Prognostic value of preoperative geriatric nutritional risk index in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after hepatectomy: a single­center retrospective cohort study.

AIM: Patients with malignant tumors are prone to develop nutritional disorders. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a new prognostic indicator for assessing the nutritional status. This study was performed to evaluate whether the preoperative GNRI can serve as a prognostic factor in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) undergoing curative surgery. METHODS: This study included 123 consecutive patients with ICC who were treated with curative surgery. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to calculate the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic factors. RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 82 were male and 41 were female. The median age of the patients was 70 years, and the median follow-up period was 37.0 months (interquartile range, 16.2-71.7 months). The patients were classified by the median GNRI into a low GNRI group (GNRI < 105) and high GNRI group (GNRI ≥ 105). The patients in the low GNRI group had a significantly poorer prognosis in terms of RFS and OS than the patients in the high GNRI group (RFS, p = 0.0201; OS, p < 0.0001). Lymph node metastasis [hazard ratio (HR), 4.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.46-8.85], postoperative complications (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.32-4.31), and a low GNRI (HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.42-4.50) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: The GNRI may be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with ICC undergoing curative hepatectomy.

[The Usefulness of RFA as a Conversion Therapy after Molecular Targeted Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-A Case of Long-Term Survival with Multidisciplinary Treatment].

In this study, we report a case in which molecular-targeted agents have been shown to be effective in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), which has enabled a radical treatment, conversion therapy, and long-term survival with multimodality treatment including RFA. Case: A 61-year-old male, abdominal ultrasonography revealed a large liver tumor and multiple lesions mainly in the right lobe of the liver. He was diagnosed as having unresectable HCC, and treatment with sorafenib was initiated. After treatment, the tumor was clearly reduced in size and the lung metastases disappeared. Five years later, recurrence was observed at the treated site of S7/8, and RFA was performed again after TACE. The patient has survived for 8 years without recurrence.

Novel Approach via the Round Ligament in Portal Vein Embolization.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the detailed technique and clinical outcomes of portal vein embolization via the round ligament (RL-PVE) prior to major hepatectomy. METHODS: Between January 2010 and March 2020, a total of 50 portal vein embolization (PVE) procedures were performed in 50 patients. Of them, seven patients who underwent RL-PVE were enrolled in this study. Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPE) was not indicated due to the following reasons: bile duct dilation (n = 4), difficulty in visualizing the portal vein on ultrasonography because of severe fatty liver (n = 1), large tumor size (n = 1), and combined surgery with staging laparoscopy (n = 1). The following were reasons for avoiding trans-ileocecal PVE: past laparotomy (n = 5), difficulty in accessing the portal vein due to a large tumor (n = 1), and purpose of preventing small intestinal adhesions before hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (n = 1). The percentage of functional hepatic remnant rates was calculated before and after RL-PVE. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all cases. Five patients underwent embolization of the right portal vein, while two underwent embolization of the left portal vein. The median operative time and blood loss during RL-PVE were 181 min and 33 g, respectively. Morbidity and mortality related to RL-PVE were not observed. The median functional hepatic remnant rate before and after PVE was 55.6% and 63.2%, respectively. Liver functions including Child-Pugh classification were equivalent before and after RL-PVE. CONCLUSIONS: The RL-PVE technique may be useful in elective cases for which it is difficult to safely perform PTPE or trans-ileocecal approaches.

The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected high-risk stage II and stage III colorectal cancer in frail patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of frail patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased. Despite evidence-based treatment guidelines, a large proportion of patients with resected CRC do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy in daily practice. This retrospective study aimed to examine the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy for CRC according to frailty. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 507 consecutive patients with curatively resected high-risk stage II or stage III CRC between 2009 and 2016. Frailty was assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS): 1 (very fit) to 9 (terminally ill), and frailty was defined as CFS ≥ 4. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between surgery alone and adjuvant chemotherapy in frail and non-frail patients. A cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs), controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 507 patients, 194 (38%) were frail. There were no significant interactions between frailty and adjuvant chemotherapy regarding RFS (Pinteraction = 0.59) and OS (Pinteraction = 0.81). In multivariable analyses, associations of adjuvant chemotherapy with longer RFS and OS in frail patients (RFS, HR: 0.33, 95% CI 0.15-0.63; OS, HR: 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.54) were comparable to non-frail patients (RFS, HR: 0.36, 95% CI 0.22-0.58; OS, HR: 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.69). Frail patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were younger and had better nutritional status than those undergoing surgery alone (all P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Selected frail patients with CRC may experience a similar survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy as non-frail patients. Clinical trials are needed to establish adjuvant chemotherapy for CRC in frail patients.

