Effects of transmembrane serine protease 4 on the survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The transmembrane serine protease 4 (TMPRSS4) gene is upregulated in various human cancers. However, its biological functions in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remain unclear. We examined the expression of TMPRSS4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery. METHODS: The TMPRSS4 expression was immunohistochemically examined in 81 PDAC patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We analyzed the association between the TMPRSS4 expression and clinicopathological factors, the recurrence-free survival (RFS), and the overall survival (OS) and examined the effect of TMPRSS4 expression on cell migration and sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: The expression rate of TMPRSS4 in the samples was 62.9% (51/81). The TMPRSS4 expression was not correlated with any clinicopathological feature. The five-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly lower in the TMPRSS4-positive group than in the TMPRSS4-negative group. On a multivariate analysis, TMPRSS4 positivity, poorly differentiated histology, and non-adjuvant chemotherapy predicted a poor OS, while TMPRSS4 positivity and poorly differentiated histology predicted a poor RFS. TMPRSS4-silenced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells showed higher sensitivity to 5- fluorouracil than did the control siRNA-transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: TMPRSS4 can be considered a prognostic factor and therapeutic target for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Effect of body fat mass loss on prognosis of radical resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on bioelectrical impedance analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have performed a prognostic analysis based on bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with radical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and its usefulness in prognostic analysis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate body composition changes in patients undergoing radical resection for PDAC and analyze its impact on prognosis. METHODS: The medical records of radical resection for patients with PDAC were retrospectively reviewed, and the parameters of body composition, including body weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass (BFM), and extracellular water-total body water ratio, from preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively, for each surgical procedure were measured based on direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with an InBody 770 (InBody Inc., Tokyo, Japan) device. The clinicopathological and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 79 patients who underwent radical resection for PDAC, 36 (46%), 7 (8%), and 36 (46%) underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, total pancreatectomy, and distal pancreatectomy, respectively. The multivariate overall survival analysis demonstrated that BFM loss percentage at 1 month postoperatively ≧14% (p = 0.021), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.014), and non-adjuvant chemotherapy (p <  0.001) were independent poor prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative BFM < 12 kg and preoperative albumin < 3.5 g/dL were independently associated with BFM loss percentage at 1 month postoperatively ≧14% (p = 0.021 and p = 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Loss of BFM in the early postoperative period may have a poor prognosis in radical resection of PDAC.

IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 3 is associated with cancer stemness and survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of malignancy, with poor prognosis and rising incidence. IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 3 (IQGAP3) is a member of the IQGAPs family of scaffolding proteins that govern multiple cellular activities like cytoskeletal remodeling and cellular signal transduction. This study aimed to analyze the expression and biological function of IQGAP3 in PDAC. METHODS: We analyzed IQGAP3 expression in 81 PDAC samples by immunohistochemistry. RNA interference was used to inhibit IQGAP3 expression in PDAC cell lines. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of IQGAP3 showed that 54.3% of PDACs were positive for cytoplasmic expression of IQGAP3, with no expression found in non-neoplastic tissue. Furthermore, IQGAP3 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor in our immunostaining-based studies and analyses of public databases. Our cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas database indicated that IQGAP3 is co-localized with kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), which we previously reported as a cancer stem cell-associated protein. IQGAP3 siRNA treatment decreased PDAC cell proliferation and spheroid colony formation via ERK and AKT pathways. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IQGAP3, a transmembrane protein, is involved in survival and stemness and may be a promising new therapeutic target for PDAC.

Clinical features and images of malignant lymphoma localized in the pancreatic head to differentiate from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a case series study.

