potential peritoneal dissemination (P1 and/or CY1 and/or DNA CY1) (58/61:95.1%). DNA CY1 had a significantly poorer prognosis than DNA CY0 in GC patients (P < .0001). DNA CY1 detected by CDO1 promoter DNA methylation has a great value to detect minimal residual disease of the peritoneum in GC clinics, representing poor prognosis as a novel single DNA marker.

Preoperative chemotherapy could modify recurrence patterns through postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Postoperative infectious complications have a negative impact on survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. It is recently reported that preoperative chemotherapy may eliminate this negative impact. This study aimed to confirm whether preoperative chemotherapy can eliminate the negative impact of postoperative infectious complications (IC) on survival outcomes and elucidate the association between postoperative infectious complications and recurrence patterns. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 86 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1 followed by R0 gastrectomy at the Kitasato University between 2006 and 2016. Patients who developed grade II or higher infectious complications during hospitalization were grouped into the IC group, while others were grouped into the non-IC (NIC) group. Survival outcomes and recurrence patterns were analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Infectious complications with Clavien-Dindo classification of grade II or higher were found in 12 patients (14.0%, IC group). The median observational period was 61 months. Overall survival and progression-free survival were similar in the IC and NIC groups. Recurrence occurred in 39 patients. The proportions of peritoneal and lymph node recurrences were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the proportion of distant metastasis in the IC group was significantly higher than that in NIC group (3/4 [75%] vs. 9/35 [17%], p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pathological stage after neoadjuvant therapy plays a stronger role in recurrence than postoperative complications. Lymph node and peritoneal metastasis may be suppressed by preoperative chemotherapy.

Supplemental enteral tube feeding nutrition after hospital discharge of esophageal cancer patients who have undergone esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: After undergoing esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer, there are changes in the normal intake patterns in most patients, with more than half found to have an inadequate oral intake at the time of their hospital discharge. However, the use of home supplemental enteral tube feeding nutrition after hospital discharge in esophagectomy patients has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of 90-day home supplemental enteral tube feeding nutrition in esophagectomy patients. METHODS: This single-center, prospective, and single-arm study evaluated the feasibility of using supplemental tube feeding nutrition intervention for 90 days in esophageal cancer patients who have undergone esophagectomy. RESULTS: This study enrolled 24 post-esophagectomy patients between February 2015 and September 2016. Twenty patients were administered 70% or more of the planned nutrient, with 83% of the patients completing the nutritional intervention procedure. There were no grade 3/4 adverse events observed, with a mean body weight change of - 7.6 ± 6.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that routine use of 90-day home supplemental enteral tube feeding nutrition after hospital discharge for esophagectomy patients was both feasible and acceptable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000016286.

Prevention of intra-thoracic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury with robot-assisted esophagectomy.

PURPOSE: Transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is one of the most invasive procedures in surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. Serious complications sometimes occur after esophageal cancer surgery, including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to access the possibility of robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in terms of preventing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. METHODS: Operations in thoracic part were performed in prone position with bilateral ventilation. During dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes, thin blood vessels were coagulated with Maryland bipolar forceps in the left hand and then dissected with monopolar scissors in the right hand. Especially when dissecting left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes, the nerve was left unisolated from the vascular sheath that involves the aortic arch. Short-term outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complications including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were accessed. RESULTS: From November 2018 to January 2020, 20 patients underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Thoracic operative time was 242 min, estimated blood loss in the thoracic part was minimal, the number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes was 19 (all median), and the incidence rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and pneumonia were 10% (2 case) and 10% (2 cases), respectively. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has the possibility of reducing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury even in the introductory period. Randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this advantage of the robotic surgery.