RAS mutation status in combination with the JSHBPS nomogram may be useful for preoperative identification of colorectal liver metastases with high risk of recurrence and mortality after hepatectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic impact of RAS mutations on the Japanese Society of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeons (JSHBPS) nomogram score in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) following hepatectomy. METHODS: We included 218 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRLM between 2004 and 2020. The JSHBPS nomogram score was calculated using six preoperative clinical factors. The score ranged from 0 to 25, and higher scores indicated greater tumor burden. Associations of RAS mutations with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by the JSHBPS nomogram score were examined. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: RAS mutations were detected in 72 (33%) of the 218 patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that RAS mutations were independently associated with poor DFS (HR, 1.93; 95% CI: 1.20-3.10; p = .007) and OS (HR, 2.65; 95% CI: 1.59-4.71; p = .001) compared with wild-type RAS with JSHBPS nomogram scores ≤ 10. However, in patients with scores ≥ 11, the association of RAS mutations with DFS or OS was not statistically significant (p > .08). CONCLUSION: RAS mutation status in combination with the JSHBPS nomogram may be useful for preoperatively identifying CRLM with high risk of recurrence and mortality after hepatectomy.

Self-expanding metal stent placement and pathological alterations among obstructive colorectal cancer cases.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies suggest that self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) enhance the aggressive behavior of obstructive colorectal cancer. The influence of SEMS placement on pathological alterations remains to be elucidated. AIM: To determine whether SEMS placement is associated with molecular or pathological features of colorectal carcinoma tissues. METHODS: Using a nonbiased molecular pathological epidemiology database of patients with obstructive colorectal cancers, we examined the association of SEMS placement with molecular or pathological features, including tumor size, histological type, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-pTNM stage, and mutation statuses in colorectal cancer tissues compared with the use of transanal tubes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: SEMS placement was significantly associated with venous invasion (P < 0.01), but not with the other features examined, including tumor size, disease stage, mutation status, and lymphatic invasion. In both the univariable and multivariable models with adjustment for potential factors including tumor location, histological type, and AJCC-pT stage, SEMS placement was significantly associated with severe venous invasion (P < 0.01). For the outcome category of severe venous invasion, the multivariable odds ratio for SEMS placement relative to transanal tube placement was 19.4 (95% confidence interval: 5.24-96.2). No significant differences of disease-free survival and overall survival were observed between SEMS and transanal tube groups. CONCLUSION: SEMS placement might be associated with severe venous invasion in colorectal cancer tissue, providing an impetus for further investigations on the pathological alterations by SEMSs in colorectal cancer development.

Impairment of Activities of Daily Living is an Independent Risk Factor for Recurrence and Mortality Following Curative Resection of Stage I-III Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: With aging of the population, the number of colorectal cancer patients with impairment of activities of daily living (ADLs) has increased. The Barthel index is a validated tool for assessing functional levels of ADLs. In this retrospective study, we aimed to examine associations of Barthel index scores with recurrence and mortality after curative resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 815 consecutive patients who had undergone curative resection of stage I-III colorectal adenocarcinoma between January 2009 and December 2017. Preoperative functional levels of ADLs were assessed prospectively using the Barthel index (range, 0 to 100; higher scores indicate greater independence). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared according to Barthel index scores. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs), controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 815 patients, Barthel index scores were 40 or lower in 129 (16%), 41-85 in 110 (13%), and 86 or more in 576 (71%). In multivariable analyses adjusting for potential confounders including age and disease stage, scores of 85 or lower on the Barthel index were independently associated with shorter RFS (multivariable HR: 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.37, P<0.001) and OS (multivariable HR: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-3.04, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lower scores on the Barthel index are associated with shorter RFS and OS following resection of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to establish treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients with poor functional capacity.

Surgical resection of a ruptured transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Visceral artery aneurysms are rare, but they may cause heavy bleeding and high mortality. In addition, aneurysms originating from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) account for only 1% of visceral artery aneurysms. We report the rare case of a ruptured transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm originating from the SMA that required urgent surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old woman presented with acute back pain after lunch, and she was transported by ambulance. She had upper quadrant spontaneous pain and moderate tenderness, but no guarding or rebound pain. She had rheumatoid arthritis, and was taking 10 mg of steroids per day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a retroperitoneal hematoma spreading to the ventral side of the left kidney and extravasation of contrast agent from a branch of the SMA. We diagnosed rupture of aneurysm. We conferred with our IVR team on treatment strategy for the ruptured aneurysm. In addition, we finally selected operation, since the branch of the SMA to the aneurysm was too thin and complex to conduct IVR. For this reason, we performed emergency simple aneurysmectomy of the transverse pancreatic artery. The postoperative course was relatively smooth. CONCLUSION: Rupture of a transverse pancreatic artery aneurysm originating from the SMA is rare. However, when diagnosing patients with acute abdomen or back pain, we should consider rupture of a visceral artery aneurysm. Endovascular treatment may currently be common for ruptured visceral artery aneurysms, but we should flexibly treat them according to the patient's condition and facility considerations.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma of the sigmoid colon: a case report and literature review.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the uterus that accounts for 7-25% of uterine sarcomas and < 1% of uterine tumors. Previously reported sites include the ovary, bowel wall, abdomen, peritoneum, pelvis, and vagina; however, ESS in the extrauterine area is rare. We report a rare case of endometrial stromal sarcoma that developed in the sigmoid colon along the gonadal vasculature, which was difficult to distinguish from colon cancer. A large polyp was found in the sigmoid colon of a 74-year-old woman during a routine medical examination and was diagnosed as tubular adenoma. On colonoscopy 7 months later, the tumor had grown and blocked the lumen, causing stenosis. She was referred to our hospital for surgery. Although detailed examination at our hospital did not yield a definitive diagnosis, bowel obstruction was considered likely and we performed laparoscopic low anterior resection under a preoperative diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer. The tumor protruded into the sigmoid colon from the stump of the ovarian arteries and veins outside the intestinal tract. As the left ovarian artery and vein were involved in the tumor, we extracted them as a lump. The tumor was diagnosed as low-grade ESS (LG-ESS). She had a history of hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine myoma 25 years ago, and radiation therapy was performed after surgery for an unknown reason. The postoperative course was uneventful, and follow-up was continued at the request of the patient. We report a rare case of ESS infiltrating the sigmoid colon, which was probably a lesion derived from endometriosis of the ovarian arteriovenous stump remaining after surgery 25 years ago.

