Clinical significance of metastatic tumor deposit foci in rectal cancer in the lateral pelvic lymph node area.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have demonstrated that tumor deposits (TDs) are associated with worse prognosis in colon cancer, their clinical significance in rectal cancer has not been fully elucidated, especially in the lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) area. This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of TDs, focusing on the number of metastatic foci, including lymph node metastases (LNMs) and TDs, in the LPLN area. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 226 consecutive patients with cStage II/III low rectal cancer who underwent LPLN dissection. Metastatic foci, including LNM and TD, in the LPLN area were defined as lateral pelvic metastases (LP-M) and were evaluated according to LP-M status: presence (absence vs. presence), histopathological classification (LNM vs. TD), and number (one to three vs. four or more). We evaluated the relapse-free survival of each model and compared them using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell's concordance index (c-index). RESULTS: Forty-nine of 226 patients (22%) had LP-M, and 15 patients (7%) had TDs. The median number of LP-M per patient was one (range, 1-9). The best risk stratification power was observed for number (AIC, 758; c-index, 0.668) compared with presence (AIC, 759; c-index, 0.665) and histopathological classification (AIC, 761; c-index, 0.664). The number of LP-M was an independent prognostic factor for both relapse-free and overall survival, and was significantly associated with cumulative local recurrence. CONCLUSION: The number of metastatic foci, including LNMs and TDs, in the LPLN area is useful for risk stratification of patients with low rectal cancer.

Is the ileocolic artery crossing pattern related to oncological outcomes of right-sided colon cancer?

BACKGROUND: Complete mesocolic excision + D3 lymphadenectomy for right-sided colon cancer is standard procedure in Japan. A postmortem study has shown that in patients with the ileocolic artery (ICA) crossing posterior to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), D3 lymphadenectomy may be potentially inadequate due to anatomical difficulties in lymphadenectomy of the ventral and lateral areas of the ICA. However, whether the ICA crossing pattern is associated with oncologic outcomes of right-sided colon cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify whether differences in ICA crossing patterns are associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we searched a prospectively maintained database to identify medical records of patients with right-sided colon cancer who underwent right hemicolectomy and D3 lymphadenectomy. We classified patients into two groups based on the ICA crossing pattern: ICA crossing anterior to the SMV (group A) and ICA crossing posterior to the SMV (group P). We compared oncologic outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients were included in the final analytic cohort: 175 in group A and 161 in group P. There was no significant difference in the number of harvested lymph nodes between the two groups. The two groups did not differ in 5-year overall survival within any disease stage. Similarly, the 5-year disease-free survival rates did not differ significantly between the two groups within any disease stage. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses, which showed the ICA crossing pattern had no clinical relevance. CONCLUSION: Our study did not show an association between the ICA crossing pattern and oncologic outcomes in patients with right-sided colon cancer who underwent right hemicolectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy.

Efficacy and safety of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel therapy for advanced gastric cancer patients treated previously with docetaxel-containing chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Ramucirumab (RAM) plus paclitaxel (PTX) therapy has shown promising results as a standard second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer patients. Recently, combined docetaxel (DOC) plus S-1 (DS) therapy could be regarded as the new standard adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with curatively resected stage III gastric cancer. However, the efficacy and safety of RAM plus PTX therapy in patients treated previously with DOC-containing therapy remains unclear. METHODS: This study assessed the clinical outcomes of RAM plus PTX therapy in advanced gastric cancer patients with or without a previous history of treatment with a DOC-containing regimen. RESULTS: In a series of 107 consecutive patients enrolled for this study, the median PFS and OS were 4.2 and 6.2 months, respectively. Fifty-five patients had a history of prior therapy with DOC and 52 did not. There was no significant difference between with and without DOC groups in the ORR (22.2% vs. 23.5%), PFS (4.2 vs. 5.3 months), or OS (7.2 vs. 6.4 months). In a comparison taking into account the interval from the DOC-containing therapy to the RAM plus PTX therapy, the number of treatment courses was significantly smaller and the PFS significantly shorter in the patient group with an interval of ≤ 6 months (median, 2 vs 4.5 courses, P = 0.033; 3.4 months vs. 5.1 months, P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: RAM plus PTX therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer is effective even in patients who have previously received DOC-containing chemotherapy, especially if the interval is > 6 months.