Patient selection for salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: With the widespread use of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), salvage surgery for recurrence/residual patients became prevalent. However, survival impact of salvage surgery remains obscure at present. METHODS: The updated clinical outcomes of salvage surgery were investigated to know its survival impact. Of the 155 ESCC patients who underwent dCRT between 2009 and 2016, we included 85 patients with recurrence or residual disease. The median follow-up was 65 months. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients with progression disease, there were 42 and 43 patients of recurrence and residual disease, respectively. Salvage surgery was performed in 27 patients after dCRT, including 15 patients who underwent salvage esophagectomy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) of salvage surgery and otherwise patients was 66.1% and 14.5%, and the patients with salvage surgery had a significantly better prognosis (p < 0.0001). In the 15 patients who underwent salvage esophagectomy, residual disease, lymph node metastasis-positive (ycN+) after dCRT, and pathological lymph node metastasis-positive (ypN+) were significantly associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.0492, p = 0.0006, p = 0.0276), and the 5-year OS rates for the ycN/ypN combinations were 90%, 33.3%, and 0% in ycN-/ypN-, ycN+/ypN-, and ycN+/ypN+ patients, respectively (p = 0.0026). In a multivariate analysis, ycN+ was an independent poor prognostic factor (HR 13.6, 95% CI 1.65-286.8, p = 0.0154). CONCLUSIONS: Survival impact of salvage surgery after dCRT is robust, and lymph node metastasis after dCRT may help determine the indication for salvage esophagectomy.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery for high-risk advanced gastric cancer: long-term results of KDOG1001 trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term survival outcomes of KDOG1001 trial after a minimum follow-up of 3 years. METHODS: Patients with bulky N2 lymph nodes, linitis plastica (type 4), or large ulcero-invasive-type tumors (type 3) received up to four 28-day cycles of DCS neoadjuvant chemotherapy (docetaxel at 40 mg/m2, cisplatin at 60 mg/m2 on day 1, and S-1 at 40 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks) followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy plus adjuvant S-1 therapy for 1 year. The final preplanned analysis of long-term outcomes including overall survival and relapse-free survival was conducted after minimum follow-up of 3 years. This trial is registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number UMIN 000003642, and has been completed. RESULTS: From May 2010 through January 2017, 40 patients were enrolled. All included patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with DCS followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, and 32 (80%) completed adjuvant S-1 therapy for 1 year. After a median follow-up for surviving patients of 68 months at the last follow-up in January 2020, 3-year overall survival rate was 77.5% (95% confidence interval 62.1-87.9%), while 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 62.5% (95% confidence interval 46.8-76.0%). CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of DCS followed by D2 gastrectomy plus adjuvant S-1 was associated with relatively good long-term oncologic outcomes for patients with the high-risk gastric cancer.

A phase I study of docetaxel/oxaliplatin/S-1 (DOS) combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

BACKGROUND: The optimal dose of each drug used in the docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (DOS) chemotherapy remains to be clarified for the Japanese population. The purpose of this study was to determine a recommended dose for a combination neoadjuvant DOS chemotherapy for Japanese patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). METHODS: Patients with cT3 or more advanced AEG without distant metastasis were eligible for this study. The planned dosages of docetaxel (mg/m2, day 1), oxaliplatin (mg/m2, day 1), and S-1 (mg/day, days 1-14) were: 50/100/80-120 at level 1, and 60/100/80-120 at level 2, respectively. The treatment cycle was repeated every 3 weeks, and patients were assessed for response to the treatment after 2 and 3 cycles. This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN 000022210). RESULTS: We enrolled 12 patients with locally advanced AEG in this study. At dose level 1, one of the six patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade 3 diarrhea and grade 3 febrile neutropenia. Two of the next six patients also experienced DLT of need for more than 2-week delay of the start of the second cycle due to adverse events at dose level 2. Based on these results, level 2 was considered the recommended dose for this regimen. CONCLUSION: Recommended doses of docetaxel (mg/m2), oxaliplatin (mg/m2), and S-1 (mg/day) were 60/100/80-120. This chemotherapy scheme showed good preliminary efficacy with acceptable toxicity warranting a further phase II trial to investigate the efficacy of this regimen.