BACKGROUND: Pathological examination by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been reported to be useful in diagnosing pancreatic malignant lymphoma (ML), but some ML cases are difficult to be differentiated from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 8 patients diagnosed with ML that had a pancreatic-head lesion at initial diagnosis and 46 patients with resected PDAC in the pancreatic head between April 2006 and October 2021 at our institute. ML and PDAC were compared in terms of patients' clinical features and imaging examinations. RESULTS: The median tumor size was larger in ML than in PDAC (45.8 [24-64] vs. 23.9 [8-44] mm), but the median diameter of the caudal main pancreatic duct (MPD) was larger in PDAC (2.5 [1.0-3.5] vs. 7.1 [2.5-11.8] mm), both showing significant differences between these malignancies (both, P < 0.001). In the analysis of covariance, MLs showed a smaller caudal MPD per tumor size than PDACs, with a statistical difference (P = 0.042). Sensitivity and specificity using sIL-2R ≥ 658 U/mL plus CA19-9 < 37 U/mL for the differentiation of ML from PDAC were 80.0% and 95.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosing pancreatic ML using cytohistological examination through EUS-FNA can be difficult in some cases. Thus, ML should be suspected if a patient with a pancreatic tumor has a small MPD diameter per tumor size, high serum sIL-2R level, normal CA19-9 level. If the abovementioned features are present and still cannot be confirmed as PDAC, re-examination should be considered.

Psychosocial factors predicting symptoms of depression and anxiety in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: We explored whether a patient's psychosocial background before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) could predict the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms during treatment and after hospital discharge. METHOD: Logistic regression analysis was performed using INTERMED, a scale that comprehensively evaluates psychological factors such as psychiatric history, current mental status, and coping skills, and social factors such as social participation status, relationships with others, and living environment, which were used as independent variables. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to measure depression, while the Profile of Mood States was used to measure anxiety and other symptoms. Both measures were used as dependent variables and were administered upon clean room admission, during clean room stay, at clean room discharge, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Participants included 70 patients (45 males and 25 females, mean age 53.3 ± 12.3 years). Thirty-eight patients participated in the program for the entire period, up to 12 months after hospital discharge. The total score on the Japanese version of the INTERMED and psychological factor scores assessed at baseline were significant predictors of depressed mood on discharge; however, there were no significant predictors of scores on the Profile of Mood States. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive pretransplant evaluation of psychosocial background can help predict the appearance of psychiatric symptoms after allo-HSCT. In patients who are expected to develop psychiatric symptoms after allo-HSCT, it is important to consider early intervention by a specialist and close monitoring by a medical team.

[Unresectable Esophageal Cancer on the Elderly Woman Which Was Treated Effectively with Ipilimumab plus Nivolumab-A Case Report].

Until now, the standard treatment regimen was cisplatin plus 5-FU as the chemotherapy for unresectable advanced esophageal cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have brought about changes to the cancer treatment. Ipilimumab plus nivolumab was approved in June 2022 for unresectable advanced esophageal cancer. An 86-year-old woman who was normal ADL and cognitive function was diagnosed with unresectable esophageal cancer with multiple lymph node metastasis. We thought surgery or chemotherapy is impossible because of her age and health status, so we treated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab. After 2 cycles, tumor became reduced in size on endoscopic examination and accumulation in primary lesion and lymph node metastases was decreased considerably on positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET-CT). Though the cycle after initiation of chemotherapy was uneventful, tumor regrowth on the examinations at 5 months. The patient's condition of the disease was improved temporarily after change chemotherapy to paclitaxel as the second-line therapy, but she died due to disease progression at 11.4 months from initiation of treatment. Ipilimumab plus nivolumab can become one of the effective treatments for patients who are impossible to treat with conventional chemotherapy.

[Surgical Resection and Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early Multiple Peritoneal Recurrence after Rejection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-A Case Report].

