Optimal treatment strategy for patients with pancreatic cancer having positive peritoneal cytology: A nationwide multicenter retrospective cohort study supervised by the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer (PaCa) having positive peritoneal cytology (PPC). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with PPC treated at 78 high-volume centers between January 2012 and December 2020. Prognoses after resection (S-group) and initiation of nonsurgical treatment (N-group) were compared. Prognostic factors for survival in both groups were analyzed. Detailed characteristics of conversion surgery (CS) in the N-group were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 568 enrolled patients were classified into an S-group (n = 445) or an N-group (n = 123). Median survival times (MSTs) were 19.0 months and 19.3 months, respectively, with no significant difference in prognosis (p = .845). The intervenable prognostic factors for survival were adjuvant treatment in the S-group (p < .001) and CS in the N-group (p < .001). Following CS, the MST was prolonged to 45.6 months, and peritoneal or liver recurrence decreased considerably. CS can be expected if PPC is diagnosed before neoadjuvant treatment and when combination treatment is initiated. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection may not be beneficial for improving survival when PPC is evident. Chemotherapy aiming for CS may be the optimal treatment for such patients.

C-reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio: A Useful Predictor for Biliary Fistula After Hepatectomy.

Introduction Postoperative bile leakage (POBL) has emerged as a complication following hepatectomy. POBL is associated with an elevated risk of liver failure and surgical death. This study aimed to examine risk factors for POBL in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods A total of 296 patients who had surgical resection for a preoperative diagnosis of primary HCC from January 2013 to December 2022 at Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital were included in this study. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of POBL. The preoperative, operative, and histopathological findings were analyzed between the two groups. Risk factors were determined using multivariable analysis. Results Regarding preoperative findings, statistically significant differences were observed in white blood cell count, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and CRP-to-Albumin ratio (CAR) between the two groups (p = 0.023, p = 0.025, p = 0.011, and p = 0.012, respectively). As for intraoperative variables, only operation time (p = 0.017) was statistically correlated with the risk of POBL. Regarding pathological variables, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The optimal cut-off value of CAR, as determined by ROC curve analysis, was 0.053. This value had a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 72.8%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that CAR ≥ 0.053 (p = 0.030) and operation time ≥ 308 min (p = 0.023) were independent potential markers for POBL after hepatectomy. Conclusion A high CAR level can be an effective predictor for POBL following hepatectomy.

Changes in characteristics of gastroenterology center inpatients in Japan because of rapidly aging society.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rapidly aging societies have become a major issue worldwide including Japan. This study aimed to elucidate relative changes in the characteristics of inpatients in Japan related to this issue. METHODS: A total of 23 835 Japanese inpatients treated from 2010 to 2021 were enrolled (2010-2013, period I; 2014-2017, period II; 2018-2021, period III). Changes in clinical features were retrospectively analyzed based on ICD-10 diagnosis data. RESULTS: The percentage of patients aged over 75 years increased over time (period I, 38.0%; II, 39.5%, III, 41.4%). Emergency admissions comprised 27.5% of all in period I, which increased to 43.2% in period II and again to 44.5% in period III (P < 0.001). In period I, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, pancreatic-biliary disease, and other disease types were noted in 47.4%, 29.5%, 19.2%, and 3.9%, respectively, while those values were 44.0%, 18.0%, 33.9%, and 4.1%, respectively, in period III (P < 0.001). The frequency of liver disease decreased by approximately 0.6-fold from periods I to III, while that of biliary-pancreatic disease increased by approximately 1.8-fold during that time. Both percentage and actual numbers of patients with biliary-pancreatic disease increased during the examined periods. Analysis of changes in the proportion of organs affected by malignancy during periods I, II, and III showed a marked increase in cases of biliary-pancreatic malignancy (11.6%, 19.5%, 26.6%, respectively) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In association with the rapidly aging Japanese society, there has been an increasing frequency of biliary-pancreatic disease cases requiring hospitalization for treatment in the west Japan region of Shikoku.