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in non-sentinel node basins in early gastric cancer: sentinel node concept.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node (SN) concept is being applied to early gastric cancer. However, when SNs are positive for metastasis, it is unclear how often LNs in other LN basins show metastasis. We aimed to investigate LN metastasis possibility in LN basins without SNs (non-SN basins). We determined risk factors for metastasis in non-SN basins and identified a prediction model for non-SN basin metastasis using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. METHODS: We enrolled 550 patients who were diagnosed with cT1N0M0 or cT2N0M0 gastric cancer with a single lesion and underwent SN mapping. We adopted a dual-tracer method using a radioactive colloid and blue dye to detect SNs. RESULTS: Of all, 45 (8.2%) patients had SN metastasis; we divided them into two groups: LN metastasis positive and LN metastasis negative in non-SN basins. Univariate analysis showed that the groups differed significantly regarding lymphatic invasion (p = 0.007), number of identified SNs (p = 0.032), and macrometastasis in SN basins (p = 0.005). The CART decision tree for predicting LN metastasis in non-SN basins had area under the curve value of 0.86. Moreover, there were significantly differences in cancer-specific survival (CSS) between the two groups (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Macrometastasis in SN basins, lymphatic invasion, and number of identified SNs ≥ 5 are risk factors for LN metastasis in non-SN basins among gastric cancer patients. We identified a prediction model with CART analysis; patients with macrometastasis in SN basins and lymphatic invasion were considered to be at the highest risk for LN metastasis.

Validity of Surgical Resection for Lymph Node or Pulmonary Recurrence of Esophageal Cancer After Definitive Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Despite the poor prognosis of recurrent esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), long-term survival could be achieved in a subset of patients who successfully underwent surgical resection for recurrence. In this study, we investigated the outcomes of surgical resection for lymph node (LN) or pulmonary (PUL) recurrence in ESCC patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of ESCC patients who underwent surgical resection between January 2008 and March 2015 for either LN or PUL recurrence after complete response (CR) by chemoradiotherapy or R0 esophagectomy. Every patient fulfilled the original institutional criteria: no recurrence at primary site; recurrence involving in only one organ; expectation of complete resection; and for PUL recurrence, no rapid growth with at least 2 months of observation. RESULTS: Among the 13 patients analyzed, surgical resection was performed in nine and four patients with LN and PUL recurrence, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in all patients with no fatal surgical complications. Mean duration from the day of the first CR/R0 to the recurrence was 809 (110-2575) days. Median recurrence-free survival following surgical resection for recurrence and overall survival following the first diagnosis of recurrence was 387 and 1297 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection for LN or PUL recurrence of ESCC according to our institutional criteria can be performed safely for selected patients.

Changes in the nutritional status of elderly patients after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy is a highly invasive procedure for patients aged > 70 years. Here, we compared the actual nutritional status of older and younger patients who underwent esophagectomy. METHODS: A total of 118 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy between April 2013 and December 2016 were enrolled and divided into two groups based on age: group A (n = 41; ≥ 70 years) and group B (n = 77; < 70 years). Data pertaining to body mass index and nutritional variables (albumin; total cholesterol; cholinesterase; and prealbumin) were retrospectively analyzed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Significant preoperative between-group differences were found in the cholinesterase, albumin, and prealbumin levels. The body mass index gradually decreased over the first 12 months after surgery in both groups, without significant between-group differences. Significant differences were observed in prealbumin and cholinesterase levels at 3 months postoperatively. 1 year postoperatively, both groups showed slight improvements; however, the between-group differences were not statistically significant. Group A had a significantly lower amount of the degree of decrement of BMI and chE than group B. CONCLUSION: Thus, patients aged > 70 years can recover within 12 months of esophagectomy.

Negative Impact of Skeletal Muscle Wasting After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery on Survival for Patients with Thoracic Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle wasting during curative treatment is an important issue faced by esophageal cancer patients. However, it has not been clarified whether skeletal muscle change during neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery adversely affects prognosis. This study aimed to determine the relation between skeletal muscle change and survival for patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 66 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy. The study investigated the correlation between the change in the total muscle cross-sectional area at the third lumbar vertebra before and 4 months after surgery as well as the postoperative recurrence and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 66 patients, 39 (59%) showed a skeletal muscle decrease from baseline to 4 months after esophagectomy. The change in the skeletal muscle index from baseline to 4 months after surgery was -1.2 cm2/m2. Multivariable analysis showed that nonsquamous cell carcinoma subtype (hazard ratio [HR] 2.57; p = 0.029), pathologic stage (HR 5.73; p < 0.01), and skeletal muscle wasting (HR per 1 unit decrease in skeletal muscle index, 1.16; p = 0.015) were the independent prognostic factors associated with worse OS. Additionally, pathologic stage (HR 6.03; p < 0.01) and skeletal muscle wasting (HR per 1 unit decrease in skeletal muscle index, 1.11; p = 0.048) also were found to be independent prognostic factors associated with worse recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that skeletal muscle wasting from baseline has a negative impact on cancer recurrence and survival.