Colon cancer metastasis mimicking a hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: An accurate diagnosis of the primary cancer or metastatic tumor is quite important because misdiagnosis may lead to the selection of incorrect adjuvant therapy and worse long-term outcomes after surgery. Here, we present a rare case with an unusual metastatic pattern mimicking a hilar cholangiocarcinoma originated from colon cancer CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an upper bile duct stenosis. He had the past history of the sigmoidectomy for the primary colon cancer and the partial hepatectomy with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for synchronous liver metastases 4 years ago. After 2 years from the initial operation, he had experienced the local recurrence of post-RFA lesion and had undergone a partial hepatectomy. According to the radiological findings of the bile duct stenosis, we diagnosed a hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Bismuth type II), and then he underwent the extended right hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection. Histological findings including the immune-histochemical examinations (CK7-, CK20+, CDX2+ and SATB2+) uncovered the metastatic tumor into extrahepatic bile duct originated from the primary colon cancer. CONCLUSION: We experienced an extremely rare case with a colon cancer metastasis mimicking a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this case with a past history of colon cancer, an immunohistochemical staining led us to distinguish the primary hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the mimicking tumor.

Coexisting schwannoma of the gallbladder and sarcoidosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas originate from Schwann cells, which are constituents of peripheral nerve sheaths, and can occur anywhere in the body at any age. Most occur in soft tissues such as subcutaneous tissues and muscles, occurrence in the abdominal cavity being relatively rare. In particular, schwannomas of the gallbladder are extremely rare. We herein report a rare case of a schwannoma that coexisted with systemic sarcoidosis and presented as a steroid-resistant mass in the gallbladder wall. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman was found to have thickening of the gallbladder wall during a routine medical examination and was referred to our hospital, where she was found to have granular shadows in the lungs; mediastinal, cervical, intraperitoneal, and inguinal lymphadenopathy; parotid gland enlargement; and an erythematous skin rash. She was diagnosed as having systemic sarcoidosis by transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage. All her systemic mass lesions except for the one in the gallbladder resolved or became smaller with steroid treatment. The steroid-resistant gallbladder lesion showed enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and was shown by endoscopic ultrasonography to be a 30-mm-diameter gallbladder wall lesion. We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which resulted in diagnosis of the steroid-resistant tumor as a schwannoma. Five months after surgery, the patient's prednisolone dosage had been gradually reduced to 5 mg/day and she was doing well with no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Resection of a steroid-resistant tumor resulted in diagnosis of schwannoma, enabling reduction in the patient's steroid dosage for sarcoidosis.

Ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma mimicking a retroperitoneal tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: An ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma (EHCC) arises from the ectopic liver which is defined as a hepatic organ or tissue not connected to surrounding tissues. EHCC is a rare disease and it is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Furthermore, the clinical features are not fully elucidated. CASE SUMMARY: A retroperitoneal tumor (6 cm) was located at the dorsal side of the pancreas head on abdominal ultrasonography in an 81-year old woman positive for hepatitis C virus antibody. Contrast enhanced-computed tomography and gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed viable HCC patterns with early enhancement and delayed washout. The tumor markers - serum alpha-fetoprotein and alpha-fetoprotein-L3% - were increased to 30.1 ng/mL and 83.1%, respectively. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II was within normal levels (17 mAU/mL). Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed strong accumulation into the tumor (Standardized Uptake Value max: 13.8), and the tumor cytology following endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration showed poorly differentiated carcinoma. Tumor extirpation was performed, and operative findings showed that the retroperitoneal tumor was disconnected from the pancreas and the liver. Swollen lymph nodes near the tumor were histologically normal. On histological examination, the tumor was finally diagnosed as EHCC with Arginase-1 positive expression. CONCLUSION: We report our experience of a rare EHCC which was difficult to diagnose, and we present a review of the literature.