[Intra-abdominal recurrence with bleeding 7 years after curative resection of primary synovial sarcoma of the spermatic cord with localized dissemination:a case report].

Primary synovial sarcoma of the spermatic cord is quite rare and has not been reported in Japanese literature. We report a case of primary synovial sarcoma of the spermatic cord and localized dissemination of the tumor in a patient who experienced recurrence of intra-abdominal bleeding 7 years after curative resection of the primary lesion. A 70-year-old man was admitted with disturbance on urination and lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed two lesions:a 10-cm intrapelvic tumor with hemorrhage and a 4-cm tumor adjacent to the bladder. Curative excision of the tumors was performed. Histological examination revealed that the larger lesion was a primary tumor of the spermatic cord with proliferation of spindle cells in cellular fascicles in a monotonous pattern, which was compatible with histologic findings of monophasic fibrous synovial sarcoma. The smaller lesion was a disseminated tumor. The diagnosis of synovial sarcoma was confirmed by the detection of a SS18 (SYT) -SSX1 fusion gene. After discharge, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy, including ifosfamide and doxorubicin. No recurrence was evident thereafter. Seven years after the operation, the patient experienced sudden abdominal pain and swelling and was transferred to our hospital. CT showed a 17-cm tumor with massive hemorrhage in the omental bursa. Through catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery, bleeding from a branch of the dorsal pancreatic artery was identified. Because of the difficulty of catheterizing the bleeding branch, he underwent emergency resection of the tumor and partial resection of the colon. Histologic examination and genetic testing revealed that the tumor was a recurrence of the synovial sarcoma. After discharge, the patient received treatment with gemcitabine and docetaxel. However, 7 months after the second surgery, intraperitoneal manifestations recurred. The patient died 14 months after the second resection. This case suggests that curative surgical resection of the primary synovial sarcoma of the spermatic cord contributes to prolonged survival. However, because the recurrence rate of synovial sarcoma is high, multidisciplinary treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, might be necessary.

The clinical significance of distal spread differs according to the primary tumor location in rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Treatment strategies of rectal cancer differ between tumors located above (RS/Ra) and below (Rb) the peritoneal reflection. Based on the extent of distal spread (DS), the Japanese Society for Cancer of Colon and Rectum proposed an optimal distal margin in RS/Ra and Rb tumors. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of DS between RS/Ra and Rb tumors. METHODS: We analyzed 287 stage I-III rectal cancer patients who underwent curative intent resection without preoperative therapy. DS and other pathological factors were evaluated using whole-mount sections. To investigate the clinical significance of DS in RS/Ra and Rb tumors, clinicopathological variables, including DS, were analyzed for the survival outcome according to the tumor group. RESULTS: DS was detected in 20 out of 185 (11%) patients with RS/Ra tumors and 8 out of 102 (8%) patients with Rb tumors. DS was not significantly associated with the overall survival (OS) or relapse-free survival (RFS) in RS/Ra tumors, but was an independent prognostic factor for the OS and RFS in Rb tumors (P = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical significance of DS differs between RS/Ra and Rb tumors. DS is associated with a worse survival in Rb tumors, but not in RS/Ra tumors.

[A Case of Resistance to Systemic Therapy in Hypermutation of Colorectal Cancer].