Comparison of Salvage Total Pharyngolaryngectomy and Cervical Esophagectomy Between Hypopharyngeal Cancer and Cervical Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Total pharyngolaryngectomy and cervical esophagectomy (TPLCE) after chemoradiotherapy remains a challenge because of the high rate of complications and few available data on outcomes and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of salvage TPLCE and to compare treatment outcomes between hypopharyngeal cancer and cervical esophageal cancer. METHODS: Data from 37 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with potentially resectable hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The survival and surgical outcomes were investigated between the hypopharyngeal cancer and cervical esophageal cancer groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in hypopharyngeal cancer group and 11 patients were included in cervical esophageal cancer group. The baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. Compared to the hypopharyngeal cancer group, the cervical esophageal cancer group had significantly more frequent tracheal-related complications (p < 0.05) and stronger association of distal margin of the cervical esophagus and radiation field with tracheal ischemia after salvage surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage TPLCE can offer the exclusive chance of prolonged survival. Association of tracheal ischemia with salvage TPLCE was seen more frequently for cervical esophageal cancer. Therefore, the indication for salvage TPLCE must be carefully considered to maintain the balance between curability and safety.

Comparison of curative surgery and definitive chemoradiotherapy as initial treatment for patients with cervical esophageal cancer.

Esophagectomy and definitive chemoradiotherapy are recognized standard initial treatment modalities for cervical esophageal cancer. The goal of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of curative surgery with those of chemoradiotherapy in patients who had potentially resectable tumor and who were candidates for surgery. We evaluated the data from 49 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with potentially resectable cervical esophageal cancer and who were deemed candidates for surgery. Thirteen patients were included in the surgery group, and 36 patients were included in chemoradiotherapy group. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. In the chemoradiotherapy group, the complete response rate was 58.3%. There was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival when comparing the surgery group and the chemoradiotherapy group (surgery, 60.6%; chemoradiotherapy, 51.4%; P = 0.89). In the chemoradiotherapy group, of the 15 patients who failed to respond to initial treatment, 11 patients subsequently underwent salvage surgery. In conclusion, curative surgery and chemoradiotherapy as initial treatment for cervical esophageal cancer have comparable survival outcomes. Chemoradiotherapy should be selected as the initial larynx-preserving treatment for patients with cervical esophageal cancer although chemoradiotherapy non-responders require additional treatment, including salvage surgery.

Sentinel lymph node mapping for 385 gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The objectives were to investigate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, detect the predictors for undetected or false-negative cases, evaluate the indications for SLN-navigated gastrectomy, and characterize the problems of SLN mapping in gastric cancer. The SLN concept may be applicable to early gastric cancer, particularly clinical T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 with tumor diameter ≤4 cm. METHODS: A total of 385 consecutive patients diagnosed with cT1N0M0 or cT2aN0M0 operable gastric cancer from April 1999 to December 2007 underwent radical gastrectomy with SLN mapping. SLNs were identified using radio-guided and dye-guided methods. Predictors for undetected or false-negative cases on SLN mapping were examined by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The detection rate of hot and/or blue nodes was 96.6% (372 of 385). The accuracy of metastatic status based on SLNs was 98.9% (368 of 372) for all cases in whom SLNs could be detected. Furthermore, the accuracy of metastatic status based on SLNs was 99.1% (344 of 347) in cT1 gastric cancer and 96.0% (24 of 25) in cT2 gastric cancer. Pathologically, the tumors invaded to the muscularis propria or deeper in three of four false-negative cases. All but one case had metastatic lymph nodes within the sentinel basins. In terms of 5-y recurrence free survival, positive SLN cases (SLN(+)) had a worse prognosis than negative SLN cases (SLN(-); P = 0.008). Moreover, SLN(+) and non-SLN(-) cases (SLN(+)/non-SLN(-)) had a similar prognosis as SLN(+) and non-SLN(+) cases (SLN(+)/non-SLN(+)) (P = 0.511). On multivariate regression analysis, undetected or false-negative cases were significantly associated with the time period. CONCLUSIONS: The present results appeared to validate the SLN concept for untreated cT1 gastric cancer with tumor diameter ≤4 cm. SLN mapping may provide an effective method of staging the lymph node status of patients undergoing minimized gastrectomy. Sentinel basin dissection guards against the possibility of leaving positive lymph nodes. Stabilization of the procedure and experience with SLN mapping in gastric cancer might decrease undetected or false-negative cases.