Thus far, no consensus has been reached regarding the treatment of peritoneal dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report a case of surgical resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for early multiple peritoneal recurrences of HCC. A 74-year-old man was found to have hepatic mass of 80 mm in size in S7 and 57 mm in S8, and was diagnosed with HCC. The patient underwent an open anterior segmentectomy and S7 subsegmentectomy of the liver. Peritoneal washing cytology revealed the presence of malignant cells. The tumor strongly adhered to the diaphragm, necessitating partial resection of the diaphragm. Six months after surgery, multiple disseminated recurrences were found on the CT scan. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy was initiated, but tumor size enlargement and elevation of tumor markers were observed after 3 courses. Resection of the dissemination(2 on the surface of the lung right lower lobe, 1 on the right renal superior retroperitoneum, 1 on the omentum, and 1 invading the jejunum)was performed. Considering the high risk of recurrence, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with lenvatinib was administered for 1 year. No recurrence has been found for 16 months after the resection. Although more cases are needed to conclude, this case report suggests that surgical resection and postoperative administration of lenvatinib may be effective in the treatment of disseminated HCC lesions at a high risk of recurrence.

Long-standing diabetes mellitus increases concomitant pancreatic cancer risk in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: When monitoring patients with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), it is important to consider both IPMN-derived carcinoma and concomitant ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The latter is thought to have a poorer prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for concomitant PDAC in IPMN. METHODS: In total, 547 patients with pancreatic cysts, including IPMNs inappropriate for surgery on initial diagnosis, encountered from April 2005 to June 2019, were reviewed. We performed surveillance by imaging examination once or twice a year. RESULTS: Five IPMNs with high-grade dysplasia and one IPMN associated with invasive carcinoma were encountered. In comparison, 14 concomitant PDACs were encountered. The prognosis was very poor for concomitant PDACs. All 14 PDAC patients had IPMNs. In patients with IPMNs, long-standing diabetes mellitus was the only significant risk factor for concomitant PDAC in both univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, patients with IPMNs and diabetes mellitus had a high frequency of concomitant PDACs (9.5%, 9/95) in a median 48-month surveillance period. CONCLUSIONS: When monitoring IPMNs, the development of not only IPMN-derived carcinomas but also concomitant PDACs should be considered. During this period, it may be prudent to concentrate on patients with other risk factors for PDAC, such as long-standing diabetes mellitus.

[A Case of Pancreatoduodenectomy for Multiple Nonfunctioning Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Duodenum].

A 42-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of incidentally discovered multiple neoplastic lesions of the duodenum. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed there were more than 10 submucosal tumors and less than 10 mm in diameter. Histological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor(NET). Enhanced computed tomography(CT)showed neither regional lymph node nor distant metastasis, so we performed pancreatoduodenectomy with regional lymph node dissection. Pathological examination showed multiple NET G2 less than 5 mm in size with invasion to muscularis propria and 3 lymph node metastases, so diagnosed as pT2(m)N1M0, Stage Ⅲ. She is alive without tumor recurrence for 14 months after surgery. In general, sporadic nonfunctioning NET of the duodenum less than 10 mm in diameter has low possibility of lymph node metastasis. However, our case suggested the possibility of lymph node metastasis in patients with multiple NETs of the duodenum, in spite of small size. Therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy with regional lymph node dissection should be considered for multiple nonfunctioning NETs of the duodenum.

[A Case of Sclerosing Angiomatoid Nodular Transformation Resected for Suspected Relapse of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma].

We report a case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation(SANT)5 years after remission of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed a nodular mass at the spleen by a contrast-enhanced CT scan 5 years after the relief for DLBCL. The mass showed accumulation of FDG. Because the possibility of the recurrence of malignant lymphoma could not be ruled out, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Immunohistologically, the resected mass revealed 3 different vascular components pattern(CD31, CD34 and CD8), so we diagnosed SANT. It is difficult to distinguish from malignant lymphoma or cancer even with various examination, so laparoscopic splenectomy is useful for diagnosis and treatment.

[A Case of Lynch Syndrome with Repeated Asynchronous Colorectal Cancer in a Short Period].