Clinical features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiofrequency ablation therapy: developing a simple score to determine the need for immune-adjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Unresectable recurrence after curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-limited event. Although the IMbrave050 trial (IM050) showed a favorable reduction in recurrence with adjuvant immune-combination chemotherapy, inclusion criteria of the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) group were lower risk than that of the resection group. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of patients treated with RFA, which really need adjuvant-chemotherapy. METHODS: From 2000 to 2022, 528 patients with Child-Pugh A and HCC within the Milan criteria (MC), who met the IM050 criteria for RFA and undergone resection or RFA, were enrolled (71 years, HCV:HBV:HBV/HCV:alcohol:others = 337:44:5:53:89, multi-tumor = 138, RFA:resection = 309:219). Unresectable recurrence was defined as beyond the MC. Risk factors for recurrence beyond the MC were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox-hazard analysis showed HCV-positive (HR 1.49), AFP-L3 > 10% (HR 1.75), and DCP > 100 mAU/mL (HR1.80) as significant prognostic factors for recurrence beyond the MC (each P < 0.05). Summing of positive factors (1 point for each) was used for scoring (AD-ON score), which showed increased positive rates for micro-hepatic vein invasion (score 0:1:2:3 = 0%:1.1%:6.6%:15.8%), micro-portal vein invasion (0:1:2:3 = 2.0%:12.1%:14.1%:31.6%), and poor differentiation (0:1:2:3 = 6.0%:6.7%:15.3%:15.8%) in the resection group associated with a greater score (each P < 0.01). In patients treated with RFA, those with greater AD-ON scores showed shorter time to recurrence beyond the MC, recurrence-free time, and overall survival (score 0:1:2:3 = no-estimation:97:66:23 months, 35:27:20:12 months, and 91:82:67:52 months, respectively, each P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HCC patients treated by RFA and with a high AD-ON score (≧2) should be considered for aggressive adjuvant-chemotherapy to prolong the period of recurrence beyond the MC.

Association Between Preoperative Pancreatic Exocrine Function and Pathological Evaluation With Postoperative Pancreatic Fistulas Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) may cause severe complications. In this study, risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fluid leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were investigated, with a particular focus on preoperative pancreatic exocrine function and pathological evaluations of the resected pancreas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients underwent the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-para-aminobenzoic acid (BT-PABA) test and PD in our department between June 2003 and March 2018. The endpoint was the development of POPF. Patients' clinical characteristics, preoperative test results, surgery-related parameters, and pathological evaluations of the resected samples were investigated. Preoperative pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated by the BT-PABA test, and the proportion of residual acinar tissue and the fibrosis rate of the resected pancreatic tissue were assessed. RESULTS: 17 (25.4%) patients with Grade B and C POPF were compared with 50 patients without POPF. On univariate analysis, pancreatic carcinoma (p=0.028), BT-PABA test results higher than 66.3% (p=0.030), and main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter lower than 5.0 mm (p=0.006) were identified as risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fluid leakage. On multivariate analysis, pancreatic carcinoma (p=0.008), BT-PABA test results higher than 66.3% (p=0.036), MPD diameter lower than 5.0mm (p=0.029) were significant risk factors. BT-PABA test results have a moderate correlation with both the proportion of pancreatic acinar tissue (r=0.421, p=0.028) and the pancreatic fibrosis rate (r=-0.443, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The preoperative BT-PABA test results higher than 66.3% were an independent risk factor for POPF. This suggests that the development of POPF may be attenuated by diminished exocrine function with poor pancreatic fluid flow and the progression of fibrosis.

Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic radical gallbladder resection for gallbladder carcinoma: A multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laparoscopic resection of gallbladder carcinomas remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic procedures for suspected gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). METHODS: In this retrospective study, data regarding suspected GBC treated with laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy before 2020 in Japan, was included. Patient characteristics, surgical procedure details, surgical outcomes, and long-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Data of 129 patients with suspected GBC who underwent laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy were retrospectively collected from 11 institutions in Japan. Among them, 82 patients with pathological GBC were included in the study. Laparoscopic gallbladder bed resection was performed in 114 patients and laparoscopic resection of segments IVb and V was performed in 15 patients. The median operation time was 269 min (range: 83-725 min), and the median intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL (range: 0-950 mL). The conversion and postoperative complication rates were 8% and 2%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the 5-year overall survival rate was 79% and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 87%. Recurrence was detected in the liver, lymph nodes, and other local tissues. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy is a treatment option with potential favorable outcomes in selected patients with suspected GBC.