A 78-year-old man was admitted with diarrhea. Colonoscopy and computed tomography(CT)revealed rectal cancer with multiple liver metastases. Low anterior resection was performed for local control. After the operation, 5 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab chemotherapy were administered as first-line systemic therapy, but CT showed progressive disease with liver metastases. After the first-line systemic therapy, 2 courses of FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab chemotherapy were performed as second-line systemic therapy, but CT also revealed progressive disease with liver metastases. We retrospectively performed comprehensive genomic sequencing with a 415-gene panel and found that the patient had a hypermutation subtype. Interestingly, the panel also revealed that he had mismatch-repair(MMR)deficiency with MSH2 mutation, which is reported as a possible cause of resistance to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer.

[Two Cases of Colorectal Cancer with SRC Amplification].

Carcinoma with elevated SRC expression is associated with distant metastasis and drug resistance. We report 2 cases of SRC amplification observed after retrospective comprehensive genomic sequencing. Case 1 was a 62-year-old man who had RAS wild-type stage IV carcinoma of the sigmoid colon with multiple liver metastases in both lobes. He underwent low anterior resection and systemic chemotherapy was initiated to treat the unresectable multiple liver metastases. Case 2 was a 73-yearold man who had RAS wild-type stage IV carcinoma of the descending colon with metastasis in the lateral segment of the liver. He underwent left hemicolectomy and lateral segmentectomy. He subsequently underwent open radiofrequency ablation and systemic chemotherapy to treat a hepatic recurrence. Several previous studies have found that molecular targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors is effective against colorectal cancer with elevated SRC expression. This suggests that the results of comprehensive genomic sequencing may support the implementation of new treatments.

Clinical Significance of Extramural Tumor Deposits in the Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Area in Low Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study at Two Institutions.

BACKGROUND: The presence of extramural tumor deposits without lymph node structure (EX) is an important prognostic factor for patients with colorectal cancer. However, the clinical significance of EX in the lateral pelvic lymph node area (LP-EX) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prognostic implications of LP-EX for patients with low rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 172 consecutive patients with stage 2 or 3 low rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery including lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) dissection. The patients were classified into the following three groups according to the metastatic status of the LPLN area: patients without metastasis (no-LP-M group), patients with lymph node metastasis (LP-LNM group), and patients with EX (LP-EX group). Potential prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were identified in uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Classification assigned 131 patients (76 %) to the no-LP-M group, 27 patients (16 %) to the LP-LNM group, and 14 patients (8 %) to the LP-EX group. The 5-year OS rate was 80.3 % in the no-LP-M group, 61.1 % in the LP-LNM group, and 34.9 % in the LP-EX group (P < 0.001). The corresponding 5-year RFS rates were 62.2, 33.8, and 14.3 %, respectively (P < 0.001). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the presence of LP-EX was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.006) and RFS (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The LP-EX classification is a useful pathologic parameter that can be used to stratify patients with metastasis in the LPLN area.

Tumor Budding Detection by Immunohistochemical Staining is Not Superior to Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in pT1 Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor budding is recognized as an important risk factor for lymph node metastasis in pT1 colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin has the potential to improve the objective diagnosis of tumor budding over detection based on hematoxylin and eosin staining. However, it remains unclear whether tumor budding detected by immunohistochemical staining is a significant predictor of lymph node metastasis in pT1 colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of tumor budding detected by immunohistochemical staining in comparison with that detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital. PATIENTS: We enrolled 265 patients with pT1 colorectal cancer who underwent surgery with lymph node dissection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor budding was evaluated by both hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining with the use of CAM5.2 antibody. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to determine the optimal cutoff values for tumor budding detected by hematoxylin and eosin and CAM5.2 staining. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the significant factors for predicting lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that the cutoff values for tumor budding detected by hematoxylin and eosin and CAM5.2 staining for predicting lymph node metastases were 5 and 8. On multivariate analysis, histopathological differentiation (OR, 6.21; 95% CI, 1.16-33.33; p = 0.03) and tumor budding detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining (OR, 4.91; 95% CI, 1.64-14.66; p = 0.004) were significant predictors for lymph node metastasis; however, tumor budding detected by CAM5.2 staining was not a significant predictor. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by potential selection bias because surgically resected specimens were collected instead of endoscopically resected specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor budding detected by CAM5.2 staining was not superior to hematoxylin and eosin staining for predicting lymph node metastasis in pT1 colorectal cancer.