This case was a 73-year-old woman who previously underwent a partial colectomy for ascending colon cancer at the age of 70. She had a history of cancer of the uterus, descending colon, bladder, and left ureter. She had a family history of colorectal cancer and met the Amsterdam Ⅱ criteria for Lynch syndrome. She was diagnosed as Lynch syndrome with a MSH2 germline mutation by genetic analysis. One year later, a partial colectomy was performed for sigmoid colon cancer. Six months later, colonofiberscopy revealed early-stage cancer in the rectum, and EMR was performed. Despite adequate surveillance, she had frequent recurrences of advanced colorectal cancer within a short period of time. We report here risk factors of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome and indications for prophylactic total colectomy.

[A Case of Anal Canal Cancer with Pagetoid Spread and a Significant Response to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy].

Perianal Pagetoid spread is a rare condition for which there is no proven therapy. We experienced a case of anal canal cancer with Pagetoid spread which exhibited a significant response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT). A 76-year-old man with anal stenosis was referred to our hospital. He was diagnosed with anal canal cancer with Pagetoid spread. No infiltration into the surrounding tissue was observed, but metastasis to the left inguinal lymph node was noted. The patient received preoperative CRT(oral S-1, 1.8 Gy×25 Fr, a total dose of 45 Gy)including the bilateral inguinal region. After CRT, the main tumor size was reduced and PET-CT showed disappearance of the abnormal accumulation in the left inguinal lymph nodes. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and left inguinal trans lymphadenectomy were performed. The macroscopic findings of the surgical specimen confirmed no residual carcinoma or lymph node metastasis. Although more proof is needed, this case suggested that CRT may be effective for anal canal cancer with pagetoid spread.

A case of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas in a branch duct: a rare case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) of the pancreas is a new disease concept defined by the World Health Organization in 2010. ITPN progresses with tubulopapillary growth in the pancreatic duct and is known to have a fair prognosis. Localization in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is one characteristic. There are few case reports of ITPN in a branch of the pancreatic duct (BD). CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered a case of ITPN localized in BD. An 85-year-old man was followed after colonic surgery for rectal carcinoma. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a cystic mass in the pancreatic head and further examination was done. A T2 weighted intension picture in magnetic resonance imaging showed a 20 mm cystic lesion with an internal mass of 15 mm. Duodenal papilla were slightly open and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed mild and diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and mucin in the MPD. In consideration with the image examinations, we diagnosed the tumor as an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with carcinoma because of its large mural nodule (> 10 mm in size) in a cyst. Consequently, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Macroscopically, a white solid tumor sized 2.5 × 1.8 × 1.0 was identified in the head of the pancreas. The cut surface of the resected pancreas showed a side-branch type intraductal tumor with tubulopapillary architecture without mucin secretion. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for MUC1, and negative for MUC2 and MUC5AC. The final diagnosis was determined to be pancreatic ITPN from BD. At the time of this report (48 months post-surgery), the patient remains disease-free without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: ITPNs localized in BD are rare and diagnosis prior to surgery is difficult. In our case, the shape was round, not papillary, and with little fluid. These characteristics are different from a branch duct type IPMN and can be a clue to suspect ITPN in BD.

Effective Tools to Predict Depression in Acute and Subacute Phase of Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high frequency of depression in the first year following stroke, few studies have predicted risk of depression after the acute and subacute stroke periods. The aim of this study was to identify, in the acute and subacute periods, measures that would predict major depression during the first year after stroke. METHODS: Study subjects were inpatients with ischemic stroke aged 20-85 years within 6 weeks of onset. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Patients were diagnosed with major depression using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). RESULTS: Of the 152 potential patients who met inclusion criteria, 49 had follow-up evaluations; one patient with major depression in the acute and subacute periods was excluded from the analysis. Among the remaining 48 patients, the number of those with major depression during the first year of stroke onset was five (10.4%). Patients who developed major depression had significantly more depressive symptoms in the acute and subacute stroke phase as assessed by both the PHQ-9 and MADRS. Patients with PHQ-9 scores ≥9 in the acute and subacute stroke phases were significantly more likely to develop major depression in a chronic phase of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The self-administered PHQ-9 can identify patients in the acute and subacute stroke periods who are at increased risk for developing major depression during the first year after stroke.