The tumor-to-liver ratio of the standardized uptake value is a useful FDG-PET/CT parameter for predicting malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of positron emission tomography with 18Fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG-PET/CT) for predicting malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Methods: The records of 88 patients pathologically diagnosed with IPMN after surgery at Ehime University Hospital and Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital from April 2009 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' characteristics, blood chemistry, and imaging examinations were evaluated as potential predictors of malignant IPMN. Of the PET/CT results, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the tumor, the tumor-to-blood pool ratio of the SUV (TBR), and the tumor-to-liver ratio of the SUV (TLR) were compared. Results: On pathology, the diagnosis was adenoma (IPMA) in 40 patients, high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in 26 patients, and carcinoma (IPMC) in 22 patients. HGD and IPMC were defined as malignant IPMN. On multivariate analyses, TLR ≥ 1.3 and high-risk stigmata were independent predictors of malignant IPMN (P = .001 and P = .007, respectively). When both HRS and TLR ≥ 1.3 were present, the positive predictive value for malignancy was 88.2%. Furthermore, TLR was significantly higher for patients with IPMC than with HGD (P = .039). Conclusion: TLR can be a useful predictor for differentiating benign from malignant IPMN and may be associated with postoperative outcomes.

Anatomical Study of the Duodenojejunal Uncinate Process Vein: A Key Landmark for Mesopancreatoduodenal Resection During Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: The mesopancreas or mesopancreatoduodenum is an important anatomical concept during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients with periampullary carcinoma. This study investigated whether the duodenojejunal uncinate process vein (DJUV), which is defined as the vein draining from the upper jejunum to the superior mesenteric vein adjacent to the uncinate process, is a useful anatomical landmark for the caudal border of mesopancreatoduodenum resection during PD. Methods: This study enrolled 100 adult patients with hepatobiliary pancreatic disease who underwent preoperative multidetector-computed tomography (CT). The anatomy of the key blood vessels involved during PD, and the relationship between these vessels and the DJUV, were analyzed by preoperative CT. Results: The first jejunal vein was the DJUV in 85 cases, whereas the second jejunal vein was the DJUV in 15 cases. Furthermore, the DJUV was classified into two subtypes depending on its positional relationship with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and vein were located on the cranial side of the DJUV in all cases. The distance between the middle colonic artery, used as a guide for regional lymph nodes, and the point where the DJUV intersected the SMA was within 10 mm in 80% of cases. These results imply that using the DJUV as a landmark for the caudal border of the mesopancreatoduodenum provides a safe approach and enables sufficient dissection of regional lymph nodes and tissues around the SMA. Conclusion: The DJUV may be a useful anatomical landmark for the caudal border of the mesopancreatoduodenum resection during PD.

Clinical Usefulness of Surgical Resection Including the Complementary Use of Radiofrequency Ablation for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/Aim: For intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC]-B) cases, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recognized as the standard treatment, while systemic therapy is recommended for TACE-unsuitable HCC. However, because the curative potential is not high, this study was conducted to elucidate the potential outcomes of surgical resection (SR) for BCLC-B HCC cases. Materials/Methods: From January 2000 to July 2022, 70 patients with BCLC-B HCC treated with surgery as the initial treatment were enrolled (median age 67.5 years, beyond up-to-7 criteria 44). Forty-five were treated with SR only (SR group), while twenty-five underwent that with complemental radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (Comb group). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated in both groups. Results: The median albumin−bilirubin (ALBI) score was better in the SR as compared with the Comb group (−2.74 vs. −2.52, p = 0.02), while there were no significant differences between them for median RFS (17.7 vs. 13.1 months; p = 0.70) or median OS (66.6 vs. 72.0 months p = 0.54). As for those beyond up-to-7 criteria, there were no significant differences for median RFS (18.2 vs. 13.0 months; p = 0.36) or median OS (66.5 vs. 72.0 months; p = 0.57). An acceptable five-year cumulative survival rate (>50%) was obtained in both groups (54% vs. 64%). Conclusion: This retrospective study found no significant differences for RFS or OS between the present SR and Comb groups with BCLC-B HCC. When possible to perform, the outcome of SR for BCLC-B is favorable, with a five-year survival rate greater than 50%.

Pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The most common sites of recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported to be the liver, lung, bone, and adrenal glands, but there have also been many reports of cases of multiple recurrence. The prognosis after recurrence is poor, with reported median survival after recurrence of HCC ranging from 9 to 19 months. Here, we report a case of long-term survival after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC within the Milan criteria, by resection of the metastatic region and cervical lymph node dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man with a Model End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 11 underwent LDLT for HCC within the Milan criteria for liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus infection, with his 48-year-old elder brother as the living donor. One year and 10 months after liver transplantation, he visited a nearby hospital with a chief complaint of discomfort on swallowing. A pedunculated polyp was found in the hypopharynx, and biopsy revealed HCC metastasis. We performed pharyngeal polypectomy. Two years later, cervical lymph node metastasis appeared, and neck lymph node dissection was performed. Although recurrence subsequently occurred three times in the grafted liver, the patient is still alive 12 years and 10 months after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis. He is now a tumor-free outpatient taking sorafenib. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to recognize that the nasopharyngeal region is a potential site of HCC metastasis. Prognostic improvement can be expected with close follow-up, early detection, and multidisciplinary treatment, including radical resection.

Wilson Disease With Giant Splenic Artery Aneurysms Caused by Fibromuscular Dysplasia During Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

Liver cirrhosis can cause splenic artery aneurysms (SAA) that pose a threat to patients undergoing liver transplantation. However, liver transplantation with multiple visceral artery aneurysms including giant SAA caused by arterial fragility has never been reported. We describe a 36-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to Wilson disease that was complicated by giant SAA and multiple aneurysms in the bilateral renal arteries caused by fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). The maximal diameter of the triple snowball-shaped SAA was 11 cm. We planned a 2-stage strategy consisting of a splenectomy with distal pancreatectomy to treat the SAA and subsequent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) to address the liver cirrhosis. This strategy was selected to prevent fatal postoperative infectious complications caused by the potential development of pancreatic fistula during simultaneous procedures and to histopathologically diagnose the arterial lesion before LDLT to promote safe hepatic artery reconstruction. However, a postoperative pancreatic fistula did not develop after a splenectomy with distal pancreatectomy, and the pathologic findings of the artery indicated FMD. The patient underwent ABO-identical LDLT with a right lobe graft donated by his brother. Other than postoperative rupture of the aneurysm in the left renal artery requiring emergency interventional radiology, the patient has remained free of any other arterial complications and continues to do well at 2 years after LDLT.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio is a Predictive Factor of Malignant Potential for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the pancreas.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are cystic neoplasms with the potential for progression to pancreatic cancer. Accurate prediction of the malignant potential is challenging and a proper treatment strategy has not been well established. Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biomarker of the malignant potential in patients with several types of malignancy. We explored malignant potential in patients with IPMN. The present study included 56 patients aged of 73 ± 9 years (mean ± standard deviation) who underwent curative resection for IPMN from 1996 to 2017. We analyzed the relationship between the characteristics including NLR and malignant component for predicting pathological results. The nonmalignant IPMN group (N = 21) included patients with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and intermediate-grade dysplasia (IGD), and the malignant IPMN group (N = 35) included patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and invasive carcinoma. In a univariate analysis, NLR ⩾ 2.2 (P = .001), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) < 45 (P = .016), CA 19-9 > 37 U/mL (P = .039), and cystic diameter ⩾ 30 mm (P = .010), and mural nodule (P = .010) were significantly different between the malignant IPMN and the nonmalignant IPMN groups. Multivariate analysis showed that high NLR (⩾2.2) (odds ratio 9.79; 95% confidence interval: 2.06-45.6), cystic diameter ⩾ 30 mm (4.65; 1.14-18.9), and mural nodule (4.91; 1.20-20.1) were independently predictive of malignant IPMN. These results suggest that preoperative NLR is a useful predictive biomarker for evaluating malignant potential in patients with IPMN.1.

