Feasibility of preservation of superior rectal artery plus dissection of lymph nodes around inferior mesenteric artery in laparoscopic resection for sigmoid colon cancer.

Background: Limited data are available about superior rectal artery (SRA) preservation in laparoscopic resection for sigmoid colon cancer (SCC). This study aimed to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacies of SRA preservation in laparoscopic radical resection for SCC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 207 patients with SCC who underwent laparoscopic radical resection for SCC from January 2017 to June 2021. A total of 84 patients received lymph node clearance around the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) root (D3 lymph node dissection) with preservation of SRA (SRA preservation group), and 123 patients received high ligation of the IMA (control group). The clinicopathological data of the two groups were compared, and Kaplan-Meier method was performed to estimate patient survival. Results: Compared with the control group, the operation time of the SRA preservation group was longer (p < 0.001), but the postoperative exhaust and defecation times were significantly shorter (p = 0.003, p < 0.001). Two cases of postoperative ileus and four cases of anastomotic leakage were observed in the control group, whereas the SRA preservation group had none. However, no statistical difference was observed between the groups (p = 0.652, p = 0.248). The overall survival also showed no significant difference in (p = 0.436). Conclusion: Preservation of SRA plus dissection of lymph nodes around IMA did not increase postoperative morbidity and mortality nor affect the prognosis of patients but increased the bowel blood supply, which may have a significant positive effect on the recovery of postoperative intestinal function and reduction of anastomotic leakage.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit B Is a Promoter in the Development and Progression of Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant tumor with hidden incidence, high degree of malignancy, rapid disease progression, and poor prognosis. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B (EIF3B) is necessary for tumor growth, which is an alternative therapeutic target for many cancers. However, little is known about the relationship between EIF3B and PC. Methods: The expression of EIF3B in PC was detected by immunohistochemistry. EIF3B knockdown cell models were constructed by lentivirus infection. The MTT assay, the wound-healing assay, the transwell assay, the flow cytometry, and the Human Apoptosis Antibody Array was used to detect the effects of EIF3B knockdown on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle in vitro. Also, the effects of EIF3B knockdown on the tumor growth of PC were determined in vivo. Results: This study showed that the expression level of EIF3B was significantly up-regulated in PC tumor tissues and associated with pathological grade. In vitro, EIF3B knockdown inhibited the PC cell proliferation and migration, and the apoptosis levels were obviously promoted by regulating apoptosis-related proteins including Bcl-2, HSP27, HSP60, Survivin, sTNF-R2, TNF-α, TNF-ß, TRAILR-3, TRAILR-4, and XIAP. Furthermore, the tumor growth of PC was inhibited after the knockdown of EIF3B in vivo. Conclusion: EIF3B was up-regulated in PC and was a promoter in the development and progression of PC, which could be considered as a therapeutic target for the treatment of PC.

Unusual metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer to the pancreas, liver, and diaphragm: a case report with review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common form of well-differentiated endocrine malignancy. Distant metastases of PTC are rare and usually occur in the bones, lungs, and thoracic lymph nodes despite the common locoregional metastases to the lymph nodes of the neck. The metastasis of PTC to the pancreas is extremely rare. Here, we present a patient with PTC that had simultaneously metastasized to the pancreas, liver, and diaphragm. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old male patient suffering from mild abdominal pain for 2 months was admitted to our hospital. The ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a pancreatic space-occupying lesion and pancreatic duct dilatation, and the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative examination identified a hard mass (approximately 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm) in the body and tail of the pancreas and a mass (1.5 cm in diameter) in the diaphragm. Three light masses were also noted on the surface of his liver. The patient underwent radical distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, diaphragm, and liver mass resection. After surgery, the pathological report revealed that the masses resected from the pancreas, liver, and diaphragm were PTC metastases. Then, the patient had a thyroid US and an endoscopic US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid mass. Pathology showed papillary cancer. Subsequently, the patient received a complete thyroidectomy, a cervical lymphadenectomy, bilateral parotidectomy, and bilateral submandibular gland resection. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive surgeries, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), should be considered for selected patients with metastatic diseases from PTC to alleviate the symptoms and prolong their survival.