[A Systematic Analysis of Oncogene and Tumor Suppressor Genes for Panitumumab-Resistant Rectal Cancer with Wild RAS Gene - A Case Report].

A 58-year-old man was admitted with the complaint of bloody stools. Colonoscopy and computed tomography revealed a rectal cancer with a liver metastasis and multiple lung metastases. After administering a regimen comprising 3 courses of XELOX plus bevacizumab chemotherapy, the sizes of the primary and metastatic lesions decreased remarkably. Abdominoperineal resection was performed for local control of the cancer; the specimen from the initial tumor was found to be KRAS wild type. After 14 courses of XELOX chemotherapy, brain metastases were detected. Although 3 courses of IRIS plus panitumumab were administered, the liver, lung, and brain metastases spread rapidly. A comprehensive genomic analysis focused on cancer-related genes with CancerPlex®found a mutation of the BRAF gene(I326V). BRAF is a downstream molecule of KRAS in the RAS-RAF-MAPK pathway. Therefore, this mutation of the BRAF gene has the possibility of causing resistance against panitumumab that was found in this case. Furthermore, we expect that the systematic analysis of oncogene and suppressor oncogenes will enable us to choose the optimal regimen of chemotherapy or molecular targeting therapy for each patient with colorectal cancer.

[A Case of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with HER2 Overexpression/Amplification].

We report a case of panitumumab-resistant rectal cancer with HER2 gene amplification detected by CancerPlex®. A 51- year-old man was diagnosed with an obstructive rectal cancer having lung and adrenal metastases. He underwent the Hartmann 's operation, and KRAS mutations were not detected. After the surgery, 3 courses of CapeOx plus bevacizumab were administered as first-line chemotherapy; however, the lung and adrenal metastases progressed. Subsequently, 24 courses of IRIS/panitumumab was administered as second-line chemotherapy, and the metastases slowly progressed. Six courses of regorafenib were administered as third-line chemotherapy followed by a course of TAS-102 as fourth-line chemotherapy. Subsequently, a left femoral head metastasis and cerebellar metastases were detected. The patient received best supportive care including palliative femoral head replacement and stereotactic irradiation for the cerebellar metastases, and he died of cancer 3 years 5 months after the primary surgery. The comprehensive genomic analysis focusing on 413 cancer-related genes with CancerPlex®revealed that EGFR, BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS had no mutations; however, ERBB2 amplification was detected. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed overexpression of HER2 protein in both the primary and bone metastatictumor. HER2 and EGFR independently promote the RAS-RAF-MAPK pathway. In the present case, the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy may be attenuated because of ERBB2 amplification in the metastatic tumor.

[A Case of Metastatic Colon Cancer Dramatically Affected by Anti-EGFR Antibody Therapy].

RAS mutation is an established predictive biomarker of resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer. In addition, previous studies identified mutations in ERBB2, FGFR1, PDGFRA, BRAF, MAP2K1, PTEN, and PIK3CA as potential mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Testing for these mutations might be necessary to determine eligibility for anti-EGFR therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. CancerPlex®is a nextgeneration sequencer for 413 cancer genes. An analysis panel includes genes that may be associated with resistance to anti- EGFR therapy. A 65-year-old man with unresectable rectal cancer, multiple lung metastases, and a bulky liver metastasis was evaluated for expression of genes associated with resistance to anti-EGFR. The analysis found that all genes indicating resistance were wild-type genes. Cetuximab monotherapy was administered after rectal resection, with dramatic shrinkage of the metastatic tumors. A more accurate selection of patients according to tumor genetic status using CancerPlex®might improve the risk-benefit profile of anti-EGFR therapy.

[New Classification for Advanced Colorectal Cancer Using CancerPlex®Genomic Tests].