Reconstruction of Middle Hepatic Vein Tributaries With Artificial Vascular Grafts in Living Donor Liver Transplant Using Right Lobe Grafts: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Congestion of the anterior section of the grafted liver might be a problem when performing living donor liver transplant using a right lobe graft without middle hepatic vein (MHV). This can be prevented by MHV tributary reconstruction. We report our procedure and results of reconstructing MHV tributaries using artificial vascular grafts (AVGs). METHODS: We consider venous reconstruction when the estimated territory of each MHV tributary of the transplanted liver is more than 100 mL. For tributaries distant from the stump of the right hepatic vein of the graft, we use heparin-bonded AVGs made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with circular rings as the interposition graft between the MHV tributary and the inferior vena cava. During donor surgery, the suturing margin of the MHV tributary is secured before cutting, and it is anastomosed to the AVG during back-bench surgery. After restoration of portal flow in the recipient, we anastomose the AVG at a new position on the inferior vena cava. RESULTS: The above procedure was performed for 4 cases. The estimated drainage territory of the vein that was reconstructed using the AVG ranged from 104 to 180 mL. The AVG patency was achieved for about 2 months in all cases. In terms of morbidity, biloma and pancreatic fistula were observed in 2 cases, although removal of the AVG was not required postoperatively in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: The heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene AVG with circular rings is a feasible option for MHV tributary reconstruction in living donor liver transplant using right liver lobe grafts without MHVs.

Serosal invasion is a strong prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

AIM: The clinical impact of serosal invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the significance of serosal invasion as a prognostic factor for patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between October 2003 and September 2016 in Ehime University Hospital (Toon, Japan). A total of 161 cases were enrolled after excluding cases of concomitant distant metastasis, macroscopic tumor remnant, mixed HCC, and rehepatectomy. We classified these 161 patients into groups with serosal invasion detected (S[+]) and serosal invasion undetected (S[-]). We compared patient characteristics, perioperative data, pathological findings, and prognosis between S(+) and S(-) groups. RESULTS: Serosal invasion was observed in 19 of the 161 patients (12%). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was lower for S(+) (13.0%) than for S(-) (28.7%, P = 0.006). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was lower for S(+) (24.7%) than for S(-) (63.9%, P < 0.001). Regarding OS, serosal invasion, preoperative α-fetoprotein value, presence of invasion to hepatic veins, and liver cirrhosis were independent predictors in multivariate analyses. The 3-year OS rate after recurrence was poorer in the S(+) group (22.9%) than in the S(-) group (49.7%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serosal invasion was a strong predictor of worse outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC. Patients showing serosal invasion need close postoperative follow-up or consideration of adjuvant treatment.

Gastric liposarcoma resected by laparoscopic total gastrectomy to achieve a wide surgical margin.

Gastric liposarcoma is an extremely rare tumour that usually affects the extremities and retroperitoneum. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and operative procedures are not well standardised. A 61-year-old woman presented with melaena, epigastric discomfort and palpitations. Upper endoscopy revealed a submucosal tumour at the posterior gastric fundus with an actively bleeding ulcer on the top. Our preoperative diagnosis was lipoma, and we performed laparoscopic intragastric surgery. However, the histopathological diagnosis was liposarcoma. Laparoscopic total gastrectomy was performed to achieve a wide surgical margin. Several recent series have shown that a positive microscopic margin is associated with a higher rate of local recurrence than a negative margin. We have added a staged operation to obtain a wide margin in cases involving a positive surgical margin. Preoperative diagnosis of liposarcoma is still challenging. Gastric lipoma-like tumours should be resected with a wide margin because of their possibility of malignancy.