A case of Turcot's syndrome type 1 with loss of immunoexpression of MSH6 in colon cancer and liver metastasis due to secondary somatic mutation in coding mononucleotide (C)8 tract: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Lynch syndrome (LS), which is known as a hereditary cancer syndrome, is distinguished by microsatellite instability, represented by the altered number of repetitive sequences in the coding and/or non-coding region. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins (e.g., MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) has been recognized as an useful technique for screening of LS. Previous study has shown that the assessment of IHC, however, requires specific caution due to variable staining patterns even without germline mutations in MMR genes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old man, who had been treated for anaplastic astrocytoma, was referred to our department for the precise examination of progressing anemia. Whole-body examination revealed two advanced carcinomas in descending colon and stomach. A hypo-vascular mass lesion was detected in liver as well. Pathological diagnosis (on surgical specimens) was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in descending colon, moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in stomach, and liver metastasis, which is possibly from colon. It was suspected that this case would be Turcot's syndrome-type-1 due to its specific family history having two cases of colon cancer within the second relatives. Pathogenic frameshift mutations in codon 618 of MLH1 gene was identified. Immunohistochemical analyses (IHC) demonstrated complete loss of MLH1 immuno-expression as well as of PMS2 except for those in brain tumor. Although frameshift mutation was not found in MSH6 gene, histological expression of MSH6 was patchy in primary colon carcinoma and was completely lost in the metastatic site in liver. MSH6 expression in gastric carcinoma, a coincidental cancer in this case, was intact. An abnormal (C)8 region was identified by the cloned PCR of colon and liver tumors but not from gastric cancer. Frameshift mutation in a (C)8 tract in exon 5 of the MSH6 gene was also detected in liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: This case supports a plausible mechanism, proposed by a previous literature, for the reduced expression of MSH6 in a somatic mutation manner, which might preferentially happen in colon cancer rather than in stomach carcinoma in MLH1/PMS2-deficient type of Turcot's syndrome type 1.

Feasibility and efficacy of repeat laparoscopic liver resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Repeat hepatectomy is an acceptable treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, repeat laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has not been widely adopted due to its technical difficulty. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of repeat LLR compared with repeat open liver resection (OLR) for recurrent HCC. METHODS: We performed 42 repeat OLR and 30 repeat LLR for cases of recurrent HCC between January 2007 and March 2018. This study retrospectively compared the patients' clinicopathological characteristics and operative and short-term outcomes including surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups except in terms of Child-Pugh grade. The repeat LLR group had lower median intraoperative blood loss (100 mL vs. 435 mL; P = 0.001) and shorter median postoperative hospital stay (10 days vs. 14.5 days; P = 0.002). The other results including postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Further, comparison of two subpopulations of the repeat LLR group stratified by previous hepatectomy type (open or laparoscopic) or tumor location (segments 7 and 8 or other) revealed no significant differences in the postoperative clinical characteristics between them, although the morbidity rate tended to be higher in patients who underwent open hepatectomy for primary HCC than in patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat LLR for recurrent HCC is feasible and useful with good short-term outcomes although an appropriate patient selection seems to be necessary.

[MSI-H Small Bowel Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination Successfully Treated with Pembrolizumab-A Case Report].

A 52-year-old man was diagnosed with small bowel adenocarcinoma(T4aN1M0, Stage ⅢA, according to the Japanese colorectal cancer classification)and treated with partial resection of the small bowel in June 2014. He also received adjuvant chemotherapy(XELOX: 8 courses)after surgery. Three and a half years after the operation, peritoneal dissemination recurred, and he received bevacizumab plus XELOX therapy. The regimen was adjusted to a total of 11 courses because of the disease progression. The primary lesion showed MSI-H. The patient was started on pembrolizumab therapy in April 2019. The tumor responded well to pembrolizumab(maximum therapeutic effect: PR, 31% reduction), but a new lesion appeared 6 months after the start of this regimen. He continued pembrolizumab therapy for 14 months without adverse events since it appeared to be clinically effective. Although MSI-H small bowel cancers are rare, accurate screening is essential to not miss the opportunity to administer pembrolizumab.