Recently, targeted drugs have been developed for the treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC). Among targets, it is well known that KRAS mutations are associated with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies. However, response rates using anti-EGFR monotherapy for CRC were less than 20-30% in previous clinical studies. Thus, because the RAS/MAP2K/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways are associated with CRC resistance to chemotherapy, we analyzed gene mutations in Stage IV CRC patients using a genomic test(CancerPlex®). Medical records were reviewed for 112 patients who received treatment for CRC between 2007 and 2015 in Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital or Niigata Cancer Center Hospital. There were 66 male and 46 female patients, and their median age was 62.5(range, 30-86) years. Cluster analyses were performed in 110 non-hypermutated Japanese CRC patients using Euclidean distance and Ward's clustering method, and 6 typical groups were identified. Among these, patients with all wild-type actionable genes benefited from anti-EGFR therapies. The expense of targeted drugs warrants consideration of cost-effectiveness during treatment decision-making for advanced CRC patients. To this end, based on the genetic information on CRC, it is possible to develop precision medicine using CancerPlex®.

[Three Cases of Stage â £ Low Rectal Cancer with Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis].

Case 1: A 61-year-old man who had a diagnosis of low rectal cancer with lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastasis and multiple liver metastases underwent low anterior resection with LPLN dissection. The initial surgery was followed by chemotherapy, and then an extended right hepatectomy with partial resection of the liver was performed. Subsequently, a lung metastasis was detected, and the lung was partially resected. The patient was alive 9 years and 6 months after the initial operation. Case 2: A 53-year-old man had a diagnosis of low rectal cancer. After 5 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab, he underwent low anterior resection with LPLN dissection and resection of the peritoneal metastasis. The patient was alive 6 years and 3 months after the surgery without any signs of recurrence. Case 3: A 48-year-old man had a diagnosis of low rectal cancer and multiple liver metastases. He underwent low anterior resection with LPLN dissection and right hepatic lobectomy. He subsequently showed liver and lung metastases. The patient received systemic chemotherapy, and is alive with recurrent disease. We report 3 cases of Stage Ⅳ low rectal cancer with LPLN metastasis, and propose that LPLN dissection is important as a part of R0 resection for Stage Ⅳ low rectal cancer.

[Surgical resection after chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer - report of a case].

Herein, we present a case of advanced rectal cancer surgically resected after chemotherapy. A 65-year-old woman presented with anal pain, and rectal cancer extending beyond the anus was diagnosed. The primary tumor was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with a KRAS mutation. Computed tomography revealed cancer invasion into the vagina and sacral and coccygeal bones, and cancer metastases to the bilateral inguinal lymph nodes and the left lung. Sigmoid colostomy and subcutaneous venous port insertion were performed. The patient was treated with modified oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5- fluorouracil (FOLFOX6) plus bevacizumab. She showed a partial response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors after 13 courses of chemotherapy. The primary tumor was then resected via posterior pelvic exenteration, bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, and sacral/coccygeal resection. Histological examination of the resected specimens revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with vaginal invasion. Metastasis to a right inguinal lymph node was observed. The pathological stage was ypT4bN0M1b, ypStage IV according to the tumor-node-metastasis system of the eighth edition of the Japanese Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma. The pathological response grade of the tumor after chemotherapy was determined to be Grade 1b.

[A case of long-term survival after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for recurrence as skip metastasis of rectal cancer].

Herein, we present a case of long-term survival after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for recurrence in the form of skip metastasis of rectal cancer. A 63-year-old man underwent abdominoperineal resection without lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for advanced lower rectal cancer. The histological diagnosis was type 2, 85 × 50 mm, tub1, pT4a, ly0, v1, pPM0, pDM0 and pN0, pStage II (Japanese Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma, 8th edition). Six months after surgery, enhanced computed tomography showed right obturator lymph node metastasis. We performed lateral pelvic lymph node dissection. Histological examination revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in the right obturator lymph node. The lymph node metastasis was diagnosed as a skip metastasis of the rectal cancer. The patient has had no recurrence for 9 years after resection of the lateral pelvic lymph node.

