Anatomical Validation of Internal Iliac Vessels Assessed by Three-dimensional Angiographic Analysis.

Objectives: Anatomical understanding of the internal iliac vessels is important with the increasing frequency of minimally-invasive pelvic surgery. We aimed to investigate the branch patterns of internal iliac vessels, especially the veins. Methods: This study included 30 patients with 60 half-pelvises who underwent minimally-invasive pelvic surgery. Branch patterns were assessed on surgical videos with a multi-detector computed tomography-based three-dimensional simulation. Branch patterns of the superior gluteal artery and vein (SGA and SGV), inferior gluteal artery and vein (IGA and IGV), internal pudendal artery and vein (IPA and IPV), and obturator artery and vein (ObA and ObV) were investigated. Results: In the most frequent internal iliac vein (IIV) branch pattern, 67% of SGV branched from the IIV, 95% of the IGV branched from the IPV and 82% of the ObV branched from the IPV. According to Adachi's classification, 62% of IIVs were Type I and 33% Type IV. Although IIV branch patterns are heterogeneous, in individual patients with the most frequent branch patterns, good correlation (75-100%) of the branch patterns was observed between the internal iliac artery (IIA) and IIV, and between the right and left IIVs. Conclusions: This study clarified the branch patterns of IIV. In patients with the most frequent branch patterns, good correlation of the branch patterns was observed between the IIA and IIV, and between right and left IIV. We believe this helps secure the safety and standardization of minimally-invasive pelvic surgery.

Association of nutritional risk and systemic inflammation with survival in patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition and inflammation adversely affect the prognosis of patients with cancer. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and systemic inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), lymphocyte-to-C reactive protein ratio (LCR), and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), predict survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The present study aimed to examine the association of these two factors with CRC survival. METHODS: Subjects were 433 consecutive CRC patients who underwent curative surgery between 2013 and 2018. Patients were stratified by nutritional status, and relationships between overall survival (OS) and systemic inflammation were evaluated. The prognostic impact of combinations of the GNRI and inflammatory markers was assessed. Multivariable analyses were also performed. RESULTS: All assessed biomarkers predicted OS in univariable analysis (GNRI:P < 0.001, NLR:P = 0.048, LMR:P = 0.001, LCR:P = 0.010, CAR: P = 0.039). Stratified analysis showed that each inflammatory marker had a prognostic impact on OS in the low GNRI group (NLR:P = 0.028, LMR:P = 0.003, LCR:P = 0.05, CAR:P = 0.009). In contrast, inflammatory markers had no prognostic impact on OS in the high GNRI group. The combination of malnutrition and systemic inflammation had a high prognostic value (all P < 0.016). The multivariable analysis revealed that a low GNRI (hazard ratio: 2.58-2.89) was independently associated with reduced survival, whereas none of the inflammatory markers independently predicted poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The GNRI is a useful prognostic biomarker for CRC patients, whereas systemic inflammatory markers can only serve as prognostic factors when patient nutritional status is taken into account. The combination of malnutrition and systemic inflammation may enhance the accuracy of prognostic prediction.

[A Case of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated by Robot Assisted Intersphincteric Resection after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy].

We present a case of locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC)treated by robot assisted intersphincteric resection(ISR)and lateral lymph node dissection(LLND)after neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC). The patient was a 69-year-old female with the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rectum Rb. The clinical stage diagnosis was cT3N0M0, cStage Ⅱ. NAC with FOLFOXIRI(5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin/leucovorin/irinotecan)plus bevacizumab(BEV)was inisiated as NAC. Tumor volume reduction of primary lesion was evaluated by CT scan and colonoscopy after 6 courses of FOLFOXIRI plus BEV including omit of BEV on last course and were judged as partial response(PR)and no distant metastasis. With maintenance of tolerability for surgery even after NAC, robot assisted ISR and LLND were safely performed with curative resection. The histopathological treatment effect of post NAC was diagnosed as Grade 1b and the final pathological stage was ypT3pN0cM0, ypStage ⅡA. We experienced a case of LARC was performed FOLFOXIRI plus BEV as NAC followed by robotic ISR and LLND with anal preservation.

[Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Nab-Paclitaxel plus Ramucirumab Therapy in Patients with Unresectable Advanced or Recurrent Gastric Cancer].

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of the combination of nab-paclitaxel plus ramucirumab(nab-PTX plus RAM)for the treatment of unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer. Sixteen patients received nab-PTX plus RAM. The overall response rate was 37.5%, and disease control rate was 87.5%. The median progression-free survival was 5.0 months. Grade 3 or higher adverse events(neutropenia: 62.5%, leukopenia: 18.8%, decrease appetite: 6.3%, hypertension: 6.3%, and proteinuria: 12.5%)were observed. Although dose reduction of nab-PTX was required in 93.8% of the patients, no adverse event that led to the discontinuation of treatment. Nab-PTX plus RAM combination therapy showed promising efficacy and manageable toxicities and could be a viable treatment option for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

[A Case of Robot-Assisted Abdominoperineal Resection for Local Control for Lower Rectal Cancer with Synchronous Liver and Lung Metastases].