[A Case of Sigmoid Colon Cancer Recurrence at the Hand-Sewn Anastomosis Site Originated from Tumor Implantation].

We report a case of anastomotic recurrence following laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with hand-sewn anastomosis, which was attributable to the implantation of exfoliated cancer cells. A 78-year-old man diagnosed with early colon cancer underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD); however, ESD was suspended due to infiltrated muscle fibers. Subsequently, he underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with hand-sewn anastomosis, accompanied by D3 lymph node dissection. Histopathological findings revealed a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, pT2(MP), tub1>tub2>por2, ly0, v1, PM0, DM0, RM0, N0M0, pStage Ⅰ. The follow-up CT 6 months after surgery, showed enhanced wall thickening and irregular surface of the sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy revealed a type 2 tumor located on the anastomotic line. Based on the diagnosis of anastomotic recurrence, the patient underwent partial colectomy. Histopathological findings were similar to those of the primary tumor and suggested implantation of exfoliated cancer cells as the origin of anastomotic recurrence. Cancer cells had infiltrated all layers. In conclusion, we recommend the performance of appropriate operative procedures to prevent anastomotic recurrence, such as the cleaning of the anastomosed intestinal tract. Careful follow-up in colon cancer patients is of the utmost importance and the risk of anastomotic recurrence should always be considered.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Reinforced Staplers with Bare Staplers During Distal Pancreatectomy (HiSCO-07 Trial).

BACKGROUND: Although distal pancreatectomy (DP) using a reinforced stapler is expected to reduce PF, no multicenter RCT has been performed. To investigate whether reinforced staplers reduce the incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (PF) after DP compared with staplers without reinforcement. METHODS: Between July 2016 and December 2017, patients scheduled for DP were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) at nine hospitals in Hiroshima Japan. Patients were randomized either to reinforced stapler or bare stapler. The primary endpoint was incidence of clinically relevant PF. This RCT was registered with UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000022341). RESULTS: A total of 122 patients were assigned to reinforced stapler (n = 61) or bare stapler (n = 61), and 119 patients (61 reinforced stapler and 59 bare stapler) were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the incidence of clinically relevant PF between the reinforced stapler and bare stapler groups (16.3% vs. 27.1%, p = 0.15). Furthermore, the rates of major complication (16.3% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.74), postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (0% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.08), and median postoperative in-hospital days (19 days vs. 20 days, p = 0.78) did not differ between the two groups. Within a subset of 82 patients in whom the thickness of pancreatic transection line was less than 14 mm, a significant difference was found in the incidence of clinically relevant PF (4.5% vs. 21.0% in the reinforced stapler vs. bare stapler groups, respectively, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reinforced stapler for pancreatic transection during DP does not reduce the incidence of clinically relevant PF compared to stapler without reinforcement.

[Two Cases of Colorectal Liver Metastasis with Localized Biliary Dilatation].

We encountered 2 cases of colorectal liver metastasis with biliarydilatation mimicking cholangiocarcinoma. Case 1: A 70- year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent transverse colectomy3 years prior, was preoperativelydiagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma with biliarydilatation of the medial and lateral segments. He underwent left hemi-hepatectomy. The pathological diagnosis was colorectal liver metastasis with intra-biliarytumor thrombosis. Case 2: A 67-year-old male patient was diagnosed with descending colon cancer and cholangiocarcinoma with biliarydilatation of the medial segment. He underwent left hemi-colectomyand left hemi-hepatectomy. The pathological diagnosis was descending colon cancer and colorectal liver metastasis with biliaryinfiltration. The immunopathological findings showed double positivityfor CK20 and CDX2 antibodies and negativityfor CK7 antibodyin these cancer lesions.