[A case of anal canal carcinoma with systemic lymph node metastases successfully treated by bevacizumab+mFOLFOX6 therapy].

We describe our experience with a patient who had unresectable anal signet-ring cell carcinoma with extensive metastases to the lymph nodes, lungs, and bones. The patient was treated with bevacizumab (Bev)+mFOLFOX6 and achieved complete response (CR). He was a man in his fifties, who visited a local doctor with the chief complaints of swelling in the axillary and inguinal regions. Signet-ring cell carcinoma was diagnosed by examination of a biopsy specimen from the inguinal lymph nodes. A search for the primary tumor was performed, and anal canal carcinoma with pagetoid spread was detected in the perianal region. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed an accumulation in lymph nodes throughout the body, as well as in the lungs and the bones. Bev+mFOLFOX6 therapy was initiated. After completion of 4 courses, the lymph nodes were no longer palpable. PET-CT scanning showed no accumulation. During the 8th course, tumor markers decreased to the normal range, and CR was diagnosed. When 13 courses had been completed, the patient experienced grade 3 numbness of the hands and feet, so his treatment was changed to Bev+FOLFIRI therapy. In conclusion, Bev+mFOLFOX6 therapy achieved 6 months of CR in our patient who had anal signet-ring cell carcinoma with systemic metastases, which seemed likely to have a very poor prognosis.

Sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for pancreatic head cancers.

Recently, sentinel lymph node (SN) concept has been validated for gastrointestinal and breast cancers. Our previous study has shown that the No. 13 posterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph node group constitutes the major regional drainage site from primary tumors in the pancreatic head, and that the status of these nodes predicts that of the No. 16 abdominal paraaortic lymph node group. Based on these results, we have developed SN navigation surgery for pancreatic cancer, in the search for more curable and less invasive surgery. In brief, 2% patent blue dye is injected into the peritumoral area. Approximately 5 min later, one or more blue-stained nodes within the area of the No. 13 lymph node group are identified and excised for intraoperative frozen section examination. The subsequent surgical decision-tree is as follows: i) if No. 13 SNs are negative, an extended No. 16 lymph node dissection is not performed to reduce morbidity, and ii) when cancer is found, the No. 16 lymph nodes are dissected completely. Since July 1997, nine of 21 patients scheduled to undergo an extended curative surgery underwent SN biopsy. SNs within the area of the No. 13 lymph node group were identified in 8 (89%) patients. An extended No. 16 lymph node dissection was avoided in 4 SN-negative patients. The overall 3-year survival rate of the 21 patients was 36%, and 4 patients (three SN-negative and one SN-positive patients) with stage IVa disease were alive 3 years after surgery. Three SN-negative patients underwent an extended curative pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PpPD) with combined portal vein resection, but without an extended No. 16 dissection. In conclusion, SN biopsy and curative PpPD can increase curability, reduce morbidity, and provide long-term survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic head cancer as an alternative to routine extended No. 16 lymph node dissection.