Localized 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake at the pancreatic head during remission phase of autoimmune pancreatitis: A case report.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a unique form of pancreatitis, histopathologically characterized by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and fibrosis of the pancreas with obliterative phlebitis. AIP is associated with a good response to steroid therapy. Differentiation between AIP and pancreatic cancer to determine a preoperative diagnosis is often challenging, despite the use of various diagnostic modalities, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. It has been reported that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT may be a useful tool for distinguishing between the two diseases. In the present case report, a 71-year-old male patient presented with a well-circumscribed, solitary, nodular and homogenous 18F-FDG uptake at the pancreatic head, while receiving maintenance steroid therapy in the remission phase of AIP; preoperatively, the patient had been strongly suspected of having pancreatic cancer. Pathological examination revealed post-treatment relapse of AIP. The present case highlights the diagnostic and management difficulties with AIP in the remission phase. In certain cases, it remains challenging to differentiate the two diseases, even using the latest modalities.

Phenotypic characterization and clinical outcome in ampullary adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although various features of ampullary adenocarcinoma have been reported, the impact of genetic alterations and rare subtypes on clinical outcome remains unclear. METHODS: We determined the expression of proteins, including MUC1, MUC2, p53, p16, Smad/Dpc4, and ß-catenin, and genetic mutations such as KRAS, BRAF, and GNAS mutations in 69 patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma to clarify their relationships with clinicopathological findings and subtypes. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that abnormal p53 labeling was significantly associated with a shorter overall survival. MUC1-positive and MUC2-negative expressions were significantly associated with lymphatic invasion, pancreatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, and advanced UICC stage. The KRAS mutation was significantly associated with large tumor size and pancreatic invasion. There were 35 intestinal (50%), 15 pancreatobiliary (22%), and 11 mixed subtype (16%) tumors. Patients with the mixed subtype showed significantly poor outcome. The invasiveness of the mixed subtype was similar to that of the pancreatobiliary subtype; moreover, the mixed subtype showed a high incidence of abnormal ß-catenin immunolabeling (73%). CONCLUSIONS: Protein expression and genetic mutation are clinically associated with the characteristics of ampullary adenocarcinoma. The mixed subtype may have a distinct tumor nature as compared to other two major subtypes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:119-127. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sarcoidosis manifesting as hepatic and splenic nodules mimicking ovarian cancer metastases: A case report.

The current study presents a case of sarcoidosis manifesting as hepatic and splenic nodules, which was difficult to differentiate from ovarian cancer metastases. A 24-year-old female, who was previously diagnosed with right ovarian cancer and underwent surgery at the age of 21, was found to have two nodules in the spleen revealed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT revealed two abnormal high uptake lesions in the spleen and one abnormal high uptake lesion in the liver. Under a diagnosis of hepatic and splenic metastases from right ovarian cancer, a laparoscopic splenectomy and partial hepatectomy were performed. Histopathological examination showed that a large number of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas formed these nodules, which was compatible with sarcoidosis. This case indicates that it is difficult to distinguish sarcoidosis from metastatic disease even using the latest modalities, and that laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive and useful tool for forming a differential diagnosis.

Quantification of pancreatic stiffness on intraoperative ultrasound elastography and evaluation of its relationship with postoperative pancreatic fistula.

"Soft pancreas" has often been reported as a predictive factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy. However, pancreatic stiffness is judged subjectively by surgeons, without objective criteria. In the present study, pancreatic stiffness was quantified using intraoperative ultrasound elastography, and its relevance to POPF and histopathology was investigated. Forty-one patients (pancreatoduodenectomy, 30; distal pancreatectomy, 11) who underwent intraoperative elastography during pancreatectomy were included. The elastic ratio was determined at the pancreatic resection site (just above the portal vein) and at the remnant pancreas (head or tail). Correlations between the incidence of POPF and patient characteristics, operative variables, and the elastic ratio were examined. In addition, the relationship between the elastic ratio and the percentage of the exocrine gland at the resection stump was investigated. For pancreatoduodenectomy patients, main pancreatic duct diameter < 3.2 mm and elastic ratio < 2.09 were significant risk factors for POPF. In addition, the elastic ratio, but not main pancreatic duct diameter, was significantly associated with the percentage of exocrine gland area at the pancreatic resection stump. Pancreatic stiffness can be quantified using intraoperative elastography. Elastography can be used to diagnose "soft pancreas" and may thus be useful in predicting the occurrence of POPF.