[A case of curatively resected, locally advanced ascending colon cancer with ileal conduit invasion].

A 71 -year-old man was referred to our hospital because of repeated bowel obstruction. He had previously undergone cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion for the treatment of bladder cancer at the age of 28 years. Computed tomography revealed a mass in the ascending colon. Ileostomy was initially performed because of poor general condition that improved with postoperative nutrition management. Enema findings revealed ascending colon cancer and we therefore decided to perform curative surgery. Intraoperative findings revealed that the ascending colon cancer had invaded the ileal conduit. However, it was confirmed that the ureter-ileal conduit anastomosis and the mesentery of the ileal conduit could be preserved. We performed right colectomy and partial resection of the ileal conduit with curative intent. The pathological stage was pT4bpN0cM0, pStage II. There were no signs of recurrence 15 months after curative surgery.

[Surgical curative resection after chemotherapy and portal vein embolization for multiple liver metastases of rectal cancer - report of a case].

A 34 -year-old woman presenting with bloody stools was diagnosed with a rectal tumor. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple liver masses in Couinaud segments IV, V, and VII. The lesions were diagnosed as multiple liver metastases from rectal cancer. Right trisegmentectomy of the liver was considered the optimal treatment option for curative resection; however, liver volumetric examination using CT estimated that the remnant liver volume after right trisegmentectomy would be only 24.6% of the total liver volume. Therefore, she underwent resection of the primary lesion followed by systemic chemotherapy for multiple liver metastases. She showed a partial response, according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, after 5 courses of capecitabine/oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab. Embolization of the right branch of the portal vein was performed to increase liver volume. Asubsequent liver volumetric examination with CT estimated that the remnant liver volume after right trisegmentectomy would be 38.4% of the total liver volume. Therefore, she underwent right trisegmentectomy of the liver for curative resection of the liver metastases. She had had no signs of recurrence at 3 years and 6 months after initial surgery.

[A case of long-term survival in a patient with rectal cancer with virchow lymph node metastasis, liver metastases, and lung metastases].

A 69-year-old man with advanced rectal cancer and liver metastases was treated with 2 courses of chemotherapy with irinotecan and S-1 followed by low anterior resection and partial hepatectomy. Chemotherapy with S-1 was then administered for 22 months. However, lung metastases developed, for which partial pneumonectomy was performed. Seven months later, computed tomography (CT) revealed swelling of the left supraclavicular lymph node. Despite chemotherapy with 5- fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6); 5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI); and capecitabine plus bevacizumab, the lung metastases recurred and Virchow lymph node swelling was noted again. Accordingly, palliative therapy was administered. The patient died 3 years 1 month after Virchow lymph node resection. Herein, we describe a case of advanced rectal cancer, in which lung and Virchow lymph node metastases developed after liver metastasis. Surgical excision of the metastases resulted in long-term survival of 6 years following the first operation.

[A case of descending colon cancer with multiple liver metastases effectively treated with capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapeOX) and bevacizumab].

A 57-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of descending colon cancer with multiple liver metastases. Abdominal magneticresonanc e imaging (MRI) revealed 13 liver metastases across the lobes. We started combination che- motherapy with capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapeOX) and bevacizumab. After 9 courses of the treatment, the number and size of the liver metastases were remarkably reduced on MRI. Left colectomy and partial hepatectomy were performed. Histopathological examination revealed no residual cancer cells in the colon but revealed a few cancer cells in 4 of 7 resected liver specimens. At 11 postoperative months, 1 liver metastasis reappeared, for which we performed laparoscopy-assisted partial hepatectomy. At 21 months after the second operation, the patient was well without any signs of recurrence. Thus, the combination chemotherapy with CapeOX and bevacizumab allowed for the successful resection of the tumor and metastasis in our patient who initially had unresectable colon cancer and multiple liver metastases.