Auxiliary diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer using quantitative evaluation of sentinel node radioactivity.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node (SN) mapping using dye and radioisotope (RI) tracer has been reported to be feasible in cases of early gastric cancer. Because accurate diagnosis of micrometastasis is sometimes difficult in the limited time available during surgery, a faster and simpler method of improving the intraoperative diagnostic precision of lymph node metastasis is needed. The amount of tracer deposited in an SN can be determined from its radioactivity; however, the significance of the RI count has not been fully discussed. We investigated the clinical impact of the RI count when used as an adjunct to conventional lymph node dissection when diagnosing lymphatic metastasis in cases of early gastric cancer. METHODS: From 2008 to 2009, patients with clinically diagnosed T1N0M0 gastric cancers who underwent gastrectomy and SN mapping were enrolled. SNs were examined by intraoperative and postoperative pathology. The RI count was measured for each SN with a handheld gamma probe; the correlation between nodal metastasis and the RI count was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 308 SNs were harvested from 72 patients. Patients with SN metastasis had significantly higher total RI counts than those without SN metastasis (p = 0.007). Among cases with SN metastasis, RI counts were also significantly elevated in metastasis-positive nodes, stations, and basins. In these cases, the most of SNs having the highest RI count in each case had metastasis including isolated tumor cells. CONCLUSION: In early gastric cancer patients, a high RI count from an SN was correlated with lymph node metastasis. Therefore, RI counting may aid efficient pathological diagnosis and focused lymph node dissection.

Clinical significance of postoperative recovery of serum albumin levels in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated postoperative recovery after transthoracic esophagectomy using postoperative serum albumin (Alb) levels and investigated the correlation between postoperative Alb recovery and the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: Esophageal cancer patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy were retrospectively reviewed. To evaluate postoperative Alb recovery, the recovery rate of Alb was used. We investigated the correlation between Alb recovery, clinicopathological factors, and the survival. Furthermore, the postoperative systemic inflammatory response was evaluated using serum C-reactive levels, and its impact on the Alb recovery was examined. RESULTS: Ninety-seven (51 %) of 191 patients were classified as having insufficient Alb recovery. In the multivariate survival analysis, pStage and insufficient Alb recovery (hazard ratio 1.863; P = 0.021) were significantly independent predictive factors for the overall survival. Patients with pStage IB-IV with insufficient Alb recovery had a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (5-year recurrence-free survival rate, 59.5 vs. 41.5 %; P = 0.035) and significantly higher serum CRP levels at POM 3 compared with patients with sufficient Alb recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient Alb recovery correlates with the systemic postoperative inflammatory response and a poor prognosis. Further studies are warranted to investigate the survival benefit of intervention to enhance postoperative Alb recovery.

Distribution of lymph node metastasis and clinical validity of gastric tube reconstruction in lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with gastric invasion.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of lymph node (LN) metastases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with gastric invasion remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between gastric invasion and abdominal LN metastasis in patients with esophageal SCC. Furthermore, the clinical validity of gastric tube reconstruction for those with gastric invasion was investigated. METHODS: Patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy at our institution were reviewed. Gastric invasion was evaluated with pretreatment upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and classified into 3 groups: no invasion, Gr 0; slight invasion (0-19 mm), Gr 1; and massive invasion (20 mm or longer), Gr 2. The correlations between gastric invasion, the number of abdominal LN metastases, and postoperative recurrence were investigated. RESULTS: Of 79 patients, the distribution of pretreatment gastric invasion was Gr 0, 1, and 2 in 57, 15, and 7 patients, respectively. All patients underwent subtotal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. There was no significant difference in the number of abdominal LN metastases among groups. In survival analysis, the location of the distal end of the tumor was not a predictive factor for postoperative recurrence. Regarding patterns of recurrence, in patients with gastric invasion, there was no remarkable increase in the frequency of recurrence in the abdominal LNs or the regional LNs around the gastric tube. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment gastric invasion did not significantly influence abdominal LN metastasis and postoperative recurrence. In patients with esophageal SCC at the lower thoracic esophagus with gastric invasion, subtotal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction might be a valid surgical procedure.