The patient was a 70s woman who was referred to our hospital with a complaint of bloody stool. Colonoscopy revealed type 2 tumor at a distance of 1 cm from the dentate line, without obstruction. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. Enhanced CT revealed a tumor at the rectum below peritoneal reflection as well as swelling of the mesorectal lymph nodes. Multiple liver and lung metastases were also observed. The diagnosis was lower rectal cancer cT4aN2M1b(H2, PUL2), cStage Ⅳ. Chemotherapy was performed for disease control because of unresectable metastases. She received 7 courses of mFOLFOX plus bevacizumab. Further, as the metastatic lesion was inhibited, the primary lesion was excised for the purpose of symptom control. We judged that sphincter preservation was impossible because it was 1 cm away from the dentate line. She underwent robot-assisted abdominoperineal resection with D3 lymphadenectomy and sigmoid colostomy.

[A Case of Epithelial Cyst Occurring in Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen].

Although accessory spleens are often found in clinical practice, it is rare to identify cystic disease in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. Here, we report a case of an epithelial cyst that occurred in the intrapancreatic accessory spleen. The patient was a 54-year-old male. Liver dysfunction was identified by the primary care doctor, and abdominal CT showed a tumorous lesion in the pancreatic tail. The patient was then referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a multilocular cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail. In endoscopic ultrasound, there was no obvious solid tumor in the cyst. A cystic disease such as serous cystic neoplasm(SCN)or mucinous cystic neoplasm(MCN)was suspected, and we performed a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Postoperative pathological examination revealed an accessory spleen in the tail of the pancreas. The identified epithelial cyst was present in this accessory spleen. An epithelial cyst that occurs in the intrasplenic accessory spleen is a rare disease, but it is necessary to keep in mind as a possible differential diagnosis.

UGT1A1 polymorphisms in rectal cancer associated with the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan against locally advanced lower rectal cancer according to UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphisms. Between 2009 and 2016, 46 patients with resectable rectal cancer (T3-T4, N0-N2, M0) received preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisting of 80 mg/m2 per day tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1; days 1-5, 8-12, 22-26, and 29-33), 60 mg/m2 per day irinotecan (days 1, 8, 22, and 29), and 45 Gy radiation (1.8 Gy/day, 5 days per week for 5 weeks). Six to eight weeks after completing chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision was carried out. Patients with UGT1A1 polymorphisms were divided into WT (n = 26), heterozygous (n = 15), and homozygous (n = 5) groups, the latter including double heterozygosities. We evaluated associations between clinical characteristics, including UGT1A1 polymorphisms, and chemoradiotherapy efficacy and toxicity. Incidence rates of grade 3+ neutropenia and diarrhea were 17.0% and 30.4%, respectively. Relative dose intensity was 89.3%. Pathological complete response rate (grade 3) was 26.1%, and the good response (grade 2/3) rate was 84.8%. UGT1A1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with neutropenia and pathological good responses, but not with diarrhea. UGT1A1 polymorphism was the only predictive factor for pathological good responses. Our results indicate that UGT1A1 polymorphism is a predictive factor to determine the clinical efficacy of preoperative chemoradiotherapy and hematological toxicity induced by chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Evaluation of appropriate follow-up after curative surgery for patients with colorectal cancer using time to recurrence and survival after recurrence: a retrospective multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The follow-up schedule for colorectal cancer patients after curative surgery is inconsistent among the guidelines. Evaluation of time to recurrence (TTR) and survival after recurrence (SAR) may provide evidence for appropriate follow-up. METHODS: We assessed 3039 colon cancer (CC) and 1953 rectal cancer (RC) patients who underwent curative surgery between 2007 and 2008. We evaluated the pre- and post-recurrent clinicopathological factors associated with TTR and SAR in each stage of CC and RC. RESULTS: The recurrence rates of stages I, II, and III were 1.2%, 13.1%, and 26.3%, respectively, for CC, and 8.4%, 20.0%, and 30.4%, respectively, for RC. In CC patients, high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and lymphovascular invasion were independent predictors of short TTR. In RC patients, metastatic factors (liver metastasis in stage III) and venous invasion (stage III) were independent predictors of short TTR. The prognostic factors of SAR were age (stage II CC and stage III RC), female gender (stage III RC), high CEA level (stage II RC), histological type (stage III CRC), nodal status (stage III CC), recurrence within 1 year (stage III RC), M1b recurrence (stage II CRC), local recurrence (stage II CC), and no surgical resection after recurrence (stage II and III CRC). CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up schedule for stage I should be different from that for the other stages. We recommend that intensive follow-up is appropriate in stage III CC patients with undifferentiated adenocarcinoma or N2 nodal status, stage II RC patients with high preoperative CEA level, and stage III RC patients.

[Two Cases of CT-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Pelvic Recurrence from Rectal Cancer].

We experienced 2 cases of pelvic recurrence from rectal cancer. These patients received radiofrequency ablation(RFA) therapy. Case 1 was a 76-year-old man who underwent intersphincteric resection for lower rectal cancer in October 2013. In May 2015, the patient received systemic chemotherapy for multiple lung metastases and pelvic local recurrence. In January 2017, RFA was performed to reduce the pain of the pelvic recurrence. Immediately after RFA, the pain markedly reduced, and 2 months after treatment, the patient discontinued his pain therapy. Case 2 was a 48-year-old man who underwent Hartmann 's procedure for ulcerative colitis with rectal cancer in November 2011. In July 2012, we performed abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer that developed in the remnant rectum. In November 2012, he received systemic chemotherapy for multiple lung metastases and pelvic recurrence. In addition, we performed stereotactic radiotherapy(SRT)for the pelvic recurrence. In May 2016, because he developed bilateral hydronephrosis and painful pelvic recurrence, we performed bilateral nephrostomy and RFA for the painful pelvic recurrence. After RFA, pain reduced, but he developed a pelvic abscess that was treated by CT-guided drainage. He underwent complete ablation for the recurrent pelvic mass 2 years after RFA but died of exacerbation of multiple lung metastases. CT-guided RFA for painful pelvic recurrence from rectal cancer can be considered a feasible and effective treatment to reduce pain.

[A Case of Cecal Cancer with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis and Peritoneum Dissemination Treated with Curative Resection after mFOLFOX6 plus Panitumumab Chemotherapy].

A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with cecal cancer, para-aortic lymph node metastasis, peritoneum dissemination, and left breast cancer. We administered mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab for cecal cancer and an aromatase inhibitor for her breast cancer. She received 7 courses of systemic chemotherapy and showed a partial response. She additionally received 5 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab. We performed ileocecal resection, sigmoidectomy, right oophorectomy, dissection of the para-aortic lymph nodes, and peritoneal dissemination. The histopathological findings revealed adenocarcinoma, ypT3, ypN0, ycM0, ypStage II (therapeutic effect Grade 2). One month later, she underwent an enforced left breast segmental resection and sentinel lymph node biopsy(0/2). The results of the pathological examination indicated no residual cancers (therapeutic effect Grade 3). The patient is now in good health and was administered S-1 as an outpatient.

[Two Cases of Achieving a Pathological Complete Response via Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Liver-Limited and Unresectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer with RAS Mutations].

We had 2 cases of liver-limited and unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer with RAS mutations. These patients received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAI), finally achieving pCR. Case 1 was a 76-year-old female with rectosigmoid cancer and multiple liver metastases. We underwent anterior resection for primary lesion. After surgery, the patient had received first-line and second-line systemic chemotherapy for the multiple liver metastases. The patient achieved SD and had Grade 3 neutropenia. We then performed HAI as third-line chemotherapy and we therefore underwent hepatectomy. The results of the pathological examination after hepatectomy pCR and is currently alive without cancer recurrence for 61 months. Case 2 was a 53-year-old male with sigmoid colon cancer and multiple liver metastases. We underwent sigmoidectomy with laparoscopic assistance. Three months after surgery, we underwent resection of the lateral segment of the liver under laparoscopy. This patient had cancer recurrence in the remnant liver at 6 months after surgery and had received first-line systemic chemotherapy. The patient had Grade 3 neutropenia after 1 course of chemotherapy and showed no improvement. We then performed HAI as second-line chemotherapy, and we therefore underwent hepatectomy. The results of the pathological examination after hepatectomy were pCR and he is currently alive without cancer recurrence for 30 months.

[Radiofrequency Ablation Pulmonary Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer - Two Cases of Report].

Case 1: 63-year-old woman received abdominoperineal resection with lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer in 2008. After adjuvant chemotherapy, she suffered from lung metastasis and received partial pneumonectomy in 2012. However, chemotherapy was performed again for lung metastasis and mediastinal lymph nodes in 2013. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)was performed to lung metastasis in 2016 due to ineffectiveness of chemotherapy. Case 2: 81-year-old man received Hartmann's procedure for rectal cancer with lung and liver metastasis in 2012. After 6 months of chemotherapy, liver partial resection and pulmonary partial resection were performed. In spite of additional chemotherapy, He received partial pneumonectomy in 2013. In 2014, he restart chemotherapy due to lung metastasis. In 2016, he received RFA for lung metastasis because of ineffectiveness of chemotherapy. After that, he received g-knife for brain metastasis. He is going to receive RFA for another lung metastasis.